Major Update v0.9.6 — The Solar System Comes Alive
Stellar Harvest · published · build 25004086
Hi everyone!
Today I'm excited to release Stellar Harvest's first major content update!
This is the largest update to the game so far, introducing a new civilization visualization system, dynamic Random Events, a new soundtrack, expanded space activity, and a huge collection of visual improvements, fixes, and optimizations.
Most importantly, your progression is now something you can see happening throughout the solar system.
As your civilization grows, the once-empty solar system begins filling with satellites, mining platforms, stations, and streams of interplanetary traffic connecting your worlds.
A Living Solar System
Your growing empire now leaves its mark on the world around you.
As you progress:
Satellites begin filling planetary orbits.
Mining platforms appear around developed worlds.
Civilization stations emerge throughout the solar system.
Interplanetary traffic begins traveling between planets.
Traffic becomes increasingly dense as your civilization expands.
Dynamic routes connect your worlds into an increasingly active transportation network.
Early in the game, space remains relatively quiet. By the time your civilization spans the solar system, you'll be surrounded by the infrastructure and traffic created by your progress.
New Random Events
The solar system is no longer completely predictable.
New events can occur naturally while you play, with a warning before they begin.
Solar Flare
Solar activity surges, temporarily increasing your energy production to 3× for 5 minutes.
Solar Minimum
Solar activity falls, dimming the Sun and reducing energy production to 0.5× for 5 minutes.
Debris Field
A massive field of space debris enters the area in waves. Destroy the incoming debris to collect additional rewards before it disappears.
Random Events can occur approximately every 10–20 minutes, adding some unpredictability to longer runs.
More Activity in Space
Space debris has also received a major overhaul.
Debris activity now changes depending on where you are in the solar system, different debris types can appear throughout your journey, and the new Debris Field event can dramatically increase activity for a short period.
Debris movement, spawning, cleanup, and visual depth have also been improved.
New Soundtrack
The existing lo-fi soundtrack has been replaced with a single ambient track designed to better match the atmosphere and feel of Stellar Harvest.
Random Events also introduce a new alert sound, giving you an audible warning when something unusual is about to happen.
Visual & Solar System Improvements
This update also includes a large collection of visual improvements:
Improved satellite positioning and orbital distances.
Glowing civilization traffic for better visibility.
More natural traffic spawning and distribution.
Directional traffic lanes between planets.
Dynamic traffic routes as planets move through their orbits.
Improved network connectivity across the solar system.
Improved station positioning and movement.
Improved space debris presentation and depth.
Dyson Sphere rendering improvements when traveling to the Sun.
Fixes, Performance & Polish
There's plenty under the hood too:
Improved bulk-purchase cost calculations.
Improved maximum-affordable purchase calculations.
Fixed debris spawning and cleanup around the Sun.
Fixed Dyson Sphere visibility when traveling to the Sun.
Improved temporary visual-effect cleanup.
Reduced unnecessary UI and particle activity.
Additional performance and stability improvements.
Various smaller fixes and polish throughout the game.
Thank You!
This is Stellar Harvest's first major update, and it's a big step toward making the solar system feel like something you're actually building and transforming rather than simply progressing through.
Thank you to everyone who has played the demo, shared feedback, reported bugs, or wishlisted Stellar Harvest.
There's much more to come.
— Midnight Bay Interactive