NGC-404 Sound System, Death Animations & Plunder Mechanics

Since last devblog we focused on improving overall immersion - enhancing sound and animations, and introducing a new planet raiding mechanic.

Plunder System

Space stations are no longer destroyed outright when defeated. Instead, they become disabled, creating an opportunity for enemies to move in and plunder them.

When a station is disabled, you can plunder the planet itself, extracting resources and stealing artifacts from selected buildings.

Plundering allows you to:

• Steal valuable resources and artifacts

• Damage the planet’s infrastructure

• Weaken enemy economies without completely wiping them out

The station only acts as a gateway - the real impact is on the planet beneath it.

Death Animation

Ships no longer disappear instantly when destroyed.

Instead, they go through a destruction sequence with explosions, fire, and debris breaking apart from the hull.

Wrecks that remain after battle now visually reflect the destroyed ships, making combat feel more impactful and easier to read.

Destroyed ships now also spawn as salvage entities, which can be looted for resources after combat.

Sound System

The game now features a fully reworked sound system designed to improve both immersion and clarity.

• Combat sounds are clearer and more dynamic

• You’ll hear what matters most, even in large battles

• Your selected ship is always easy to follow through sound

New Scan Animation & Torpedo Weapon Type

We’ve added a brand new scanning animation.

Scanning now has clear visual feedback, making it easier to understand when and what your ships are scanning. It also adds a bit more life and clarity to exploration and interaction with objects in space.

Short video

Thank you for following the development of NGC-404.

More updates are coming soon as we continue improving battles across the sector.