@rainz - Star Traders was Android only for almost 2 years, and we released to the App Store about 5 months ago. Our next games (Heroes of Steel will be the first) are being built multi-platform from the start. Wish we could share Templar Assault and Cyber Knights with you as well, but those complex, turn-based RPGs require Android too!
I picked this game up yesterday morning, per undeadcow's recommendation. After taking 5 minutes to create my captain (there are some pretty cool career/background choices, including a couple generalized ones), I headed off to bumble about the galaxy. I admit that I was nearly clueless, and accidentally skipped the first contract mission (which gives you direction), ended up angering the entire galaxy, and ended up swapping out my main ship for a crappy pirate cruiser (all within 20-30 minutes). HOWEVER, I started anew, and finished the first mission to establish my allegiance with one of the Syndicates. I've now put in a few hours of game time, and I'm in love. Cruising this galaxy, swooping in to investigate the Wilds of some planets, defending my ship from pirates... It's way deeper than I expected. After putting in a few contracts for De Valtos, I was offered a Trade Permit, and can now trade ANYTHING for that cold hard cash I love. I'm saving up for a sweet new ship, as I've already maxed the entry level one (Thanks, Dad!).
@ponycakes - thanks for sharing your experience! We are glad you are enjoying the Quadrant, and this kind of feedback is like Water-Fuel in the tank for our small independent game shop. We wish you the best in your Captaining endeavors, and another update is coming soon! We hope you will share Star Traders with your friends and followers! You can find us easily on Facebook (Star Traders) or on Google+ (Trese Brothers)!
There are two versions of Star Traders RPG; both essentially are and always have been $1.99. There's a standard shareware edition free to download with $1.99 one time IAP to unlock the Elite full ship catalog, larger map, etc or a $1.99 up fromt Elite edition with no IAP and everything accessible on install.
Cuz I'm currently paying for two trips to Europe, so for once in my life I am staying within my budget, and yes if you buy enough things at one or two dollars you eventually break the budget....needless to say this is in next months budget. That and I meant the $1.99 price point, because I thought that was a month long experiment or something. I Should have been more clear. How long will this still be $1.99?
Well my question was answered its now $2.99 lol and no undead cow it hasn't always been $1.99 it was a temporary price drop.
You can actually just download and play the free Star Traders RPG app. You just won't have the elite content. Then get the Elite version or IAP unlock after you return from Europe. It is also a good and free way to find out if it is your cup of tea...
@the9quad - Star Traders RPG (free with the IAP) contains 90% of the game features and about 30% of the game content. You can get a lot of enjoyment out of the completely free version, so I'd suggest you start there!
@undeadcow - the iOS version launched at $1.99, while the Android version has been at $2.99 for a while. The price increase on the iOS App Store corresponds with another update that has just gone into the queue. We're interested to see how well the game sells if we raise it to the full price, as we have continued to get a small but steady pickup at $1.99. Sorry for the price hike, but we hope everyone understands! As a small indie dev shop, the difference can be pretty important to help us buy more test devices and keep up!
I think your existing customers who had bought your game would not mind, and newcomers who are generally into these kinds of games also won't mind as they can see that you are adding new content via updates, so I really don't see why you would be concerned as long as you are clear who your target audience is.
@undeadcow - here is the change log for Star Traders 3.5.1. One of our main focuses is to bring the ship list in the iOS version up to spec with the Android version, to complete the upgrade list, and to squash any bugs with UI, AI, or awards. Hope you enjoy the new update. It's just gone in to "ready for review" status, so it shouldn't be long. v3.5.1 - Fixed Restricted Good Trading Rules - Display Coordinates in Rumor Status - Fixed "Hardcore Captain" Awards - Improved "Reinforced Prow" Upgrade (+2) - Improved "Aft Lance Battery" Upgrade (+4) - Improved "Rear Lance Battery" Upgrade (+4) - New Ship Artwork: Vollin Hull - New Ship Artwork: Outrigger Hull - New Ship Artwork: Linerunner Hull - New Ship: Vollin Liner - New Ship: Linerigger Freighter - New Ship: Solar Jammer - Fixed Dark Nemesis - New Ship: Pirate Lifter - New Ship: Knight Cruiser - New Space Hives: Drifting, Vast and Hulk - New Ship: Tiberia Hawk - New Ship: Excellus Cruiser - New Ship: Paladin Interceptor - New Ship: Guardian Dragoon - Fixed Issues with AI Gun Moves - New Ship: Obliterator Cruiser Mk2 - New Ship: Naval Freighter - New Ship: Victory Lifter - New Ship: Victory Liner - New Ship Artwork: Blue Victus - New Ship: Strike Fighter - Update Tiberia / Obliterator Arts
I finally bought Star Traders [Elite version] a couple of days ago. My initial game was a bewildering experience, because I completely missed the 'Help' option (rules) and didn't have a clue what on earth I was doing. Over the past few days, I initially read the rules, skimmed them, played a little, re-read them, played a little, and then re-read them again. It is definitely a slow-burner of a game with a steep learning curve, requiring a lot of time reading - and digesting - the rules. In my available game-time, the game is less Space Opera than it is an open-ended survival game, focused on resource management with RPG elements. The game is set in the ruins of a fallen civilization, with a number of different factions competing for dwindling resources within the quadrant. Thus, the game gradually becomes more difficult over time, with less resources and harder enemies. There are a number of different roles with different playing-styles for the player to choose. I would warn potential players that the game would appeal to those with an interest in statistics and mathematics because there is a fair degree of number-crunching involved. Traveling involves consuming fuel - each unit consumed is based upon a number of factors including difficulty level, region of space, attribute level, etc. Not to mention, the cost for each unit of fuel. Running out of fuel en transit can have serious consequences to crew morale (as can other factors), thus even apparent basic traveling involves resource management and calculation. Whilst I realise that the graphics and UI are rudimentary because the focus is on producing a deep and complex experience, in-game notification can be handled better. At present, notifications appear in a muddy brown pop-up notification box, and unfortunately, multiple notifications appear on top of each other, obscuring earlier ones. I haven't yet got to grips with the game, or become hooked but I will persist as time allows to see if it grabs me.
Sorry for the earlier mistake -- I posted the change log from a previous release. Apple rushed our newest version through, so it is already available for Star Traders RPG (the one with the IAP) and Elite is pending! If you enjoy, please leave a new rating with this version! What's New in Version 3.7.1 - Pilot Protects against Radiation Storms - Fixed Issues with Alien Faction Flags - Fixed Steel Song Starting Contract - Fixed 'Request New Bids' Button - Fixed Star Trader Bonuses - Improved number of Ships for sale - Fixed Issues with Cargo Overflow - Display Current Credits on more screens - Added more than 40 new ships - 530 total ship designs in Star Traders - Fixed 'Knife Alien' Bugs - Fixed 'Templar Lifter' Bugs - Added 'Ships of Power' - Added 'Ships of Honor' - Improved Escape Shuttle Rules - Better Map and SFX Performance - Improved Combat SFX Playback - Fixed "Take Ship" issues with Cargo - Fixed Highlight Bridge for Spy/Blockades - Fixed Harvest HP Messages - Fixed Explorer Result Messages Free with IAP ($2.99) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-traders-rpg/id528949262?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Elite ($2.99) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-traders-rpg-elite/id597751360?mt=8 Read more: http://startradersrpg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=updates&thread=4071#ixzz2Qlbp9n69
Thanks for the awesome journal of your Star Trader's experience. We are not intending to provide a bad UI, it's more that our small indie shop of two are working to make it better all the time and know that especially on the iPhone / iPad it has a lot of room to grow. I have added a ticket in our bug tracker (#iST-1182) to prevent the alerts from stacking on top of each other and to pick a less ugly color. Mud is not the best color choice! We are about to release a new set of typography and buttons on Android and then will slot them into probably the next iST release if we can pull it off. Thanks again for the feedback, and I am really hoping it grows on you!
Version 3.7.1 is now available for Star Traders Elite -- sorry for the delay between the two apps, the app store delayed the Elite version! Star Traders Elite on the App Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-traders-rpg-elite/id597751360?mt=8 What's New in Version 3.7.1 - Pilot Protects against Radiation Storms - Fixed Issues with Alien Faction Flags - Fixed Steel Song Starting Contract - Fixed 'Request New Bids' Button - Fixed Star Trader Bonuses - Improved number of Ships for sale - Fixed Issues with Cargo Overflow - Display Current Credits on more screens - Added more than 40 new ships - 530 total ship designs in Star Traders - Fixed 'Knife Alien' Bugs - Fixed 'Templar Lifter' Bugs - Added 'Ships of Power' - Added 'Ships of Honor' - Improved Escape Shuttle Rules - Better Map and SFX Performance - Improved Combat SFX Playback - Fixed "Take Ship" issues with Cargo - Fixed Highlight Bridge for Spy/Blockades - Fixed Harvest HP Messages - Fixed Explorer Result Messages
We are in the process of final testing for the next update of Star Traders for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This one will include the Stashes capability, which has been a big request from the community! Thanks all.
