From Stardock:
Stardock Entertainment has released the 'UI Horizons' update for Sins of a Solar Empire® II today. Sins of a Solar Empire II v1.6 brings a complete front-end UI overhaul, a new in-game map editor built right into the game, new player customization options, new defense platform and starbase abilities for all three factions, and a long list of engine improvements.
"This update contains a couple of big changes and an even larger number of under-the-hood improvements," said Brian Clair, product owner for Sins of a Solar Empire II, Stardock Entertainment. "We rebuilt the entire front-end UI so players get more information without having to scroll, and by popular demand we've added a brand-new, in-game map editor. There are also dozens of improvements and optimizations to the game engine."
Key Features of the 'UI Horizons' Update:
- Front-End UI Overhaul: The entire front-end UI has been rebuilt from the ground up. A new Faction Selection screen gives a breakdown of each faction's identity, special abilities, and units, including a live 3D Unit Preview Window where players can rotate and inspect any ship or structure. Single and Multiplayer lobby windows have been refreshed, and the Random Map UI now lets players pick their star type and skybox before they ever hit launch.
- In-Game Map Editor: Back by popular demand, a simple, easy-to-use map editor is now built right into the game. Create a map, and it automatically imports to the local map listing. Later this year, mod.io sharing will be added so players can publish and browse community maps without ever leaving the client.
- New Player Colors & Customization: Players can now choose from a new set of team colors and fine-tune saturation and brightness to get exactly the look they want.
- New Defense Platform Abilities: All three factions receive new tools for their defensive lines. TEC gains Flechette Blast, Meson Bolt, and Enhanced Production. Advent gains Synergetic Ward, Empowered Anima, and Psionic Burst. Vasari gains Disruptor Nanites and Phasic Trap.
- New Starbase Upgrades: New items and abilities added to starbases across all three factions, including Power Surge, Pulse Resonance, and more.
- Advent AI: Unity Ability Use: Advent AI players now have a dedicated controller for managing Unity abilities and will use them strategically rather than sitting on them.
- Multiplayer Lobby: Change Map In-Game: Players can now swap map selection from inside a multiplayer lobby, removing the need to back out to try a different map.
- Save Game Compression: New game saves are now automatically compressed, reducing save file sizes by 70% or more.
- Performance & Engine Work: A reworked spatial grid system, optimized mesh and shader rendering, improved missile targeting precision, better unit formation handling, refactored visible object culling, and a long list of additional math, physics, and asset loading optimizations.
