Hello everyone! We want to start off by giving you a timeline update. As you may know, we are a relatively small team with big aspirations, and we want to be transparent about where we stand with our upcoming release. It’s been a challenge to secure a publisher in the current industry climate, and we believe our timeline has been impacted to the point where it's unlikely we’re able to get ZeroSpace to the level of polish we’d like by May. We haven't made any final decisions yet, but we are considering Early Access and/or postponing the full release. We understand this wouldn't be ideal but believe it could ensure that ZeroSpace lives up to both our standards and your expectations. That said, many publishers are interested in our project, and we're continuing to seek out the best partnership for the game. We will keep you updated on our progress and timeline and let you know if we have any news in terms of a final decision and/or a publisher deal. In the meantime, it’s still full steam ahead for our team. Since our last check-in, we’ve been working on tons of new features, from unit remodels to new environments and character refinements. Let us know what you think! [h1]So what’s new in ZeroSpace?[/h1] [h2]New Map Tileset[/h2] We're working on a detailed environmental tileset for urban Protectorate areas, focusing on an upper-class, Administrative District aesthetic, filled with new props, models, and decorations. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/6063c6e332827dc3b2a13a9b2877a159febec488.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/17b821440d73266d35cf8b29b3c01e41620705df.png[/img] [h2]Campaign Progress[/h2] We’ve been working on new cinematics, character details, campaign missions, and lots of world building! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/cda2ad0cc06455a60608c35c4f8d3e855fda4aa3.png[/img] What do you think could be happening in this new Protectorate hall? [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/fde699a07036071f08a3318a8364f0b86557a66f.png[/img] Aster’s Armor now has a new helmet to match! [h2]Atlas Unit Remodel[/h2] Our art team has reimagined the Atlas unit for better visual appeal and detail. Let us know what you think! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/441a6515b6a80377e547f57354fb4f2384a36313.png[/img] [h2]Flux Model Updates[/h2] We're re-imagining Flux nodes, drawing inspiration from a combination of sea flora shapes and traditional crystals. While Flux is pervasive throughout the galaxy, it's usually found in small quantities... but once in a while, it may come crashing down in meteor form, bringing large, concentrated deposits! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/2e20f8d39d65b455a41d9098957ccafdc76b57f2.png[/img] [h2]Revamped Mercenary System[/h2] We've been refining the mercenary system to ensure each faction retains its unique identity and playstyle without overshadowing the core factions. To support this vision, every Mercenary Group will now have a buildable, faction-specific Tavern, allowing players to explore not only Mercenary units but also new upgrades and mechanics that emphasize their unique identities and gameplay avenues. We've also introduced a powerful, often modifiable, top-bar ability for each mercenary faction and reduced the number of units for each faction by one to better focus on their unique roles and abilities. We're also experimenting with a new charge system. Rather than all merc units costing a single charge, each will now require a specific number of charges in addition to resources. We believe this change will allow for more interesting unit designs and add an extra layer of strategy. These updates won’t be quite ready for the next playtest. However, we’re excited about how the mercenary taverns are shaping up and couldn’t wait to share them with you! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/b5ee0836cb24cd1d73a48e68e2640dcdc144e872.png[/img] Arandi Merc Tavern (it flies and those are the available merc charges in orange! 👀) [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44535122/bd73b1e40cfbe2edc37f08e38eae465286daba6b.png[/img] The Earth Temple, just one of the Cha’Kru Merc Taverns ;) [h2]Upcoming Playtesting Dates[/h2] Mark your calendars! We have three playtesting phases coming up, and we can't wait to get you back into the game. 1. [b]Alpha Test: November 1-8[/b] This will be a closed alpha test. We are trying out a lot of changes, some of them very experimental, so your feedback during this phase will be crucial as we fine-tune core gameplay mechanics. 2. [b]First Beta Test: November 15-21[/b] Our beta phase will allow for a more polished experience. We welcome streaming during this period to help spread the word about ZeroSpace! 3. [b]Free Demo Weekend: November 22-24[/b] To cap off our testing phase, we're opening the gates to everyone! This 72-hour demo will give players a taste of what ZeroSpace has to offer. [b]Don’t have early access yet?[/b] Consider supporting us on Backerkit! A pledge level of Solar Monarch or higher gets you instant access to the beta, while Sector Overlord or higher gets you into the alpha: [url=https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceBackerKit]https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceBackerKit[/url] During each playtest, please share your thoughts, report bugs, and suggest improvements by joining our [url=https://discord.gg/zerospace]Discord[/url]! Your input during these playtests will be invaluable in helping us create the best possible gaming experience. We can't wait to see you in-game and hear your thoughts! In the meantime, check out the community-built website, [url=https://zerospace.gg/]zerospace.gg[/url], for information on unit stats, maps, ZeroSpace basics and more! You guys are awesome and we definitely have one of the best communities out there! Thank you for your patience and support of our project. This would not be possible without you! The feedback, excitement, and discussions we see from all of you help to keep our team invigorated and aiming to create the best RTS experience possible! The ZeroSpace Team [h2]Looking for the best ways to support us?[/h2] Wishlist us on Steam to help increase our visibility: [url=https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceSteam]https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceSteam[/url] Support us on social media: [url=https://linktr.ee/playzerospace]https://linktr.ee/playzerospace[/url] Back us on backerkit to participate in these testing periods and receive extra goodies: [url=https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceBackerKit]https://bit.ly/ZeroSpaceBackerKit[/url]