exploration - Vortainment

Hello Games has released the free Beyond update to No Man’s Sky. This update adds VR support, an expanded online multiplayer experience, and a ton of other changes.nCheck out the full notes below, or do so on the No Man’s Sky site to see a prettier version of the notes.nPATCH NOTESnVIRTUAL REALITYnNo Man’s Sky is now fully playable in virtual reality.nMany interactions have been given special VR-only options, including: grabbing plants and other collectables with your hands; physically opening the cockpits of ships and exocraft; piloting starships directly with a VR stick/throttle; and punching objects to cause damage.nIntroduced special VR menus: including controlling Multi-Tool options via a menu embedded on the in-world Multi-Tool; and browsing the quick menu and inventory via a personal wrist-mounted display.nGRAPHICS AND PERFORMANCEnOpenGL has been replaced by Vulkan. Many players, particularly players with AMD graphics cards, should see a performance improvement.nSignificant optimisations to asteroid generation.nSignificant optimisations to planet generation.nImproved loading times.nSignificant optimisations to 2D rendering.nReduced memory usage across the game generally.nSignificant optimisations to cloud and terrain shaders.nSignificant optimisations to the animation LODing system.nAdded level-of-detail mesh optimisations to the majority of in-game assets.nSignificant optimisations for large bases.nRevised HDR support, updated output curve in line with advances in HDR calibration.nAdaptive and Triple-Buffered V-Sync are now selectable from Graphics Options.nPlayers with more than one GPU can now select which is used from Video Options.nMany graphics settings no longer require a restart to apply.nThe ‘LOADING SHADERS’ load step has been removed, improving the loading experience.nCONTROLS AND OPTIONSnAdded support for full rebinding of PC controls via Steam and OpenVR.nReworked all settings and options pages, making graphics settings more clear for PC players.nAdded options to disable vignette and scanline effects.nAdded the option to remove button holds and make all non-destructive clicks instant.nTHE SPACE ANOMALYnAdded the ability to summon the Space Anomaly to your location from anywhere in the galaxy.nSignificantly expanded and reworked the interior of the Space Anomaly.nThe Space Anomaly now serves as a hub, bringing together all the Travellers who are onboard regardless of their physical location in the universe.nRemoved orbs from the game and replaced them with fully simulated other players, met ambiently as you explore.nThe network player cap has been raised to between 8 and 32 depending on platform and current location.nAdded a new teleporter to the Space Anomaly. This teleporter allows players to visit the base of any other player currently on the Anomaly with them, as well as highlighting featured bases from the community.nMoved multiplayer mission selection to the Nexus, a new hub area in the Space Anomaly.nAdded an interface for quickly finding other players to join on multiplayer missions.nAdded many new types of multiplayer mission.nAutomatic chat messages are broadcast when performing game actions, including making discoveries, attacking pirates, installing tech, performing gestures, and fighting biological horrors.nMultiplayer missions now warp players directly to the mission location as they leave the Space Anomaly.nAdded the ability to display a custom player banner, adjustable at the Appearance Modifier.nPlayer graves in multiplayer games will get reset to the current player’s system when returning to single player.nA new save icon is used in multiplayer to highlight that while progress is saved, the player’s current position is not.nReworked the story missions to integrate Nada and Polo’s journey better with the story of Artemis.nAdded new story content for Nada and Polo.nReworked the tutorial and much of the early game mission flow.nAdded new and unique visuals for new NPCs aboard the Space Anomaly.nAdded an NPC to the Space Anomaly who will exchange a different product for nanites each day.nAdded an NPC to the Space Anomaly who will exchange milestone progress for nanites.nAdded an NPC to the Space Anomaly who will exchange different categories of discovery data for nanites each day.nUSER INTERFACEnAdded a tech-tree style display for all the technologies, products and other recipes available in the game.nAdded technology and base part research stations to the Space Anomaly, allowing players to browse the full tech tree, plan their upgrades, and purchase new technologies with nanites.nTweaked the visuals of HUD and compass markers for improved clarity and consistency.nSome HUD icons now shrink to reduce visual noise.nAdjusted the behaviour of compass markers while in the ship to better reflect the reality of navigating 3D space.nImproved the UI for comparing and purchasing ships, Multi-Tools and freighters.nAdded a warning when trying to swap starships if you still have cargo aboard your old ship.nImproved the inventory page, including making inventory sub-categories more clear.nChanged text scrolling to a full wraparound rather than a bounce.nReduced the amount of bloom in cases that caused photosensitivity issues.nRefiner output readings now correctly update when more resources are added to an input slot.nImproved the visual style and clarity of the Buy/Sell filters on trade screens.nImproved the icons used to display the class of ships, Multi-Tools, and other purchasable items.nUpdated the ‘Summon Vehicles’ icon on Quick Menu.nThe icons for summoning other ships in your collection now accurately reflect the appearance of those ships.nUpdated the visuals for the in-cockpit ship screens.nSignificant improvements to the chat box, including the ability to choose whether messages are sent to your group or the entire system.nMoved substances, products and technologies to their own ‘Catalogue’, separate from the Guide.nAdded Guide entries for several new features.nIncreased the size of icons in the Catalogue.nImproved the appearance of the dialog / NPC speech UI.nMission notifications / objectives are no longer hidden by the build menu, inventory or refiner screens.nAdded a new style of mission notification that gives more context to complex mission steps.nThe Galaxy Map has been totally overhauled for clarity and visual style.nNPCS AND INTERACTIONSnNPCs can now walk around their environments and interact with environmental elements.nPlayer locomotion is more responsive when running.nPlayers can now sit on chairs.nImproved the camera handling when sitting in a confined area.nNPCs will respond to gestures performed by the player.nNPCs now occasionally browse holographic creatures, ships and more on their handheld devices.nAdded all new NPC interactions at planetary salvage sites.nAdded all new NPC interactions at crashed ships.nSignificantly reworked all factory and monolith interactions.nChanged the reward sequence for factory interactions to allow players to choose which product recipe they would like to learn.nReworked a large number of existing NPC interactions.nAdded a range of biome specific interactions for NPCs at planetary buildings.nNPC pilots now leave their ships when landing at Space Stations and Trade Outposts.nNPCs can now choose a chair to sit on, sit down for a while, then continue with their day.nGeks occasionally swing their legs while sitting.nExpanded the range of NPC moods and animations.nIncreased the richness of text interactions with additional audio, colours and NPC animations.nAdded different text printout speeds for each alien race, giving them their own style of ‘speech’.nAdded a chance for guest NPCs to visit Space Stations, eg the occasional Korvax may be found in the Space Station of a Vy’keen system.nThe Trade Outpost is treated as a building (for the purposes of providing hazard protection), but plays correct outdoor audio ambience.nAdded AutoTranslator technologies to the Exosuit that allow random words to be translated without being permanently unlocked.nFixed an issue where }} alien speech brackets would appear on a new line by themselves.nAlien words are grouped together to prevent learning words very similar to ones already known (e.g. interloper/interlopers).nAlien word learning has been overhauled. Players may direct the flow of language acquisition when interacting with NPCs.nPlayers can practice using the words they know when speaking to alien lifeforms and observe the results.nBUILDINGnReworked the Base Building Menu: improved visual clarity; improved usability; and allowed quicker access to parts, including adding the ability for parts to be in more than one group.nDay/night cycles are now deterministic and synced between players.nSignificant improvements have been made to the base part snapping system, allowing for faster and more convenient building.nAdded a new photo-mode style building camera to allow easier placement of complex structures.nAdded the ability to scale some base parts.nAdded the ability to rotate some base parts around more than one axis.nAdded new power generation base parts: Biofuel Reactors, Solar Panels, Electromagnetic Generators and Batteries. Each offers a different way to generate power for your base.nAdded wiring, allowing you to connect base parts that need power to your generators.nRemoved the manual fueling of many base technologies and replaced it with power grid requirements.nAdded power requirements to existing parts such as lights.nAdded a range of logic gates and switches, allowing for creative control of powered parts.nAdded new large-scale mineral and gas extractor base parts.nAdded mineral/gas pipelines, allowing players to connect their new extractors to remote depots for ease of collection.nAdded a new Survey Device upgrade for the Analysis Visor, allowing player to hunt out the optimal spots to place mineral/gas extractors and electromagnetic generators.nOverhauled the gravity simulation, improving the experience on dead planets.nAdded Short-Range Teleporters. These pads may be placed around your base and wired up to create a network of near-instant transportation.nImproved the management of base options when interacting with the base computer, including improving the ability to take screenshots of the base.nAdded the ability to jetpack while the Build Menu is open.nImproved the visual effects of the Terrain Manipulator.nUnified the functionality of the Message Module and the Communications Station and added a new unique art asset.nAdded several new roof pieces, allowing players to build complete sloping roofs.nAdded new exocraft-sized doors that can be powered to open and close automatically as you approach.nAdded new interactable props, including customisable light boxes and audio frequency generators.nAdded a powered Sphere Generator that allows players to generate large movable spheres.nImproved the visual effects when constructing base parts & technology.nBUG FIXESnIncreased the tolerance of trader ships participating in a freighter battle so that they do not report friendly fire as a crime unless the shot is fatal.nFixed an issue where Sentinel drones would become stuck when scanning a player who was entering and exiting their ship.nFixed an issue where the third person player model would never look directly at the camera.nFixed an issue where ship rain audio was being played when it was not raining.nAdded creature sounds to the weird biome creatures.nFixed a Multi-Tool animation glitch when firing the Mining Beam from sheathed in first person.nChange Asian numerical separators to be correct format.nFixed an issue where the starship can appear floating above the terrain if the player is spawned at a long distance from the ship.nFixed a number of item duplication exploits.nFix for the starship HUD reading ‘Moon of Unknown Planet’ when the planet is known.nThe Mining Beam is now the correct colour when upgraded with a procedural upgrade module.nFixed an issue where the wrong impact particles were sometimes used when shooting Sentinel Quadrupeds.nMiscellaneous text fixes.nDISCOVERY AND EXPLORATIONnOverhauled the Analysis Visor. Scanning of flora, fauna and minerals no longer begins automatically, but begins when the player holds a button while looking at the relevant object.nIn VR, the Analysis Visor becomes Analysis Mode. Objects are scanned by aiming at them with the Multi-Tool.nCustom Markers placed from the Analysis Visor now drop a physical object at the marker location.nSignificantly overhauled the Discovery Page to show a graphical representation of the system, as well as close up 3D representations of all discoveries and long text entries for fauna.nMade butterflies and other flying creatures much easier to scan with the Analysis Visor.nAdded a new set of rare vibrant colour palettes for lush planets.nCreature markers in the Analysis Visor now display how far away the creature is.nFixed an issue where creatures would never poop once they had been scared by a predator.nPredator creatures no longer target and attack players when they are in an interaction.nCreatures will no longer attack players who are in their ships.nImproved the clarity and display of warning icons on predatory or angry creatures.nFix for biological horrors not playing their death effects for network players.nFix for incorrect fauna level being displayed in the Analysis Visor.nAdded creature marker to display their current mental state.nAdded new wild plants to all biomes.nAdded the ability to cook plant and animal products in a Nutrient Processor to produce a wide variety of food. Experient with combinations to create unique and complex foodstuffs.nEating food provides a boost to your life support.nAdded bait products, created in the Nutrient Processor, that allow creatures to be harvested for food products. Scan creatures to learn their bait preferences.nKilling creatures also allows the harvesting of several new food products.nAdded an NPC to the Space Anomaly who will judge the player’s cooking ability.nRenamed Coprite to Faecium.nAdded compass and HUD icons to Faecium deposits.nImproved the visuals of Faceium deposits.nAdded a base part that will attract creatures to your base and automatically feed them.nAdded a base part that will automatically extract milk and other relevant resources from nearby creatures that are ready to be harvested.nThrowing bait can attract a large number of creatures to one location.nThrowing specialist carnivore bait can distract and placate angry or predatory creatures.nCreatures that have been tamed by supplying their desired bait can be ridden. Creatures will still attempt to go about their own business, but their routines can be shaped by their rider.nUpper body gestures may be used when seated or riding a creature.nThe Nutrient Processor and the Portable Refiner now display a marker when they are not placed within a base.nVISUAL POLISHnNada and Polo now use a larger range of animations.nImproved the visuals for the Space Station entrance beam.nEntirely reworked and expanded the cockpits of all ships.nIncreased the amount by which you can look around the starship cockpit.nAdded fully modelled cockpits / interiors for all the Exocraft and the Nautilon Submarine.nStarship exteriors can now be seen while inside the starship.nImproved the particle effects for the Scatter Blaster and the Blaze Javelin.nIncreased the scale of starships. Landing pads and docking areas across the galaxy have been expanded to cope with the new larger ships. As a result, landing pads in existing bases have been refunded.nImproved the visual detail on fighters, haulers and shuttles.nAdded ramps to the front of the Space Station balcony platforms.nFixed a number of issues where trees and rocks could not be run over by Exocraft.nTrade Outposts now have ladders to climb up to the platform.nQUALITY OF LIFEnThe Exosuit torch can now be turned on whatever the time of day.nWhile the Pulse Engine is engaged, the central ship screen now displays a clearer message about fuel use.nTechnology can now be installed in stages, allowing incomplete tech to be placed in an inventory and its individual components added over time.nTechnology can now be moved after installation.nSignificantly overhauled the system for pinning instructions for building technologies, products and base parts.nAdded the ability to pin a substance and receive directions for where to find it.nRemoved the Advanced Mining Laser requirement from large trees on lush planets.nAdded an Antimatter Reactor base part that generates antimatter over time.nAdded specific efficient Starshield Batteries for use in starship combat.nAdded ‘Warp Hypercores’, a large hyperdrive fuel unit with five times the capacity of a regular Warp Cell.nIncreased the base mining speed of the Mining Beam.nFixed a bug that caused resource notifications to stack up while playing without the HUD.nReduced the length of time resource notifications are displayed when you have multiple resources stacked up.nAdded alerts when new items are encountered or recorded to the Catalogue.nAdded the Optical Drill, a Mining Beam upgrade that increases the resources gained from mining.nAdded the Launch System Recharger, a starship upgrade that automatically recharges the Launch Thrusters over time.nAdded an extra slot to the starting Multi-Tool.nWhen installing an upgrade module, the correct inventory is automatically selected.nAdjusted the probabilities of low, medium and high security planets in Normal Mode.nAdjusted the timers of Sentinel patrols on lower security planets.nIn normal mode, allowed some planets to never spawn Sentinel drones.nAdded a chance to collect geodes when mining rocks or asteroids. Geodes can be analysed to extract large quantities of substances.nIncreased the base speed of all Refiner units.nIn normal mode, increased the slot storage limit for substances from 250 to 10,000.nIncreased the wealth levels at which higher tiers of pirates will attack.nIncreased the base energy levels of the Mining Beam and the Terrain Manipulator, allowing for less frequent recharging.nReplaced the ‘Find specific building’ component of the Signal Booster with a system of planetary charts. Acquire planetary charts from Space Station Cartographers.nNavigation Data can be traded for planetary charts. Collect Navigation Data when saving and charting at waypoints and save beacons.nUsing the Terrain Manipulator to mine basic ground will award silicate powder, which can be used to refine glass.nAdded a note on the interaction label of NPCs that have already been visited.nWhen craftable products are the current mission objective, they are automatically pushed to the top of the product list.nAdjusted the frequency of rare asteroids.nWhen buying a freighter, it now comes with some basic cargo already in the inventory.nIncreased the minimum speed while in space combat, creating better combat handling in most conditions.nIncreased the maximum speed while flying in space.nAdded a degree of roll when banking in planetary flight.nThe warning triangle in the cockpit is no longer displayed when the Pulse Engine is not being requested.nAdded a cockpit throttle indicator to show current thrust settings.nThe ‘Shields Down’ message is no longer displayed when claiming an abandoned ship.nThe ‘How to land the ship’ notification no longer displays immediately after planetary takeoff.nWhen charging the Pulse Engine, the current autopilot target marker is now highlighted.nMissions now add hints to highlight the relevant items in the build and crafting menus.nInventory popups are now closed automatically if you click outside of them.nTweaked the weighting of mission selection in the mission board to give a better range of available missions.nIncreased the likelihood of procedural upgrade modules being relevant to the player’s current tech setup.nAdded several new environmental protection Exosuit upgrades.nAmmunition is automatically promoted to the top of the crafting list if players try to reload but have no available ammo.nIncreased the default stack size for Ammunition.nThe Mining Beam now has a much higher base heat capacity.nReworked the Mining Beam overheat mechanic: the beam now cools down correctly rather than instantly resetting; the Mining Beam does more damage as it approaches max heat; the Mining Beam changes colour as it approaches max heat.nInnes has walked over 1400 miles. His journey continues.nnnAuthornnnnn PatriotPainen nGary is Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Vortainment. He’s usually posting news and reviews, and doing all the back end stuff as well. He likes to play video games, watch movies, wrestling and college football (Roll Tide Roll).nView all posts nnnnnnnnnn Part 1 of Luke Smith’s “Director’s Cut” Destiny 2 State of the Gamen nn Diablo III Patch 2.6.6 Now Live, Full Patch Notes

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