A Big Systems Push — Colonization, Borders, and Battles

Today was a heavy systems-focused day in Stellar Throne. Major progress was made on gameplay infrastructure and galaxy simulation features across colonization, ship systems, economy, and combat.

What Got Done

• Colonization System: Colonies can now be established and affect nearby territory
• Improved Territory Borders: Adjacent colonies now merge and fill territory more realistically
• Sensor System Overhaul: Colonies reveal stars only; planets require ship presence to reveal
• Planet Type Adjustments: Terran and Ocean worlds are less common, Gas Giants more common
• Fleet Management: Added fleet splitting, merging, and renaming features
• Ship Components & Retrofitting: Began component system and retrofitting support
• Terraforming System: Initial hooks implemented
• Building System: Basic framework begun (awaits research unlocks)
• Trade System: First pass implemented (currently lacks destinations)
• Victory System: Added tracking logic and display UI
• Game Setup Screen: Customize game options before galaxy generation
• Battle System: Implemented with auto-resolver and simple battle visualization

Observations

The design philosophy of building the framework early, even if features are placeholder, really paid off. Systems like terraforming, building, and trade are partially implemented and ready for expansion.

Sensors now reveal information contextually (colony vs. ship), enhancing fog-of-war and strategic gameplay.

Still in Progress

• Ship Component Retrofitting — Limited beyond starter parts
• Terraforming System — Blocked until research system available
• Building System — Awaiting research and unlock logic
• Trade System — No destinations or diplomacy integration currently