Making Chips and Cleaning Bunkers

This update adds two new features, more content, and improves some existing mechanics. The two big features: Stealing and printing your own chips, and upgrading your bunker.

At first glance the 'stealing and printing chips' thing seemed like an easy task. Turns out it involved rebuilding half the functions and variables related to the evolving hardware mechanics and system travel. Now it's finally up and running!

To steal a Blueprint you will have to wait until the company makes an announcement about an upcoming chip release. You will then have 7 days to enter the megacorp's Grid, hack the Active Research node within the R&D system, and download the data file housing the blueprint. The data file looks like any other file, except they are quite a bit larger (so make sure you slot some storage chips). With the data file on storage, use the new Decryptor app on your desktop to crack it open and get a shiny new chip blueprint.

The blueprint doesn't do much on it's own, however, with the use of a special 3D printer, you can start printing your own knock-off versions for a fraction of the cost. Which brings us to the other new feature: bunker upgrades.

Admittedly, the number of bunker features currently implemented is pretty bare bones, however there are a few more almost ready I couldn't squeeze in time for the summer sale deadline. Currently you can purchase a 3D printer, and pay to have your bunker cleaned. Coming soon will be a variety of furniture and decorations. Some (such as the new bed) will be functional, while others will simply be decorative.

The major content updates are the new system styles, and megacorp sub-grids and systems. (See change log for more details).

The next week or so will invariably focus on bug fixes and tweaking based on feedback, and rolling out several more bunker upgrades. When that's out of they way, the next major update is going to focus on the Alpha Story update. Along the way, expect smaller updates with bug fixes and minor content additions. The Alpha Story update should take a lot less work to complete; the story is written and many pieces are already in place, including models, levels, dialogue drafts, etc. As stated elsewhere, the Alpha Story isn't "Chapter 1" of the story, it a complete, albeit stripped down story, different from the story that will appear in the final version of the game.

Change Log

• You can now hack into a Megacorp's R&D System and steal the blueprints for chips that they have announced for release. You will need to purchase a 3D printer if you want to produce knock-off chips of your own. A new desktop app, simply called Decryptor is used to crack-open the stolen data files and turn them into a functional blueprint.

• Introduced Sub-Grids, a special type of "system" built of several related systems. Currently they are only utilized for Megacorp systems. Each of the 20 Megacorps now has their own sub-grid. You can now acquire Sub-Grid addresses for the Megacorps from the system vendor in Haven.

• Added a new system style, used in lower security systems, such as datastores, webstores, & private businesses about 50% of the time. This Island system layout features a base ring with access to teleporters that transport you directly to whatever section is required, instead of walking through them in order.

• Removed the Combat Hud option from the primary menu, and added the Chip Inventory and Blueprint Inventory tabs.

• Changed the Checkpoint difficulty to increase in difficulty based on the System Security level it's defending.

• Opening the chip inventory, now hides the rig upgrade widget behind to create a cleaner look.