Star Traders: Frontiers Update #78: New Era Darkens

[fallen]

A new era is dawning, but it is not a good one. We will keep the spoilers here to a reasonable minimum and let you discover all about MX11 through your captain's eyes. The specifics are in the release notes if you want them!

With this major new update, we've cracked into the v2.3.x family and knocked out the first of 5 big features. We're going to be following hot on this release with more big 2.3.x body blows and keep this process moving forward. Our Early Access plans indicate that we will be transitioning to launch during the v2.3.x period, so that is coming closer every day now.

Plague Era

With a scientific name like Syrgux-Tek or Mallor Eleven, you know it is not going to be pleasant. This new Era will pick up generally early during the 3rd Century, usually a few years after the end of the Early Coalition Era. And its a doozy.

The new era has all new simulation rules, 4 new unique Rumor types, special Traits that only appear during the era, 16 special types of missions, a bevy of small story vignettes and a major story arc to carry the era. It also features new abilities to break rumors through player action and to have a big impact on the trajectory of the era and exactly when it ends.

It's a challenging time on the frontier, but we am sure you are up to it!

Cross Referencing

With this update, we've also increased the quick cross reference capabilities of many of the game's screens. From within the Star Atlas, you can now see Missions and Contacts that are resident on the zones you are inspecting. From within the Contacts List, you can also see the summary of any Missions you are working on for that given contact. The Star Atlas has also become smarter about its buy/sell lists and the trade law it displays -- all now wired up to represent any known Rumors.

v2.3.1 - 6/30/2018

- Added 5th Story Era: the crimson pox!
- Join in the galactic effort to stop the plague's spread or raid and steal from those who are
- All new simulation rules, Rumors, Conflicts, and Contact actions/mutations during Plague Era
- Added 4 Era-specific Traits for the crimson pox, beware, your infected crew may become part of the problem!
- Added 4 Era-specific Rumors for the crimson pox as the plague spreads
- Added 16 special Mission types during the crimson pox era, medical supplies deliveries in high demand
- Added multiple small story vignettes across the plague Era
- Added special plague stories with Chaesin Doctors and Gestalt Technologists
- Fixed bugs making some options within Chasing Suspicion story mission inaccessible
- Fixed incorrect display of Contact Influence and Rep requirements for services due to Contact Traits
- Fixed Crew death log messages that were missing level and crew job
- Improved Star Atlas rendering for Rumor Rules, Trade Law and Trade Resources
- Improved Star Atlas with listing for Missions on the selected Zones/Planet
- Improved Star Atlas with listing for Zone Contact services (discounts, recruits, etc)
- Improved Contact List with new listing of Contact Missions
- Improve ship combat preamble rendering and fixed bugs in ship combat victory screens
- Fixed bugs with starting ship Stellar Falcon