The latest episode of the Starship show reveals exclusive concept art for the Starship Simulator game, highlighting significant interior and exterior remodeling of the mellan class vessel, as well as new gameplay features like a dirt-tracking system. Fleet Yard Studios is also building a dedicated workspace for development, actively recruiting new team members, and showcasing impressive concept art created by Michael Obers Schneider.
In the latest episode of the Starship show, viewers are given an exclusive first look at new concept art for the Starship Simulator game, alongside updates on the development progress. The team at Fleet Yard Studios, led by developer Dan Govier, has been focusing on structural remodeling both inside and outside the game. Significant changes are being made to the initial mellan class vessel, with the interior undergoing major reconstruction. Kickstarter backers can observe these developments in real-time through the developer build available on Steam and during Fleet Yard’s live streams on YouTube.
The game has recently added new star systems as defined by Kickstarter backers, bringing the total to 40 systems. A unique feature introduced in the latest update is a system that tracks dirt accumulation on the ship’s carpet, which is then cleaned by a Roomba-style robot. This addition not only adds a charming element to the game but also serves to demonstrate the mechanics of visual changes in the ship’s components, such as damage and dirt, and how NPCs can interact with these issues.
In addition to in-game development, the team is also building a dedicated workspace called the “dev shed” to facilitate a quieter and more focused environment for development. This new space will allow Dan and his team to work without the distractions of a busy household. Images of the construction progress have been shared on the Starship Simulator Discord server, showcasing the groundwork being laid for this new facility.
To support the ambitious project, Fleet Yard Studios is actively recruiting new team members. They are looking for a range of specialists, including a web developer, a volumetrics artist, a character specialist, and two Unreal Engine generalists. The recruitment process has already started yielding results, with paperwork underway to bring in a generalist to help accelerate the game’s development.
Finally, the video showcases the first pieces of professionally created concept art for the exterior of the mellan class Explorer, designed by Michael Obers Schneider, known for his work on Star Citizen. While the designs are still in progress, they already look impressive, and the team is excited to see the final version implemented in the game. Viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the live streams, the new dev shed, and the concept art in the comments, and to support the channel through likes and subscriptions.