[Monthly Devlog 2] Automatic Trading, Harveston, Blue Sprite & More

Dear Stellar Citizens,

Greetings from the Space Development Committee's Publicity Office! Wherever you are in the cosmos right now, we want to wish you a good morning, afternoon, or evening.

Thank you for your continued interest and support for Stellar Trader's development. This has been a busy and productive month, and we'd like to share what we've added to the game so far:

• Automated Trading is now nearing full operational readiness, promising to expand and streamline your trade networks at scale.

• Harveston, a thriving and peaceful space station you'll enjoy spending time in, is preparing to welcome tourists and traders.

• A new mission chain is on the way, giving you the chance to experience firsthand the historical event where the Aour Federation raided the Democratic Republic of Phoenix and detained members of the Rising Party.

• Oh, and "Blue Sprite"— and no, it's not a winged fairy.

Read on for all the juicy details!

▶ System Briefing

Automated Trading

We are pleased to announce the completion of Automated Trading! Once you own mines or space stations, you can build transport platforms as a trade hub.

At the primary space station of every star system, Trade Commissioners are authorized to finalize contracts with reputable stellar traders. Once a contract is in place, you'll be able to assign qualified personnel to execute automated round-trip trade routes via the Trade Map.

You can build fleets, choose what to buy and sell, and manage inventories in the space station. Hiring and training skilled personnel is the key at this stage of expansion.

▶ Space Station Spotlight

Harveston

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Located in the Horizon Star System and orbiting the Earth-like planet Horizon-1, the city space station Harveston operates under the jurisdiction of the Aour Federation. It's an agricultural eco-city that combines farming and livestock with a self-sustaining "Animal-Plant-Microbe" tri-cycle, creating a fully self-sustaining closed ecological loop.

Though modest in scale, Harveston remains a preferred settlement for many stellar citizens, as it offers a safe environment and efficient internal transit systems. If you seek stability, safety, and steady commerce, Harveston represents a dependable foothold within the region.

▶ Product Spotlight

Blue Sprite

This luminescent, ghost-blue plasma sphere was first discovered deep within the atmospheric layers of gas-giant planets, and is now able to be cultivated artificially.

Measuring between 3 and 10 cm in diameter, Blue Sprite absorbs ambient planetary energy. Upon reaching a critical mass, two spheres can merge and subsequently divide into smaller offspring. Applying a light electrical charge, they will accelerate rapidly, releasing tremendous kinetic energy before finally dissipating.

Despite lacking compact density, Blue Sprite is among the cheapest, cleanest, and most efficient energy sources known.

Whether it constitutes a true living thing remains an open debate.

Quick Science Fact:

The Drake Equation, formulated by astrophysicist Frank Drake in 1961, estimates the number of intelligent civilizations capable of communication. By accounting for astronomical, biological, and sociocultural variables, it gives us a way to understand the profound uncertainties surrounding extraterrestrial life. It's also a key framework for SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

▶ Star System History

The new mission chain draws from a pivotal historical event: the Aour raid on Phoenix and the arrest of Rising Party members in 2289.

Collusion between the Governors' Councils of Phoenix and Aour dealt a catastrophic blow to the Rising Party—and lined the pockets of those who signed off on it. However, the Rising Party hasn't forgotten. Rumor has it that a calculated counterstrike is underway...

That is all for today! We look forward to meeting you again in Stellar Trader soon.

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