DW2 Beta Update - 1.0.5.1 (How to Access and Change List)

[Erik Rutins]

Hi everyone,

Please try this new beta and let us know if it helps your game.

To facilitate frequent beta iterations as needed, this beta is only available for now on Steam and GOG. All Matrix customers also have a free Steam key available (through your My Page) which can be activated if desired to install DW2 via Steam and test this Beta there.

On Steam, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your Steam Library, right-clicking on it, choosing Properties -> Betas -> then choosing "beta - v.1.0.5.1" from the drop-down list and allowing Steam to update your game. If it updates correctly, you should see 1.0.5.1 listed as your version in-game on the bottom right.

On GOG, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your GOG Library, selecting Distant Worlds 2, then clicking on the button next to "Play" that looks like two horizontal lines with small offset circles, choosing Manage Installation -> Configure then picking "Beta - v1.0.5.1" from the Beta channels drop-down list and allowing GOG to update.

We suggest starting a new game with 1.0.5.1 for best results.

As a reminder, DW2 version 1.0.5.0 and later requires .Net 6.0. It should automatically be installed by both GOG Galaxy and Steam clients. However, If it fails or the game doesn't run. You can download and install IT from here: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/down ... -installer

v1.0.5.1 – 23rd June 2022
CRASH FIXES AND DIAGNOSTICS
- fixed rare crash when processing ship movement and energy consumption
- fixed crash when ship identifies nearby threats
- improved context-locking for rendering to further reduce DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED errors
- enabled capture of DirectX Debug information when switched on
- improved error reporting with more detail

SOUND EFFECTS
- added shield strike and construction sound effects
- fixed weapon firing sound effects not playing unless weapon also had accompanying particle effect

COLONIZATION
- fixed bug where too many colony ships were sometimes being built
- fixed bug where colony ships could sometimes load the wrong race of colonists for queued colonization targets
- when Colonization Automation is manual, automated colony ships no longer load colonists except for queued colonization targets

FLEET AND SHIP BEHAVIOR
- carriers no longer launch fighters when exit jumps at transit locations on way to final attack target, thus speeding up transit jumps (only launch fighters when real threats or arrive at final attack target location)
- creating new fleet from multiple selected ships now also properly updates action buttons under Selection Panel to match new fleet

OTHER
- added Continue Game button to main menu (load most recent savegame)
- fixed reputation increase from destroying pirate ships and bases
- fixed minor typo in game start text when have single additional colony
- corrected Kiadian typo in diplomatic research projects
- ensured proper game icon is shown in taskbar

[SirHoraceHarkness]

Glad to see most of the technical issues have been cleaned up and you now get to work on QoL and gameplay.

- added new mission type to unload passengers for colony ships with colonists onboard. Access by selecting colony ship and right-clicking on one of your empire's colonies for pop-up mission list

So if I am reading this correctly I can use a colony ship as a manual passenger liner and bulk transfer population from an established colony to one with a small population? If so then giggity. Been wanting that feature since the days of DW before the U. Can we further refine that by being able to select which population to transfer if the planet has multiple races?

[eddieballgame]

Looks like a very good update, but, again...will have to wait for the next official patch to try it out.
Yes, I could install another version (Steam), but I should not have to. imho.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

Yes, I could install another version (Steam), but I should not have to. imho.

Iirc the reason they are doing this is because steam and gog have an automatic bug/log reporting tool for beta builds so that if your game crashes they can tell why without the user having to submit anything. This isn't a feature of the standalone DW2 client which is what you get from the matrix store.

[rxnnxs]

Yes, I could install another version (Steam), but I should not have to. imho.

Iirc the reason they are doing this is because steam and gog have an automatic bug/log reporting tool for beta builds so that if your game crashes they can tell why without the user having to submit anything. This isn't a feature of the standalone DW2 client which is what you get from the matrix store.

I think it is because it is too much work to update the files and present them in a manner that it can be updated via their own update system, having also
a) a small file
b) a update instead of a full reinstall that resets everything
c) to keep the traffic for matrix low and so the cost
d) that this is so nicely automated at gog and steam (most of) that they can do it faster and easier than matrix with their staff is able to do, because this is not business as usual.

As a side note, I would love to hear, how much time the people that work for DW2 take their time to play it.
Maybe now it is time for them, to take a deep breath and play the game. I am sure the answer would be surprising - and I would understand if most not had time or even do not want to play it.
Unfortunately, when programming a game, it is not fun to play it, because the immersion is not there because you know the code.. and how to "play" the game. I hope somehow they will still enjoy the game.

I hope 99% of all people that bought the game are able to launch it.
Maybe those that still cant, should get a game for free Maybe, if not even owning it, DWU.

Soo... I launch the 1.0.3.9 now. Nice weekend to all of you!

P.S.: HAHAHA, GOG is downloading for 1.0.3.9 2,92GB instead of 2,9MB.

[mordachai]

FAN-TASTIC!!!

That's some glorious yummies in there!

Thanks! Looking forward to being able to play w/ fleets of carriers! Woo Hoo!

[MichaelJ007]

Nice.

I am still seeing crashes but really appreciate the gameplay improvements listed above.

Hope Fuel Tanker love is high on the agenda.

[Thineboot]

[...]
FLEETS
- fixed Prepare and Attack fleet missions to properly evaluate need to refuel
[...]

... not sure if directly related, but haven't seen this before:
Edit: 5,479 of 5,600 Caslon and parked direct beside the flag ship.

[100thMonkey]

[...]
FLEETS
- fixed Prepare and Attack fleet missions to properly evaluate need to refuel
[...]

... not sure if directly related, but haven't seen this before:
Edit: 5,479 of 5,600 Caslon and parked direct beside the flag ship.

I did see that many many times before. Not necessarily the "parked direct beside the flag ship" part. But a fuel tanker with plenty of fuel waiting for another tanker: sooo many times!

[SirHoraceHarkness]

The point at which ships are asking for fuel is way too high it seems to me. I'll have a fleet top off then send it to patrol an area and with only a sliver of fuel use has it wanting to refuel again. Same with that tanker it has plenty of fuel in the tanks so why is it waiting to refuel? Reduce the trigger point for a refuel mission until the tanks get down to about a quarter full or a bit less.

[100thMonkey]

The point at which ships are asking for fuel is way too high it seems to me. I'll have a fleet top off then send it to patrol an area and with only a sliver of fuel use has it wanting to refuel again. Same with that tanker it has plenty of fuel in the tanks so why is it waiting to refuel? Reduce the trigger point for a refuel mission until the tanks get down to about a quarter full or a bit less.

Yes, I've seen that also (fleet wanting to refuel with tanks almost 100% full). I hope you're right and it's only a question of threshold to adjust. Because that should be fairly easy to fix (might be fixed sooner).

[Anexgohan]

The point at which ships are asking for fuel is way too high it seems to me. I'll have a fleet top off then send it to patrol an area and with only a sliver of fuel use has it wanting to refuel again. Same with that tanker it has plenty of fuel in the tanks so why is it waiting to refuel? Reduce the trigger point for a refuel mission until the tanks get down to about a quarter full or a bit less.

Yes I'm in complete agreement with this iv seen the fleet go back for refuelling even as high as 90% fuel still in ships, so much so that the fleets if left to auto will spend most of their time near the refuelling station rather than actively hunting or defending.

This needs a major rehaul as fleets right now are the most annoying thing I have to babysit on a large empire with 10-20 fleets this quickly kills the game flow for me atleast.

[Thineboot]

The point at which ships are asking for fuel is way too high it seems to me. I'll have a fleet top off then send it to patrol an area and with only a sliver of fuel use has it wanting to refuel again. Same with that tanker it has plenty of fuel in the tanks so why is it waiting to refuel? Reduce the trigger point for a refuel mission until the tanks get down to about a quarter full or a bit less.

Yes, I've seen that also (fleet wanting to refuel with tanks almost 100% full). I hope you're right and it's only a question of threshold to adjust. Because that should be fairly easy to fix (might be fixed sooner).

Since I've seen it, I have paid more attention to this behavior, and it turned out to be the (new?) normal.
It may be an unwanted side effect of good intention, Prepare, which is necessary. But as of now it became a constant hoarding of toilet paper because the end is neigh...

[Thineboot]

There is something wrong with (re)Fuel(ing)...

[terranu1]

Do you need to start a new game for changes of beta to take effect?

[100thMonkey]

No, you don't. Or to be more precise: my DW2 is now at v.1.0.3.9, and I didn't have to start a new game. BUT I didn't check if the changes included in the update were effective in-game.

[Erik Rutins]

Just a quick note to say that Elliot has been sick for a week and that has slowed down our update schedule and plans. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon and we'll be able to resume the planned update schedule next week.

[100thMonkey]

Thanks for the update Erik. We'd all like to see the perfect version of DW2... yesterday. That doesn't mean that you and Eliott should kill yourself working at it.

Hope Eliott gets better soon. Take care.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

No worries. I waited nearly a decade for og DW to eventually morph into DWU and it was worth the wait.

[OrnluWolfjarl]

A speedy recovery. Health is above all! No need to apologize.