Hello,

We're releasing a pretty big update. This update includes a lot of changes and new content, including an entirely redone scoring system. We're marking it as now in "beta" and while this is really an arbitrary name and it is still very much in development, Stellar Fury has come a long way in the past 6 months.

Beta 0.4 Changelog

Scoring Mode Changes:

This update includes a significant overhaul to the scoring system. The new scoring system centers around executing a double-focus special attack.

New scoring model is as follows:

-Destroying enemies increases rank and the combo meter (has it has done in previous updates). The multiplier applied to points from enemy destruction are a quick shot multiplier (which existed in previous versions) and the current rank (not the combo)

-The most significant method of scoring involves executing a double-focus special - which is a bomb like attack. All bullets cleared from this will yield a point item worth 200points x the current combo

-Bullets destroyed from bombs now drop a point item that is worth 100points x current rank

-Additional bonuses are granted for multi-kills and killing certain entire groups of enemies.

Additional gameplay changes were made to support this new scoring model:

-Double focus capacitor now starts in an empty state. It will be returned to an empty state upon respawn

-The yellow/gray/blue items dropped from enemies no longer build towards an extend but are used to charge the double-focus capacitor. The amount dropped depends on how quickly they were killed and how close the player was to the enemy when destroyed. If the enemy was sealed when destroyed will grant an additional amount

Content additions:

-New ships have been added to the game, Cobra, Dragonfly and Viking (Viking not unlockable in public demo)

-Some new ships and secondary weapons/bombs now require to be unlocked (some content is not unlockable in the public demo)

-New secondary weapon (Radial Mines). Not unlockable in the public demo. 

-Continues are now limited and additional continues can be earned by accruing a total amount of points across all sessions.

-Unlocks are displayed at the beginning of the next session before selecting a ship/weapon.

Options Changes:

-V-sync option has been added

-Bloom and screen shake options have been removed from the options menu (these were functionally removed in previous updates)

-Assist mode option enabled to allow for infinite continues (scoring/unlocks disabled)

-SFX volume can now be controlled per category. 

-Default button added to game and audio options tab.

-Added UI Configuration section. Various UI elements can be enabled/disabled in game, including setting the side panels in game to basic black and disabling all in game score popups.

UI Changes:

-Weapon and ship info diagrams redone

-Key prompts have been added to identify to the player what buttons perform what actions. This has been added to the menus on the "Back" button, the ship select and high score screens, the newly designed help screens and the tutorial mission. If a recognized gamepad is plugged it, it will automatically show gamepad controls (note, "recognized" does not mean all working controllers. It means if it finds "Logitech Gamepad" vs "USB Gamepad" for instance)

-Rank now displays a symbol instead of a number (by default). Option added to enable basic numeric rank representation. 

-Added option to set language (currently only English/North America is available). I separated this from the regular options so when the game is eventually localized, non-native English speakers could more easily find the language settings. Language button text itself will cycle between the available languages.

-Behind the scenes, all UI text elements have been setup to received localization data. Image based text still needs a localization method.

-Added back button to the mode and difficulty select panels. 

Help and Tutorial:

-Help section completely overhauled. Now goes over in more detail all game mechanics. Also shows key/button prompts for what to press for different abilities (dynamic based on what is mapped). Will show gamepad controls if a gamepad is detected

-A special tutorial mission has been added. This goes over basic mechanics/abilities.

Other Gameplay Changes:

-Auto-bomb is now completely disabled for any difficulty. This can be turned on in the options menu (Normal and Veteran difficulty only)

-Tier 5 elites now added

-The rank required for elite versions of enemies to spawn has been adjusted based on enemy tier. Tier 1 - Rank 4, Tier 2 - Rank 5, Tier 3 - Rank 6, Tier 4 - Rank 7, Tier 5 - Rank 8

Other Changes/Bug Fixes:

-Popcorn no longer display seal indicator (they will still be sealed though)

-Added missing seal indicator on certain enemies

-Corrected certain enemies that were ignoring sealing when they should not

-Added option to select starting level in arcade mode. Requires reaching said level in arcade play without continuing. 

-Fixed bug where double focus special did no damage.

-Fixed bug where i-frames were not granted when firing bombs.

-Fixed bug where it was possible to enter the game with no or multiple secondary weapons equipped.

-Fixed misalignment with cloud scroll during level 1 boss sequence.

-Visual feedback added for when the double-focus special is ready

-Sound feedback added for when the secondary weapon is fully charged

-Getting hit with shields or in mission mode now provides more feedback

-Level 1 Normal mode boss has been overhauled.

-Game can now be played with any controller that is connected (it would previously select only the first controller it found)

-Added additional keyboard mappings for Cancel(c) and submit(z). These are the default keyboard buttons for bomb and fire respectively. 

-Various small modifications to the game HUD.