About This Dev Diary
Every Thursday, I share some of what we’ve been working on – the challenges, solutions, and ideas that caught my attention. This is my unfiltered dev journal, so my thoughts and plans may change quickly, and nothing here is set in stone. And if you don’t like spoilers, don’t read further!
Space Engineers 1
Since our Warfare 3 reveal, we’ve received a lot of questions, many along the same lines: How will all of this actually work?
We sat down with Space Engineers Lead Designer Ryan Keel to pick his brain – this week, we’re talking about NPCs.
Let’s talk about NPCs in Warfare 3. Will they be joining in on the fun?
Our Economy 2 update laid the foundation for interactable NPCs in Space Engineers, and we’ve been hard at work expanding and improving them ever since. In Warfare 3, we’re taking another big step toward making the world feel more alive!
NPCs are now being introduced across all existing encounters, bringing new activity and personality to the places you discover. From passing Cargo Ships to dangerous Factorum encounters, you’ll find new signs of life throughout the universe. Hostile NPCs will patrol and defend their territory, making some encounters even more challenging, while friendly NPCs will go about their business, adding a new layer of life and atmosphere to the world around you.
Not every encounter is the same, these NPCs offer additional context, personality, and can even reveal the story behind the locations they spawn at. These additions will make encounters feel more like active scenes with a purpose, rather than simple structures waiting to be discovered.
We’re particularly excited to see how NPCs change the experience of exploring and taking on Factorum Encounters, adding another layer of challenge to these dangerous locations.
This is another exciting step toward making the Space Engineers more dynamic, and we can’t wait to see how the universe’s new inhabitants change the way the game plays out for you!
All of this and more is coming in the free game update, and you can wishlist the Warfare 3 Pack on Steam right now!
Warfare 3 Pack
Assault Turret Type II (1xL, 1xS)
Hold the line with an assault turret that gives combat-ready grids a tougher, more commanding look.
Can’t wait? Wishlist the Warfare 3 Pack on Steam now!
And follow us for more detailed reveals every week as we take a closer look at what’s coming.
Space Engineers 2
Jetpack Enemy Archetype
For all of you waiting for tougher opponents – in the next Space Engineers 2 update, the Renegades and Boatmen will get their hands on jetpack technology.
Of course, they did not leave the jetpacks exactly as they found them. The Renegades and Boatmen reverse-engineered and modified them, removing a few “unnecessary” safety features along the way.
Jetpack enemies will be much tougher than their ground-based counterparts, but the jetpack itself will also be their weak point. Put a few rounds into it and they may start regretting all those wires, tubes, and safety systems they left on the workbench.
More Ores Reworked
We are also continuing the ore visual rework. Chromium, Lead, and Magnesium are next, making them easier to recognize while exploring and mining.
Chromium
Lead
Magnesium
Holiday Cheer Event
The holidays are coming, and this year we want to bring some of your creations directly into Space Engineers and Space Engineers 2.
Send us your best winter and Christmas-themed screenshots from either game at community@keenswh.com – snowy bases, festive ships, decorated stations, or anything else that captures the holiday spirit.
We’ll select our favorites and feature them in a special video on our YouTube channel during the holiday season, helping spread a little Christmas cheer across both games.
So get building, decorating, and screenshotting – we can’t wait to see what you create.
Question to you: Do you like the reworked ores visuals?
Share your thoughts in the comments below – I read them all, and they’re one of my favorite parts of making our games.
Subscribe and get an email whenever I publish a new post!
I’ve really enjoyed the new ore visuals in SE2, with the exception being ice. When you find ice asteroids, the rough visual makes them look a little less mysterious and interesting. There was something rather satisfying about the look of ‘iceteroids’ from SE1.
Still looks great, otherwise!
hei shipyards
what are the things I really like about the new or visuals is the ability to see those things at distance so instead of having to bounce between asteroid and asteroid not knowing anything about what’s on that asteroid even from a distance you can tell what’s there which is really really nice
It’s one of those quality of life features that you don’t really think about but once it’s in, you can’t live without it really
Also…. I’m very glad to see that space engineers one is finally becoming in the game that I always wanted it to be
Thank you to Mr lead design developer for knowing what’s up it’s very refreshing
One more thing I’d like to add here
I have seen more and more people compare space engineers 2 to star citizen and that’s pretty awesome so keep doing what you guys are doing!!