This is a status update for the public roadmap.
Content: added more weapons and other equipment parts in the tech level of 18-22. The max planned tech level might decrease to 25 given the amount of items we have for the game already. I still need to add dozens of items to fill 23-25 (end-game) item levels.
Save-load: implemented, including the auto-saving system and limited saves game mode for the campaign. The normal (unlimited) save mode allows arbitrary and unlimited saves. The limited save mode is autosave-only.
A set of final battles: half-done, with a new AUX troops mechanics they're going to be massive. The player will have to win several large-scale battles to capture the enemy-controlled planets.
More missions/quests: working on it. I try to add them as I go.
Upgradable flagship: done. You start with a tiny flagship, and then can expand it. It is also planned to have different flagship designs with their own upgrade trees (they will have different layouts and tiles available to them). For comparison, the flagship available in the demo is an average flagship which is bigger than the new starting flagship, but smaller than the final form available in the full game.
Vessel editor improvements: added some QoL features like "move all parts" key combination.
Programming: new commands related to the new weapon types ("guided projectiles"), finalized the missile tracker command set, added beacon-based sonar-style scanning command, ctrl+x to "cut" selected commands. More to come.
Also added many (hundreds!) of new vessel designs for the computer players to fill the end-game with more dangerous encounters. This includes new unique bosses.
The Cult can now adapt to counter-play against some cheesy tactics. For example, they might notice that you use drones a lot and make more anti-drone vessels.
My next big goal is diplomacy. It will make the dominion-related dynamics more interesting.
After that, it's probably more programming-related improvements.
I should be able to fully complete the roadmap until the release, but we'll see.