Early game development

Game Jam Prototype that inspired the development of Satisfactory

This article covers the development of Satisfactory from the game's inception to the release of the Closed Alpha.

Satisfactory started development as a game jam game. According to CSS UI/UX Designer Nathalie Verweij the Game Jam Game in 2016 was called "Base Defense" which inspired a new game that eventually became "Satisfactory" in 2018.

The first year (52 weeks) of game development was done in "sprints" of 2 weeks each with a development team that initially consisted of 16 individuals.

Early gameplay

A lot of the early game systems, like those related to equipment, build gun, building, etc., were based on previous game development in the Sanctum Series.

Much of the early game allowed you to build and mine anywhere. By Sprint 6 (week 12) this ability was being evaluated, along with looking at the scale and experience of the game to see if that is what they wanted.

In Sprint 12 (week 24), using E (Interact) outlined the building or machine being interacted with. Additionally at this time with the introduction of the Portable Miner, combined with the hand-mining ability, the development team began to consider things like how fast or slow should mining be.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the use of the "build effect" was seen.

Sometime between Sprint 20 and Sprint 23 (week 46) the name of the game of "Satisfactory" was added to Main Menu.

By Sprint 26 (week 52), the individual buildings and production lines looked much like they do now but more "cartoony".

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  Sprint 23 - Early Version of Main Menu

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  Sprint 26 - Early game development basic production

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  Sprint 26 - Early game development basic production line 1

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  Sprint 26 - Early game development basic production line 2

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  Pre-Alpha - Large Factory 1

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  Pre-Alpha - Large Factory 2

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  Pre-Alpha - Large Factory 3

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  Pre-Alpha - Large Factory seen while jumping down

World

The first Biome worked on in the game was the Northern Forest Biome..

Sprint	Image	Remarks	Reference
Sprint 3 (Week 6)		The first time that world landscape was seen.
Sprint 6 (Week 12)		Landscape saw more improvements to include the first use of environmental water. The player could fall or fly through the water surface, and often other things (foliage, creatures, etc.) would be seen beneath.
Sprint 8 (Week 16)		More changes seen to both landscape and water, and the addition of poison gas.
Sprint 12 (Week 24)		Landscape continued to improve.
Sprint 20 (Week 40)		In the 4 months (16 weeks) since Sprint 12, the world landscape had massively changed to show a lot more foliage and overall environmental improvements.
Sprint 23 (Week 46)		World landscape improved more.
Sprint 26 (Week 52)		By Sprint 26 the world landscape in the initial biome of the Northern Forest, appeared more vibrant with saturated colors.
Pre-Alpha (Week 52+)		Just prior to release in Closed Alpha the world landscape improved some more with appearance of the non-harvestable Balloon Plants, and the addition of the Space Giraffe-Tick-Penguin-Whale Thing, and Spitter creatures.

Biomass

With the addition of the biomass burner generator after 40 weeks of development came the ability to collect biomass from foliage.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the ability to collect biomass by using E was introduced. Collected biomass was used in a biomass burner generator and had an initial Stack Size of 100.

In Sprint 26 (week 52) with more foliage to interact with, there were more places to collect Biomass, to include removing trees without the aid of a chainsaw.

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  Sprint 20 - First appearance of the ability to collect Biomass

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  Sprint 20 - Use of Biomass in Biomass Burner Generator

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  Sprint 26 - Collecting Biomass from trees

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  Pre-Alpha - Collecting Biomass from bushes

Paleberry

In Sprint 26 (week 52), at the end of early development, the paleberry bush was introduced. and looked like a snail or worm with hanging fruit. Each paleberry bush could have two to four berries shown but you could only pick up 2 using E.

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  Initial look at Paleberry bush with berries

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  Initial Paleberry bush with no berries

Pioneer

The Pioneer model changed as the game developed.

In the beginning, and shown in Sprint 1 (week 2), the game used the default Unreal Engine mannequin.

By Sprint 12 (week 24) there had been some work on the Pioneer model, and by Sprint 26 (week 52) the Pioneer model had received even more improvements.

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  Sprint 1 - Pioneer using default UE Mannequin Model (hand)

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  Sprint 12 - Pioneer Model Improvement (lower torso)

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  Sprint 12 - Pioneer Model Improvement (hand)

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  Sprint 26 - Pioneer Model Improvement (front view)

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  Sprint 26 - Pioneer Model Improvement (rear view)

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  Pre-Alpha - Pioneer (Back) and third person view

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  Pre-Alpha - Pioneer (Right Side)

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  Pre-Alpha - Pioneer (Left Side)

Points of view

Most of the time in early development the Pioneer used only first person view, but later the ability to use both first and third person views were allowed as part of a test.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the Pioneer used only third Person view to get more feedback from CSS "players".. They did for a while have a way to switch from first person view to third person view..

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the Pioneer now used only first person view as part of getting more feedback.

In Sprint 26 (week 52) the Pioneer could be switched from first person view and third person view by using the (MMB).

Health

In Sprint 8, when taking damage, like from Poison Gas, you would hear sound effect like someone punching you, and would see blood splatter on the HUD (visor).

Even after 36+ more weeks of development, prior to Closed Alpha, while the "damage" sound was changed, when taking damage, from falling, or Poison Gas, or Creatures, you would still see the blood splatter on the HUD (albeit a bit less graphic).

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  Sprint 8 - Example video snippet of Pioneer damage from Poison Gas

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  Pre-Alpha - Example of blood damage from falling

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  Pre-Alpha - Example of blood damage from Poison Gas

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  Pre-Alpha - Example of blood damage from Fluffy-tail Hog attack

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  Pre-Alpha - Example of blood damage from Spitter attack

HUD

The Heads Up Display (HUD) developed as the game developed.

In Sprint 8 (week 16) the HUD saw some major improvements. Some of the changes noted was the use of a Hotbar near the bottom for Build Gun, Pickaxe, and Nail Gun, and a Health Bar located in the upper right.

By Sprint 12 (week 24), the Hotbar had been removed, and replaced with a Compass. Activiation of the in-game escape/pause menu would also show an early version of the To-Do List on the left, and current Controls on the right.

By Sprint 23 (week 46) the HUD Compass had been improved but still appeared on the bottom. Also during Sprint 23 there was the use of a Health Bar and Stamina Bar. The Stamina Bar would decrease as you sprinted. The Stamina Bar was removed before Early Access (Update 1) release.

By Sprint 26 (week 52) the Compass had been moved to the top of the HUD.

During Pre-Alpha (week 52 and after), the To-Do List could be activated by using ⇧ Left Shift while hovering over Build Menu item.. The To-Do List would appear in the upper left corner of the HUD.

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  Sprint 8 - Example of HUD Improvements

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  Sprint 12 - Example use of the HUD Compass (see bottom)

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  Sprint 23 - Example use of the HUD Compass showing North

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  Sprint 23 - Example use of the HUD Compass showing East

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  Sprint 23 - Example use of the HUD Health and Stamina Bars

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  Sprint 26 - Example showing Compass now on top of HUD

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  Pre-Alpha - Trading Post (HUB) - Example of To-Do List (upper left corner)

Jetpack

A basic "Jetpack" or flying mode was first used in Sprint 3 (week 6) which allowed flying without using any equipment like the Jetpack. While removed in Closed Alpha, it was re-introduced in Update 8 in the form of the Advanced Game Settings Flight Mode.

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  Sprint 3 - Early Flying Function (Green Usage Bar)

Jet Boots

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the use of Jet Boots to help in jumping was shown which most likely led to creation of the Blade Runners in later game development.

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  First appearance use of Jet Boots

Game menus

For most of the first year of game development there were no game menus other than individual menus for Build Gun or buildings.

Main menu

By Sprint 23 (week 46) the early game started using a Main Menu which included the game name Satisfactory, along with an improved in-game escape/pause menu. The Main Menu at this time consisted of:

• Continue (New)
• Play
• Load
• Multiplayer
• Options
• Mods
• Exit

Prior to Closed Alpha the Main Menu defaulted to the Swedish language but could be changed to local native language by clicking on "Val" (Choice) which opened the game options (settings) menu.

Escape menu

In Sprint 12 (week 24) an in-game escape menu was used which consisted of the menu, along with an early version of the To-Do List on the left, and the current Controls on the right. The In-Game Escape-Pause Menu consisted of:

• Resume
• Respawn
• Save
• Main Menu
• Exit

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the improved in-game escape menu at this time had "Pause" on top and consisted of the following menu items (changes in bold):

• Pause (on top)
• Resume Game
• Load Game
• Save Game
• Options
• Exit To Main Menu
• Exit To Desktop
• Respawn (moved down to bottom)

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  Sprint 12 - Early Version of Escape-Pause Menu

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  Sprint 23 - Improved Version of Escape-Pause Menu

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  Pre-Alpha - Early Game Main Menu in Swedish

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  Pre-Alpha - Early Game Main Menu in English

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  Pre-Alpha - Early Game Options (Settings) Menu

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  Pre-Alpha - Early Gameplay Settings

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  Pre-Alpha - Early Options Warning

Controls

The first look at the keybinds for the Controls was seen in Sprint 12 (week 24) when activating the escape menu (see above), and consisted of the following:

Keyboard/mouse	Function	Other function/note
	Move Camera	Not re-bindable
W	Move Forward
A	Move Left
S	Move Backward
D	Move Right
Space	Jump	Hold to activate Jetpack
I or; Tab ↹	Open Player Inventory
E	To open the building inventory	Recipe selector Get in/get out of vehicle
	Choose recipe
(scroll)	Scroll in building selector	Recipe selector
Ctrl + (scroll)	Rotate building holograms
Alt +	Ping
↵ Enter	Chat
F	Scanner
R	Reload when gun is empty
Q	Dismantle Mode when needed

Inventory

The display of the Inventory changed as the early game was developed.

At the beginning of game development in Sprint 1 (week 2) the Inventory consisted of just 16 fillable slots in a 4 by 4 grid.

By Sprint 12 (week 24) the look of the Inventory dramatically changed with the use of a brown background for inventory items, and the inclusion of Body Slots on top for Hands, Back, and Head.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the look of the Inventory had changed with removal of brown background and addition of an Equipment Section placed below it with 3 slots for Hero, Hands, and Back.

Prior to Closed Alpha, the Inventory pop-up looked the same, but the ability to split items in half by using (RMB) was seen.

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  Sprint 1 -Initial look of Player Inventory (Left)

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  Sprint 12 - Early version of Player Inventory with Body Slots

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  Sprint 20 - Player Inventory Improvement

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  Pre-Alpha - Player Inventory Improvement showing item splitting

Ping

Since Sprint 3 the Ping Function Alt + (LMB) had been available and displayed a large "X" on location being pinged instead of the current exclamation point "!" which was however shown in the Compass. The Ping Function was imported from Sanctum, also produced by Coffee Stain Studios.

Prior to Closed Alpha the Ping Function was improved to show a colored diamond ⬙ with bottom half filled in the Compass. A different diamond color could be assigned to each co-op player in a multiplayer session.

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  Early Ping Function showing exclamations ! in compass

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  Early version of Ping Function showing diamonds in compass

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  Early Ping Function showing multiple pings on object

Chat

Prior to Closed Alpha the Chat Function was introduced where by using the ↵ Enter one player could chat with each co-op player in a multiplayer session.

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  Pre-Alpha - Use of the Chat Function while typing (see lower left corner)

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  Pre-Alpha - Use of the Chat Function after typing (see lower left corner)

Resource Scanner

The ability to scan for resources was added early in game development, but illustrated in Sprint 12 (week 24). The scan marked nearby resources using small colored laser spikes going up, but did not show there location on the Compass. The color of the spike determined what type of resource it was. Green might have been Stone (Limestone).

In Sprint 26 (week 52), and prior to Closed Alpha, the ability to scan for specific resources was added where by using F you opened a radial menu and had to pick an item to scan for.

The "scan" graphic effect was changed to be similar to what happens now. After a ping, you would see the location of the specific resource scanned for appear in the Compass (but did not show distance). Individual Resource Nodes was indicated on the Compass by the use of a circle ◯, and a 3-letter abbreviations for Resources, like "IRN" for Iron, "CPR" for Copper" and "STN" for Stone (Limestone).

If close by, during the scan, the Pioneer would see a line flash with each ping and a white marker placed on the Resource Node.

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  Sprint 12 - Early version of Resource Scanner (Scan)

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  Sprint 12 - Resource Scanner Results 1

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  Sprint 12 - Resource Scanner Results 2

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  Pre-Alpha - Improved Resource Scanner

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  Pre-Alpha - Resource scan for iron

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  Pre-Alpha - Resource scan for copper

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  Pre-Alpha - Resource scan for stone (limestone)

Build Gun

The Build Gun first appeared in game by Sprint 6.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) the Build Menu could be accessed using B (for Build Gun). The Dismantle Mode use to be selectable in the Build Menu but later that ability to select it was removed and replaced by simply using F.

Sprint 3

The early Build Menu consisted of the following selectable items:

Menu Item	Remarks / Notes
Dismantle
Conveyor Belt
Conveyor Hub	7 to 1 Merger
Miner
Manufacturing Plant	Multi-use Building that acts as a Smelter, Constructor, or Refinery.
Assembler
Conveyor Splitter
Wind Turbine
Power Line

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  Early game Build Menu

Sprint 6

By Sprint 6 (week 12) the player actually had a "Build Gun" which consisted of a pink block with a red button held in the Pioneers hand.

The Build Menu changed and consisted of the following selectable items (new items in bold):

Menu Item	Remarks / Notes
Dismantle
Workbench
Conveyor Belt
Conveyor Pole
Conveyor Hub	7 to 1 Merger
Conveyor Splitter
Oil Pump
Oil Refinery
Miner
Smelter
Manufacturing Plant	Now only a Constructor
Assembler
Wind Turbine
Power Line
Storage Container
Coal Generator

Notes:

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  Early Game Build Gun

Sprint 8

During Sprint 8 (week 16) the Build Menu "floated" in the environment.

The Build Menu changed and consisted of the following selectable items (new items in bold):

Menu Item	Cost	Remarks / Notes
Dismantle
Work Bench	5 Stone	Stone became Limestone
Conveyor Belt	1 Iron Pipe
Conveyor Pole	1 Iron Pipe, 1 Iron Plate
Conveyor Hub	3 Iron Pipe, 3 Iron Plate, 5 Wire	7 to 1 Merger
Conveyor Splitter	3 Iron Pipe, 3 Wire
Oil Pump	8 Steel Beams, 20 Steel Plates, 5 Steel Pipes, 3 Cable, ?? Iron Screws
Oil Refinery	30 Steel Plates, 15 Steel Pipes, 12 Steel Beams, 10 Cable, 5 Wire, 160 Iron Screw
Miner	3 Iron Pipe, 3 Iron Plate
Smelter	(Unknown)
Manufacturing Plant	6 Iron Plates, 10 Iron Pipes, 3 Cable	Constructor
Assembler	(Unknown)
Wind Turbine	3 Iron Pipe, 3 Iron Plates, 5 Wire
Power Pole	3 Wire, 1 Iron Pipe
Power Line	1 Cable
Storage Container	(Unknown)
Coal Generator	10 Iron Pipes, 6 Aluminum Pipes, 10 Aluminum Gears	Row 10 - Col 3 Text
Foundation	1 Stone Brick	Had a description of A solid foundation to build on.
Wall	4 Iron Plates	Had a description of Lets build a wall.
Floor	1 Stone Brick	Had a description of Expand your factory along the Z-axis!

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  Early game floating Build Menu (Top)

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  Early game floating Build Menu (Bottom)

Sprint 12

By Sprint 12 (week 24) the Build Menu had been simplified, no longer "floated".

The Build Menu changed to only show things you had enough resources to build, and consisted of the following known selectable items (new items in bold):

Menu Item	Cost	Remarks / Notes
Dismantle		Now as a red button.
Floor	1 Stone Brick
Foundation	1 Stone Brick
Power Line	1 Cable
Power Pole	3 Wire, 1 Iron Rod
Trading Post	1 Trading Post	Early version of the HUB.
Wind Turbine	3 Iron Rod, 3 Iron Plate, 5 Wire	Iron Pipe was changed to Iron Rod

Notes:

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  Early game Build Menu (Before)

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  Early game Build Menu (After) Note addition of Floor and Foundation.

Sprint 20

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the early game development still used the pink block with a red button Build Gun held in the Pioneers hand introduced in Sprint 6.

The Build Menu changed to begin using tabs at the top and consisted of the following selectable items:

Group	Item	Remarks / Notes
Production	Advanced Constructor	Equivalent of the Assembler
	Complex Constructor	Equivalent of the Manufacturer
	Miner
	Oil Pump
	Oil Refinery
	Simple Constructor
	Smelter
	Work Bench	(Craft Bench)
Organization	(See Sprint 23 for description of menu items)
Power	Biomass Burner
	Coal Generator
	Power Line
	Power Pole
Transporation	(See Sprint 23 for description of menu items)
Decor	(See Sprint 23 for description of menu items)
Trading Post	(See Sprint 23 for description of menu items)

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  Use of Build Gun

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  Build Menu for Power

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  Build Menu for Production showing Advanced Constructor (Assembler)

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  Build Menu for Production showing Complex Constructor (Manufacturer)

Sprint 23

By Sprint 23 (week 46) the Build Menu had been dramatically improved and expanded.

The Build Menu changed the order of the tabs at the top and consisted of the following sub-menu selectable items (new items in bold):

Group	Item	Remarks / Notes
Transport	Conveyor Belt
	Conveyor Hub	7 to 1 Merger but being phased out.
	Conveyor Merger
	Conveyor Pole
	Conveyor Splitter
	Splitter Advanced	Became the Smart Splitter.
	Splitter Complex	Became the Programmable Splitter.
	Tractor
	Truck Station Load
Production	Simple Constructor
	Advanced Constructor	Became the Assembler.
	Complex Constructor	Became the Manufacturer.
	Basic Smelter
	Miner
	Oil Pump
	Oil Refinery
Organization	Beacon
	Expanded Storage Container	Became the Industrial Storage Container.
	Floors	Multiple types.
	Foundations	Multiple types.
	Lookout Tower
	Powered Wall
	Ramp	Only one type.
	Stair	Only one type.
	Storage Container
	Walls	New Types added, both FICSIT and Metal.
Power	Big Power Pole	Became the Mk.2 Power Pole.
	Biomass Burner
	Coal Generator
	Fuel Generator
	Huge Power Pole	Became the Mk.3 Power Pole.
	Multi-Connector Power Pole	Removed in Closed Alpha. Eventually re-introduced as the Power Tower.
	Nuclear Power Plant
	Power Line
	Power Pole	Became the Mk.1 Power Pole.
Cheat	Cheat Power Sink
	Cheat Power Source
	Cheat Resource Sink
	Cheat Resource Spawner
Railroad	Electric Locomotive
	Freight Car
	Track
	Train Docking Station
None	Speed Sign	Only one item.
Trading Post	Trading Post	Only one item.
Decor	Trophy	Only one item.

Notes:

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  Transport Menu

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  Production Menu (shows Transport Menu Items)

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  Organization Menu

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  Organization Menu - Powered Wall

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  Power Menu

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  Cheat Menu

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  Railroad Menu

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  None Menu (only 1 item)

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  Trading Post Menu (only 1 item)

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  Decor Menu (only 1 item)

Sprint 26

By Sprint 26 the Build Menu continued to improve and in some situations show buildable's in red that could not be built due to insufficient parts in the Pioneers Inventory.

The Build Menu changed the tabs at the top, and with the exception the removed items and the QR Code in Transport, the tabs consisted of the following sub-menu selectable items (new items in bold):

Group	Item	Remarks / Notes
Production	Basic Smelter
	Constructor
	Assembler
	Manufacturer
	Foundry
	Miner
	Oil Pump
	Oil Refinery
	Workbench
Transport	Basic Conveyor Merger	Formerly called "Conveyor Merger"
	Conveyor Belts Mk.1 thru Mk. 6
	Conveyor Pole
	Conveyor Splitter
	Mega Conveyor Merger	Formerly called Conveyor Hub, a 7 to 1 Merger
	Programmable Splitter	Formerly called Splitter Complex
	Smart Splitter	Formerly called Splitter Advanced
	Tractor
	Truck Station
None	Beacon
Railroad (See Sprint 23)	Electric Locomotive
	Freight Car
	Track
	Train Docking Station
Power	Big Power Pole	Became the Mk.2 Power Pole.
	Biomass Burner
	Coal Generator
	Fuel Generator
	Huge Power Pole	Became the Mk.3 Power Pole.
	Multi-Connector Power Pole	Removed in Closed Alpha. Eventually re-introduced as the Power Tower.
	Nuclear Power Plant	Development WiP
	Power Line
	Power Pole	Became the Mk.1 Power Pole.
Cheat	Cheat Power Sink
	Cheat Power Source
	Cheat Resource Sink
	Cheat Resource Spawner
Organization	Fence
	Floors	4 Types
	Foundations	5 Types
	Jump Pad
	Lookout Tower
	Personal Storage Box
	Ramp	1 Type
	Stair
	Stair 2
	Storage Container
	Storage Container Mk. 2	Formerly called Expanded Storage Container. Became the Industrial Storage Container.
	Tilted Jump Pad
	U-Jelly Landing Pad
	Walls	Various Types both FICSIT and Metal

Notes:

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  Production Menu (not enough items to allow construction)

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  Production Menu (enough items to allow construction)

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  Transport Menu

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  Transport Menu - Mega Conveyor Merger (Conveyor Hub)

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  None Menu (only 1 item)

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  Power Menu

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  Organization Menu

Cheat board

In Sprint 26 it was shown the devs had access to a "Cheat Board" to help in testing game development. This was removed by Closed Alpha.

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  Cheat Board (used during development)'

Pre-Alpha

After Sprint 26 but before Closed Alpha the Build Menu was changed to make it more simplified. The Build Menu was still opened using B followed by selecting a tab and item to build. The Build Menu continued to show buildable's in red that could not be built due to insufficient parts in the Pioneers Inventory.

Instead of having a separate Menu item for dismantle, the Build Menu used a hammer and wrench icon was used to activate the dismantle function.

While maintaining most of Sprint 26 Build Menu for individual selectable items (see above), the menu tabs at the top change, and with the exception of the removed tabs , consisted of the following:

Group	Item	Remarks / Notes
Production	(See Sprint 23)
Power
Transport
Organization
Trading Post

Notes:

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  Production Menu

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  Power Menu

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  Transport Menu

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  Organization Menu

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  Trading Post Menu

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  Dismantle Function Enable

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  Dismantle Function Use - Power Line

HUB

For most of the early game development there was no HUB.

Sprint 12

In Sprint 12 (week 24) they added an equivalent of the HUB called a Trading Post.

Market

The Trading Post had a "Market" that allowed player to unlock things and progress in the game by selling items and buying upgrades you wanted.

Individual Items has a VALUE using a virtual currency of "Rubles", based on currency used in in the Sanctum game also produced by Coffee Stain Studios, as shown in the following examples:

• Nail Gun (272 Rubles)
• Stone Brick (6 Rubles)
• Wire (1 Ruble)
• Cable (5 Rubles)
• Portable Miner (0 Rubles)
• Standard Cartridge (11 Rubles)
• Fuel (9 Rubles)
• Jetpack (2000 Rubles)

The Trading Post had two Conveyor Input Ports that could be connected to some Production Lines that would allow you to automatically sell items without having to drag them from your inventory. This was replicated in later game development by use of both the AWESOME Sink and AWESOME Shop introduced in Update 3.

The Market had a menu which included the following categories:

Market Menu Item
Factory Organization.
Resource Processing.
Part Manufacturing.
Automatic Mining + Conveyor Belt.
Conveyor Logistics.
Adv. Part Assembly.
Truck Automation.
Coal Power.
Basic Storage.
Expanded Storage.
Dirty Energy.
Steel Processing.
Oil Processing.
Jetpack.
Complex Assembly.
Rifle Manufacturing.
Armor Piercing Rounds.
Truck Construction.
Gas Mask.
Train Transport.
Particle Collision Research.
Advanced Electronics.
Advanced Power Management.
Complex Power Management.
Next-Level Power Management.
Advanced Infrastructure.
Data-Driven Logistics.
Nuclear Power.
Heavy Water.
Weaponized Uranium.
Bayer Process.
Quad-Bike Manufacturing.
Explorer Jeep Manufacturing.
Hookshot.
Reinforced Aluminum Use.
Industrial Miner.
Industrial Smelter.
Industrial Simple Constructor.
Industrial Advanced Constructor.
Advanced Space Rifle.
Hollow Point Rounds.
Radar Technology.
Super Space Rifle!
Quantum Mechanics.
Quantum Rounds.

Notes:

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  Trading Post - Base

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  Trading Post - Tower

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 1

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 2

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 3

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 4

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 5

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  Trading Post - Market Menu 6

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  Trading Post - Market Use 1

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  Trading Post - Market Use 2

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  Trading Post - Market Use 3

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  Early version of Player Inventory with Body Slots

Sprint 20

By Sprint 20 (week 40) The Trading Post (HUB) had greatly improved in the 4 months (16 weeks) since Sprint 12.

The Trading Post now had a description of The Trade Post is the heart of your base. You will put in orders for schematics which you pay for with specific parts.

Tech Onion

Early game had an equivalent of the HUB Terminal and Milestones that was called the "Tech Onion" which consisted of a set of rings for individual tier levels starting at Tier 1 in the center and moving to higher tier levels as you moved outward.

The Tech Onion was proposed by CSS UI/UX Designer Nathalie Verweij..

Starting in Sprint 12, the game had an economic aspect where you would sell parts to get Rubles (a Sanctum Reference) which were used to purchased upgrades in the Tech Onion. By Sprint 20 this function had been removed.

The individual tier levels, milestones, and unlocks, were as follows:

Tier	Milestone	Unlocks
Tier 1	First	Portable Miner
		Smelter
		Biomass Burner
		Other Unknown
	Second	Miner
		Simple Constructor
		Conveyor Belt
		Other Unknown
	Third	Advanced Constructor
		Reinforced Iron Plate
		Conveyor Spitter
		Conveyor Merger
		Other Unknown
Tier 2	Fourth	Nail Gun
		Nailgun Spike
		Beacon
		Other Unknown
Tier 3	Fifth	Tractor
		Tractor Station Load
	Sixth	Coal Generator
	Seventh	Unknown
	Eighth	Oil Pump
		Oil Refinery
		Plastic
		Other Unknown
		Other Unknown
Tier 4	Ninth	Complex Constructor
		Expanded Storage Container
		Computer

Tier progression list

Sprint 20 showed the Tier Progression list..

It was noted that Iron Rods had the following information:

• Description: "Iron Rod is one of the most common Iron parts. It's used in most early game buildings."
• Total Stack Size: 50

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  Trading Post Menu

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  Trading Post Build Menu

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  Trading Post Build Hologram

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  Trading Post Base

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  Trading Post Full

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  Trading Post Workbench 1

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  Trading Post Workbench 2

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  Tech Onion 1

• 

  Tech Onion 2

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  Tech Onion 3

• 

  Tech Onion 4

• 

  Tech Onion 5

• 

  Tech Onion 6

• 

  Tech Onion 7

• 

  Tech Onion 8

• 

  Tech Onion 9

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  Tier Progression To-Do List

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  Tier Progression To-Do List - Iron Rods

Sprint 26

In Sprint 26 (week 52) the Trading Post saw more improvements in the 3 months (12 weeks) since Sprint 20.

The Workbench (Craft Bench) during this time still looked like a forge, and required you to click once for each "craft action" which was jokingly called the "break your finger version".

Tech Onion

The equivalent of the HUB Terminal and Milestones called the "Tech Onion" still existed in Sprint 26, and added 8 more tiers (5 to 12). The Tech Onion was abandoned prior to Closed Alpha in favor of a simplified schematic system used for tier progression (see below).

Some of the interesting milestones noted in Sprint 26 were the following:

• Tier 8 - Industrial Smelting where you unlocked the Basic Smelter Mk.2 and Smelter Mk.2(which became the Foundry).
• Tier 8 - Quartz Crystals where you unlocked ability to collect Quartz Crystals which later became Power Slugs. You also unlocked Crystal Oscillator.
• Tier 10 - Electric Foundation which gave you Foundations that transmitted power.
• Tier 11 - Advanced Assembly Line where you unlocked Assembler Mk.2, Manufacturer Mk.2, and Conveyor Belt Mk.6.

• 

  Trading Post Menu

• 

  Trading Post Base

• 

  Trading Post - Workbench 1

• 

  Trading Post - Workbench 2

• 

  Tech Onion - Tier 1

• 

  Tech Onion - Tier 8 - Industrial Smelting

• 

  Tech Onion - Tier 8 - Quartz Crystals

• 

  Tech Onion - Tier 10 - Electric Foundation

• 

  Tech Onion - Tier 11 - Advanced Assembly Line

Pre-Alpha

After Sprint 26. but before Closed Alpha, the Trading Post could be built with no parts needed, and was improved by removal of the "forge" which was replaced with a Work Bench (Craft Bench).

• 

  Trading Post Build Menu

• 

  Trading Post Build Hologram

• 

  Trading Post Base

Configuration

The Trading Post configuration screen had the following areas:

• Tabs showing Schematics, Inventory, and Trading.
• Timer in red showing the amount of time before Trade Ship returns.
• Ship showing Trade Ship Inventory sent next via the Trade Ship to pay (purchase) the active Schematic.
• Storage used to store items prior to placement in Trade Ship Inventory.
• Schematic Active shown just below Tabs and to right of Storage.

• 

  Trading Post Configuration UI

Schematics

The Tech Onion used previously was replaced with a simplified schematic system used for tier progression.

Schematics could be activated and then paid for (purchased) by sending the required parts via the Trade Ship.

When a schematic purchase was completed by the sending of the Trade Ship the player would be notified by an on-screen notice in orange.

The following tiers and schematics were available:

Tier	Schematic	Unlocks
Tier 1	Everything	Unknown
	Cheat	Unknown
Tier 2	Automated Construction	Constructor
		Conveyor Belt
		Conveyor Pole
	Advanced Manual Construction	Workshop
		Personal Storage Box
		Color Gun
		Color Cartridge
Tier 3	Logistics #1	Conveyor Splitter
		Conveyor Merger
		Storage Container
	Exploration Basics	Nail Gun
		Nailgun Spike
		Beacon
	Factory Organization #1	Foundation (Type 1)
		Foundation (Type 2)
		Ramp
		Floor
		Stair
		Wall (FICSIT)
		Wall (Metal)
		(Others Unknown)
	Trade Ship Expansion #1	+2 Inventory Slots
Tier 4	Advanced Construction	(Unknown)
	Factory Transversal	(Unknown)
	Factory Organization #2	(Unknown)
Tier 5	Coal Power	Coal Power Plant (presumed)
	Harm Reduction	(Unknown)
	Factory Organization #3	(Unknown)
	Trade Ship Expansion #2	+2 Inventory Slots
Tier 6	Steel Production	Mk.2 Smelter (presumed)
	Trade Ship Expansion #3	+2 Inventory Slots
	Chainsaw	Chainsaw (presumed)
	Factory Organization #3	(Unknown)
Tier 7	Oil Processing	Oil Pump (presumed)
		Oil Refinery (presumed)
	Logistics #2	(Unknown)
	Factory Organization #4	(Unknown)
	Self Defense Tools	(Unknown)
Tier 8+	(Unknown)	(Unknown)

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Cheat

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Automated Construction

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Automated Construction (Activated)

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Advanced Manual Construction

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Logistics

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Automated Construction (Completed) and Logistics (Activated)

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Exploration Basics

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Factory Organization

• 

  Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Trade Ship Expansion

• 

  Notice of Trade Ship delivery completion (Automated Construction)

Craft Bench

In early game development there was an equivalent to the Craft Bench called a Workbench which had the description of Time to do some manual labor when selected in the Build Menu.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) there was a Workbench, accessible from the Build Menu that later became the Craft Bench.

To craft (produce) more advanced items you moved items from inventory to a 3 by 3 grid (similar to Minecraft) and held down Space key to craft item. This "movement" from Inventory to Workbench Menu was later reevaluated and determined the extra step was not needed, leading to its removal from the game.

In Sprint 20 (week 40), the Trading Post came with an early version of the HUB Craft Bench which was called Workbench that looked like an old time forge with fire. You could also build another free standing Work Bench (two words) that could be used by the pioneer or another co-op player.

The Trading Post Workbench craft menu in Sprint 20 contained the following selectable items:

Item	Cost
Iron Ingot	2 Iron Ore
Iron Plate	2 Iron Ingot
Iron Rod	1 Iron Ingot
Iron Screw	1 Iron Rod
Iron Cog	1 Iron Plate
Copper Ingot	2 Copper Ore
Wire	1 Copper Ingot
Cable	3 Wire
Stone Brick	4 Stone (Limestone)

After Sprint 26, but before Closed Alpha, the Trading Post replaced old time forge used before with a Workbench.

The Trading Post Workbench enabled you to make items that could be hand crafted by selecting recipe and manually clicking on the [Produce] button which would show blue along with a lighter blue progress bar showing the crafting progress immediately below it. If you didn't have the ingredients in your inventory you would see a [Can't Produce] button in gray.

Another free standing Workbench could be created if desired to be used by the pioneer or another co-op player.

• 

  Sprint 6 - Workbench Hologram

• 

  Sprint 6 - Workbench

• 

  Sprint 6 - Workbench Menu

• 

  Sprint 6 - Workbench Crafting

• 

  Sprint 20 - Work Bench also showing Mk.2 Smelter to left

• 

  Sprint 20 - Work Bench also showing flag on Compass noting position of Trading Post

• 

  Sprint 20 - Work Bench (close up)

• 

  Sprint 20 - Trading Post Workbench looking like a old time forge

• 

  Sprint 20 - Trading Post Workbench Craft Menu

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Trading Post Workbench

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Free Standing Workbench

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Workbench Menu showing Iron Ingots being made

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Workbench Menu showing no Iron Ore left in inventory

Foundations

The foundation during game development had only one type and had the description of A solid foundation to build on when selected in the Build Menu and could be built using 1 Stone Brick.

In Sprint 8 (week 16) the foundation used in the early game was based on similar foundations used in the Sanctum Series.

By Sprint 12 (week 24) the look of foundations changed to include the 1 meter "grid" markings.

In Sprint 23 (week 46), 22+ weeks since Sprint 12, the look of foundations had improved and came in five types of thin and thick which are presumed to be the 1 Meter and 2 Meter Foundations, four types had a solid version and a version elevated on "legs", and one type was a special version. Also the Ramp (only one type) was introduced.

In Sprint 26, 6+ weeks since Sprint 23, foundations continued to come in five types as before, but the special version was called Mega Foundation 1a presumed to be 4 normal foundations in one buildable.

In Pre-Alpha foundations had yellow guidelines for placement of walls and other buildable's and could be built using 2 Cement.

• 

  Sprint 8 - First appearance of Foundation

• 

  Sprint 12 - Improved Foundations

• 

  Sprint 23 - Organization Menu showing various Foundation types and the Ramp.

• 

  Sprint 26 - Organization Menu showing various Foundation types and the Ramp.

• 

  Sprint 26 = Foundation with legs Hologram

• 

  Sprint 26 = Mega Foundation Hologram

• 

  Sprint 26 = Foundation Ramp

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Build Menu - Organization - Foundations

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Foundation Hologram

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Foundation Guidelines

Floor

The Floor first appeared during Sprint 8 (week 16), had only one type, used the description of Expand your factory along the Z-axis! when selected in the Build Menu and could be built using 1 Stone Brick.

In Sprint 23 (week 46), 30+ weeks since Sprint 8, floors came in five types including one type that looked like a wire grid which is presumed to be related to the Powered Wall.

By Sprint 26 (week 52), 6+ weeks since Sprint 23, floors came in only 4 types, one of which was the "wired floor".

Floors, including the wired floor, were removed in Closed Alpha in favor of using only foundations, and removal of the Powered Wall.

• 

  Sprint 8 - First appearance of Floor.

• 

  Sprint 23 - Organization Menu showing various Floor types

• 

  Sprint 26 - Organization Menu showing various Floor types

• 

  Sprint 26 - Floor (wired / hologram)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Build Menu - Organization - Foundations

Stair

Not much is know about the development of the stair prior to Closed Alpha.

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the build menu showed a stair.

In Sprint 26 (week 52), 6+ weeks since Sprint 23, the build menu showed the stair and the addition of a stair 2.

• 

  Sprint 23 - Organization Menu showing various Floor types

• 

  Sprint 26 - Organization Menu showing various Floor types

Walls

The wall first appeared during Sprint 8 (week 16), had only one type, used the description of Lets build a wall when selected in the Build Menu and could be built using 4 Iron Plate.

By Sprint 23 (week 46), 30+ weeks since Sprint 8, walls has significantly improved and now appeared in two types, FICSIT and Metal. Also at this time there was a Powered Wall with a description of Power the whole building using this neat little thingy!

By Sprint 26 (week 52), 6+ weeks since Sprint 23, the Powered Wall had been removed.

Fence

In Sprint 26 the build menu showed a Fence_01 which presumably is the start of development of the Modern Railing.

• 

  Sprint 8 - First appearance of Wall

• 

  Sprint 23 - Organization Menu showing improved Walls to include Powered Wall

• 

  Sprint 26 - Organization Menu showing various Wall types (no Powered Wall) and Fence

• 

  Sprint 26 - Wall Hologram (with door)

• 

  Sprint 26 - Wall with door and new Wall (hologram)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Organization Menu showing Walls

Resource Node

Resource Nodes were added as the game developed. Early on the look was more like large boulders but eventually were flattened to become what they look like now in game.

In Sprint 1 (week 2) we got the first look at resource nodes, one iron node and one coal node.

By Sprint 6 (week 12), mineable resource nodes had a Purity Percentage of 100% as compared to mining same resource anywhere else (see Resource Deposit - Sprint 6) and the amount of resource nodes in the environment was procedurally generated.

In Sprint 8 (week 16), mineable resource nodes, in addition to having varied purity levels (impure, normal, pure), also had finite resources which could be depleted. This applied to both when hand mining and when using Miners.

Even in Sprint 26 (week 52) and prior to Closed Alpha, resource nodes continue to have finite resources.

Resource deposit

In early game development there were no resource deposits (only resource modes), but you did have the ability to mine anywhere for resources.

Extraction

Ore extraction could be done either by hand mining, or use of a Portable Miner, or full Miner.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the Pioneer had access to the Pick Axe for hand mining. The Pickaxe later became the Hand Chisel (or Chisel).

With the Pickaxe, after selecting from the Mine Menu shown on the left, you had the ability to hand mine anywhere and not on a specific Resource Deposits or Resource Node. The mining speed (number of hits with Pickaxe) was based on Purity Percentage with higher percentages being able to be hand mined faster (fewer hits) while lower percentages being able to be hand mined slower (more hits).

In Sprint 26 (week 52), like the Workbench during this time, hand mining required you to click for each "mine action" in what was jokingly referred to as the "break your finger version".

Mine list

Early on, when equipping the Pickaxe it displayed a Mine List shown in a box on the upper right which also shows the Purity Percentage for each type of resource available which consisted of:

• Coal.
• Iron.
• Bauxite.
• Copper.
• Stone (Limestone).
• Crude Oil.

Hand mining mini-game

During early game development the Pioneer could use a hand mining mini-game during which they had to click at just the right time in order to give them greater amounts (based on purity) then clicking at other times.

After Sprint 26 but before Closed Alpha, the hand mining mini-game was improved, and only allowed resource extraction by clicking on [PICK] button during a specific time when the arrow was in the blue section which decreased in size with each rotation. This resource hand mining mini-game got faster and faster the longer you hand minded.

The hand mining mini-game was removed in Closed Alpha when it was decided that resource nodes would have infinite amounts regardless of purity level.

• 

  Sprint 1 - First Look of Iron and Coal Resource Nodes

• 

  Sprint 6 - Early game Pickaxe (Chisel)

• 

  Sprint 6 - Pickaxe Mine Menu (left) and Mine List (upper right)

• 

  Sprint 6 - Hand mine anything anywhere (example mining copper)

• 

  Sprint 8 - Resources had finite amounts

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  Sprint 8 - Resources had finite amounts hand mining example (video)

• 

  Sprint 26 - Resources had finite amounts

• 

  Sprint 26 - Hand mining mini game

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  Pre-Alpha - Hand mining mini game (improved)

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  Pre-Alpha - Hand mining mini game use (video)

Portable Miner

Approximately 6 months into game development, by Sprint 12 (week 24), the Portable Miner was introduced.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) it is noted that the Portable Miner now had a stack size of 1.

• 

  Sprint 12 - First look at the Portable Miner

• 

  Sprint 12 - Portable Miner interaction using E

• 

  Portable Miner on a Pure Copper Resource Node

• 

  Portable Miner (with early version of Smelter in background)

• 

  Sprint 20 - Portable Miner on a Copper Resource Node

• 

  Sprint 20 - Portable Miner in Inventory

Miner

The Miner was the first buildable created for the game.

In Sprint 1 (week 2), the first version of the Miner was a simple block that could be placed on a Resource Node (Coal or Iron). This version of the Miner also include inventory with the "burnt bacon" Coal Icon.

By Sprint 2 (week 4), the second version of the Miner was a vast improvement over the "block" used in Sprint 1, and used a animated unpainted shell that included two conveyor belt output ports.

In Sprint 3 (week 6), the Miner could be selected using the Build Menu. The Miner build hologram could not be rotated, but the Miner could be placed on a Resource Nodes. Additionally the Minor saw some graphical improvements to include adding color (green stripe).

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the Miner's model received more improvement by addition of color, could be placed anywhere, not just on Resource Nodes. The Miner's placement used a two-step process, click to place, followed by using (Scroll) to rotate into position. You selected which resource to mine from the Miner's UI.

By Sprint 26 (week 52), and before Closed Alpha, after 40+ more weeks of development, the Miner's model had improved greatly, but still initially looked much different than the current design. Eventually the Miner's look was changed to be similar to the Mk.1 Miner.

The cost for the Miner was 15 Iron Rods, 12 Iron Plate, 12 Wire.

The Miner's UI was very simple showing only the extractor status, extraction progress bar, and if powered or not.

If not connected to a conveyor belt, the max a Miner could extract was 50 Ore at which point it would stop.

• 

  Sprint 1 - First look of Miner.

• 

  Sprint 1 - One Minor placed on a Resource Node

• 

  Sprint 1 - Two Miners each placed on a Resource Node

• 

  Sprint 1 - Miner Inventory with "Burnt Bacon Coal Icon"

• 

  Sprint 2 - Miner Model 1 (left side)

• 

  Sprint 2 - Miner Model 2 (drill close up)

• 

  Sprint 2 - Miner Model 3 (rear)

• 

  Sprint 2 - Miner Model 4 (right side)

• 

  Sprint 2 - First look of a Miner and Conveyor Belt usage

• 

  Sprint 2 - Example of full Miner and Conveyor Belt usage

• 

  Sprint 2 - Example use of Conveyor Belt "spline's"

• 

  Sprint 3 - Miner placed on Iron Resource Node

• 

  Sprint 6 - Miner Build Hologram

• 

  Sprint 6 - Miner Model Improvement 2, placement possible anywhere

• 

  Sprint 6 - Miner's UI showing Resource Mine List (upper left)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Miner Improvement 3 - Hologram

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Miner Improvement 3 (Side)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Miner UI (Not Powered)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Miner UI (Powered / Extracting)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Miner Improvement 4 (Side)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Connecting Power Line to Miner

Oil Extractor

The early game had an equivalent of the oil extractor which was called a oil pump.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the oil pump had the description of Gets them fluids out of the ground when selected in the Build Menu. and could be build at the cost of 10 Iron Pipe and 10 Iron Plate. The Oil Pump could be build anywhere and not only on specific Oil Resource Nodes and extracted oil rich ore.

• 

  Oil Pump Hologram

• 

  Oil Pump Body

• 

  Oil Pump Flare Stack

• 

  Oil Pump (Full) showing extraction of oil rich ore

Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts were added in Sprint 2, and continued to be improved during early development.

In Sprint 2 (week 4) the conveyor belts was nothing more than a block that could be placed in a spline.

By Sprint 3 (week 6), the conveyor belt started using a animated unpainted shell.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) conveyor belts had the description of Moves them resources where you want them to go when selected in the Build Menu and could be built at the cost of 2 Iron Pipes (using burnt bacon icon).

By Sprint 8 (week 16) conveyor belts saw some improvements in both design and placement and could be built using only 1 Iron Pipe (now with proper icon)/

By Pre-Alpha, 36 weeks since Sprint 8, the look of conveyor belts had improved significantly and could now be built using 1 Iron Plate instead of Iron Pipe. The conveyor belts could be dragged from output (or input) to anywhere, along with the ability to build them directly on the ground with an automatic starting conveyor pole. Conveyor belts at this time did not have the automatic ending conveyor pole, but free floated in the air.

• 

  Sprint 2 - Conveyor Belt Hologram "Box"

• 

  Sprint 2 - First look of a Miner and Conveyor Belt usage

• 

  Sprint 2 - Example of full Miner and Conveyor Belt usage

• 

  Sprint 2 - Example use of Conveyor Belt "spline's"

• 

  Sprint 3 - First look at Conveyor Belt design

• 

  Sprint 6 - Conveyor Belt Improvement #2 - Hologram

• 

  Sprint 6 - Conveyor Belt Improvement #2 with Iron Ingots

• 

  Sprint 8 - Conveyor Belt Improvement #3

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Build Menu - Transport - Conveyor Belt and Conveyor Pole

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Belt (Mk.1) - Hologram attached to Miner

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Belt (Mk.1) - Hologram attached to Basic Smelter

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Belt (Mk.1) - Attached to Basic Smelter Input with Iron Ore

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Belt (Mk.1) - Attached to Basic Smelter Output with Iron Ingots (changed design)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Belt (Mk.1) - Free floating in air at end (no end pole)

Conveyor Poles

Conveyor poles were added in Sprint 6, and during most early game development was very simplistic in design.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) conveyor poles were selectable via the Build Menu and had the description of Buld conveyors in the air (misspelling in menu). Early game conveyor poles consisted of a basic "T" design with a green attachment block and had a cost of 1 Iron Pipe (using burnt bacon icon) and 1 Iron Plate.

In Sprint 8 (week 16), placing conveyor poles on Foundations allowed for better placement and improved construction of conveyor belts. Conveyor poles still cost 1 Iron Pipe (now with proper icon) and 1 Iron Plate.

By Pre-Alpha, 36 weeks since Sprint 8, the look of conveyor poles had improved significantly and could now be built using 2 Iron Rods, 1 Iron Plate, and 2 Cement. The conveyor belts could be dragged from output (or input) to anywhere, along with the ability to build them directly on the ground with an automatic starting conveyor pole. In addition to the ability to rotate conveyor poles using , the conveyor poles could be raised several meters prior to placement of conveyor belts.

• 

  Sprint 6 - First look at Conveyor Pole

• 

  Sprint 6 - Conveyor Belt Hologram attaching to a Conveyor Pole.

• 

  Sprint 8 - Conveyor Pole Placement on Foundation.

• 

  Sprint 8 - Conveyor Belt Placement Improved

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Build Menu - Transport - Conveyor Belt and Conveyor Pole

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Pole Hologram

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Conveyor Pole raised several meters

Conveyor Splitter

Early game development had a conveyor splitter in a "Y" configuration with one Input and two Outputs.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) the conveyor Splitter started by dividing input in half.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the conveyor splitter had the description of Splits stuff when selected in the Build Menu and could be built using 3 Iron Pipe and 3 Wire.

In Sprint 23 (week 46), the conveyor splitter graphic mesh and look had drastically changed.

• 

  Sprint 3 - Conveyor Splitter Hologram

• 

  Sprint 3 - Early look of factories showing production of Iron Ingots and use of Conveyor Splitter.

• 

  Sprint 6 - Conveyor Splitter Build Menu and Hologram

• 

  Sprint 23 - Transport Menu showing Conveyor Splitter

• 

  Sprint 26 - Transport Menu showing Conveyor Splitter

Smart Splitter

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the early game had a Splitter Advanced, with two outputs, that became the smart splitter.

By Sprint 26 (week 52), the splitter advanced was now called Smart Splitter and had a description of This Splitter lets you define a part that should be split to a specific side. All other parts that pass through will output to the other side.

• 

  Sprint 23 - Transport Menu showing Splitter Advanced

• 

  Sprint 26 - Transport Menu showing Smart Splitter

Programmable Splitter

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the early game had a Splitter Complex, with two outputs, that became the programmable splitter.

By Sprint 26 (week 52), the splitter complex was now called Programmable Splitter and had a description of This Splitter lets you define what side each part should be split to.

• 

  Sprint 32 - Transport Menu showing Splitter Complex

• 

  Sprint 26 - Transport Menu showing Programmable Splitter

Conveyor Merger

In early game development there was a Conveyor Hub which in reality was a 7:1 conveyor merger.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) the conveyor bub was a buildable that would combine 7 input conveyor belts into 1 output conveyor belt. Early on the Miner produced less, so the idea was to have multiple Miners connected to a central Conveyor Hub.

In Sprint 6 (week 12) Conveyor Hubs had the description of "Hub that merges 7 conveyor belts" when selected in the Build Menu and could be built using 3 Iron Plate and 5 Copper Ingot.

By Sprint 23 (week 46), the conveyor hub still existed, but there was also now a conveyor merger.

In Sprint 26 (week 52), the conveyor hub was now called Mega Conveyor Merger and the conveyor merger was called Basic Conveyor Merger.

• 

  Sprint 3 - Conveyor Hub Hologram

• 

  Sprint 3 - Conveyor Hub initial look (ground level) showing output.

• 

  Sprint 3 - Conveyor Hub initial look (elevated)

• 

  Sprint 3 - Conveyor Hub initial look (overhead)

• 

  Sprint 6 - Conveyor Hub Build Menu and Hologram

• 

  Sprint 23 - Transport Menu showing Conveyor Hub and Conveyor Merger

• 

  Sprint 26 - Transport Menu showing Basic Conveyor Merger and Mega Conveyor Merger (Conveyor Hub)

Manufacturing Plant

In early game development there was not a dedicated Smelter, Constructor, or Refinery, but that function was combined in a multi-purpose Manufacturing Plant which had a description of Makes basic parts.

The "function" of the manufacturing plant was determined by the recipe chosen in the menu. What the manufacturing plant was being used for was displayed on the above the output port. The manufacturing plant was sometimes referred to as the "Darth Vader Helmet" building.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) the manufacturing plant was introduced and used as a Smelter, but the build cost was unknown (reference shows confusing information).

By Sprint 6 (week 12) the manufacturing plants "functions" were split into other buildable's with the exception of the constructor which still used the same graphic. The individual "functions" at this time did not have mark levels but that was being considered.

• 

  Sprint 3 - Manufacturing Plant Recipe Menu

• 

  Sprint 3 - First look at the Manufacturing Plant (Smelter Function)

• 

  Sprint 3 - Manufacturing Plant (Smelter) receiving Iron Ore

• 

  Sprint 3 - Manufacturing Plant (Smelter) outputting Iron Ingots (initial design)

• 

  Sprint 3 - Early look of factories showing production of Iron Ingots and use of Conveyor Splitter.

• 

  Sprint 3 - Early look of factories showing production of Iron Ingots.

• 

  Sprint 6 - Constructor using graphic of the Manufacturing Plant.

Smelter

In Sprint 6 (week 12) smelters become its own buildable and had the description of The long awaited smelter when selected in the Build Menu.

Smelters were selectable via the Build Menu, had a black color and looked like a "face", and could be built using 6 Iron Plates and 8 Stone Bricks. These early Smelters had two Inputs and during production the "mouth" was animated during production.

In Sprint 26 (week 52) the game still had two types of Smelters which included the standard Basic Smelter and the Mk.2 Smelter (Basic Foundry).

During Pre-Alpha, when building a basic smelter the hologram had one input (green) and one output (orange).

The basic smelter UI consisted of two tabs.

• Input and Output - Showed production status consisting of ore being inputed and ingots being outputted. If no conveyor belt was connected to either input or output the appropriate section would display red. Additionally there was a Power Status notification if no power was applied.
• Recipes - Showed the available recipes to choose from.

• 

  Sprint 6 - Initial look at the Smelter Hologram

• 

  Sprint 6 - Initial look at the Smelter (single single output)

• 

  Sprint 6 - Smelter {back double inputs)

• 

  Sprint 6 - Smelter Recipe Menu

• 

  Sprint 26 - Basic Smelter (side / front)

• 

  Sprint 26 - Basic Smelter (side / rear)

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  Sprint 26 - Build animation of Basic Smelter

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Basic Smelter Hologram

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Basic Smelter Front (left)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Basic Smelter UI (General)

• 

  Pre-Alpha - Basic Smelter UI (Recipes)

Foundry

In Sprint 20 (week 40) there was a Mk.2 Foundry that was an improved version of the Mk.2 Smelter. Both of these remained in the game through Sprint 26 (week 52) but were removed in Closed Alpha.

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  Sprint 20 - Build animation of Mk.2 Foundry

• 

  Sprint 26 - Mk.2 Smelter (Foundry)

• 

  Sprint 26 - Mk.2 Smelter Menu

Constructor

In Sprint 6 (week 12), the constructors became its own buildable, was selected via the build menu as the Manufacturing Plant with the description of Makes basic parts and could be built using 10 Iron Plate, 6 Iron Pipe, 3 Cable. The recipe menu for the constructor at this time consisted of the following selectable items:

Item	Recipe (Cost)
Stone Brick	5 Stone (Limestone)
Iron Plate	2 Iron Ingot
Iron Pipe	1 Iron Ingot
Wire	1 Copper Ingot
Cable	3 Wire

In Sprint 8, the manufacturing plant (constructor), did not change. The recipe menu for the constructor at this time consisted of the following selectable items (new items in bold):

Item	Recipe (Cost)
Stone Brick	5 Stone (Limestone)
Iron Plate	2 Iron Ingot
Iron Pipe	1 Iron Ingot
Iron Cog	1 Iron Plate
Iron Screw	1 Iron Pipe
Wire	1 Copper Ingot
Cable	3 Wire
Aluminum Plate	2 Aluminum Ingot
Steel Plate	1 Steel Ingot
Steel Beam	2 Steel Ingot
Steel Pipe	1 Steel Ingot

In Sprint 20 (week 40), 36+ weeks since Sprint 8, the name of the constructor was called Simple Constructor. Additionally the graphic mesh and look of the constructor had dramatically changed.

In Pre-Alpha, 12+ weeks since Sprint 20, it was noted that "Simple Constructor" had been changed to "Constructor", and that building the constructor include identifying the Input (green) and Output (orange).

• 

  Sprint 6 - Constructor (manufacturing plant) Hologram

• 

  Sprint 6 - Constructor using manufacturing plant graphic mesh

• 

  Sprint 6 - Constructor "Mouth"

• 

  Sprint 6 - Constructor Recipe Menu

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  Sprint 8 - Constructor (manufacturing plant) Recipes

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  Sprint 20 - Build Menu for Production showing Simple Constructor

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  Pre-Alpha - Build Menu - Production showing "Constructor"

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  Pre-Alpha - Constructor Hologram

Assembler

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the assembler became its own buildable, had the description of Assembles stuff when selected in the build menu and kept the same style of building until Early Access, Update 2. The assembler could be built using 25 Iron Ingots.

The recipe menu for the assembler at this time consisted of the following selectable items:

Item	Recipe (Cost)
Steel Ingot	Iron 1 Coal
Engine	5 Steel Gear, 3 Steel Pipe, 4 Steel Plate
Miniature Engine	6 Aluminum Gear, 3 Aluminum Pipe
AI Controller Chip	2 Plastic, 2 Cable, 1 Battery
Battery	1 Copper Ingot, 2 Coal, 2 Sulfur
Cable (also in Constructor Recipe Menu)	3 Wire
Circuit Board	1 Wire, 1 Plastic
Drone Chassis	1 Aluminum Pipe, 2 Plastic, 4 Aluminum Gear
Drone Computer	1 AI Controller Chip, 2 Circuit Board, 4 Cable
Drone	1 Drone Chassis, 1 Drone Computer, 1 Miniature Engine

In Sprint 20 (week 40) after 28 weeks of game development, the early game had a building called "Advanced Constructor" with the description of Takes two parts and turns them into one other part.

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  Sprint 6 - Assembler Hologram

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  Sprint 6 - Assembler Initial Look

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  Sprint 6 - Assembler (side)

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  Sprint 6 - Assembler Recipe Menu

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  Sprint 20 - Build Menu for Production showing Advanced Constructor (Assembler)

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  Sprint 20 - First appearance of the Advanced Constructor (Assembler).

Manufacturer

Not much is know about the development of the manufacturer prior to Closed Alpha.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the early game had a building called "Complex Constructor" with the description of The Complex Constructor takes three or four parts and turns them into one other part.

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  Sprint 20 - Build Menu for Production showing Complex Constructor (Manufacturer)

Wind Turbine

Early game development had access to Wind Turbines for power generation. These were eventually abandoned, due to the ability to place anywhere (nothing to deal with), and replaced with the use of Geothermal Power Generators which are limited to being only used on Geysers.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) power was supplied by wind turbines which were eventually replaced by Geothermal Generators.

By Sprint 6 (week 12) in addition to Coal Power, the early game still used Wind Turbines.

In Sprint 20 (week 40), after 40 weeks of development, wind turbines were removed and replaced by biomass burners.

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  Sprint 3 - Wind Turbine (removed from game)

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  Sprint 3 - Wind Turbine (removed from game)

Biomass Burner

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the biomass burner generator was introduced and its use shown.

During Sprint 26 (week 52), and after, the biomass burner generator saw some improvements and used a simplified UI consisting of both Fuel Quantity and Power Status. The biomass burner generator could be built using 15 Iron Plate, 15 x Iron Rod, and 20 Wire.

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  Sprint 20 - First appearance of the Biomass Burner

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  Sprint 20 - Biomass Burner Generator

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  Sprint 20 - Biomass Burner Generator Menu

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  Sprint 20 - Biomass Burner Rear View

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  Sprint 20 - Biomass Burner Connected to a Power Pole

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  Pre-Alpha - Biomass Burner Improvement = Hologram

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  Pre-Alpha - Biomass Burner Improvement (Front)

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  Pre-Alpha - Biomass Burner UI

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  Pre-Alpha - Biomass Burner (Front)

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  Pre-Alpha - Running Power Line from Biomass Burner

Coal Generator

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the coal generator was introduced with a more simplistic design, had a description of Produces dirty enegry (misspelling in menu) when selected in the build menu and could be built using 5 Coal, 2 Iron Plate, and 2 Iron Pipe.

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  Coal Generator Hologram

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  Coal Generator Smoke Stack

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  Coal Generator Body

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  Coal Generator (Full)

Power Poles

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the Power Pole was added to the game at the same time as biomass burner generators and mentioned in the description that Each pole can handle can handle up to 4 connections and up to 50 MW flowing through it.

In Pre-Alpha, 12+ weeks since Sprint 20, the Power Pole look was improved.

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  Power Pole Build Menu

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  Use of Power Pole to connect Power Cable to a Biomass Burner

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  Use of Power Pole to connect Power Cable to a Foundry Mk.2 (unreleased Content in the background)

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  Power Pole Improvement

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  Use of Power Pole to connect Power Cable from Biomass Burner to a Miner and a Basic Smelter

Power Line

Early on, Power Lines did not need Cable to be crafted in order to use, but could be placed as needed.

In Sprint 3 (week 6) the use of Power Lines required aiming and clicking on the Power Connectors on individual Buildings. Additionally there was the ability to daisy-chain power from building to building.

By Sprint 20 (week 40) Power Lines still required aiming and clicking on the Power Connectors on individual Buildings, did not require the use of Cable, but when a "connection" between two Power Connectors was made there was a "power up sound" that was also heard. The ability to daisy-chain power from building to building was removed with the addition of Power Poles.

In Sprint 26 (week 52) and after, connecting the Power Line would show a large voltage ⚡ symbol above building or machine power connectors</ref> and require the use of Cable. After the connection is made the player would hear a bit of static sound.

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  Sprint 3 - Use of Power Line

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  Sprint 20 - Power Line Build Menu

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  Use of Power Pole to connect Power Line from a Biomass Burner Generator

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  Running Power Line from Biomass Burner Generator

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  Connecting Power Line to Miner

Power Slug

In the early game development there were no power slugs, but instead there were Quartz Crystals which were used in production of items. Quartz Crystals, which eventually became power slugs, is the reason a power slug could be turned into a Power Shard.

In Sprint 23 we got a glimpse of the Quartz Crystals placed in the world.

In Sprint 26 (week 52), in the Tech Onion Tier 8, Quartz Crystals, you unlocked ability to collect Quartz Crystals which later became power slugs.

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  Sprint 23 - Quartz Crystal

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  Sprint 23 - Quartz Crystal (center left) in the distance

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  Sprint 23 - Quartz Crystal (left)

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  Tech Onion - Tier 8 - Quartz Crystals

Walker

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the Walker, an enemy from Sanctum also produced by Coffee Stain Studios, was seen. became the first random hostile creature to appear in the game.

In Sprint 8 (week 16) the Walker continued to be a random hostile creature found in the world.

The Walker was finally relegated to just one instance in the Abyss Cliffs and was eventually removed from the game sometime in Update 3.

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  First known appearance of the Walker

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  Battling the Walker

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  Walker

Fluffy-tailed Hog

In Sprint 23 (week 46) the fluffy-tail hog creature first appeared looking and acting much like it does now. Some of their development was done by Stefan Hanna before they became CEO of Coffee Stain Studios.

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  Fluffy-tail Hog walking

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  Fluffy-tail Hog running

Spitter

Sprint 26 (week 52+), or prior to Closed Alpha, the Spitter was the third creature to be added. The spitter at this time had only one look, and did not have the "variants" that were added in Update 6.

The Spitter's fire attack consisted of 4 fire balls that exploded on contact, which could damage both the pioneer and vehicles if hit. The initial look of the fire ball explosions looked much like molten lava.

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  Pre-Alpha - First appearance of the Spitter

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter Fire Ball Attack

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter Fire Ball Lava Explosion (no vehicle damage)

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter Fire Ball Lava Explosion (vehicle damage)

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter Fire Ball Attack Beginning

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter Fire Ball Lava Explosion (close up)

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  Pre-Alpha - Spitter (dead)

Rebar Gun

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the player had access to a nail gun which later became the rebar gun.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the look of the nail gun changed as seen in the Trading Post Tech Onion for Tier 2, fourth milestone, and in Pre-Alpha Trading Post Schematics for Tier 3 Exploration Basics, which showed the nail gun and its single ammo of nailgun spike.

The nail gun was equipped in the single hand slot by accessing the inventory.

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  Sprint 6 - Nail Gun (Rebar Gun)

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  Sprint 20 - Tech Onion 4

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  Pre-Alpha - Trading Post (HUB) Schematics - Exploration Basics

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  Pre-Alpha - Inventory Equip Nail Gun

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  Pre-Alpha - Inventory Nail Gun Spike

Truck

Sprint 12 (week 24) the Truck was first seen and had a basic but developed design.

There are indications, when looking at the escape menu, that the truck was initially called a "car" and it took multiple parts in order to make.

Item	Cost
Car (Truck)	1 Tire, 1 Engine, 1 Truck Chassis, 1 Car Computer
Tire	4 Vulcanized Rubber, 2 Reinforced Steel Plate
Engine	16 Iron Cog, 4 Steel Pipo, 10 Steel Plate, 50 Iron Screw
Truck Chassis	15 Steel Beam, 30 Steel Plate, 100 Iron Screw
Car Computer	5 Circuit Board, 15 Cable, 20 Plastic

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  Sprint 12 - First appearance of the Truck

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  Sprint 12 - Truck side

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  Sprint 12 - Truck driving

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  Sprint 12 - Escape Menu

Tractor

The Tractor was the second vehicle, after the Truck, that appeared in the game during early development.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the early version of the Tractor looks much like it does now but when driving it also had "speedometer" showing how fast you were going along with what "gear" you were in. You also saw what grid coordinate you were in (displayed below the Speedometer) along with an improvement to the compass on the bottom.

By Pre-Alpha, 12+ weeks since Sprint 20, the Tractor improved a little bit..

The Tractor had a Workbench accessible in the back in which you could craft or store items, and also was used to fuel the vehicle.

One of the primary purposes of the Tractor was its use while exploring the world. While manually driving the Tractor, on the left of the HUD, was shown fuel status and use along with current speed in kilometers per hour (KMH), and vehicle damage status (health).

While driving the Tractor the Pioneer could not get hurt from hostile indigenous lifeforms..

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  Sprint 20 - First appearance of the Tractor

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  Sprint 20 - Driving Tractor at 0 kmh in Gear 1.

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  Sprint 20 - Driving Tractor with Speedometer, Coordinates, and improved Compass.

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Improvement

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Workbench

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Workbench UI

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Storage UI

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Fuel UI

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Exploration 1

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Exploration 2

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Exploration 3

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Exploration 4

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  Pre-Alpha - Tractor Exploration 5

Truck Station

in Sprint 23 (week 46) Truck Stations were first seen, despite Trucks and Tractors added first in early game development. Initially truck stations only had a "Load" function.

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  Sprint 23 - Transport Menu - Truck Station Load

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  First appearance of the Truck Station Load building

Trains

In Sprint 23 (week 46) trains were first shown. Trains at this time were very basic in both design and function, and consisted of the ability to build an Electric Locomotive, Freight Car, Train Docking Station (Freight Platform) and Track (Railway).

Electric Locomotive

The early version of the Electric Locomotive was very basic to include block representations of two train engineers.

Freight Car

While buildable in Sprint 23, there was no information or image showing their use.

Freight Platform

In Sprint 23 the Freight Platform was called Train Docking Station which had a very basic design with one Input (Unload) Port and one Output (Load) Port.

Railway

The first version of the Railway was a design consisting of two rails with wooden railroad ties (sleepers).

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  Sprint 23 - First appearance of the Railroad Build Menu

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  Sprint 23 - First appearance of the Electric Locomotive

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  Sprint 23 - Electric Locomotive (side facing right)

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  Sprint 23 - Electric Locomotive (side facing away)

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  Sprint 23 - Electric Locomotive (side / above facing left)

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  Sprint 23 - First appearance of the Train Docking Station (Freight Platform)

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  Sprint 23 - Train Docking Station showing Input and Output Arrows

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  Sprint 23 - Train Docking Station (side)

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  Sprint 23 - First appearance of the Railroad Track (Railway)

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  Sprint 23 - Railroad Track (closeup)

Signs

In Sprint 23 (week 46) we saw there use to be a Speed Sign which was removed. The description of the early speed sign read Limits speed for self driving vehicles but it was unclear if the "speed" could be adjusted or was different than the 30km/h shown.

The speed sign was removed in Closed Alpha.

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  Speed Sign in None Menu

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  First appearance of the Train Speed Sign.

Storage Container

In Sprint 6 (week 12) the storage container was first revealed and could be build using 5 Iron Plate.

The use (storage size) of storage containers in early game development in not known beyond the fact they were available, and had the description of "This stores stuff for you" when selected in the Build Menu.

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  Sprint 6 - Storage Container Hologram

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  Sprint 6 - Use of a Storage Container

U-Jelly Landing Pad

In Sprint 26 (week 52) the U-Jelly Landing Pad first appeared along with the Jump Pad and Tilted Jump Pad.

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  Sprint 26 - Build Menu - Organization - U-Jelly Pad

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  Sprint 26 - U-Jelly Pad Hologram

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  Sprint 26 - First appearance of the U-Jelly Pad.

Statues

Early game development has the equivalent of Statues in the form of a Trophy.

In Sprint 20 (week 40) the Trophy could be created on the Workbench (Craft Bench) using the Decor Build Menu. and had the description of a trophy found while exploring. It was a representation of the signs of life from another Coffee Stain Studio "project" that was not done after completion of Goat Simulator.

In Sprint 23 (week 46), the issue with giant items first appeared with a large version of the Trophy.. The "Giant Item Issue" reappeared in Update 4 that was eventually fixed.

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  Sprint 20 - Decor Build Menu showing selection of the Trophy

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  Sprint 20 - The Trophy placed on the ground

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  Sprint 20 - The Trophy on the ground (close up)

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  Sprint 23 - Giant Trophy looming in background

Trivia

• Snutt, as one of the first things he worked on, was remaking Compass to become what it is now in the game on the top of the HUD. Snutt started playing game in Sprint 26 (week 52) of early game development.
• Stefan Hanna did some of the development of fluffy-tail hogs before they became CEO of Coffee Stain Studios.

History

The following dates are based on a confirmed completion date for Sprint 1 of 2 May 2016 and working forward ending with the known date of Pre-Alpha of August 17, 2017.

Date	Sprint
17 August 2017	Pre-Alpha
27 April 2017	Sprint 26
6 March 2017	Sprint 23
23 January 2017	Sprint 20
3 October 2016	Sprint 12
8 August 2016	Sprint 8
11 July 2016	Sprint 6
30 May 2016	Sprint 3
16 May 2016	Sprint 2
2 May 2016	Sprint 1
18 April 2016	Development Started