Update on Alpha Version 1.2 for Starlight: Stardrifter

Currently, I'm aiming to release the first major update for Starlight Stardrifter (Alpha 1.2) around October 7th of this year. Since that's about three weeks from now, I wanted to give an update on what's happened and what's coming up:

1) Enemies & Boss

I forgot to mention this on the announcement post but I have a bunch of new enemies getting ready for release. While I removed one of the first enemies (their concept doesn't fit well into the game), I have three new enemies programmed (two of whom will likely remain my favorite ideas for the whole game), two bosses (more on that later), and one summon for a boss. I have another seven enemies ready to be programmed into the game. Each enemy has their own sprite, so it'll be less of a guessing game for who is what. I will be working on rewriting how enemies are made so they are more cosistent to fight, but still reward the same.

2) Guns and Items

So far, I haven't added any new guns or items. They are still in the idea stage, but I have revamped the system for how bullets are handled. When certain conditions are met by a bullet (hit a wall, fly x% of time, etc), they will activate an effect (gain damage, explode, etc.) These effects allow for guns and items to have more options for what they can manipulate. Active Items have not be started yet.

3) Scrap, Scrap Meteors, & Outposts

Scrap (the currency for the game, has been added, but currently has no use. Within the next few weeks, I'll be adding the outpost that appear when you clear a wave early and before the boss wave to use scrap. Scrap Meteors have been fully implemented and pushed me to increase the size of the play area. If you destroy the meteor, you expect to get a new tier of item called ancient technology. These technologies do not communicate with your ship, so their effects are encoded and can not be removed. You can decide if you want to risk adding it or just sell it.

4) Ship Selection

I have added three ships that you can choose from. More may be added depending on time. Currently, their is a basic ship, a slow, larger tankier ship that gets discounts at the outpost, and a smaller, faster, low HP ship that decreases enemies shot speed.

5) Galaxies & Galactic Distortions

I have not started work yet on the Galaxies or the distortions yet. However, the bosses I mentioned above will act as a final wave of each Galaxy. Effects will still either benefit or hurt the player, so you'll have to make a decision.

6) Sounds & Music

This is still being aimed to come out on the 7th. I currently don't have anything worked on this.

This is about everything that has been worked on/ will hopefully be ready for the 7th. A lot of work has gone into the background of the game to try and make it work better (enemy bouncing should be a lot better & you actually control which direction the ship is shooting now). Below are the the sprites for the ships that you will get to pilot.

Please remember, everything is currently in Alpha, so these designs do not reflect the end design.

Stargazer's Intuition	The Sword	Vessel of Light