Sea of Stars Early Access update - 2/01/2015

Hi everyone! We have a sizable new update out today with new content, allies, a bunch of UI improvements as well as the usual bug fixes. Check it out! Here's the full list of changes:

• Two new potential allies; a mercenary and a special quest reward.

• Added a new mode of travel that requires a special ally.

• Haven Station with its complement of fighters can now appear in combat.

• Some art assets are now pre-loaded to reduce "hiccups" during game.

• Homeworlds under siege now show race insignias even if unexplored.

• The view angle is now reset when switching between ships in ship management mode.

• Added a "passengers" section to the cargo hold, this will be used by quests.

• Navigation arrow now turns purple if travel time is uncertain due to nebula.

• Beams that miss their targets are now faded where they end in the void.

• Added particle effects to Strange Quark Projector.

• Improved enemy behavior when player ship is cloaked.

• Stars about to be wiped out by Vacuum Collapser are now marked.

• Fixed red alert markers on stars disappearing if within sensor range.

• Fixed an occasional bug where star map would zoom way in by itself.

• Fixed a hang bug on game start related to binary stars.

• Fixed a UI glitch that could mix up trade and cargo icons.

• Fixed Farseeker appearing on the map even if Muktians do not live in the sector.

• Fixed fighters breaking loadout UI in combat simulator.