Hello, mercenaries! It's time to tell you what to expect in the next big patch! Patch 0.8 will be special in terms of content: New locations, new contracts, and new areas to explore. But also... New enemies: both regular and quasimorphic. New factions fighting for dominance in the Solar System and three new Bramfaturas! Also, difficulty settings, barter improvements, and the ability to choose sides in any conflict. [h2]New Factions[/h2] The market is expanding, which means new competitors. Or partners – depending on how you look at it. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/c656ff870320e324dfa7f37bde9fc848609f2e91.png[/img] [b]Dilthey Corporation[/b] A new Hexarch, a corporation of dreamers and visionaries. In the asteroid belt, you will find many traces of their activities: captured asteroids, artificial planets. [b]Unchained Belt[/b] An illegal anarchist commune of traders, terrorists, and space pirates. The Unchained Belt is an unusual faction. When the faction's strategy changes, the leader within it changes – the pirate commander. Each reflects the approach to existence and struggle that the commune has chosen at that moment in time. [b]Shedu's Thousand[/b] A new Quasimorph faction. Now, after the events on Mars, a new force will appear in the game. [h2]Beyond the Solar System[/h2] In this patch, you'll get to look beyond what we consider home. Namely, you'll venture into the asteroid belt, with its myriad of attractions, designed to leave you in awe. Corporations do not control the belt's planets as securely as they do the Inner System's planets. This is a zone of true anarchy, where you will encounter pirates and a much more rampant Civil Resistance. But it's definitely worth taking a look, even though this province of the Main Belt is considered a remote and forgotten corner of the Solar System. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/ebde0976967a32d74e7a63702a2ded76144c1b18.png[/img] [b]Ceres[/b] The largest asteroid in the Main Belt. Settlements on Ceres appeared even before the Great Anarchist Revolution. The asteroid is rich in valuable ores and serves as a base for sending mining expeditions throughout the Main Belt. [b]Werner[/b] A unique structure built during the Great Anarchist Revolution by the Dilthey Corporation. Werner was Dilthey's base, capable of moving throughout the System and participating in the corporation's construction in the asteroid belt. Currently, Werner's engines have long since shut down, and its assets are being sold off piecemeal to other corporations. [b]Vesta[/b] Vesta is rich enough in minerals for corporations to establish permanent mining operations here. The asteroid is now crisscrossed with kilometers of internal mining tunnels, many of which are long-abandoned branches of old mines. If you're lucky enough to stumble upon a feral tribe of cannibals who have long forgotten they live in space, don't be surprised. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/474c0055482d9ad66fd2694c0ddd2189ad5ad74c.png[/img] You will also encounter three large asteroids in the Main Belt, including the mysterious Geist asteroid, captured by Dilthey engineers and sent spinning through the Main Belt. Hmm, it seems something else has entered the belt. But you'll have to find out for yourself. On six objects in the Main Belt, you will find three Bramfaturas. The gravity on asteroids and artificial planets is not as strong as on planets, so the chaotic noise of the universe distorts their infophysical Quasimorphic laws. The inhabitants of Scrivnus, Ron, and Cattaram can serve as a deterrent even to other Quasimorphs. [h2]Story Missions[/h2] The main focus of this patch is new story missions. We are almost doubling the number of such missions and their chains, which will reveal a little more of the dark web of intrigue that envelops the Solar System. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/5e042e32468e5372311f0e7368f13e8c8b6ca905.gif[/img] You will have the chance to find out what's happening behind the scenes of the corporate world and try to establish contact with Tezctlan or the Civil Resistance. Attempting to cooperate with the new faction – pirates – may also lead you to unexpected work. [h2]Barter System Development and Faction Relations[/h2] Long-term relationships are the guarantee of trust between partners. And with trust comes new opportunities! Now, when you reach a certain level of relationship with factions, you will have the opportunity to directly exchange your barter points for items that are in stock. High reputation has always unlocked new items, but now it will also make bartering more convenient and profitable. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/2fe935b91c26a69c72af7d0b3a49959754e01d1c.png[/img] [h2]Difficulty Settings[/h2] In this patch, we will add the first iteration of the difficulty settings mechanic. We decided to start by adding modifiers that will allow you to customize certain game mechanics before starting a new game. [list] [*] Three preset difficulty modes, with the medium setting corresponding to the current state of the game. [*] Regardless of the difficulty choice, you can customize it through separate game rules and modifiers. [*] Through the settings, you can change various parameters and game rules. For example, evacuation rules, and operator cloning rules. [/list] [h2]New Weapons, Rebalances, and Quality of Life Improvements[/h2] [b]New Ways to Interact with Factions During Missions[/b] Taking the right side in a conflict is half the battle. Previously, you were limited to the side that gave you the contract. It's time to turn the chessboard upside down! Now, on the mission confirmation screen, you will be able to... choose the faction you want to help in the conflict. More freedom in how and with whom to improve relations and help achieve market dominance! [b]New Weapons[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42894393/c3c4c286f25594ce48db225c80ed956f5002487d.png[/img] Electric, sonic, plasma, energy, and electromagnetic. And also 2 types of ammunition for old large-caliber weapons, along with their rebalancing. [b]Resistances Rebalance[/b] We continue to work on balance – in this patch, we will rework the resistance system to make it more logical and fair. Now, resistances reduce damage by a percentage (you can find the exact value in the tooltip that appears when you hover over the general armor stats in the inventory). The value of each resistance point has increased, so even if you have light or medium armor, it will help you survive a bit more damage at any level of the game. [h2]Beta Test and Dates[/h2] Is that all the surprises? No. But you will learn about the rest very soon! We plan to hold an open beta test of the patch closer to the end of September. Join our [url=https://discord.gg/hb5QdAA4yN]Discord[/url] to be the first to know about the opportunity to participate. And very soon, we'll be back with information on the patch release date. Good luck on your raids, mercenaries!