Big news from the launch pad! With excitement I announce the new spacecraft editor coming to AstraX 0.5, earlier than expected! You can now create your own spacecraft, save them as starter spacecraft and then launch a new game. Construct them from their individual modules that provide you with different functionality.

Create vessels for mining, transport, trade and research. This and more now in version 0.5!

In this article I want to talk more about the features of this version!

Spacecraft Editor

Choose from cockpits, thrusters, various tanks for fuel or oxygen, cargo and docking modules, solar panels and crew quarters to create the ultimate spacecraft for your deep space exploration missions.

Or just a simple mining ship or a modest escape pod.

The choice is yours!

Create your own Spacecraft

The spacecraft themselves now consist of modules, each requiring energy, fuel or oxygen. Fuel tanks provide fuel for engines to produce thrust; you even need to place them in the correct direction in order for your spacecraft to be able to rotate or move forward. Solar panels create energy, while docking modules or cockpits need energy to function. Additionally, oxygen tanks are required for quarters in which your crew resides in.

A few simple game over states, which existed before this update, are now connected to these new mechanics. Because of this, designing the right spacecraft for the right job has become essential for your success and survival.

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Sounds too complicated?

Forgot to place a module?

Can’t keep in mind what module to place?

Do not worry! The editor lets you know in case you forgot anything using the checklist. You can access it from the “spacecraft” drop down menu. In fact, it won’t let you start a game with a spacecraft if it is not functional!

Read more about Spacecraft editor features here.

Avionics HUD

AstraX received a new stylized HUD that will allow you to command your craft expertly.

The look is inspired by flight displays used in modern aviation.

Sleeker gauge indicators inform you over current fuel and oxygen consumption and current tank capacity. The monitoring system’s alerts are now visible on these gauges as red, orange or yellow markers (respectively for critical, warning and info states). In case your spacecraft runs low on fuel or oxygen, this system issues notifications to the HUD to let you, the pilot, know.

I have replaced the old sonar with a center compass that vibrates on target acquisition and shows direction and distance of targets currently in range. Spatial information, such as rotation and camera zoom and current thruster power can also be read from this display.

To match the look and feel of the other components, the target selector was also changed.

The hitpoints bar was removed entirely and will be replaced with a better spacecraft status component in the foreseeable future.

Pick your Galaxy

The new game screen now allows you to pick from realistic galaxy types according to Hubble – de Vaucouleurs Galaxy Morphology. The type of galaxy now affects generation (partially) and visuals. Prior, there was only a dummy implementation.

The type of galaxy determines how the background of said galaxy look like. If you are lucky, you may enter a special nebula sector which looks different to the usual star sectors.

Planets received a neat shadow and inner glow effect.

Early Translation Support

Parts of the spacecraft editor use a proof-of-concept for a translation mechanism. You do not actually see this change and cannot switch languages yet either, but I think it is worth mentioning!

Join The Future

The editor including spacecraft modules also serve as a setup for upcoming features, such as:

• module failures
• resource gathering
• deep space survival
• a stronger overall emphasis of spacecraft roles
• commanding your own crew and fleet
• owning one or more spacecraft and space stations
• special sectors can be used to mark territory of generated alien civilizations

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