Hey CMDRs! Today I present my first public communication regarding this mod, here's a background of myself, where the mod is at, and what the release version will look like.
Background
Despite my background in information technology and in music, I've never scripted anything for a creative project, only dabbling in modding missions for Arma 3. My recent foray into Paradox games (CK3, EU4, HOI4) piqued my interest in Stellaris after discovering the game through Star Wars mods like New Dawn and Legacy of the Old Republic.
I've been inspired by my longtime love for Elite: Dangerous, a game that stole my heart back in 2015 during the Star Citizen hype. I've been eager to explore the history of Elite: Dangerous through the gameplay mechanics of Stellaris as I felt they complimented each other inherently. However, given the fractured canon of Elite, this mod predominantly focuses on the timeline of Frontier: Elite 2, Frontier: First Encounters and Elite: Dangerous.
For those unfamiliar with Elite's lore, the 1984 release took place in it's own galaxies. Subsequently, key systems from the original game were incorporated into the Milky Way galaxy as depicted in Frontier: Elite 2 and on.
The goal of this mod is to merge the engaging gameplay systems of Stellaris, with the lore of Elite to offer a challenging experience for veterans and a mostly harmless means of exploring space for newbies.
Current Features
- 2 playable empires: Federation (Direct Democracy) and Empire (Feudal Empire)
- 2 custom maps: A 1000+ star system galaxy "The Final Frontier" based on Osito's Milky Way Unleashed as well as a brand new, Elite-accurate, 200 star system galaxy "The Human Bubble"
- 24 custom star systems, accurate to Elite (including Lave, Leesti, Achenar, Cubeo and more)
- Slower and more expensive expansion
- 2 custom origins: Federal Ascension (now available) and Imperial Pride
- Custom name list for Empire
- 1 custom event
- Custom loading screen and menu
- 2+ hours of custom music
Development Status
- Currently, the mod is in a playable state, compatible with the latest version of Stellaris.
- Both playable empires require tweaking and balancing
- Both maps require updates: "The Final Frontier" requires star system repositioning, "The Human Bubble" requires additional custom star system initializers
- Some custom star systems still need tweaks and fixes
- Expansion speed and cost requires balancing
- 2 custom origins are complete but may require tweaks and balancing
- Custom name list for Empire needs tweaks and additions, a custom name list for Federation is planned
- Current custom event is incredibly basic and is the foundation for other events
- Custom loading screens finalized
- Custom Main Menu complete
- Custom music is in a draft state and requires a second mixing / mastering pass
Requirements for Release
- Both maps be completed with their shared custom systems being finalized
- Both empires are playable
- Mixing and mastering custom music
- Steam Workshop curated collections tested
Custom events will be added to the mod in future updates. The release version of this mod is basic but focuses on allowing the dynamics of Stellaris to take over, and allows players to add their own mods and DLC. On Steam Workshop, the mod will include links to an "Enhanced" and "Ultimate" mod collection that is tested for compatibility. All other mods outside from these collections will be directly unsupported (not that it wouldn't work, just not tested for this mod).
Release is tentatively scheduled for Summer of 2024.
Known Issues
- AI has a really hard time playing as the Federation if the player is Empire playing on Ensign difficulty and above. The Federal Ascension origin with the current traits means the Feds will struggle for survival as they expand. AI does not account for this, resulting in criminally low stability and quick regime change. One workaround is to use AI mods, but a proper fix for this is planned.
- Performance can suffer when playing "The Final Frontier" galaxy late game
- "Pioneer Peril" custom event can compound habitability issues if a planet modifier also decreases habitability.
Keep an eye out on this page, the Paradox mods and Steam Workshop for more information.
If you want a taste of the mod, check out the custom origin, Tomb World Start on Steam Workshop
TL;DR - This is a big mod, I'm new to modding so this is going to have issues and be slow to make. Development is rolling and aiming for a Summer 2024 release with more custom events added in future patches.
