Edit: this update was now switched live to default Steam branch.

Hello Martians!

We’ve been a bit quieter than usual over the last few days, but that’s only because our team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes. We took a short break from releasing smaller daily hotfixes to focus on deeper, more complex issues that required significant code changes and more testing. The result is this larger patch, which brings a substantial number of improvements to the game.

For everyone interested in details, the whole list of fixes and improvements is at the bottom of this devlog. We also wanted you to read a few tips and information, which could be useful, especially if you are new to Mars. 

Remember to make a backup of your saves if you switch to public_testing branch.

A Quick Guide for Colonists: Knowledge is Power 🔴 We’ve noticed many reports and reviews regarding mechanics, that are explained within our built-in learning tools. We’ve even seen players change their Steam reviews after discovering where to find this information!

Before you feel stuck, please check out these resources:

• Video Tutorials: Accessible via the Escape Menu, or by pressing H, when a popup comes up. These include videos on how to handle core systems. They were designed by the people who know the game best to help you master the Martian environment.

• Tablet Knowledge Tab: Your tablet contains a massive FAQ and Knowledge Base. From building details to survival tips, it’s the guide for any starting colonist.

Important Gameplay Tips:

• The Grid System: We’ve received reports about pumps or transformers not having inputs when placed on a steel grid/ramp. This is by design. The grid itself acts as the conduit, collecting and distributing resources from beneath. You don't need manual inputs for devices placed on the grid; production goes directly into the infrastructure. To transfer resources and energy outside the grid, you have to build pump splitter and transformer. We’ve added visual updates to the models of those devices to make this even clearer.

• Safe Cooking & Experimentation: You don’t start with a list of recipes, but don’t let that stop you! You won’t lose ingredients (like water, salt, or potatoes) during experimentation if the parameters or vegetables aren't mixed right. Simply add an ingredient and click "Start Cooking" to see potential recipes.

• Organic Waste & Chemistry: To keep your Chem Lab running, remember that Composters and Trees are your best friends. Especially in the later stages, trees provide a massive amount of Organic Waste needed for advanced reactions. Remember also about resources, which can be obtained from Abandoned Outposts - those are great resources not only for building materials but everything else you need for survival on Red Planet

• Kilopower&Heavy Suit Tablets not working: this is due to a problem with next campaign mission not triggering, the campaign missions will be fixed in the next updates. This is not a bug with tablets, this is caused by not yet fixed campaign bug

• Chemlab - there’s no experience points for chemistry, every reaction is unlocked on the table, tablet only shows what’s unlocked.

Occupy Mars is a complex game, and we know the learning curve is steep. We wanted you to have fun discovering your own path to survival, but remember: you have the necessary information in the Tutorial and Knowledge menus. Even Mark Watney was using the manuals while trying to stay alive on the red planet 🙂 

We also encourage you to join our Discord server or the Steam Community. There are many veteran players there who are eager to share their tips and knowledge about surviving on Mars.

We Are Listening We want to be clear: we are still hotfixing and we aren't stopping here. We hear your voices, we see your reports, and we’re gathering all the feedback you share on Discord, Steam, and social media.

While we are unable to reply to every single message individually due to the massive volume of feedback, please know that nothing is ignored. Every report is documented and passed directly to the developers. We are working around the clock to bring Occupy Mars to the level of polish you deserve - and the state we envisioned for our 1.0 launch.

⚠️ Critical and major Fixes

• fixed issue with Rover folding after load

• fixed issues with missing Rover after load

• fixed few cases of freezed tablet

• fixed few cases with broken saves

• fixed some cases of blocked interactions when having full inventory

• fixed Rover teleport issue in single player mode

• fixed Rover destroying hangar

• fixed issue with disappearing items when crate is open

• fixed issue with driving Truck

• fixed missing missions on UI issues

• fixed issue with build lantern quest after load

• fixed recognition of waste tanks on Chemlab

• fixed issue with Rover's arm stopped working after load

• fixed issue with invisible Rover's trailer in hangar screen after save/load

• fixed end game screen

• fixed case with disappearing truck

• fixed ATV mission blocker

• fixed bug with player under terrain after processing food / cooking

• fixed empty ui after decoding chemistry pendrive

• fixed medium solar panel not completing mission to build solar panel

• fixed Anti-meteor Missile Launcher not working on grid

• fixed coffee in pepper seed magazine

• fixed resetting quad causes player to fall under the terrain

• fixed issue with ATV reset 

• deleted point tracker in chemistry tab

• fixed main menu buttons disappeared after leaving coop game

• fixed issues with water bottles on Chemlab

• fixed wrong mission translation in french

• fixed broken lightning after driving inside Olympus

• fixed possibily to get out of training terrain and have no option to get back to base

• fixed truck's flickering screen

• fixed items from training area disappearance after load

• fixed some cases with disappering food and magazines from machines

• fixed desynchronization in sleeping animation lenght

• fixed too long weather effect

• blocked possibilty to load rocks on truck while quad is parked 

• Truck driving fixes

• fixed antenna locked for 0 hours

• fixed issues with loading batteries from socket

• fixed powering ITS

• fixed uranium centrifuge progress after load

• fixed kilopower from destroyed introbase came back after load

• fixed supply drop under the terrain

• fixed quests with workshop devices and cables (broken if player built devices earlier)

• fixed issue with rover crashing the game

• solved problem with driving rover using remote controller

• fixed problem with drone bugging the game in case of landing on a truck

• Added dynamite (solid rocket fuel) as a product of ANFO reaction 

🛠️Fixes&Improvements

• fixed problem with building battery pack expansion on grid after grinding

• fixed lightpoles placing

• fixed partially underground outpost and floating solar panels

• fixed invisible terrain after load in dome

• fixed missing standby panel in 3 in 1 tank

• small translation fixes in: NL, FR, EN

• fixed spacing in the text in Knowledge Base

✨ Features

• added rubber to loot

• increased amount of electricity from Large Solar Panel

• increased visibility of tutorial popup for better accessibility

• added dust effect on grid floors

• added modified model of devices on grid (pipes/cables going from socket to grid)

Keep your fingers crossed for us, and thank you for being such a supportive community. We’re in this for the long haul!

See you on Mars! 

The Occupy Mars Team