Iterum Campaign Update Live!

Commanders,

I'm happy to announce the Iterum Campaign! Here are some of the big changes coming out with this patch.

Join the Discord

Threat Rework

Hopefully the Threat system has been enjoyable for you all! After digging through much of the play data, a couple things were clear. First, the initial six levels weren't much of a challenge; the win rates through the first six levels remained mostly the same. It wasn't until level seven that players started seeing harder matches. Second: the AI wasn't using Threat to the fullest extent, and in some cases wasn't aware of some of the Threat adjustments (this was an overlook on my part). So, I consolidated the levels down to 8, and layered the buffs together.

Level 1: AI gets 3 extra tech upgrades

Level 2: AI colonies grow faster, your colonies grow slower

Level 3: AI ships get +1 attack and half maintenance

Level 4: AI ships get +1 hull

Level 5: AI colonies produce 6, your colonies produce 4

Level 6: AI starts with Propulsion 4

Level 7: your ships get -1 attack and double maintenance

Level 8: AI ships cost half, yours cost 1.5x

For existing games, your progress will migrate to the new pattern. The naming of the existing Steam Achievements will change shortly to match the new patterns. Finally, I've added Warp Points to Threat matches. I plan to continue to evolve Threat over time, especially as expansions come out. If you have any feedback on the Threat system, hop on over to the discord and let's talk about it!

Ranked

Thanks for some fun ranked matches in the initial Campaign! For the Iterum Campaign, the following will occur:

• ELO will pull back a bit towards 1500
• Your rank will maintain in your adjusted ELO band
• Glicko uncertainty will fully reset
• Existing, unfinished matches will still contribute to ELO at the expected amount of ELO you would have earned, and will not affect the new Campaign uncertainty
• Placements are once-per-account, not once-per-campaign

Also, I've added a new game feature: No Starting Black Holes, which replaces the starting black hole with a minerals 5. This feature is playable in all other modes, too.

Finally, you can now challenge a specific player to a ranked match or campaign match (below).

Campaign Match (New Unranked Queue)

There were some great suggestions about an unranked queue. This is all subject to feedback and change, of course, and as the expansions come out, we'll have MANY more ways to do an unranked 'challenge' queue. This one will be 'Close Quarters':

• 2P Small map
• Advanced Game
• Simultaneous Start
• Heavy Terrain
• Auto Upgrades
• Long Term clock (24h moves, 72h bank)

Other Features

Service Records

You can now click on a player to see their match history and service record.

Block and Mute

You can now block another player, which will avoid them in all matchmade settings, as well as mute players, hiding their messages.

No Starting Black Hole

As indicated above, matches can now have this option where the starting black hole is replaced with a minerals 5.

Email Turn Notifications

You may now receive turn notifications via email. To do so, go to the account management settings in game, and trigger email verification. You'll have to verify your email in order to begin receiving email notifications.

AI Improvements

General AI improvements, including:

• AI is aware of Threat buffs
• Better AI handling of fighters and carriers
• Better massing and combat decision making

High-Level Roadmap

• Combat automation rules (immediate fast follow)
• Mobile launches (end of this month!)
• Better new player onboarding: advanced tutorials, as well as more of an onboarding path than currently exists today; the goal being to help new players understand the full scope of Space Imperia, which will become more and more important as expansions release
• Sounds v2: I plan to do a full second pass on combat audio
• Close Encounters, the board game's first expansion (Q1 2027)
• And, some To Be Announced projects!

Brett