Build 26306903

Hi pilots,

I've been working hard to track down and address several issues reported on the forums.

A huge shoutout to Tyrian Mollusk for the incredibly detailed testing that helped make many of these fixes possible, and for the amazing amount of feedback you've provided since day one. Your dedication and support have been invaluable to Nova Swarm. You're an absolute legend!

Smoother

Less stutter in busy fights and at storm starts. Boss arrivals, archive pickups and returning to the menu should hitch less too. More effects are warmed before they appear, and repeated runs leave less memory behind. Frame pacing is better on desktop. Heavy fights can still dip, so this work continues.

Onslaught

Start with six Tactical augments. Older three-slot records still count. Sector 51 opens with a normal fight, with its Story Echo coming later. The board has the lighter run-card look, and Inspect is still there.

Pure

Pure no longer grants fusions, including stray drops and restored runs. Big boss supports, bay carriers and giant tractor ships have about 30% less health in Pure.

Accessibility

The FLASH slider now calms Ghost Light and Story Echo flashes, down to zero. The hitbox marker now sits above your ship, where you can see it. Turning STORY ECHOES off also ends an event already running.

Rival callouts

The score panel now names the next pilot above you on your mode's leaderboard and calls it out when you pass them. Friends get priority when their score is close, and beating your own record gets a shout too. Callouts stay quiet during boss intros, big story moments and when shots are near the panel. Rather not see names? The new RIVAL NAMES switch in Settings shows ranks instead.

Fixes

• Fixed the crash after the Sector 70 Kraken fight. Older saves no longer replay echoes from earlier decades.
• After a graphics reset, the desktop game can save, restart and resume when it is safe to do so.
• Ghost Light counts kills from the wave's start, so shooting early doesn't cost you bonus points. The Crown of Suns' arcs never hurt bosses.
• Late fusions unlock at the real Sector 30. Daily Signal ends at 10, so they stay locked there.

Also new

• Drone pickups stack with Tactical drones, up to four. Late fusions show their locked requirements early and announce when they unlock.
• Speed Up's stacking is restored. Wake Loom needs no live pair and six seconds before rearming. Bosses get a short opening guard. Draft speed warnings are clearer.
• Hangar previews show real weapon spread and bonus shots. The mouse wheel pages every leaderboard.

Thanks for playing and helping me make the next run a little better.