Player-built bases are by far the biggest addition to the new Space RPG mod. A base is founded when a player places a core console. This console will remain the heart of the base and the place where most of the interaction with players will take place.

After the console is placed, the founder can access it by pressing [E] while being directly adjacent to it. This will open the modification menu.

The most important function in the modification menu is base layout editing. Once that option is selected, the player goes into editing mode, where they can place tiles within the station's zone of influence and change its layout.

Some tiles are simply used for structure or decoration, but some tiles have special functions, like adding storage to the station, unlocking new functions or producing commodities. For example, each grass tile produces 1 food per minute, whereas special console tiles unlock equipment and ship manufacturing.

Stations require crew in order to fully function and serve visitors. Crew needs to be shipped in by the owner or authorised pilots. Crewmen themselves don't take up storage space; the food and water that they consume to stay alive, however, do. If the crew runs out of food or water, they will start leaving the station.

Once the crew is in, the station can start serving visitors. The first service the station can offer is commodity trading - any commodities deposited by the owner or authorised pilots will be available for sale, and unless prohibited the station will buy any commodity offered by a player. Placing console tiles will add the ability to replenish shields and energy, refuel, repair, sell and manufacture equipment and ships as well as produce commodities.

Prolonged and heavy attack on the station will eventually destroy it. Structural tiles add more integrity to the station, and tougher tiles require more resources to build.

The supply and demand mechanics that were added to the mod are fairly simple. Static stations have a certain quantity of each commodity, which directly influences the price of that commodity. The price rises exponentially as the quantity decreases. A station can be in deficit; in that case, the price for the demanded commodity still rises, although slower - logarithmically.

Stations consume items that are in demand and replenish supplies of commodities they produce; this is how the market regulates itself in addition to player trading.

Player-built stations can set either quantity-dependent or fixed prices for commodities. At the time of writing, prices of equipment and ships do not change with quantity. Static stations never run out of equipment and ships; player-built stations, however, do.

Factions are fairly straight-forward. The main menu, opened by pressing [F2], can lead you to a reputation index where you can see your reputations with all factions on the server. You earn the most reputation with a faction by destroying ships that are aligned with enemy factions; you can also gain reputation by trading on a faction's stations. You lose the most faction reputation by destroying ships of that faction; you lose slightly less reputation by trading on enemy stations. Destroying enemy allies also gives you some reputation, and you lose some reputation for destroying faction allies.

Players can found their own factions by paying a certain fee. Once a player creates their faction they become its founder, which is a rank with ultimate authority. Other players can then be invited and eventually promoted to higher ranks. The faction founder and high-ranking members can configure faction friends and enemies, which influences the way non-members gain or lose reputation.

Players can modify their stations to be faction property. They can set stations to be property of a static faction by having a high enough reputation, or a player faction by either having a high enough rank or authorising the founder or high-ranking members to modify the station themselves.

Bars are the second area on stations alongside trading. They allow you to gather information about the quadrant as well as improve your standing with certain factions.

Bars update every few minutes. If you're lucky enough, you'll catch a patron who will offer you a 'rephack' - an immediate increase in reputation with a faction. This favour costs an impressive sum of money however, so unless you need it urgently you might find it more viable to trade or fight in the faction's name.

08/07/2014
Weapon types - different types have different damage multipliers for shields and armour

07/07/2014
Targeting other players - information about your target's shield and armour points is displayed near your ship stats
Weapon stats now display near their names in the cargo hold and equipment menu

05/07/2014

Bars on stations
Bar patrons who provide rumours and reputation hacks - reputation hacks immediately increase your standing with a faction for money
Repair and refuelling to stations

You can now buy equipment and ships from stations
Lasers now hit players properly

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