Hello Eco Citizens!
Update 14 is coming together nicely and it's time to show you a small preview for some of the new features and improvements of the Garbage and Recycling Update! We're really excited to share what we've been working on, so let's dive right in.
For the main theme of Update 14 we are introducing a number of byproducts to the crafting process, coming in a variety of new blocks that not only provide differentiated and significant impact on the environment through different pollution types, but also still contain valuable resources that you'll be able to extract with the new Recycling profession while attempting to migitate their effects. Of course we're also providing you with new means to store and also transport them - with reworked, modular vehicles. Look around the picture and see if you can spot everything new!
Pollution does not only come in solid form, so be prepared to filter the input fluids necessary for your operations (and also the outputted ones, if you want to keep your surroundings clean). And if you're not located around a river, also make sure to keep a desalinator handy so your machines can function.
With liquids becoming more important, we've reworked the piping system so you no longer need to put up with holes in your buildings - pipes can now be placed directly into constructed blocks and an x-ray overlay helps you find their location when you are holding a pipe:
We have implemented multiple dozen QoL improvements, most of them directly based on your feedback. For example, you can now select which items in a tag you want to be used for a crafting recipe:
You can now also easily sort your storages by name, hide any fuel storages from view, add only items from your inventory that are already stored in a storage object with a single key press or quickly purchase the maximum number of items in a store based on your available currency and storage. There is many more improvements like these and we're happy to hear what other improvements to your quality of life you would like to see in future Eco updates, so please let us know on our feedback tracker.
If you want to check out an in-development version of Update 14, you can already do so right now on the playtest branch. (Right clicking Eco in your library -> Properties -> Betas -> Select "playtest") If you plan to try it out, we recommend to do so on our official playtest server and joining our discord, where you can let us know any feedback and issues related to the new Update in the #playtest channel.
Playtest builds are not stable - encountering bugs, placeholders and technical issues is to be expected. While it is possible to load older worlds in Update 14, that is not supported and we recommend to create a new world. If we however cannot stop you, make sure to create a backup of your savegame (located in Steam/steamapps/common/Eco/Server/Storage) before loading it in Update 14. Due to the changes made in this Update, older worlds loaded in Update 14 require adjustments to be made by the player:
Pipes do no longer count as a building material, hence all rooms with pipes being part of the room structure won't work until the pipes are replaced.
Machines require fresh water, any machines taking water from an ocean will not work until the water is desalinated.
Modules will be removed from all tables, converted into their new equivalents and put into the void storage.
Depending on the results of the playtest, the release date of Update 14 will be announced shortly - so it won't be long anymore until you can get your hands on the new version even if you prefer to join in with a stable build.
We hope you're as excited as we are and thank you for your support!
- Strange Loop Games