Is This Game Dead, Or will More Updates Be On The Way?

[Nuke]

I keep asking when the next update that allows for active storm systems, and no one seems to have an answer. Is this game dead in the water...or will more updates be coming? Hate to think I bought an unfinished product that will remain unfinished. Feels like the devs have lost their zeal for this game. :(

[Jim Offerman]

No, the game is not dead or abandoned.

That said, it is true that I haven't been able to spend much time on Stable Orbit recently. A major factor there is, sadly, money. While Stable Orbit has sold (and is selling) reasonably well, it is not yet at a level where I can afford to spend a significant amount of time or money on developing additional features.

The game I am playing is not Stable Orbit, but a little thing called "stay in business, feed the family". Right now, much as it pains me to say it, it's not looking like a good bet to pour more resources into Stable Orbit. Luckily, I have other sources of income and there is a steady trickle of royalties coming out of Stable Orbit. My hope is that, eventually, later this year, I will be able to either free up a bunch of my own time or maybe hire another developer to develop new features for Stable Orbit. One way or another, the game will be updated!

I disagree, btw, that the game is left unfinished. Not all the features that were on our Early Access roadmap made the final cut, but that's game development. You aim for the moon but only end up at the top of Mt. Everest. Then you learn from the experience and, if you are lucky, you get to apply what you've learned on the next one and hopefully make it to LEO the second time around.

As for the active storm systems... those are on the top of my list of features I would like to add, but I am cannot promise they'll be part of the next update. For one thing, I failed to implement the feature once already - which is usually not a good sign. Also, depending on the time and budget available when I get around to that next update, there may be other features that fall into a "more bang for your buck" category; those are likely to come first.

(Personal lesson learned from publishing an Early Access roadmap: never again list features you are not 100% sure are going to make the final cut... that just sets you up for disappointment)

Sorry I cannot bring better news at this time. I would have much preferred to be able to say: "no worries, the next update is right around the corner!" Alas, that's not how the dice have fallen. While Stable Orbit will probably never become a "game as a service" thing with weekly or monthly updates, the game is definitely not dead or abandoned.

Cheers!
Jim.

[stripe7]

Thanks for the update Jim. I can say the game was worth buying for me. I got a couple of hundred hours of fun out of it. Hope things work out and we get a nice feature update later.

[Jim Offerman]

Thanks stripe7!

[Jeff]

reading between the lines YES ITS DEAD

[[ЯтR] Janack42]

Disagree that the game is dead, more like updated in free time. Maintaining a game and attempting to put out an awesome product at the same time meeting the needs of your family is always a tough thing to do. I'm a small cog in a larger machine that is Star Trek: New Horizons mod for Stellaris. I had to take a break from actively developing for the mod to take care of my family. I'm back as part of the team but if one person is doing all of this, by himself, that is amazing and my hats of to you Jim for making a fun game. I wish you the best and fair weather and following seas in you journey.

[Bloom_23]

It's funny, I thought to myself today "I wonder if there is an update coming soon?" and I look and find this thread. I am glad that the game is still bumbling along. I know what it is like trying to balance family with not enough money and trying to still work on stuff. I think that Stable Orbit has a great future ahead, work on it when you can Jim but let us know every couple of months that it is still ongoing eh?

Right, that said, I'm off to add to MySS V20 or whatever version I am on now!

[Delt_241]

Originally posted by Codalyn:

No, the game is not dead or abandoned.

That said, it is true that I haven't been able to spend much time on Stable Orbit recently. A major factor there is, sadly, money. While Stable Orbit has sold (and is selling) reasonably well, it is not yet at a level where I can afford to spend a significant amount of time or money on developing additional features.

The game I am playing is not Stable Orbit, but a little thing called "stay in business, feed the family". Right now, much as it pains me to say it, it's not looking like a good bet to pour more resources into Stable Orbit. Luckily, I have other sources of income and there is a steady trickle of royalties coming out of Stable Orbit. My hope is that, eventually, later this year, I will be able to either free up a bunch of my own time or maybe hire another developer to develop new features for Stable Orbit. One way or another, the game will be updated!

I disagree, btw, that the game is left unfinished. Not all the features that were on our Early Access roadmap made the final cut, but that's game development. You aim for the moon but only end up at the top of Mt. Everest. Then you learn from the experience and, if you are lucky, you get to apply what you've learned on the next one and hopefully make it to LEO the second time around.

As for the active storm systems... those are on the top of my list of features I would like to add, but I am cannot promise they'll be part of the next update. For one thing, I failed to implement the feature once already - which is usually not a good sign. Also, depending on the time and budget available when I get around to that next update, there may be other features that fall into a "more bang for your buck" category; those are likely to come first.

(Personal lesson learned from publishing an Early Access roadmap: never again list features you are not 100% sure are going to make the final cut... that just sets you up for disappointment)

Sorry I cannot bring better news at this time. I would have much preferred to be able to say: "no worries, the next update is right around the corner!" Alas, that's not how the dice have fallen. While Stable Orbit will probably never become a "game as a service" thing with weekly or monthly updates, the game is definitely not dead or abandoned.

Cheers!
Jim.

I woudl like to say I like the game and I am glad I paid my hard earn cash for it. I hope you the best and I do hope you do get the time for the updates I feel it's almost there just need that push. Best of luck to you!

[Sir /\strix]

So here it is six months later. Any update on updates?

[Bloom_23]

Originally posted by Sir /\strix:

So here it is six months later. Any update on updates?

A good question Sir!

[TwisT]

@Codalyn, thank you for the honest, to the point reply.
Being a (non-game) developer myself, I can relate. And I really appreciate that no-♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ answer.

[saccoeve]

It's been 7 months... Looks dead to me.
" Then you learn from the experience and, if you are lucky, you get to apply what you've learned on the next one and hopefully make it to LEO the second time around."

Before you start another one. Try finishing what you started the first time.

[gaminggallade]

Originally posted by saccoeve:

It's been 7 months... Looks dead to me.
" Then you learn from the experience and, if you are lucky, you get to apply what you've learned on the next one and hopefully make it to LEO the second time around."

Before you start another one. Try finishing what you started the first time.

I would say let the dev work on it at their own pace, sure I have been noticing problems since I just got the game, but I can understand that the dev is busy, sure I don't like the problems I have been seeing (namely checking the game the next day to see my stations are either out of funds, or fell into the atmosphere, and most recently, not getting the parts unlocked when I should have.) Either way I am happy with the game even with the bugs and enjoy it.

[tdpitt2006]

Game is dead - complete waste of time after you beat the steep learning curve and start making money - replacing modules, raking in money, replacing modules, raking in money - lather, rinse, and repeat because that's all this is.

Just another reason to never patronize Early Access games.

Abandonware at actual SOFTWARE prices.

[Suisight]

Sadly, I have to disagree with the immediate response of the developer. Unless features were removed during this year, this game was never in a releasable state. I will list some basic features I would have expected:

- ability to define priority of research projects
- ability to define workplace of researchers
- some sort of tooltips on the UI (I am still guessing what some numbers mean, just trying to keep them green; but thats definitely not an efficient way to handle my station and knowing this hurts!)
- ability to build large modules (granted, I maybe just have not figured it out, but they appear to stay locked after being researched)
- a technology tree (e.g. what lab upgrades do I need to research what)
- a display of effort needed to complete a project other than a loading bar (not useful to plan ahead)

Combined with the general lack of polish AND content, this is unfortunately a good demo, but not a good game. I am happy to say I bought it for 3€ or such at the HumbleStore during sale. Thus, I do not have regrets so much.

[Crystal]

cheap on humble bundle but I'll pass because you cant be bothered to make updates.

Its understandable you have to work and spend time with your family.
As someone that grew up with a father always at work (power lineman) I dont really feel sympathy for the lack of dedication. (he always drove me to baseball on his harley)

You spend an hour or two every day working on it while your kids are sitting by doing homework.
But i'm not going to tell you how to live your life.