The shanty-town outside the walls of Bromius Central at night is awash in shadows against firelit panels of rusted sheet metal. Old hull parts dot the overgrowth and makeshift awnings while several human children in ragged tunics gather around a large murky puddle. All laughing and splashing beneath bare feet. A two-headed human brushes against your right shoulder with a glare from the face close enough to make out. His bluish bloated lips scowling with stringy chin-length dark hair flipped aside revealing scars along his cheek.

The other head droops, remaining flailing helplessly at his side as he hurries away toward the city gate. Carrying a large metal container on his back secured by worn leather straps. Moon and firelight unsteadily reveal the faded letters “HGEC” as you determine that he may have been in the parts and organ trade. Here in the clone camps you can’t be too sure anyway. This is where anyone can end up after all. One way or another.

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In the upcoming Apsis Online v7 I will be introducing a new simulation engine. Which is meant to activate the living game world starting with its first inhabitants (human or otherwise) and continuing through to their descendants and the resulting economic conditions that will effect the initial colony in more visible and impactful ways.

Each NPC will also have their own story generated for them and at some point I will be making those accessible via their communications screen. This could be helpful in determining their underlying motives and potential skills. As well as compatibility with other NPC you may need to bring them around. A retired UESA soldier who is now a clone might not enjoy being asked to work with a Mutroon or Vane raider for example. Think Football Manager in space.

This means that the player (you) will no longer be limited to small interactions with preset NPCs. The goal is to make you feel like an inhabitant of an existing place that you can impact with you decisions. If you are familiar with the current NPC system you may have noticed a lot of speech options. The initial purpose of this was to test out their dynamic outlook on static game worlds down to things like recognizing the player, their faction and to some extent the choices they’ve already made.

Scaling this system means making the world feel very persistent. Which when coupled with more activities and embark options will allow anyone to effect everyone. Current plans include land and orbital patrols coupled with special tasks issued by NPCs. A lot like how adventure mode in DF Classic operates when looking for things to do.

So the overworld is returning as a real-time map allowing you to get information of zones as well as take specific actions in them for reasons that will also see expansions over the next few builds. NPCs will now settle scouted areas and can be raided. Players interrupting herds will effect the local economy. Air and land patrols will earn you experience and clout with the UESA which can unlock governance options when promoted. And dying may see you cloned and respawned in a clone camp where players can buy and sell grey market items like body parts, animals/people or simply hire personnel.

I may be jumping the gun on this post as we are still at least days away from a release but I felt it was important to do a little tell. In other news we’re still running on old servers but some optimization has made this bearable enough. A new server does exists but I'd hate to migrate then migrate back. The next patch will also include general stability and “quality of life” updates. More info coming soon. And thanks for your patience!