Open Beta: Interstellar

Hello everyone, today I am releasing more additions for the 0.16 open beta. This time, the new feature is Interstellar. I have added 3 star systems modified from real life, at the current moment: Alpha/Beta/Proxima Centauri, Sirius, and Epsilon Eridani. This is not every single star system I plan on making, it is more of a proof of concept for the method to create new planets/stars.

Proxima Centauri

Being the closest Star system to the Sun, Proxima is a star system we have very good information about in real life, which unfortunately leaves me with little creative license to modify the system. Currently we know of 3 rocky planets orbiting the red dwarf, and there is a fourth, larger planet that could possibly exist, but is not currently confirmed.

Earth included for reference. Small moon possesses a nitrogen atmosphere and liquid water is plentiful within its crust thanks to tidal heating.

Sirius

Sirius is a binary system which means it does not have as many areas for planets to exist. As a result, it does not have a large planetary system in the game. It has two planets, one of which is a hot super-Jupiter with a molten moon. The aforementioned moon possesses the single most powerful iron deposit in the universe at the moment thanks to its liquid iron oceans.

The gas giant is about 1.6x the size of Jupiter, and 3x its mass

Epsilon Eridani

Epsilon Eridani is a sun-like star and the furthermost one from earth that I have currently implemented. It has a confirmed large gas giant, named Aegir, that lies near the habitable zone of the star, which makes it a very interesting world for observation.

In Solar Nations 2, it has a moon that possesses an alien biosphere, but no intelligent life. It is a Jungle world smaller, and warmer than Earth but definitely worth colonizing as it will have both great scientific potential as well as a massive Population capacity compared to its neighbors.

This alien world's magnetosphere passes through that of Aegir, resulting in magnetic aurora all over the moon

Exploration

Currently, all of these systems start off visible to you so you can see what they contain even at the start of the game. However, I am working on a survey mechanic that will hide the specifics of planetary bodies until you visit them with a Starship of some kind, making the exploration process more fun.

Wonders

There are a few new wonder projects that can be built for massive bonuses, but there are only a certain number of them allowed in the world. Some of them are very powerful, like the Dyson Swarm, which can be built around the Sun for a huge amount of energy and industry.

Supply/Colonial Range

In order to better visualize what you can explore, you can now zoom out to see how far your colonial range is. Colonial range now also restricts unit movement, so you cannot conquer things that are outside of the range of your bases.

New Technology

There are some new technologies, and they can be discovered after the Warp Drive is researched. There are not many for the moment, but these new technologies will bring you into the Interstellar Age, with things like Shields, Replicators, Artificial Gravity, and more! In order to make some these powerful devices, you will need more exotic matter and chromite, which can now be produced more easily thanks to Industrial Replicators.

(These techs are secret and only become visible after deciphering the secrets of faster than light travel.)

Miscellaneous

• Large quantity of bug fixes

• New project category filters in the macro builder

• Slight AI behavior modifications aimed at encouraging space/naval aggression