DEMETER UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE

[NQ-Deckard]

 

 

Demeter, our sixth major update of the year, was published today. And when we say “major”, we mean really, really super big game-changing major. 

 

Demeter’s finest features include: 

• Terrain Update - The many changes and new features in Demeter came hand-in-hand with the integration of new tech for voxels on planets called hexoctree, which helps with data storage and performance. Watch the Inside Novaquark: Demeter Edition vlog to get a closer look at what it can do. 
• Mining Optimization - With the release of Demeter, we have decided to do away with the tedium of manual mining for resource gathering. Players may still wish to do some fancy terraforming to shape their territories to their taste, but they no longer need to do bowl-of-spaghetti-like tunneling. The mining units introduced in Demeter changed the dynamic by fully automating mining operations through the use of mining units that can pull from infinite pools of resources. You’ll also score an adjacency bonus for running mining units on your adjoining territories. Get the full scoop in the Mining Units 101 devblog. 
• Territory Management - Changes to territory management provide more balanced land ownership, with territories now requiring the payment of weekly taxes. Unless it is marked as headquarters, the territory goes into an abandoned state when taxes go unpaid for a period of time, allowing for the requisition of static constructs deserted by the previous owner. This presents lucrative salvaging opportunities for cunning players who seek them out. The Territory Upkeep devblog will give you more details on claiming territory, declaring your headquarters, and how to score cast-off constructs.   
• Visual Improvements - We’ve made significant improvements to the biomes of some planets. With Demeter, the biomes of both Jago and Teoma received impressive makeovers with new flora, fauna, and even a covering of snow in some locations. The addition of ambient effects, such as butterflies, provides lovely, ambient touches that breathe life into Helios.

 

Important note: The territory changes include a geometry reset that will remove underground tunnels. Subterranean constructs will still be there but will be encased. Players may choose to excavate their constructs themselves or may contact Support for assistance. See Prepping for the Geo Reset for more information. 

 

A full list of the improvements and changes in Demeter is available here. If visuals are more your thing, this video will show you the major additions to this new release.