This launch isn't just a version number—it's a culmination of years of designing, developing, taking on player feedback, and refining. We've been through closed beta phases, Early Access, and numerous updates, all leading to this pivotal moment. It's not just about reaching 1.0; it's about delivering an experience that resonates with both new and veteran players alike.
Void Crew 1.0 represents the foundation for what we think is a great coop game experience. We're happy about the things we cut, and even happier about the things we kept. We feel that we have something that stands out and is truly unique in what it offers players - and that it's a game we can keep playing and extend along with the community. But to begin, let me lift the veil and reveal some of what's coming with 1,0:
Gearing Up for the Grand Launch
New Challenges Await
The universe of Void Crew is expanding. We're introducing two new Objectives: Infestation and Desecration.
Infestation
In Infestation, Ectypes are in a race against time to destroy a series of Void Conduits before being overwhelmed by the HOLLOW. Each destroyed Conduit will result in more HOLLOWs jumping in, making it an intense, fast-paced battle for survival. Ectypes must destroy the Conduits, grab the Supply Drop, and jump away before the Reclaimer joins the fray.
Desecration
Desecration offers Ectypes the opportunity to loot an ancient Voidshrine. The objective is to retrieve one of three offered Relics, but doing so triggers a system-wide alarm, bringing the wrath of the HOLLOW down on the crew. To make things even more challenging, the Voidshrine requires the Homunculus to power on, meaning that even the Homunculus must join the E.V.A. - leaving the ship unpowered and vulnerable while you're outside.
Enhanced Fabricator
The Fabricator has received a major overhaul, introducing two new functionalities: Fabricator Upgrading, and Blueprints.
Fabricator Upgrade
Upgrading the Fabricator provides several advantages that will be invaluable to your crew. Not only does an upgraded Fabricator operate faster, but it also adds Alloy auto-recycling functionality. This means less time clicking "Recycle" in the Fabrication terminal and more time running around fixing whatever your crew-mates broke. Additionally, upgrading will progressively unlock stronger variants of existing items, automatically replacing less powerful versions at no extra cost.
Blueprints
Blueprints are a game-changer in how you acquire loot and manage your alloys. By recycling an item in the Fabricator, you can teach it the Blueprint for that item. This allows you to fabricate more of the item as long as you have the necessary Alloys or Blank Animus Crates. For example, if you find an Epic Blank Crate, you can recycle your Mk1 B.R.A.I.N. Auto-turret and immediately inscribe an Epic Mk3 version. This also applies to Relics, allowing you to create powerful combinations—as long as you choose to recycle the Relic instead of locking it in a Shrine.
New Carryables
Scaling Relics
Scaling Relics are relic variants that grant scaling bonuses based on various ship conditions. For example, you can find relics that will scale their power based on how many Circuit Breakers are flipped or how many Alloys you have stored. Optimizing your ship's state to boost a scaling relic is a fun challenge, and the advantage you'll gain is often huge(!).
Blessed Homunculus
In the previous update, our Ship Loadouts came with a specific Relic to match their theme. While this adds flavor, we've realized that it's a bit simplistic—players can simply discard the Relic, causing the loadout to lose its intended uniqueness. To address this, we're introducing the Blessed Homunculus.
Loadouts will now come with an Blessed Homunculus, which functions similar to a Relic once inserted in the Central Computer Cradle, granting a blessing that is specifically tailored to the chosen Loadout. This not only frees up a Relic Shrine socket but also allows us more control over how different loadouts retain their flavor and balance.
This change also lays the groundwork for us to introduce the "Lone Sentry" Destroyer Loadout—a new option for solo players. The Lone Sentry's Blessed Homunculus provides significant advantages for solo Ectypes, but non-solo crews won't benefit from it at all. They might find it more advantageous to add B.R.A.I.N. auto-turrets to one of the other loadouts instead - once they have the Blueprint, they can keep Inscribing them.
Nano Copy Matrix
The Nano Copy Matrix is another exciting addition to your arsenal. This legendary one-time-use carryable allows Ectypes to create an exact duplicate of another carryable. It can even copy a Relic that has already been locked in a Shrine! You can only find these copy-cubes as rare loot from Bosses or HOLLOW Collectors, so be on the lookout, and make sure your crew's Gunner doesn't use it to copy a large bullet crate!
New Challenges
Loadout Challenges
Once unlocked, Loadout Challenges offer an additional reward for reaching and killing the first Biome Boss in any Pilgrimage, as long as you do it with one of the offered loadouts.
Achievements!
We've added an Achievement system that not only unlocks achievements on Steam but also grants unique one-time cosmetic rewards in-game, allowing you to show off your achievements in style.
Timed Assignments
Daily and Weekly challenges offer Ectypes a recurring chance at some high rarity rewards. Currently, it's a way to reintroduce the option of getting a high rarity Gift of METEM without needing to spend a lot of time grinding for it. Over time, we plan to expand the Daily and Weekly challenges to include tasks that invite you to play the game in new and creative ways.
Performance
We've dedicated a lot of effort to improving game performance, and it's paid off. Across all corners of the game, we're seeing greatly enhanced performance, especially during long sessions where players previously experienced significant slowdowns. Now, you can enjoy smooth gameplay even during extended missions.
Early Access Player Appreciation
As a token of our appreciation for those of you who joined us during Early Access, we're adding some unique cosmetic enhancements to your Personal Loadout Terminals. Among these is the "Crashguard Visor", a tribute to all those times you braved crashes and bugs while helping us refine the game. Your feedback and support have been invaluable, and we want you to wear these items with pride.
Join the Adventure
There's never been a better time to dive into Void Crew. Whether you're a seasoned Ectype or fresh out of the Sarcograph, the 1.0 launch offers something for everyone. Rally your crew, chart your course, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
In conclusion, this launch is more than an update—it's a testament to our shared passion and the incredible community that has grown around Void Crew. We're immensely grateful for your support and can't wait to embark on this next chapter together.
Get ready—the universe is about to change!
For exclusive previews and to connect with fellow Ectypes, join us on our Discord—METEM's domain is vast, but together, we push back the HOLLOW.
Until the next transmission...
// Laurids, Lead Game Designer, Hutlihut Games
