November Dev Blog

Greetings Commanders,

We’ve got plenty to cover today - from a deeper dive into Zorgon Peterson’s Caspian Explorer, to the latest intelligence from HIP 87621, and a first look at changes coming to on-foot combat - here's what’s coming next.

---

Discover New Horizons: Meet the Caspian Explorer

With cutting-edge modular compatibility, the Caspian Explorer is Zorgon Petersons latest masterpiece. Discover new horizons; this large class vessel is built for long-range expeditions, making it the perfect choice for those who chase the thrill of discovery. Combining its raw capability with refined engineering, it makes every journey across the Black unforgettable.

Building on the heritage of the Mandalay, the Caspian Explorer offers a commanding presence and panoramic cockpit views which turn each descent into a spectacle. With its sleek landing profile and reinforced hull, whether you are gliding over icy ridges or threading through volcanic plains, approaches have never been smoother.

The Caspian Explorer introduces three new MKII modules:

• Armour which allows for steeper, faster gliding and seamless orbital approaches.
• Optimised thrusters tuned for near-planet flight, reducing the impact of gravity on thrusters.
• FSD supercharge upgrade which pushes the range further when scooping from neutron and white dwarf starts.

With a Size 8 Frame Shift Drive and generous internal capacity, this ship is built to carry every tool an explorer could need, all without sacrificing jump range or maneuverability. And, while it was designed for discovery, the Caspian Explorer can adapt. Its layout supports long-range trading & mining, and with seven hardpoints (6x medium and 1x large) it’s well equipped to handle unexpected encounters.

Technical Spec:

Hardpoints:

• 1 x Large Hardpoint
• 6 x Medium Hardpoint

Core Internals:

• Size 8 Power Plant
• Size 7 Thrusters
• Size 8 SFD
• Size 5 Life Support
• Size 7 Power Distributor
• Size 8 Sensors
• Size 7 Fuel Tank

Optional Internals:

• 3 × Size 1
• 1 × Size 2
• 1 × Size 3
• 2 × Size 4
• 4 × Size 5
• 2 × Size 6
• 1 × Size 7

We are pleased to confirm that the Caspian Explorer will be available via ARX Early Access on December 2nd.

On-Foot Combat & Weapon Rebalancing:

The fight on the ground is about to feel smarter, sharper, and more responsive. The team has been reworking on-foot combat to make it more dynamic and satisfying. Here’s what we are changing:

Weapon Adjustments:

• All weapons have faster stow and draw times.
• Plasma weapons have increased projectile velocity.
• Select weapons have had ammo, clip size, and damage values adjusted to align with the new balance changes.
  • Damage type interactions have been reworked.
  • Lasers now deal more damage to health.
  • Kinetic weapons deals more damage to shields.
  • Previous cross-type bonuses have been reduced.

Smarter AI:

• Enemy AI will make better decisions about taking cover and their positioning.
• Enemy AI will move with greater urgency when required and can also advance more aggressively to flush players out.

These updates are part of our long-term plan to bring on-foot and space gameplay together, creating a more cohesive experience for Commanders on all fronts from December 2nd.

---

HIP 87621:

The mystery surrounding HIP 87621 has gripped the Galaxy since August, when Terri Tora's trail of beacons led Commanders to the system. Where there had been whispers of a secret hidden here for decades by the October Consortium.

Speculation has grown in recent months, and the Powers have been building an enclave of systems around HIP 87621, signaling high interest in something. However, no direct moves have been made yet, but the tension is undeniable.

Two weeks ago, mounting pressure forced the October Consortium to open the system, where Commanders then uncovered a new species of flora – Radicoida Unica. One week later, leaked Galnet reports alluded to its unique bio-chemical applications and suggested the Power’s interest is far from over. Over the past two weeks, more than 25,000 Commanders have sampled this new discovery, feeding a torrent of data into the hands of those who stand to gain the most.

With just two days left of the sampling initiative, the scene is set for something much bigger – keep an eye on Galnet and our social channels for the latest updates.

The team is hard at work on new content and features, and we couldn't be more excited about what’s coming in the new year. We’ll be back with the next Developer Log video in February which will go into more detail about what's to come...

That’s all for this transmission. Keep your sensors tuned into our channels for further updates into HIP 87621, the upcoming combat rebalancing, and more on the Caspian Explorer as it prepares to launch. Until then, fly safe Commanders.

o7