SPM v. 0.7.16 is now available

[Nacho84]

Hello all,

The latest update for SPM is now available! Please download it directly from the Matrix FTP at ftp://beta.matrixgames.com . When prompted, please specify the following username and password: SPMBetaTester/SpmBeta1114. I strongly recommend you to download the file using filezilla.

Inside the FTP you will find an installer file named SPM-Windows-Slitherine-0-7-16.exe, just download it and run it. Notice that you need to have your installation updated to SPM v. 0.7.15.1 first in order for it to work properly, so please make sure you update your installation to that version first.

For those who prefer to install the update manually, we are also uploading a rar file in the FTP named SPM-Windows-Slitherine-0-7-16.rar. Just download it and overwrite your current installation with its contents. Please refer to this link which features a step-by-step guide on how to perform the patching process.

We apologize in advance for not providing this update via the auto-updater tool: the guys from Slitherine/Matrix are at Pax East 2014 now, so they will create the installer on their return. Please bear with us You'll also be happy to know that we have found a much more efficient way to store the game data, so now the installer and the future updates will be a lot smaller!

This update is the biggest one we have released so far and it includes lots of changes, such as support for mixing and matching rockets and payloads, a whole new set of manned Soviet missions (PKA space plane, Vostok, Voskhod, several "flavours" of Soyuz, etc), a completely overhauled system for goals and prestige points, random events, UI improvements and a lot more. You can see the full changelog here and, while you are downloading the package, you can watch this video, which provides an overview of all the new features. For a short version of the video, check this link.

Notice that, with all these new changes, many of the strategies and approaches you might have used in previous iterations of the game are no longer valid! The user N_Molson from the Slitherine forums has been giving me a big hand by heavily testing the game during the last week, but we are really eager to learn how are you playing the game and which methods you use in order to achieve your objectives! We'll use that information in order to tweak the database and start arriving at the "final values" so please, feel free to post your AARs and let us know the earliest date that you manage to achieve big milestones (e.g., first man in space, first docking, first lunar landing). Both your fellow players and the development team will appreciate it!

Cheers,

[N_Molson]

Cool !

[jack44465]

amazing now just waiting on the place holders to go away but its still an amazing update! thank you and keep up the good work!!

[Snarfield]

WOOHOO!!! As soon as I saw this post, I cheered, and then cried a little bit when I read the "place holders" part of jack44465's comment, but overall I'm still really happy, so THANK YOU!!

[SebbiLebga]

Finally, I can suit up and be the director of the GSA, again!

[N_Molson]

You might find R&D much too hard, what do you think guys ? I was only able to complete the Gemini Program by end 1973, using the "historical NASA way" (Mercury->Gemini->Apollo // Explorer->Ranger->Lunar Orbiter->Surveyor). Did someone manage to land on the Moon, and which strategy did you use

[Kalesin]

Ad astra per aspera!!!

[Xiaomaoxin]

You might find R&D much too hard, what do you think guys ? I was only able to complete the Gemini Program by end 1973, using the "historical NASA way" (Mercury->Gemini->Apollo // Explorer->Ranger->Lunar Orbiter->Surveyor). Did someone manage to land on the Moon, and which strategy did you use

I agree, I took the same route and got maybe mid way into gemini. Regardless of the difficulty can you please lift the hard target of "either do it by 1973 or the game is done"? I hate stuff like that. A simple "you failed to reach the objective and you are a loser but you can continue playing if you want to" would be nice.

[Sabratha]

Downloaded it from auto updater.

Weird thing, it warned me that I have too little space on my chosen disc (when I had ample room) I told him to ignore it and it downloaded ok.

[Xiaomaoxin]

I did the Moon landing this time in mid 1973. However it was only on "hard" and I did some flights with very low reliability e.g. first apollo flight with a 69% reliability of the capsule. I also skipped several steps for apollo and went from crewed lunar direct to moon landing. Plus a few times loading to prevent mission failure. However I did go the complete route with all Ranger etc missions.

[Snarfield]

You might find R&D much too hard, what do you think guys ? I was only able to complete the Gemini Program by end 1973, using the "historical NASA way" (Mercury->Gemini->Apollo // Explorer->Ranger->Lunar Orbiter->Surveyor). Did someone manage to land on the Moon, and which strategy did you use

I agree, taking the historically accurate route, I landed on the moon in 1993. (That was with every reliability at over 90%) It's not a game ruiner, but a bit easier would be nice, in my opinion.

[Xiaomaoxin]

Yeah just a little bit easier. The pressure itself is nice but its just a tad too hard. Even with no failures at all and while taking some risks its hard to make the deadline. Even one screw up along the road and the resulting reliability reduction is something that cant be recovered from I think.

[Nacho84]

Hello all,

Thanks for the comments. Indeed, we've introduced lots of new moving parts in the last update (and a few more are coming in the next version!), so it will take a couple of iterations for the values in the database to convey to something that will allow you to play the game with a timeline similar than the one that occurred in real-life. So yes, please give us feedback so that we can continue tuning the game.

Cheers,

[jack44465]

Hello all,

Thanks for the comments. Indeed, we've introduced lots of new moving parts in the last update (and a few more are coming in the next version!), so it will take a couple of iterations for the values in the database to convey to something that will allow you to play the game with a timeline similar than the one that occurred in real-life. So yes, please give us feedback so that we can continue tuning the game.

Cheers,

I think the seasons should actually be changed into months that way the game doesn't go to quickly and you would be able to take the historical route if you wanted too.

[redcoat22]

I am not sure we need 12 turns a year but maybe each turn could be two months. I don't see any reason not to lengthen the playtime in this game, it's fun.

If we want to get more complicated the 50's could be 4 turns a year and the 60's 6 turns.

[Nacho84]

I think 12 turns per year would make the game a bit boring, since it will take you ages to launch your first satellite and see any progress at all. We'll do some more internal testing during the next few days and tweak the values so that the historical route can be achieved.

Cheers,