Astromine
Steam News 24 February 20262mo ago

Demo updates! Offhand slot, Thrusters, Better lighting

Updates to demo are now live in version 0.422. We've been updating often (almost daily), and post in the #astromine-dev-logs channel on our Discord with all the changes. But here is a summary of some of the big changes…

Update log

Full Astromine update

The complete published notes, normalized for clean reading and source attribution.

Extracted changes

2 fixes6 additions4 changes1 removal
  • Workshop
  • Gameplay
  • Maps
  • Performance
  • Fixes
changedCan now move any tool/weapon to the 'Offhand' slot in your inventory to use as secondary item. So Detector Tool while Mining, or dual wielding shotguns, pistol with health kits. Only items that already have a offhand item can't be put in offhand slot (Mining Charge's detonator, and the Build Tool)
addedOriginally we weren't intending the Space Ship building to be in the demo, but it is accessible right now with the 'Advanced Vehicles' research. So we also added Thrusters to be able to build moving space ships. Space ship building and battles will be a lot more critical in the full game.
addedEnemy bases now have Laser traps
addedBuild Tool now has a tablet on offhand, to show current tool / structure.
addedTrees now check to add nuts/fruit whenever they are fully repaired (so the trees planted can have them)
addedRemote guided missile now has red dot to show where it's aimed at

Updates to demo are now live in version 0.422. We've been updating often (almost daily), and post in the #astromine-dev-logs channel on our Discord with all the changes. But here is a summary of some of the big changes over the last few days since the demo launch.

Offhand Slot

  • Can now move any tool/weapon to the 'Offhand' slot in your inventory to use as secondary item. So Detector Tool while Mining, or dual wielding shotguns, pistol with health kits. Only items that already have a offhand item can't be put in offhand slot (Mining Charge's detonator, and the Build Tool)

Thrusters for Space Ships

  • Originally we weren't intending the Space Ship building to be in the demo, but it is accessible right now with the 'Advanced Vehicles' research. So we also added Thrusters to be able to build moving space ships. Space ship building and battles will be a lot more critical in the full game.

Better Planet Lighting

  • Since the game is procedurally generated, and on a giant spherical planet, traditional ways of handling lighting in games just doesn't work. After a lot of different attempts we finally found a good solution - it should now be light on the light side of planet, not too dark in near surface caves and buildings, pitch black in caves (if you don't have a flashlight on), and dark for the dark side of planets.

Other change notes since we released demo:

  • Enemy bases now have Laser traps

  • Can now 'swap' fuel cannisters with a loaded fuel cannister in fuel stations

  • Ship Cockpit changes: Now orients the ship right even without power / someone in seat

  • Build Tool now has a tablet on offhand, to show current tool / structure.

  • Can use dead alien flesh in combustion + fuel stations

  • Trees now check to add nuts/fruit whenever they are fully repaired (so the trees planted can have them)

  • Remote guided missile now has red dot to show where it's aimed at

  • Fix for an issue with Intel GPUs, where the Terrain would disappear. Appears to be a issue with Occlusion Culling, which is now a setting in Video settings and now defaults off for Intel GPUs.

  • CosmeticSome adjustments to Krakenshould be better balanced for solo players
  • Chip upgrade to increase Grabber Tool carry amount

  • Removed some buttons from ingame menu which are shown as keys: Craft, Inventory, Map

  • 'Aim' prompt now shows when holding guns (Right click to zoom and decrease spread)

  • Increased amount of nuts / fruit on trees in general

  • Added Target FPS option in video settings

  • Better Homing projectile targeting

  • Brush tool now defaults to Paint mode

  • Fixed map/inventory opening when typing in text in the edit pop up

  • Fixed an issue with building in space where ship would be slightly pushed on building

Thanks!

  • Lee

Source

Steam News / 24 February 2026

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