Update 0.42 – ARKFRONT

Update 0.42 adds new features, more content and fixes numerous bugs and performance issues.

Features:

An improved intro cinematic experience with more detailed animation, sound and music. You can see that in action here: https://twitter.com/ARKFRONT_game/status/1307025988203798528
Added a new powerup and threat: Ion Cannon. Enemies will now launch ion beams at the player. The player can now acquire this technology in the game.
Added a massive, highly animated final boss ship. More to show in the future!
Added more animation to the player ship. Now the player smoothly turns around and returns to the ARK at the end of the mission, firing its thrusters.
Smoother better animation complete with moving pod-bay doors has been added to the ARK when the player returns, adding more life and motion to the world.
Outposts now have idle animations for their turrets and electric fences.
Outpost docking bays now flash to better indicate that they are interactive to the player.
Multiple variations of these merchant outposts now exist, in different sizes, positions, kitted out with different equipment and defenses.
Player can now choose when to return to the ARK during engagements at any outpost.
New NPCs have been added and more dialogue events.
Added a new smaller asteroid type.
Added 15 more levels to the campaign.
Tweaked game balance.

Improved RAM utilization further. Game should now idle using less RAM.
Game should now make devices less hot as CPU usage has been reduced.
Improved the look and feel of camera shake.
Fixed several problems with the camera system.
Better supporting iPad and non-9:16 display aspect ratios.
Made several improvements to bring the game into line with the changes brought about in Game Maker Studio 2.3
Fixed a few crashing bugs.
Fixed object leaks and memory leaks.
Fixed text positioning on all aspect ratios.
Improved the codebase more generally, fixing problems and making the game more flexible for future updating when the game is live and during development.