The fourth major update is now live for the post-apocalyptic survival city-builder Endzone: A World Apart. Dubbed the Technology Update, it brings with it a new Tech Tree and associated Research Station, three more new buildings, Shelter upgrades, Warehouse upgrades, paved roads, two new Scenarios, five new Side Missions, six new Expeditions, crucial improvements to Builders, and a huge number of gameplay tweaks and bug fixes.
The Tech Tree and the new Research mechanic are the primary additions with this update. Greatly based on player feedback, these two new enhancements are designed to allow players to have more direct control over the advancement direction and rates of their settlements. As Endzone is still in Early Access, developer Gentlymad Studios will be closely monitoring player feedback concerning these tech accessories and collecting new ideas for future improvements.
The Research Station is now the key building for tech research, and with it comes a new profession, the Researcher. Both profession and station establish Knowledge Points which may be generated through Expeditions and side missions. Once enough Knowledge Points have been accumulated, players may spend them to research new tech in the Tech Tree.
Along with the new Research Station, the Scrap Catcher, Hemp Weaving Mill, and Wind Turbine buildings have been added. The Scrap Catcher is designed to catch scrap pieces that are being blown around during sandstorms. The Hemp Weaving Mill allows settlers the ability to make cloth from farmed hemp, in addition to scrap. The Wind Turbine produces a small amount of electricity to a small number of nearby buildings. It doesn’t require a Battery, works day and night, and needs much fewer resources in order to be built.
New Shelter upgrades mean the building will now hold an increased number of settlers (50) without having to increase the building’s size. It can now also be connected to a power grid, and will bestow a confidence bonus to settlers.
Settlement storage space has been increased with the addition of a new storage system. The Temporary Storeroom building is now the first storage building that may be built, and holds the same amount as the Warehouse did previously. The Warehouse is now the second storage building and can hold up to 10,000 units. The new Upgraded Warehouse increases settlement storage space to 15,000 units.
Another highly important update includes an upgrade to Builder behavior. Previously, Builders didn’t always prioritize buildings in line with logic and player expectations. This would often negate a player’s ability to plan ahead in designing settlements. The ‘Build Next’ feature now works properly, directing Builders to immediately cancel their current orders and giving priority to the build next order.
The Technology Update Patch Notes post fully details all the new upgrades, including an extensive list of what has been added, tweaked, and fixed. Endzone: A World Apart is currently in Early Access and is available for PC on Steam and GOG.com.
Source: Press Release and Technology Update Patch Notes
