This content update makes major changes to the equipment mechanics for Patrol mode. We have decided that the Designer system originally implemented was not diverse enough in terms of build variety and choices. We have replaced this system with an equipment slot upgrade mechanics where each individual equipment slot can upgrade their slot abilites in addition to equiping an item into that slot. These upgrades are dropped randomly in addition to slot equipment.

As part of this process we've also removed some frame upgrades that are now equipment slot upgrades.


New Patrol Mechanics: Equipment Slot Upgrades

• Upon review of our patrol mode, we decided to revamp how equipment slots worked.
  
• We've removed the Designer bonus that was previous associated with each piece of equipment and replaced this with an equipment slot upgrade that is collected as a standard drop.
  
• Each equipment slot can now have an item and an upgrade, collected independently of each other for every slot.

New Patrol Frame Upgrades

• Removed the following frame upgrades: Beam Damage, Beam Range, Beam Chain. These are now equipment slot upgrades.
  
• Removed the following frame ugprades: Projectile Damage, Projectile Fire Rate, Projectile Piercing Rounds. These are now equipment slot upgrades.
  
• Removed the following frame upgrade: On Weapon ACtivation - Speed Boost. This was made into a frame upgrade.
  
• Added the following frame upgrades: Revive once on death, Shields grant temp health on taking damage, Reduce enemy lock range, and general move speed boost.

In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our latest update notes for a complete list of changes.

This content update improves our new single player Patrol mode.

We've added three new Patrol Targets that are the ultimate focus on each patrol. You will encounter the same boss multiple times throughout a single run as you advance in threat levels. With each fight they will get stronger until you finally defeat it at the High Threat level.


New Patrol Targets

• We've refined how each patrol works, now you will encounter a specific patrol target (boss) multiple times throughout the patrol instead of randomly encountering different bosses.
  
• We added three new Patrol Targets with three new difficulty levels for each threat level encounter with that target.
  
• If you see a Patrol Target at the end of the low threat level you will know that this is a boss you will encounter at both the mid and high threat levels. As each fight stresses different tactics, you will need to tailor your frame's build with the knowledge that this is the boss you will fight!

New Patrol Enemies

• Charger - a new enemy type that charges at you and attempt to detonate on top of you.

New Equipment

• The Stinger - a fast recharging PPW added for Patrols only.
  
• Improved Manufacture Bonus update - consolidated all the manufacturer specific bonuses upgrades to a single frame upgrade that boosts all manufacturer bonuses.

In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our latest update notes for a complete list of changes.

This content update brings a brand-new gameplay mode: Patrols!

This is a single player rogue-like mode where you take one of our unique combat vessel frames and attempt to survive a variety of deadly encounters. Progress and customize your frame each run with upgrades and modules that are randomly dropped after encounters.


New Gameplay Mode
Patrols (Single Player)

• Select one of our combat vessel frames. Each frame still has its unique dash and super abilities as well as their intrinsic stat differences (i.e. flight speed, health, etc.)
  
• Fight your way through randomized encounters and progress your frame with upgrades and equipment modules as you complete these encounters.
  
• Each patrol phase ends with a boss which will test your combat skills.
  
• After completing each phase, the difficulty will increase and you will move on to the next phase.
  
• Customize your play as you progress through each patrol with a variety of randomly generated module drops and frame upgrades!
  
• Complete three phases to finish the patrol!

In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our latest update notes for a complete list of changes.

We've added another set of multiplayer arenas to AS+CEND today. Now all the 2v2 matches will take place on our Mars biome. This gives us two distinct combat theaters for you to destroy your enemies in!

For now all Duels will be using our Luna Station biome while all Skirmishes will be happening over on Mars, but we'll be extending both biomes to all modes in the future in addition to crafting more biomes.


New Combat Arenas
This content update features the new Mars combat theater. There are three new arenas available for play in our 2v2 Skirmish modes.

• Canyons - TerraMIL and SolNavy are both vying for control of a hidden transport network extending through a series of canyons.
  
• Buildings - A skirmish around an independent surface colony.
  
• Cave - TerraMIL and SolNavy skirmish over a smuggler's den hidden in a large subsurface cave.

In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our latest update notes for a complete list of changes.

We're happy to announce another update today! You may notice that these have been coming pretty quickly, and we're really proud that we're showing off how you can see an Early Access title evolve. With these updates we keep the core gameplay mechanics we spent painstaking hours polishing and we've been focused on creating new content for players to engage with that gameplay.

This content update introduces another new set of ships! This brings AS+CEND up to nine different vessels which players can use to destroy each other. The new set of ships is based around the Tanker class of vessel frames, a slower, stronger frame with equipment sets designed to lock down an opponent and pound them into submission.


New Ships
This content update features a new set of ships that have been adapted from a civilian transport vessel and has been designated the OC1-TSL Combat Adapted Tanker Vessel. Like all new vessel sets, these ships all feature a new Super and a new Dash to mix things up during combat.

New Equipment
The new Tanker vessels bring with them fresh new gear for players to bring destruction to the battlefield. We've added the following modules for use with these new frames:

• Firestorm EBA - An high powered energy beam array that delivers lethal energy damage in a quick, short ranged burst. Beware of it's long recharge time!
  
• Arclight RWS - A debilitating railed weapon that disrupts the thruster systems of any vessel it strikes effectively making the victim slower.
  
• SentryDet DRF - An explosive drone designed to watch a specific zone. these will strike at any vessel entering an exclusion zone around the ship.

In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our latest update notes for a complete list of changes.

We're excited to announce that our second update to AS+CEND is now live!

This content update brings a 2 vs 2 Skirmish mode to our game. Pair up with a friend and challenge others to this intense new combat mode.


New Game Mode
Skirmish
Compete in a brand new round-based 2 vs 2 game mode! Skirmishes not only stress your core combat techniques, but also tests your ability to coordinate with a teammate to destroy your opponents.

Destroying an enemy vessel gives you a trophy which earns your team a point if you survive the round. Teams that lose a vessel are given the option for the remaining player to escape. Escaping with a trophy will earn your team a point and also deny the opponents a point for destroying you! The first team to four points wins!

New Arena
Commercial Sector
The new game mode is set in the Commercial Sector of the Luna Orbital. Fight among the stores and office buildings of this upscale shopping district.

Steam Friends Integration
We've integrated our friends list with the Steam friends list. Create a party with one of your buddies and try our new Skirmish mode as a team!

• Gravity Zones visuals have been updated.
  
• Player alive/dead status given an indicator in the top HUD
  
• Target HUD uses the player's slot color.

• You can no longer connect to games that have already been completed.
  
• Top HUD notifications re-aligned
  
• Fixed a crash related to Draws
  
• Fixed a an issue where a player may not get moved back to spawn after a round ended.

AS+CEND's first content update is now live!

Part of the excitement of an Early Access title is watching the game grow over time and this is our first step in evolving the battlefield for our players.


New Ships
This content update features a new set of ships based on the SN-F1 "Pisces" Recon Vessel frame. These ships all feature a new Super and a new Dash to mix things up during combat.

New Equipment
The new Pisces Recon vessels bring with them fresh new gear for players to bring destruction to the battlefield. We've added the following modules for players to use:

• Cascade BPE - A devastating but short range particle-beam weapon that can devastate foes if kept on target.
  
• Novalance PPW - A precision weapon that can deliver a punishment at long range.
  
• Bulwark FLD - A support field that grants a vessel and it's allies a powerful but short lived defensive shell .

New Player Icons
Have you been watching our art streams on our Twitch channel (WhimsyGames on Twitch)? If so you'll recognize these new player icons from the work done live on stream! Check out the schedule on our Twitch channel and join us! Maybe your idea will make it into the game.


In addition to working on new content we've also been polishing up other aspects of the game and removing the inevitable bugs. See our update notes below for a complete list of changes.