Starship Simulator, an Indie space simulator, has undergone significant updates, transitioning to Unreal Engine 5 and adding new multiplayer features such as the “Cold and Dark” mode where players can start the ship from a completely powered-off state. The game also features a redesigned starter vessel and a published roadmap, with a Kickstarter campaign planned for future funding.
Starship Simulator, an ambitious Indie space simulator, has undergone significant updates since it was last featured on the channel. The game aims to simulate all the systems and functions of a fully crewed Star Trek-style starship, set in a one-to-one scale procedurally generated galaxy. Unlike other games where each player has their own ship, Starship Simulator allows multiple players to inhabit just one ship and assume different roles within it.
The game has recently transitioned to Unreal Engine 5, taking advantage of its graphical and runtime benefits. New features have been added to the multiplayer systems, including host controls such as setting passwords, managing players, and even sending them to the brig. The Engineering Systems on board are now synchronized across multiplayer, allowing for a significant gameplay-changing update called the “Cold and Dark” update.
In the Cold and Dark mode, players can choose to start the game with the ship completely powered off, requiring the correct powering-on sequence to make it functional. This means starting up the fusion reactor before activating consoles, lights, or the warp drive. The update includes new user interface controls for various systems, such as fuel storage tanks, cryo pumps, coolers, valves, and battery power aggregators.
The developers have shared work-in-progress images of the redesigned Mellan-class starter vessel, which now boasts a more streamlined appearance and houses warp field generators within a large circular enclosure. They have also published a roadmap on their Discord server, indicating their progress and upcoming milestones. The next major milestone will include a trailer and Kickstarter campaign to fund the project. The game is expected to enter Early Access late in 2024, but players can currently try the Starship Simulator demo on Steam.
Overall, Starship Simulator’s aim to replicate the complexity of a fully functioning starship, with players assuming various roles and the attention to detail in starting up and operating the ship, makes it an exciting prospect for the space simulator community.