Started work on the sporadic naev newsletter vol 4.

content/blarg/2023-08-22_sporadic_naev_newsletter_vol_3.md

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+---
+title: 'Sporadic Naev Newsletter Vol. 3'
+author: bobbens
+tags: [ 'development' ]
+---
+
+Rather than waiting 10 years again from the previous edition of our [sporadic
+naev
+newsletter](<%=@items['/blarg/2021-08-22_sporadic_naev_newsletter_vol_2.md'].path%>),
+we've only let 2 years pass this time. In this edition, we'll talk about some
+improvements in 0.10.0 that may have gone under the radar, and the upcoming
+0.11.0 release.
+
+#### State of 0.11.0
+
+With a ton of commits and content since 0.10.0, things are starting to shape up
+for 0.11.0. This release has focused greatly on reworking and improving
+existing systems by bringing up to modern standards.
+
+#### Universe Revisited
+
+As [mentioned before on the
+blarg](<%=@items['/blarg/2023-02-12_universe_revisited.md'].path%>), the
+universe has been completely rework for 0.11.0. The universe should have a much
+more natural feel that matches the lore, with the Sol Nebula being more
+omnipresent as you travel around. This has required significant changes to many
+systems and system objects, so that many places you knew will probably seem
+familiar but quite different at the same time. It may take a while to get used
+to.
+
+TODO image
+
+In numbers, some 67 new systems and 123 new space objects have been added,
+mainly around the Sol Nebula to give a more in-depth sensation of destruction
+and the fragility of humankind. Besides the typical planets and stations, these
+systems also contain many secrets that you can uncover.
+
+#### House Sirius Rework
+
+For 0.10.0, the Soromid got a major rework by getting true bioships that can
+level up and learn different skills, now it's only fair for the neglected House
+Sirius to also get the same treatment. Instead of extreme biological
+engineering, House Sirius relies on psychic abilities called flow. While
+individuals don't possess very strong powers by themselves, House Sirius
+has designed their ships to be powerful amplifiers to be able to unleash potent
+abilities on the battle field.
+
+TODO image of some ability
+
+The player will also be able to obtain similar psychic powers and unlock the
+full potential through new trials that can be found throughout space. Each
+trial will require the player to overcome obstacles in order to unlock new
+abilities and also increase their overall psychic powers.
+
+TODO image of trial
+
+While Sirius ships have flow capability built-in, other ships can also use
+structural outfits to enable flow capability, allowing for more customization.
+That said, Sirius ships get unique bonuses from flow powers which are not
+available to other ships.
+
+#### Plugin System
+
+Although the [plugin system was introduced in
+0.10.0](<%=@items['/blarg/2022-12-23_0.10.0.md'].path%>), it has gone largely
+unnoticed. Currently, it is possible to replace and modify all parts of the
+Naev that are implemented in Lua, which includes important parts such as
+[autonav](<%=@items['/blarg/2023-07-30_new_autonav.md'].path%>), [many
+outfits](<%=@items['/blarg/2021-06-06_lua_outfits.md'].path%>), [ship
+explosions](<%=@items['/blarg/2023-07-18_ships_go_boom.md'].path%>), and more!
+Not only that, Naev has option networking built in with
+[enet](http://enet.bespin.org/), allowing for networking functionality. On this
+line, there is a very much WIP [multiplayer
+plugin](https://github.com/ThrosturX/naev-multiplayer), that allows for playing
+with other people. To make development somewhat easier, a [development
+manual](https://naev.org/devmanual/) is being worked on, which covers things
+like how to write content for Naev and how to structure plugins. Given the
+advanced programming possibilities with the [Naev Lua
+API](https://naev.org/api/), the only limit is your imagination!
+
+TODO image of plugins menu
+
+Oh, there is [explicit support for total
+conversions](https://github.com/naev/total_conversion_plugin_example) too!
+
+#### New Content
+
+PD
+Minerva
+New NPC
+New accessories
+Space Trader Society
+
+#### Game Optimization
+
+One issue Naev has traditionally had with the large systems it features, is
+slow downs when many pilots were fighting each other as a result of a primitive
+collision system. Well, it is no longer an issue as the current system has been
+reworked with quadtrees. Testing shows that it is much much faster in extreme
+cases, with the game easily handling hundreds of ships fighting each other
+without slowing down. Furthermore, many aspects of the game have been profiled
+and optimized such that the game should run much more fluid than 0.10.0.
+
+TODO image pushing FPS limits
+
+#### Concluding Remarks
+
+This concludes the Sporadic Naev Newsletter Vol. 3, and see you again in
+the next one!