Space Crusade 0.5A Build 5 Release Notes


1. Welcome
2. What to Expect
3. Bugs Fixed
4. What was Added
5. Disabled Features
6. Note About Ship Battle (IMPORTANT)
7. Install Instructions
8. Other Notes



1. Welcome

Thanks for downloading the latest build of Space Crusade 0.5A!  This will be the final build for this version of the game.  Our next stop is 0.6; this (0.5)
will be the last version with publically released builds.  So if you wish to help in testing, please let me know and I will add your information to the
testers list and will email you when a new test build is ready for you to try and break (should not be too hard <_<).


2. What to Expect

So, this build was supposed to be a "fix'er up and add a bunch of stuff" build but things did not work out that way.  Events that happened pushed back the release date fo the build and other issues
complicated the goal for this build.  There have been a few things added but some of them will not be available until 0.6 is released or if you happen to be a tester then whatever build I finish
them in.  I did add in a bit more content either actually adding new things or allowing old things to now be gotten in-game rather than through save editing, more on that in seciton 4.


3. Bugs Fixed

Build 4 was a really good build got bug squashing and as such there were not may big bugs present in this build.  However that also means there are probably really insidious bugs that take a bit
of play testing to find.  I did manage to weed out a few more and solve a long term problem though.  Here is a list of what has been fixed in this build:

Fixed several bugs revolving around saving and loading when items are present in station or ship storages
Fixed a problem that was causing all items added from a player ship to station storage to be registered as ships
Fixed several text related issues such as menus not being spaced out enough, typos, and some messages that were being displayed incorrectly
Fixed a problem where damage was not being applied correctly if peircing damage type weapons were being used
Fixed an issue where the mining cycle completion time was not being reset after a cycle had completed
Fixed a crash during asteroid targeting due to an out of bounds index error
Fixed a problem where missing vector clears were causing some save data to be duplicated each time you saved during one gaming session
Fixed a problem with the mission offices at stations that was causing available mission to not actually show up.  This might still be occuring for other reasons though (worked sometimes and not
others).


4. What was Added

While not much new content has been added to the game something were added or enabled in-game.  Here is that list:

Two new ore types have been added to the game.  Methyx, which when processed will produce lithium, and Carboid, which will produce draconic.  These have
been added to the asteroid creation process and will appear in-game.

Purchase of mining barges and lasers has been enabled in-game; you no longer have to edit your save.  Please note that the basic mining laser is for frigate only.  I will be adding some new
non-barge mining lasers in 0.6 for other ship classes up to cruiser.

Several new features have been added or updated:

You can now see what you have stored on stations by using the "Check Station Storage" option at the station menu.  You can also now install things onto your ship using the "Ship Fitting" option
at that same menu but please note that right now it will only allow you to equip basic mining lasers; everything esle will produce the "Feature coming soon!" message.

The "Ship Status" main menu option has also been updated.  The "Detailed Ship Information" option will now display any items you have stored in the cargohold at the end of the printout.

A new feature has also been added to ship battle.  During the first moments of the encounter where you are asked to pick a target, the "no" option now acts as an attempt to escape from the battle.
If you fail to escape you will enter battle and have to use option 6 from there if you still want to retreat.

The Movement system has also been updated and fixed.  When I created it in version 0.2 I did not realize that I had the Y and Z axes reversed.  I fixed that and also added an identifier as to what
options will move in which direction.  For example "Up" now reads as "Up (Y+)".

Finally I did a lot of work on the casino.  See the next section for more information.


5. Disabled Features

Unfortunatly due to the time constraints some features could not be finished.  I am refering to the casino available at stations.  While I did complete work on the Slots, Roulette, and Blackjack games, I did
not come close on Straight Poker nor start on neither Texas Hold'em nor Omaha Hold'em nor Craps.  Due to this I have disabled the entire casino section until I can finish the games and test them.  They will
be returning for 0.6.

Also some portions of the weapon installing feature at stations have also been disabled (by disabled I mean will say "Feature coming soon!" when you try to use them).  This is due to not having enough time to
finish the code off for this build and also because I was only looking to add a specific type of weapon.  Both of these disabled features will be fully functional by the release of 0.6.


6. Note About Ship Battle (IMPORTANT)

Please be aware that there is still a long standing bug here that has eluded me thus far.  At some point during certain battles the eneities involved (enemies) become decoupled from their actual
objects within the enemy team vector.  The result is that they no longer take damage and can no longer do damage to you.  This makes battles unwinnable.  Thankfully, however, the issue is not
permanent and escaping from battle will correct the problem till it happens again.  It will not happen during every battle, just certain ones.  I have not witnessed this in planet battle.


7. Installation Instructions

This build is not compatible with previous game saves so delete your old scSave and scDatabase files.  In future versions of the game I will add the ability to have multiple save files of which you can choose
which to load; probably in 0.7.  Other than this just follow the installer prompts.


8. Other Notes

I cannot think of anything off hand that has not already been mentioned.  Let me know what you think about the changes or if you have any suggestions on the forums.  Thanks again for downloading this version
of SC!
