Greetings, Pioneers!
The wait is over—Update 1.2 is officially live on the Experimental branch. We are thrilled to finally share the latest array of features and refinements our team has been crafting.
Before diving into the details, we highly recommend watching the overview video produced by our Community Management team. It offers a much more dynamic look at the changes than written notes alone, so give it a watch before you proceed!
Should you encounter any bugs or technical hiccups—whether they involve brand-new mechanics or legacy systems—please report them via our Official QA Site. We monitor your feedback daily to ensure a smooth experience.
Crucial Reminder: Before switching to the Experimental branch, please BACK UP YOUR SAVE FILES. Protecting your hard-earned factory progress is vital in case of unexpected instability. You can locate your saves here:
Without further delay, here are the major highlights of Update 1.2:
The Return of Dynamic Weather
Rain has returned to MASSAGE-2(A-B)b, significantly evolved since its original debut in Update 6. We have implemented a suite of visual and environmental enhancements, including realistic wetness shaders for buildings and the Pioneer’s suit, improved wind physics, localized fog, varying precipitation densities, and thunderous storms.
A sophisticated new occlusion system ensures that rain no longer passes through solid structures. Buildings, foundations, and walls now provide shelter, with both visual effects and audio adjusting dynamically to create a deeply immersive atmosphere within your factory walls.
Customization is key: you can now adjust the frequency and intensity of weather events via the new World Settings tab in the Options Menu.
Weather Presets
- Default: The standard cycle.
- Dry: For those who prefer clear skies.
- The Great MASSAGE-2 (AB)b: The definitive environmental experience.
- Clear: Zero precipitation.
- Raining Kittens and Puppies: A whimsical atmospheric variation.
- Extreme: For Pioneers who enjoy the storm.
World Customization
- Toggleable visor raindrop effects.
- Rain-specific post-processing toggle.
- Thunder audio/visual toggle.
- Cosmetic Fog Density Slider: Found under Video > Advanced, this allows you to fine-tune the environmental fog associated with weather (independent of the world map fog).
Unreal Engine 5.6.1 Upgrade
Following our recent preview, we have officially migrated the game to Unreal Engine 5.6.1. This transition provides significant performance optimizations and stability improvements across the entire experience.
Enhanced Controller Integration
Building on our PC controller launch and subsequent console release, we’ve worked closely with the experts at Fishlabs to implement highly requested features:
- Dynamic Gamepad Swapping: Seamlessly transition between Mouse/Keyboard and Controller. The UI and input focus will adapt instantly based on the last button pressed. (This can be disabled in the Controls menu if you prefer a locked input method).
- Full Controller Rebinding: For improved accessibility and personal preference, most gamepad inputs can now be remapped via the Keybindings tab (ensure your controller is active to view these settings).
Logistics Overhaul: Vehicle Pathing
We have completely rebuilt the vehicle automation architecture. While your existing routes will remain functional, the new system mirrors the intuitive nature of railways:
- Manual Placement: You can now “build” vehicle paths directly from the Transport tab using the Build Tool.
- Path Snapping: Vehicles can be placed directly onto these paths, similar to locomotives on tracks.
- Straight Build Mode: Create perfectly aligned routes with ease.
- UI Refresh: The Vehicle Menu now displays all available stations and accessible routes at a glance.
- Accessibility: Path colors can now be customized in the User Interface options.
Suspension & Handling Improvements
Beyond automation, we have refined the physics for manual driving. Vehicle suspension has been retuned to make exploration and off-road traversal significantly more responsive and enjoyable.
Fluid Logistics: Stations & Tanker Trucks
The introduction of Fluid Stations and specialized Fluid Trucks provides a robust alternative for long-distance liquid transport.
- Capacity: Both the station and the truck feature a 3,200 m³ internal storage capacity.
- Unlock: Available in Tier 5 as part of the Logistics Mk.4 Milestone.
Creative Mode
We have rebranded “Advanced Game Settings” to Creative Mode. The core functionality remains—enabling free building and various sandbox tweaks—while reminding players that these settings will disable Steam/Epic achievements for that save file.
New Game Modes & Procedural Modifiers
We are introducing a dedicated Game Modes menu during New Game creation. Unlike Creative Mode, these modifiers do not disable achievements, allowing you to challenge yourself with unique world rules:
- Cost Multipliers: Scale the requirements for Space Elevator phases (from 0.25x up to 100x), recipe costs, and power consumption.
- World Randomization: Randomize resource node locations or specialize the map (e.g., “Fossil Fuel Rich” or “Advanced Resource Rich”).
- Node Purity: Force all nodes to be Pure, Impure, or entirely randomized.
- World Seeds: Share your specific world generation configurations with the community using unique seed strings.
Photography & Personal Expression
Photo Mode has received several creative upgrades:
- New Filters: Includes the “I know what you are” color grade and the “Blueprint” effect.
- Hover Pack Support: All poses now feature unique variants for Pioneers currently utilizing the Hover Pack.
- Selfie Mode: A brand-new dedicated camera mode. Rotate the Pioneer’s head and arms, choose from mobile-friendly aspect ratios, and use exclusive poses to capture your industrial achievements.
The SPWN Utility
Promoting workplace hygiene and efficiency, the SPWN building allows you to set a custom respawn point. Note: Reassignment is only possible after your Pioneer has utilized the integrated hand-washing station.
- Unlock: MAM Alien Technology Tree (1 Mercer Sphere, 11 SAM Fluctuators, 20 Steel Pipes).
Daisy Chaining: Power Connectivity
A major efficiency upgrade for power grids: you can now unlock the ability to connect buildings directly to one another. This allows power to flow through a series of machines, reducing the need for cluttered power poles.
- Unlock: MAM Caterium Tree (15 Computers, 50 High-Speed Connectors, 500 Quickwire).
Expanded Construction Options
Two new structural components have been added to your toolkit:
- Pipeline T-Junction: Unlocked via Tier 3 Coal Power.
- Cross Beam: Available through the Beam Expansion Pack in the AWESOME Shop.
Actual Game Pausing
By popular demand, the Pause Menu (ESC) now halts all game logic by default. You can finally step away for a break without fearing a sudden creature attack.
- Note: This feature is exclusive to Single Player sessions.
Quality of Life Refinements
- Platform Parity: All bug fixes and optimizations developed for the console release have been integrated into the PC version.
- Hologram Rotation Logic: New settings (Static, Spawn Facing Player, or Always Face Player) allow you to dictate how buildings align when first selected.
- Train Signals: Sampling a left-handed signal will now correctly place a left-handed signal.
- Visual Overhaul: The Flying Manta has received a significant artistic update.
- Zoopable Signs: You can now “zoop” signs for rapid placement. Additionally, signs placed on the ground now automatically include a support pole.