Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Planet Crafter: Planet Humble DLC what we know so far


The Planet Humble DLC was announced along with the 1.2 Rover update on 3 September 2024

UPDATE: The DLC releases 9 October 2024 for about AUD$8/ USD$5 / GBP£5 on Steam.

 

I'm super excited! I absolutely love exploring in the base game, and watching the world transform, so doing that on a new planet will be awesome. I might need a new hard drive just for storing screenshots! I'm looking forward to more lore - I'm curious to see if we continue the story from the base game or if it's completely different. Will we ever meet Sentinel Corps, Riley or the Wardens? I think the new planet will be better designed with the rover in mind, so probably smoother terrains and less twisting narrow passageways. It will be interesting to see how they continue to improve their game design, and what features they might add to the base game as a result.

What would you like to see added to the game (base game or DLC)?

 

What we know so far about the game:

  • It takes place on a different planet, about half the size of the base game planet and will have some new biomes and lore.
  • The goal will be to fully terraform the planet, same as in the base game.
  • Multiplayer will be available. 
  • It will require having the base game on Steam. If playing in multiplayer, only one person will need the DLC for the group to be able to play it.

 

What we've seen in trailers and promotional images so far:

  • The rover, trade rockets and drones will be available.
  • The architecture style will be the same as the base game.
  • Large caves, lakes, canyons and mountains. Different layers (e.g. looking down into an underground cavern). The world may be smaller but the landscape looks very tall so it seems bigger.
  • Frozen, toxic, volcanic, arid, tropical and temperate biomes.
  • UPDATE: New shipwrecks and crashed satellites.
  • UPDATE: Possibly 3-legged robots? (they look a bit like the large drills but have a round body and an interface with an envelope displayed suggesting a message to read, some seem to be damaged/crashed).
  • UPDATE: Mammals similar to those in the base game.
  • UPDATE: New technology (some outdoor equipment with a storage chest/locker on the front and back of some rollers producing smoke/steam?).
     

Updated 5 October 2024

To be continued ...

Monday, September 16, 2024

Planet Crafter: Rover

Vehicle station and rover

The vehicle station and the rover become available to build at 11 MTi (during the liquid water stage).

The rover provides a new means of transport around the planet which will be perfect for exploration and moving resources. It has unlimited fuel (like the jetpack) and its own inventory, as well as numerous upgrades that can be crafted at the vehicle station. Some of the upgrades are unlocked by using blueprint chips.

There are also extra seats on the back of the rover for passengers in multiplayer mode.

The rover

Upgrades

  • Vehicle equipment slots - to have more upgrades active (default = 2, T1 upgrade = 5, T2 upgrade = 10)
  • Vehicle inventory slots - to store more (default = 30, T1 upgrade = 48, T2 upgrade = 64, T3 upgrade = 88)
  • Vehicle speed - reach your destination quicker (T1 upgrade = +100% speed, T2 upgrade = +200% speed, T3 upgrade = +300% speed)
  • Vehicle lights - for travelling at night or in dark areas
  • Unlimited oxygen - able to breathe in the vehicle (like a portable living compartment)
  • Vehicle beacon - find vehicles easily
  • Vehicle logistics - vehicle storage can be accessed by drones

Default point of view
Cockpit point of view

Equipment panel behind driver's door (for installing upgrades)

Storage at rear of vehicle

Fully upgraded T3 storage
Driving in the dark (no lights)
Driving in the dark (T1 lights)

Driving in the dark (T2 lights)

Notes

  • The default view is third person while driving, looking from behind and above the rover. You can change the view to first person/cockpit view if you prefer.
  • You can't access any inventory while driving, so if you desperately need food/water/oxygen, you need to exit the vehicle then open your inventory or the rover's.
  • The vehicle station also has a vehicle recall panel which lets you select a vehicle and instantly bring it back to the station (this might be useful if it gets lost or stuck or is far away).
  • Driving in caves is not recommended; the rover is much more likely to clip through terrain or get stuck.

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Planet Crafter: Game Victory

 

The aim of the game is to terraform the planet and leave. 

At 5 TTi, you unlock the extraction platform and a large explosive device. You receive a message from Sentinel Corp saying you have succeeded in terraforming the planet but there is an anomaly that must be destroyed with the large explosive. Once you build the extraction platform, the launchpad interface warns of interference and provides the coordinates of the anomaly: 718:48:2269.


 

After destroying the anomaly, there are several possible endings:

1) Sentinel Corp Ending

After destroying the anomaly, you return to the extraction platform and find a new message on the interface: "Leave the planet, place your fate in the hands of Sentinel Corp."

If you choose to be extracted by Sentinel Corp:

 

You terraformed the planet as they demanded, but you are still under arrest. The charges have not been dropped as promised.

 

2) Warden's Ending

 

Follow the clues to learn the wardens' story. Eventually you will learn that there are 10 keys hidden around the planet and you will need the warden's key detector to find them and take them to the extraction capsule.

Warden's Keys

  1. -1440:118:553 (Waterfall)
  2. -1329:92:1321 (Beach)
  3. -922:87:-630 (Volcano)
  4. -382:28:1495 (Meteor Crater)
  5. -305:83:610 (Waterfall)
  6. 715:67:1708 (Sandfalls)
  7. 1262:17:249 (Central Plateau)
  8. 1312:7:1504 (Dune Desert)
  9. 1433:74:-761 (Gate Desert)
  10. 1537:22:2215 (Highlands)
  11. 1587:51:561 (Labyrinth)
  12. 1896:75:268 (Grand Rift)
  13. 2372:97:1010 (Grasslands)

After destroying the anomaly and placing the keys in the extraction platform inventory, the extraction platform interface has a new message: "Leave the planet, trust that some wardens are still alive and accept you."

If you choose to be extracted by the Wardens:

You disappear through the star-gate into the unknown.

 

3) Riley's Ending

After destroying the anomaly, you receive a message from Riley warning you not to trust Sentinel Corp and offering an alternative escape: he's contacted a smuggling ship and if you collect 250,000 Terra Tokens and place 5 solar quartz in the extraction platform inventory, they could take you off the planet. But he's not sure they can be trusted either. Once you have the payment for the smugglers, the extraction platform interface has a new message: "Leave the planet, place your hands in the fate of space smugglers."

If you choose to be extracted by the smugglers:

 

You become an outlaw and will need to keep a low profile, but Riley still hopes to see you again one day.

 

4) Not the End

Even if you complete one game ending, your save-game doesn't have to end: you can come back and try out a different ending or just keep playing.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Planet Crafter: Transmissions Log

Transmissions and messages are found throughout the game that tell a story about the planet and its previous inhabitants. Below is a rough summary and timeline.

From: Cargo Ship Cirella-IV

Year 3021 - Steep Hill Shipwreck 223:139:1057


While travelling to Stigmar, the ship suddenly left hyperspace and lost power as though it had been drained somehow. Navigation tools went crazy as they tried to make an emergency landing on a stormy unidentified planet.

 

From: Unknown

Year 3034 - Gate Desert Shipwreck 1635:61:-660

The space warp gate took two years to build and was supposed to enable easy transport across the Izitial Prime sector. As soon as they turned on the power, something went wrong and the spaceship began plummeting towards the nearest planet. The crew took to escape pods and a distress signal was sent.

 

From: Evren

Year 3035 - Toxic Caves -1355:39:-1464

Evren has written a debriefing report. Their spaceship crashed for unknown reasons and the cave collapsed on top of them. There were two people onboard - they are both injured but they have split up to try and find a way out of the cave to send a distress beacon.

Year 3035 - Toxic Caves -956:48:-1344

Evren says the visibility in the cave is terrible and there's no natural light or air flow. They will continue to look for a way out.

 

From: Ozgur

Year 3035 - Toxic Caves -1290:7:-1737


Ozgur wishes they hadn't changed their itinerary to visit an unexplored part of the universe. He complains about the dark, the rocks and his sore leg.

Year 3035 - Toxic Caves -742:6:-1798

Ozgur is not sure if it has been 3 days or 3 weeks since the crash, and there seems to be lots of rocks but not many water bottles.

 

From: Ihklas

Year 3037 - Dune Desert Underground Bunker 1168:2:1291

Ihklas' ship crashed on the planet. He is the last survivor. His health is deteriorating and he desperately needs water.

Year 3040 - Highlands Underground Bunker 1096:9:2382

Ihklas is trying to gather resources to build a launch platform in a meteor crater sheltered from the winds. The storms have been less frequent lately but the magnetic fields are crazy.

Year 3041 - Meteor Crater Underwater Bunker -306:-2:1353

Ihklas thought he had found the perfect place to build a launch platform, but visibility is terrible. Can't send anything until the fog lifts. In the meantime, he'll try building a base higher up on the meteor crater rim.

Year 3041 - Meteor Crater Underground Bunker -612:76:1525

Ihklas tried to send a message 91 times, unsuccessfully. 

Year 3041 - Meteor Crater Underground Bunker -595:76:1554

Ihklas can't remember how long he has been on the planet. He misses his family and wonders if he'll ever see a friendly face again. He's getting better at surviving but he hopes someone comes to rescue him.

Year 3041 - Meteor Crater Underground Bunker -634:70:1548

Ihklas is considering staying on the planet. He's found enough ice to drink, his food is growing and he has set up solar panels and found some comfort. He does worry about dying alone. There is also something strange about the planet; he's not sure what, but it seems to be making him want to stay.

Year 3042 - Cenote -127:-4:2170

Ihklas vows to not surrender to the cold, dusty planet. A multitool would really help save time, but with or without, he will dig deep to get the resources to build a rocket and launch platform.

Year 3043 - Grasslands Waterfall Cave 2561:95:1378

Ihklas has finally found the perfect spot to set up his final camp with everything he needs to survive, despite the cold, harsh environment outside.

Year 3043 - Grasslands Waterfall Cave 2583:107:1422

Ihklas doubts anyone will remember him or care if he returns home. Perhaps he should stay here? He's been changed a lot by this ordeal of survival.

Year 3043 - Grasslands Waterfall Cave 2605:96:1457

Ihklas has finally got the resources to build the extraction platform. He thinks it will take a year to build it and escape the planet.

Year 3044 - Grasslands Waterfall Cave 2729:115:1329

Ihklas left a farewell message to the planet with its unsolved mysteries at the launch platform on his last day. There are collapsed rocket supports on the launch platform. Maybe he escaped the planet after all?

 

From: Unknown

Year 3042 - Grand Rift Shipwreck 2196:0:621

A private scavenger is given a mission to explore and discover why so many ships have disappeared or crashed in the Izitial Prime sector. Secondary mission includes searching for life and reporting any wrecks to the appropriate corporations.

 

From: Cinitat-II 

Year 3043 - Waterfall Cave -959:90:523


A five-week space cruise in a lesser known part of space ended in disaster, with the ship crashing and many dead. Only a few survived, and they buried their shipmates in the nearby cave.

From: Jermyi

Year 3047 - Lush Desert Bunker 147:42:-1648

 

Jermyi has found some weathered and eroded remains of what appears to be an advanced civilisation, but the planet is in a region of uninhabited space so that doesn't make sense.

Year 3047 - Lush Desert Bunker 157:42:-1658

Jermyi is convinced it really is evidence of another civilisation - perhaps that race that vanished many years ago? He wants to send the information out ASAP, but he hasn't setup communications and there is a bad storm approaching.


From: Unknown (possibly to Jermyi?)

Year 3047 - Lush Desert Bunker 157:42:-1657

A private scavenger is given a mission to explore and discover why so many ships have disappeared or crashed in the Izitial Prime sector. Secondary mission includes searching for life and reporting any wrecks to the appropriate corporations. [Same message as seen in the Grand Rift wreck]

 

From: Sentinel Corp

Year 3055 - Wastelands Landing Pod -263:37:-696


You have reached your assigned planet. Increase terraformation by generating oxygen, heat and pressure. Your first goal is to reach 175,000 Ti to get a blue atmosphere. [Xiaodan's mission] 


From: Xiaodan

Year 3055 - Wastelands Underground Bunker -325:29:-699

Xiaodan was disappointed by his landing site but optimistic that he will be able to terraform the planet, if he has good weather and not too many meteors.

Year 3055 - Wastelands Underground Bunker -327:23:-708

The mission is not going well. Outside is toxic and seeds don't grow well underground. Planet should be in a better position in about two years, if he can just survive that long.

Year 3055 - Volcanic Underground Bunker -873:77:-427

Xiaodan has moved to a new camp. It's slightly warmer, but still very cold. He ran out of food two days ago and is lonely, missing his family. He can't stay here, but he dreads going back outside.

Year 3055 - Volcanic Undergound Bunker -878:72:-428

Xiaodan feels like a captive in a dungeon and he can't think about anything except how he has been condemned to death.

Year 3055 - Wastelands Underground Bunker -329:11:-709


You have reached your assigned planet. Increase terraformation by generating oxygen, heat and pressure. Your first goal is to reach 175,000 Ti to get a blue atmosphere. [Many failed missions - room full of the same message] 

Year 3056 - Wastelands Underground Bunker -333:17:-706

Xiaodan desperately needs more iridium to build heaters but can't find any. There is ice everywhere. This punishment is unfair for such a small crime.

Year 3056 - Wastelands Underground Bunker -335:11:-692

Xiaodan rages against Sentinel Corps, saying they knew it was an impossible mission and they were never going to pardon him. They only care about profit and colonization. [Secret room]

Year 3056 - Starting Valley Cave 663:3:302

Xiaodan rages against Sentinel Corps, saying they knew it was an impossible mission and they were never going to pardon him. They only care about profit and colonization. [His body and possessions are found in a small cave under some rocks.]

 

From: Sentinel Corp, To: You

Year 3058 - Starting Valley Landing Pod 558:2:495


You have reached your assigned planet. Increase terraformation by generating oxygen, heat and pressure. Your first goal is to reach 175,000 Ti to get a blue atmosphere.

Year 3058 - Transmissions Screen

You are convict GP-8971-L, required to terraform the planet in order to get all charges dropped. The planet is in the Izitial Prime sector of space and has been identified as a potential opportunity for future colonization. [Your mission]

 

From: Convict GP-8971-Y

Year 3058 - Transmissions Screen

The message was sent from a convict serving as planet crafter on Migoria-III nearby. They are struggling with the terrible weather and lack of resources, and request help.

 

From: Riley, To: You

Year 3058 - Transmissions Screen

Riley found out where you were sent and wanted to give you some survival tips. He says you are a planet crafter and it is an almost impossible task. Finding food in wrecks and eventually growing your own will be essential. Keep an eye out for vegetable seeds. Also, build your base at a high altitude and try to warm up the planet so the ice blocking caves will melt.


After reaching the Lakes stage, Riley sent you an encrypted message about placing ore extractors in different areas to extract specific resources and rockets are really important to boost generation.


After reaching the Flora stage, Riley sent you a message about how he has done a deep scan of the planet you are on and there are some geological anomalies. He suggests you start investigating at -248:42:93. 

 -248:42:93 

-464:-40:97

After reaching the Insects stage, Riley sent you a message. He's been working for months on hacking into the Sentinel Corp system and finally managed to unlock the trading rocket for you (it is normally forbidden to planet crafters). This should help your survival. Riley doesn't know if you are still alive, but they hope to see you again.

 

From: Sentinel Corp, To: You

Year 3058 - Transmissions Screen

Sentinel Corp has been watching your progress. Once you reach the Insects stage, they send you a message saying that conditions are suitable for wild larvae to appear on the planet surface and instruct you to breed bees and butterflies to continue the terraforming. They also warn you not to use communication devices to contact anyone other than Sentinel Corp.

 

From: A Warden

Year ???? - Mushroom River Bunker -447:-41:12

The Warden says people arrived on their home planet of Treha in spaceships, a few at first, but more came. The new arrivals looked like they could be the wardens' brothers. Scientists said they had evolved independently, and the bodies were similar but their minds were quite different. When they realised just how different, it was already too late.

Year ???? - Mushroom River Bunker -473:-41:18

 

After years of suffering, the Warden's people decide to leave their home and go far away from the terror and strife and Others and their insatiability. They gathered their people into their biggest space vessel and sought a new home where they could be safe and hidden and continue their way of life as they had for centuries.

964:68:1744

Year ???? - Mushroom River -414:-43:105

 

The Warden says this underground cave is a blessing - it has lots of resources and keeps them hidden from space. They look forward to building a new settlement and fulfilling their destiny.

Year ???? - Ancient City (Super Alloy Cave Bunker) 628:20:2111

 


It has been generations since the Great Migration. We (the Wardens) do not forget our story and pass on the information to our children. Our masters watch the human evolution closely. We see how they were so primitive but are now powerful, destructive, ever expanding and getting closer. We thought we were safe, far away, but now we need to find a new way to avoid them.

Year ???? - Ancient City (Super Alloy Cave Bunker) 653:45:2180

The Orbital Drainage-Defense Device observation log reports the device is working correctly. If any humans approach the planet, it will drain their spaceships of energy and prevent communication. This should deter humans from approaching or colonising this part of space and give the Warden's people at least several hundred years of peace. 

1565:109:2500

Year ???? Lost Paradise 1197:123:2931

 

In the midst of the beautiful lost paradise, the Warden has inscribed a stone tablet, "Once, we lived."

Year ???? Lost Paradise 1102:124:2933

The Warden says that a meteor will hit the planet in a few days and their civilisation will be destroyed, leaving only ash and dust, no one to remember their story. They have chosen not to flee this time but meet their fate. They are proud of who they were and how they kept true to their values. Like the butterfly, they accept life is beautiful and fleeting. 

Year ???? - Cenote 15:-34:2157

The wardens are a hive mind, taught to focus on serving the united group rather than being individuals. But when their existence is threatened, is the urge to survive incompatible with selflessness?

Year ???? - Cenote 227:176:2510

 

There is a schism amongst the wardens. Some want to survive and not wait for destruction, even if it means leaving loved ones, who believe fate is more important than choice, to die. The wardens have left 10 hidden keys across the planet; find them and place them in an extraction capsule to escape the planet and join the surviving wardens. [Hint: use the warden key detector]

Year ???? - Cenote 295:193:2487

Some wardens question their destiny and believe they can survive, start over and build a new colony, just like they did before. To their families and peers who disagree, they are sorry.

 

From: Sentinel Corp, To: You

Year 3059 - Transmissions Screen

After reaching 5 TTi, Sentinel Corp congratulates you on successfully terraforming the planet but says there is an anomaly that is preventing them from colonizing the planet or extracting you. They give you a recipe for an explosive device and tell you to destroy the anomaly.

Sentinel Corp acknowledges you have destroyed the anomaly and instructs you to use the extraction platform to leave the planet. Your sentence will be re-evaluated depending on "various deviations from the rules" that may have occurred while you were a planet crafter.

 

From: Riley, To: You

Year 3059 - Transmissions Screen

After destroying the anomaly, Riley sends you a final message, warning you not to trust Sentinel Corp. They don't care about you or any of the planet crafters. Riley has contacted a smuggler's ship and they have agreed to take you off the planet if you collect 250,000 Terra Tokens and place 5 solar quartz in the departure platform inventory. Riley can't promise that the smugglers are trustworthy, but life is unfair and the future is uncertain, but they hope you find a happy ending.