TECHMASH

Tag: #SpaceEngineers

  • Drive, Automate & Detonate: Space Engineers 2 Drops Massive VS2.3 Alpha Update

    Drive, Automate & Detonate: Space Engineers 2 Drops Massive VS2.3 Alpha Update

    If you’ve been tracking the evolution of the Space Engineers 2 Alpha, it’s time to strap back into your cockpit. Keen Software House has officially deployed its latest milestone update, VS2.3: “Drive, Automate & Detonate.” Living up to its explosive name, this update injects a massive dose of mechanical freedom, advanced automation, expanded planetary warfare, and gruelling survival overhauls into the VRAGE3-powered sandbox.

    Here is everything you need to know about how VS2.3 is changing the engineering landscape.

    Drive: The Mechanical Toolkit is Complete

    For ground-pounders and planet explorers, the days of being restricted to thruster-based movement are over. VS2.3 introduces Wheel blocks, allowing players to engineer everything from nimble scout rovers to towering, resource-hauling mobile bases and trailers.

    To complement the existing pistons and rotors, Keen has finally introduced Hinges. This completes the core mechanical toolkit, giving you the power to craft intricate cargo ramps, variable-sweep wings, and complex robotic arms. Even better, newly introduced limits for rotors and pistons make these moving subgrids far easier to tune and control without triggering accidental, physics-defying catastrophes.

    Automate: Complex Grids Without the Coding

    If you love building self-sustaining industrial loops or reactive defence grids, the automation overhaul in VS2.3 is a game-changer. The update adds three core components to your terminal:

    • The Event Controller: A powerful block capable of tracking real-time grid parameters—such as speed, altitude, power levels, inventory capacity, and weapon ammo—and triggering specific actions based on those conditions.
    • Timer Blocks: Designed to queue up and sequence automated actions, either instantly or after custom-defined delays.
    • Sensors: Allowing your ships and stations to seamlessly detect approaching physical objects, players, or threats.

    Whether you want hangar doors that automatically close when your ship leaves, or emergency batteries that kick in when primary power drops below 10%, you can now build deeply logic-driven grids entirely through the game’s native blocks.

    Detonate: Combat and Total Destruction

    Space and planetary warfare just got significantly more lethal. Keen Software House has added Warheads (in both small and large grid formats), which can be detonated manually or triggered via your new automation systems.

    Furthermore, combat realism has taken a major leap forward:

    • Chain Reactions: Damaged O2/H2 tanks, active reactors, and packed ammo containers will now violently explode if compromised.
    • Heavy Payload Defences: New automated Rocket Turrets and rapid-fire Rocket Launchers have arrived to protect your territory.
    • Character Combat: If you prefer boots-on-the-ground skirmishes, character weapons now feature proper iron sights, complete with projectile impact decals and manual turret controls.

    Survival Reworks and Environmental Threats

    Surviving on the planets of the Almagest System is no longer a walk in the park. VS2.3 introduces a dedicated Classic Survival Start, dialling up the challenge to mimic a traditional, harsher survival loop. This brings voxel-based resource yields from terrain, restrictive backpack building limits, adjusted ore distribution, and rebalanced crafting recipes.

    Adding to the planetary pressure is the introduction of Wind Physics. Atmospheric weather events, like sandstorms, are no longer purely cosmetic. Strong winds will physically push airborne characters, loose debris, floating objects, and dynamic grids. To help you harness this chaos, the update adds Wind Turbines, allowing you to generate scalable green energy based entirely on local wind speeds.

    Behind the Scenes: Optimisation & What’s Next

    Alongside 46 brand-new building blocks and the exclusive Pioneer Suit for Pioneer Edition owners, Keen has delivered substantial engine optimisations under the hood. Vegetation culling, shadow rendering, and voxel processing have all been upgraded to keep performance smooth, even in dense forests or during chaotic, high-fracture explosions.

    For those tracking the long-term Space Engineers 2 Roadmap, Keen also dropped an exciting development update: the team is prioritising Co-op Multiplayer & NPCs (VS4) ahead of the highly anticipated Water Update (VS3), aiming for a release window around November/December 2026.

    The Verdict

    The “Drive, Automate & Detonate” update successfully bridges the gap between raw creativity and practical survival. With robust physics, deep automation logic, and high-stakes combat, the Space Engineers 2 Alpha is quickly shaping up to be a worthy, next-generation successor to the original masterpiece.

    Space Engineers 2 is currently available in Playable Alpha on Steam.

    Find out more here

    #SpaceEngineers2 #KeenSoftwareHouse #GamingNews #SciFiGaming #SandboxGames #PCGaming #SpaceEngineers #IndieDev #TechMash

  • Space Engineers 2 Update VS2.2: Mechanical Blocks & Weapons are Here!

    Space Engineers 2 Update VS2.2: Mechanical Blocks & Weapons are Here!

    The wait is over, Engineers. Keen Software House has officially dropped Major Update VS2.2 for the Space Engineers 2 Alpha, and it is a massive leap forward for the Almagest system. If you felt the initial Alpha was a bit “static,” this update changes everything by introducing motion, Mayhem, and a whole lot of machinery.

    Here is everything you need to know about the Mechanical Blocks & Weapons update.

    The Engineering Revolution: Rotors & Pistons

    The most anticipated addition is undoubtedly the arrival of Mechanical Blocks. For the first time in SE2, your grids can move. Whether you’re building folding hangar doors, rotating solar arrays, or complex crane arms, the physics of the VRAGE3 engine are ready to be put to the test.

    Rotors: Available in Large (1.25m) and Small (0.5m) variants.

    Pistons: Essential for extending reach, available in Large (4m) and Small (2.5m) sizes.

    Production Lines & Area Welding

    Building at scale just got a lot easier. The update introduces Production Lines and Area Welding.

    Ship Tools: New Large and Small Welders/Grinders now feature “Area” functionality, allowing you to build or dismantle multiple blocks simultaneously.

    The Area Welder (Hand Tool): Even on foot, the Mark 1 Area Welder lets you repair clusters of blocks at once using materials from your backpack.

    Weapons & Combat Basics

    Space is no longer a peaceful vacuum. VS2.2 introduces the foundations of Combat Basics. You can now arm your ships and your character to deal with emerging threats.

    Grid Weapons: The Gatling Gun (manual) and Gatling Turret (automated) are now available to defend your builds against enemy grids and incoming projectiles.

    Character Weapons: You can now carry the Assault Rifle for precision fire and the Rocket Launcher for when you need to make a bigger statement.

    Exploration Expanded: New Moons & Asteroid Rings

    The Almagest system has grown. The update adds significant environmental variety and new places to stake your claim:

    New Moons: Explore Palatine (orbiting Verdure) and the dangerous, atmospheric Caligo (orbiting Kemik).

    Asteroid Rings & Clusters: Navigation just got more interesting with the addition of massive asteroid rings and resource-rich clusters.

    Weather & Events: Keep an eye on the sky—Planetary Events and Weather have been implemented, adding a layer of environmental survival to your base management.

    Economy, Trading, and Survival

    Survival mode is becoming much deeper. VS2.2 introduces Trading and Credits. You can now visit Trade Terminals on stations to exchange base resources, giving you a reason to haul cargo across the system.

    Note: To see the new Moons, Asteroid Rings, and Economy features, you will need to start a New Save.

    Other Key Features:

    Suit Oxygen: A new survival mechanic requiring you to manage your O2 levels.

    Cargo Ships: Non-static ships now roam the system, providing opportunities for salvage or trade.

    Customizable Controls: Finally, you can remap your keybinds to suit your playstyle.

    What’s Next on the Roadmap?

    Keen has been transparent about what didn’t make the cut for VS2.2. Wheels were prototyped but are still “cooking” and are expected in the next milestone, VS2.3, along with Hinges.

    Looking further ahead:

    VS3: Volumetric Water Systems.

    VS4: NPCs and the first iteration of Multiplayer.

    Space Engineers 2 is evolving rapidly. Whether you’re a master of “Clang” or a newcomer to the Almagest, there has never been a better time to jump back into the cockpit.

    Are you ready to build your first moving ship?

    Find out more here – https://2.spaceengineersgame.com/space-engineers-2-vs2-2/

    #KeenSoftwareHouse #SpaceEngineers2Alpha #scifi #spaceexploration #spaceengineers #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • Space Engineers: Apex Survival now available on PC Xbox and PlayStation

    Space Engineers: Apex Survival now available on PC Xbox and PlayStation

    “Space Engineers: Apex Survival” is a major free update for the game Space Engineers, which launched on September 8, 2025. This update is centred around overhauling and expanding the survival mechanics of the game, making it a more challenging and immersive experience.

    https://www.spaceengineersgame.com/space-engineers-apex-survival-live-now/

    Here are some of the key features introduced in the Apex Survival update:

    Food and Farming: A new food system has been added. Players must now manage their hunger by finding, hunting, or growing food. You can forage for wild plants, hunt animals for meat, and cultivate crops using new blocks like Farm Plots, Algae Farms, and Irrigation Systems. A Food Processor block is used to craft more advanced and nutritious meals from various ingredients.

    Environmental Hazards: The world of Space Engineers is now more dangerous. The update adds a variety of environmental threats, including:

    Radiation: This can come from multiple sources, such as damaged reactors, certain planetary atmospheres, and unique storms. There are new ways to combat radiation, including a special Anti-Radiation Med Kit.

    Overhauled Weather: Weather effects are no longer just cosmetic. They can now directly impact your survival. For example, caustic rain can damage players, extreme temperatures drain suit energy, and electric storms can be both a source of radiation and damage.

    Reworked Meteors: Meteors no longer directly target grids. Instead, they pass through the area, adding a new atmospheric and visual element to the game.

    Meaningful Death and Buffs: The update introduces consequences for dying. A new world option called “Reduced Stats on Respawn” will start your character at just 20% health and other vitals, making death something to actively avoid. Conversely, a new “Survival Buffs” system rewards players who stay alive, granting them powerful bonuses over time.

    New Random Encounters: The update includes 30 new, handcrafted random encounters to replace the older ones. These new scenarios are designed to be more dynamic and unique, providing fresh opportunities for exploration and challenges.

    New Blocks: The free update comes with new blocks for the base game, including the Farm Plot, Food Processor, and various farming-related items.

    Apex Survival Pack (DLC) Alongside the free update, Keen Software House released the Apex Survival Pack as a paid DLC. This pack is purely cosmetic and offers a collection of decorative blocks to help players build more immersive and visually appealing survival outposts. The pack is not “pay to win,” and owning it does not give you any gameplay advantage over other players. It includes items such as:

    New variants of tools (Welder Type II, Grinder Type II, Drill Type II)

    Decorative farming and life-support blocks (Half Oxygen Farm, Half Algae Farm, Inset Terrariums)

    New decorative and utility blocks (Storage Bin Set, Conduit Set, Warning Signs)

    #SpaceEngineersApexSurvival #SpaceEngineers #ApexSurvival #KeenSoftwareHouse #PC #Steam #Xbox #PlayStation #games #gaming #gamers