The new SE:SS preview version, dev 9, is out!

The biggest change is the way crew is handled. Instead of being just a number, each crew member now has their own name and set of skills. This adds a lot to the game, with your crew's skills and mood affecting the outcome of encounters, and the options you have.

The other big change is that the time limit has been removed. Instead, you now receive more limited fuel at the start of the game, and have to periodically report back to base to ask for more fuel. Your performance in the game so far affects how much extra fuel you are granted. This results in more interesting strategic decisions on where to fly when.

Beyond that, I've fixed various bugs, simplified the user interface a bit, and introduced a new tutorial you can access from the main menu, replacing the old in-game help pop-ups.

Combat, too, has had some minor alterations, mostly to clarify things. It will get a major revamp in dev 10, though.

As always, I'm very interested in any feedback you can give me, either by email, or through the handy web form.

Anyway, download the new version and give it a try.

Space Exploration Dev 8 is out!

The biggest new feature is the tactical space combat mode. In addition, there are more encounters, better performance, bug fixes, and an improved help and reminder system.

With this release, the engine of the game is nearing completion, baring minor features and more optimisation. From now on, we'll be concentrating on massively upping the number of encounters, and writing the first expansion.

Download it, discuss it in the forum, or have a look at the press release.

Feedback is as always highly welcome, via the forums, or via the feedback form.

After quite a lot of work, Space Exploration dev 7 is finally out! You can download it from its new site. Major features include:

• Nebulas
• Fuel
• More encounters and specialists
• Many bug fixes
• Contextual help system (can be turned off in settings)

There has also been a lot of code cleanup and bug fixes, which will really help the project in the long run. Next up for dev 8: tactical space combat.

Since we're still very interested in your feedback, we've made a proper website for the game and started up a forum. So if you have any comments or suggestions, or need help with the game, visit the forum.

After a lot of work, both this site and Fractal Fripperies are now up and running. Space Exploration has also been moved over from zarkonnen.com. More things shall follow soon.

(And try clicking on the beetle logo.)