- Hotfix 0.4.7.3 Now Live! - 3 October 2025
Hotfix 0.4.7.3 now live! This fixes a few key things. AMD render bug, should now work correctly on AMD 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx Radeons.Missing key binding for some VR users.Weird sideways gravity!I'll be looking at less game breaking issues over the coming weeks, alongside the work on the next big update (more info later)!
- Hotfix 0.4.7.2 Now Live! - 30 September 2025
A new hotfix has just gone live for both the free demo and the closed alpha (accessed via the patreon).This is based on awesome feedback from the community here, and on Discord so many thanks for flagging up the issues.Patch Notes:Fixed a bug that allowed items to be placed in the air filtration unit... which then enlarged!Fixed camera layering causing double vision of held object when in the cockpitEnsured datacarts don't disappear on loadingFixed directional thrusters with Vive WandAdded a hard stop to periscope to prevent it sinking through the floorReplaced the binding system so it now writes to a text file in AppData instead of registrySeparated bindings for Flashlight/Torch and Deploy hardpoints - "T" for Torch/flashlightAdded a reset button for bindingsLaunch options now work correctly and force disable/enable VRPossible fix for the AMD / Radeon specific shader bug?? Let me know…
- NON VR PLAY!!! A huge update to the free demo and closed alpha. (Also HOTAS!) - 18 September 2025
Its a big day for Inter Solar 83 as finally I can offer access to the game to the other 98% of steam users! From his point on the game will be playable both in VR and on a monitor, with a full interface conversion for each. This was the most requested feature by far. The second most requested feature, support of HOTAS and game controllers has also been added.... along with many other new features! The patch notes....Non VR play!Inter Solar 83 is finally available to everyone, not just those with VR headsets!HOTAS and game controller support.The No.1 most requested feature, you can now just a HOTAS or other game controller(s) to fly your ship. Available in both VR and non VR play.Control remappingSet up any controller or keyboard input to a huge range of ship functions.(this will also allow you to set up voice attack or similar third party software).Overhauled star mapThe star map should…
- Non VR mode available this month! - 5 September 2025
Hi all, Just a quick update to say that the final stages of revisions and bug fixing has started for the new update to both the free demo and the closed alpha. In addition to adding non-VR play this will also bring HOTAS support for all players including in VR along with a host of other updates. Watch this space!
- Coming soon - non-VR mode! - 1 August 2025
Starting with the next patch, Inter Solar 83 will now be available to play without VR! Play the latest in space exploration games on your monitor! What's more, you will also be able to use game controllers including HOTAS, with the ability to customise all your control inputs. Lots more features are also being upgraded including an overhaul of the star map and the personal wrist computer. More updates to follow!
- Demo updated! Now with 100% more lasers! (and asteroid rings and 8-bit gaming). - 22 April 2025
Hi all, The demo has just had a big update to bring it in line with some of the features of the closed alphas...to give you a taste of what you are missing on the Patreon! You now have access to the ships inventory, mining laser and can explore the vase asteroid ring of a gas giant! Or take a break and play a few rounds of "Captain Splarn" on your console! Remeber if you actually want your hyperdrive to work so you can visint endless new star systems you need to sign up for the closed alpha over on the patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/c/FirstTimeGames Many thanks to all those who have already joined are are giving great input on what features they want to see!
- Huge Update to the Alpha! - 8 April 2025
The latest update to the closed alpha is now live! This one was a lot of work as it needed entirely new back end code for generating planetary rings, managing inventories and resources and physics-based projectiles! I'm hopeful the next patch will move much faster as it will build on these new features. New Features Include: New asteroid models and generation system. Rework of gas giant rings to include millions of asteroids and dust clouds. Deployable/retractible mining laser. An 8-bit game to play on your console! A new inventory system. New cargo console to collect and dispense items. New models and cockpit detail. Enhanced planet graphics. New sound effects. Streamlining and optimization. Bug fixes. Again, many thanks to the paid backers who have made working on this project possible. If you'd like to join them and get immediate access to this build click here!
- What's New in Inter Solar 83? (loads of new content that's what) - 27 January 2025
Hi All, Firstly, apologies, I'm aware I haven't really been updating the steam page with news regularly enough, focussing more on updating via Patreon and Discord... my new years resolution is to keep ALL channels updated! So what's new in the closed alphas in the last few patches? Well... Life bearing planets! New planet graphics Shipboard warning system New targeting system Ship's scanner module Temperate management and effects Many new control panels Catastrophoc Failures and Player death Overhauled Orbital Physics New save system implemented Updated menus Volumetric fog New Particle effects New airlock display Many new terrain models Rework of atmosphere systems new sounds Streamlining and optimization Bug fixes galore! And many other minor features. In short its been all systems go here, and the patches are rolling out very regularly. Get access to all this right here - https://www…
- Demo and Closed Alpha updated! - 19 August 2024
I'm very pleased to announce that the latest build is now live. This adds new content to both the free Demo, and the closed alpha. For info on accessing the alpha visit https://firsttimegames.com This adds many new features to the game including... • Oxygen management • Wearable Spacesuit (don’t go out without your helmet!) • Overhauled VR camera system • Complete lighting overhaul • New graphics and models for spacecraft interior • New control panels, interactions and sound effects. • New environmental sound effects • a huge list of bug fixes! I hope you enjoy the new challenges that come with managing your air supplies, along with the power and fuel. I'm already working on the next update that will add more layers of gameplay to the project.
- July Patch Now Live for Backers - 23 July 2024
Its patch day! The July patch is now live and being played by backers. Get in on the action here - https://firsttimegames.com This adds the following features... · Dynamic temperature system · Temperature effects on ship · Climate control system including new control panel, interactions and sound effects. · Power consumption system - you now need to monitor power use, and recharge to avoid your ship shutting down completely! · Updated power unit readout screen · Updated sound effects for ship engines · New environmental sound effects · New dynamic star light and heat - distance and line of sight now effect heat absorbed from sunlight. You will notice dramatic drops in temperature when orbiting on the dark side of a planet. · Updated lighting system to correctly block sunlight when in shadow of a planet. · Fixed bug with suns showing through landscape · Many other minor bug fixes
- June Update Now Live! New graphics, New Models, New Features! (Demo and Alpha) - 19 June 2024
The latest patch adds the following new features. Settings: Switch music on/off Select dedicated mode for HTC Vive wands Select snap or smooth turning Game: Suns have been completely overhauled both in terms of generation and graphics. You should now see much more realistic looking local stars with accurate representations of real main sequence stars. Starlight now correctly adjusts brightness in the cockpit according to star type. Periscope switch updated and now include lock for hyperspace Overhead panel switches now lock at appropriate times and have new labels and indicator lights. Navigation computer should now display the names of local bodies correctly including number and letter designation for Stars, planets and moons for example... System Delta 467 Delta 467-A (Type M Star) Delta 467-A 1 (Barren Planet) Delta 467-A 1a (Ice Moon) Demo/tutorial has been updated to add some more…
- What's new in the closed alphas? (and how to get access) - 29 May 2024
https://i.imgur.com/25PElYx.jpg Hi all, I wanted to catch up with steam players to remind you all that you can get access to much, much more content than the free demo via the Patreon. A single, one off donation of £4.50 gets you access to the current alpha... while a total donation of £22.50 secures your game for life, along with permanent access to alphas as they release!..even if you quit Patreon. Find out more here - https://www.patreon.com/FirstTimeGames So here are some of the things supporters are already doing... Jumping from system to system (after plotting a course in the holographic star map) Searching for wrecks to syphon fuel and resources from. Weaving between asteroids in giant asteroid fields. Exploring the beauty of vast nebulae. Landing on Earth sized planets (barren or ice worlds currently) Landing on moons (also currently barren or ice) Procedurally generating entire…
- Free Demo and Closed Alpha both updated! - 25 January 2024
Greeting Explorers! I'm very pleased to announce that the latest updates to both the free demo and the closed early alpha content are now live! For those playing the demo it should update automatically. If you would like to get access to the closed alpha builds come and join us by signing up on the Patreon right here! This is the cheapest (and only) way to pre-order the game as well as getting immediate access to alpha builds. https://www.patreon.com/FirstTimeGames Features Interior and exterior lighting control switches added Master Power switch added Engine power switch added Thrust control switch added Systems switch added Life support switch added (not yet functional) Jump drive master switch added. 3D assets New right gauntlet with flashlight New model for pilots seat New model for front dashboard New model for left control panel New switch model Reworked roof model Overhead flight…
- Patreon now open for immediate Alpha access, beginning this month. - 12 December 2023
Greetings Explorers! With the Kickstarter drawing to a close and no hitting its target I have decided to move to a different funding model via Patreon instead! The really good news is you won't have to wait for nearly as long to start testing the early builds of the game... I'm making an alpha available to backers in the next few days! This update will be the first with the star map and hyperspace travel between systems. Sign up here for as little as £4.50! https://patreon.com/user?u=108952907&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
- The Kickstarter is now live! - 12 November 2023
I'm very please to announce that the Kickstarter is now live! Grab a discounted copy of the game, get in the credits, get involved with development! This will run for just 30 days so get over and stake your claim to one of the amazing rewards available exclusively to backers. CLICK HERE! https://kickstarter.com/projects/1280672150/inter-solar-83
- Small patch to fix bug - 28 October 2023
Tiny patch today to fix a bug with the in-game discord link. It should now work correctly. Here is is again for anyone who'd like to join the discussion! https://discord.gg/HxC3CPuFgb
- Version 1.08 is now live! Major graphics overhaul and new features. - 18 October 2023
Greetings explorers! This is the last update ahead of the kickstarter (which starts in 24 days!!). Lots of graphics updates as well as gameplay. • An extensive graphics overhaul of the ship interior • New hangar environment • New Gas Giants • New lighting • New textures • New flight model • New star field generation • New sun models and lighting • New sound effects • Fully voiced tutorial • Planet optimization • Scripting overhaul From now on I'll be 100% focused on getting word out about the game in the hope of successfully funding, Please feel free to spread the news!
- Small update V1.06 - 29 September 2023
A small update today to add left handed mode to the game. This is toggled in the main menu and flips the layout of the cockpit. Some other minor tweaks to sound volumes. Don't forget that the Kickstarter starts next month, so don't forget to sign up for a reminder here! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1280672150/inter-solar-83
- Kickstarter Begins November 12th! - 12 September 2023
Greetings Explorers! Today I am announcing that the official kickstarter launch date is Nov 12th! Game development is a time consuming process, this crowd fund is intended to raise enough money to allow me to completely clear my calendar of any other commitments. Without funding it would not be possible to work full time on this project without the need to continue pursuing freelance work to pay the bills! But its not just about the money, crowdfunding is a superb opportunity to build a community of like minded games and invite them to be a part of shaping the game as it develops. Inter Solar 83 can be a great title with your input, backing, feedback and support! Please visit here and register your interest to be notified the moment it starts (further discounts for early bird backers!) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1280672150/inter-solar-83 Many thanks Joe
- Huge update to graphics and gameplay! - 11 September 2023
I've been hard at work for a month on this one, hopefully you'll like it! This is a complete re-work of the planet terrain and graphics along with some major overhauls on how you move around the planet. Also many, many smaller changes. Graphics Completely re-worked the terrain and textures to be much more interesting and detailed Added scattered rocks to Moon Added shadow casting on planet surface from ship and other objects Added dust cloud around moon Added dust kick-up graphics and sound effects Re-built lighting and shadows inside ship New graphics for computer screens Features Added space gauntlet with interactive holo menu. Gameplay Overhauled ship speed relative to height above surface Optimised many features to improve frame rate (still work in progress, don't worry!) Re-built player controller on planet surface, movement/jumping vastly improved. ...and many, many small changes…
