We're very pleased to bring you this month's game update.

Interrupt System

We've made some improvements to the way that skills can be interrupted with this month's game update. Here's what we've done:

• We've added a new interrupt interface to provide you with more details about what is happening during combat. Three new pieces of information will be displayed in the targeting interface when you target a mob (or another player in PvP). Whenever a mob is attempting to use a skill, the name of the skill will be displayed. Additionally you'll notice two new progress bars. One tracks the power up of the skill and the other tracks the percentage of progress toward interrupting the skill. If the skill power up bar fills before the interrupt bar fills, then you can't prevent the skill's use. If the interrupt bar fills before the power up bar, then you have a large chance to interrupt the skill's use.
  
• Your level (combined level, not combat level) is an important factor in determining whether you will be interrupted.
  
• Skills with a power-up time under 1 second cannot be interrupted and no bar will be displayed.
  
• Filling the interrupt bar does not always guarantee that a skill will be interrupted. There is always a small chance that a skill will succeed. This is true for both players and mobs.
  
• Different damage types are more effective in filling the interrupt bar than others. The best damage type for interrupts is EMP, followed by Impact, then Explosive and Energy, and then Chemical and Plasma. Strategic weapon combinations may be in your best interests.
  
• Skills used against your foe also contribute toward filling the interrupt bar. You may want to experiment with your skills at different levels of use to find your most effective combination.
  
• We've changed the way that your ship's condition affects your likelihood of being interrupted. Previously, when determining whether your skill use is interrupted, the game looked at your current hull/shield integrity and compared it to your maximum stats. As you got damaged, the chance you'd be interrupted increased. Now your maximum possible ship condition is used in the calculation. So, for example, now if you were getting pummeled and wanted to try to Fold Space to escape, your chance to be interrupted would be the same as when you started the combat. You are no longer at a disadvantage when you're damaged.

Prospecting & Exploration Experience

We've been listening to your concerns about lower skill level prospectors camping high-level asteroids and the lack of people interested in prospecting for low-level ores. With our exploration experience changes in August we've created a sweet spot for prospecting that makes ores around your skill level much more rewarding in terms of experience gain. Here are the full details on the changes we've made:

• Exploration experience gained from prospecting is being increased. We want to provide a viable alternative to the job terminal for prospectors.
  
• Prospecting experience formulas have a "sweet spot band" based on your prospecting skill level and the level of the resource you're attempting to prospect. In general, lower skill levels will gain better experience prospecting lower level fields. Higher skill levels will gain better experience when prospecting higher level fields. It is more efficient for you to mine within your means.
  
• The asteroid-clearing bonus (also known as the anti-cherry-picking bonus) is returning. It too will be based upon your prospect level. Low skill levels clearing out a high-level asteroid will not receive as much bonus as a high skill level clearing out a high-level asteroid.
  
• We've altered the density of level 6/7/8 and 9 resources in many sectors. That means we made the spawn region cover more area and spread out the actual spawn locations. The number of spawns in many instances has increased, though in the case of level 9 resources, there is a decrease.
  
• We've adjusted the reactor drain formulas and the amount of time it takes you to pull in harvestables. The higher your skill level, the faster you can pull in ore within your sweet spot. Lower skill level prospectors using devices to increase their skill level may find prospecting high-level ore inefficient because of restrictions on their reactors.

Thanks to the community for all of your feedback on this subject.

Share Scan Changes

We've modified the Share Scan skill (level 7 Scan) such that it no longer stacks when another explorer is in the group. We've also added a 25k range for Share Scan. You must be within this range of the scan user to gain the benefits of Share Scan. Items do continue to improve your scan beyond the Share Scan skill's range. Prior to these changes, multiple Jenquai spaced strategically throughout a sector and using this skill simultaneously were able to "see" entire sectors. This is a Bad Thing(tm) for a couple of performance-related reasons.

For every object you can see, the server needs to tell you about the objectýs position, how its moving, what its relationship to you is (is it friendly, hostile), what other people are doing to it, what visual effects that are on it, the visual effects it is using and all kinds of other information. The game client uses this information to render the area around you. There are all kinds of systems in place to try to make sure we donýt send more data than we need to, but as a general rule ý the more you can see the more data we send.

The larger your scan range, the more objects you can see. The more objects you can see, the more time your computer spends receiving and processing packets. When there are a lot of visible objects this can really add up and make your frame rate and controls sluggish. This is a form of client lag.

In addition, the server needs to tell each player about all the objects they can see. The more objects each player can see the more time the server spends describing those objects. When everyone can see a lot of visible objects, the computational costs of all those updates adds up and causes server side lag.

Optimization

Additionally this month, we've completed several server optimizations that decrease the amount of bandwidth that sectors consume, as well as improve the overall stability of the game. We've also integrated a new client reporting tool that writes a small diagnostic file if your game crashes. The file contains information that can help the development team diagnose the problem.

If your client crashes, you'll be notified via a pop-up box that a file called _except.txt has been written to your /Earth & Beyond/release directory. Should this occur, please take a few moments to send in your dump file by visiting the Earth & Beyond website at www.enb.com. It would also be very helpful if you could include a DxDiag file; we are asking for both files at once so that the tech and development teams have all the information they need to evaulate your crash dump file and your system specifications. To create a DXDiag report, go to your Start menu, choose 'Run', and type 'DxDiag' in the available box, then click OK. Run all tests, and save the report as "DxDiag.txt".

1) Select "Support" and then "Knowledgebase" or use http://earthandbeyond.custhelp.com.
2) From the menu select "Ask a Question."
3) Fill in the form provided on your screen. In the subject field use "Client Crash"
4) Use the "Browse" button where the form asks you to attach the EAsy_EA.txt report, and find your _except.txt file in the Earth & Beyond directory in the /release sub-directory. Then, click ýAdd another attachmentý, browse your hard drive to wherever you saved your DxDiag.txt file, and add that as well.
5) Then click the "Submit Question" button.

We appreciate your assistance in helping us isolate causes of client crashes.

Community

Our friends at EB Portal (www.ebportal.com) will be hosting an Earth & Beyond fan gathering in London on Saturday, September 6th, from 12:30pm until 5:00pm local time. The location is O'Reilly's bar in Kentish Town, which is easily accessible from most of the major train stations in London and is on the Northern Line (two stops from Euston and three from Kings Cross).

Shadowdave (Producer), Talisker (Designer) and Cerdith (Community Manager) will be attending this "unofficial" fan event. This is the opportunity for our European players to meet members of the Earth & Beyond development team to chat and ask those tough questions. We'll be bringing over a variety of Free Stuff(tm) and we sure don't want to carry all of it home again. :)

If you're interested in attending the event, get your reservation in now by visiting EB Portal and using their RSVP form. (www.ebportal.com/rsvp.php)

Just in from Net-7...

Progen ramp up production of capital ships

As the war expands into full-scale conflict, the Progen Republic is reportedly dedicating more resources to capital ship construction. Explorers loyal to the Republic are being asked to aid the war effort by bringing much-needed ore and alloys to Praefect Magnus Plenicus at the Mars Construction Site. Those who substantially aid the effort will be rewarded accordingly with tokens that will be redeemable for useful equipment.

During the accelerated building cycle, the Mars Construction Project will be utilizing new alloys that can be refined from the requested ores. Assistance from prospectors will be needed in this endeavor. The Construction Office has automated its inventory system so that the number of resources needed to complete the project will be displayed prominently. It will also be updated regularly.

Praefect Plenicus is overseeing the capital ship project, and is apparently working frantically to meet the military's deadline. When asked by a Net-7 reporter to comment on the project, Plenicus replied, "I gotta go. Duty calls. Long live the Republic, etcetera."

Investigator Pruddett completes inquiry

Private investigator Jackson Pruddett has told his Net-7 Saturn contact that he has now determined who committed the theft of the DigiApogee prototypes and schematics. Pilots who have worked successfully with Pruddett in the past may wish to revisit him to receive updated information on the suspects and crime.

Unconfirmed reports of V'rix structure

Net-7 reporter Viktor Santos recently reported from Akeron's Gate that the V'rix are apparently building a huge structure there. Santos was unable to approach the structure and only filed sketchy, unconfirmed details before hastily leaving the area.

Here is the full transcript of Santos' report:

"Something new is happening in Akeron's Gate. I see what appears to be a huge structure, though it is still far from my location. It looks like an old fishing net, but it appears to be moving on its own. I'm reminded of organic coral structures, though this one is crawling with V'rix drones. There are V'rix everywhere, and I think some are heading this way; yes, they are definitely heading toward me. Santos out."

Net-7 will continue to investigate.

Bunyip rampages after receiving food from scofflaws

The popular Bunyip exhibit at the Glenn Commission Science Exhibit is in disarray after the Bunyip was apparently fed and teased to the point that it became enraged. Twisted wreckage from bystanders' ships is still scattered across a wide area, and casualty numbers are still being tallied.

Witnesses at the scene described a bizarre chain of events after the seemingly innocent Bunyip had been fed. After the final morsel had been digested, the Bunyip transformed into a ghostly Bunyip Vestige and remained in its cage, apparently a shadow of the original creature. Meanwhile, a vicious Bunyip Projection bared its fangs and unleashed chemical blasts on nearby ships.

Exhibit officials are livid over the incident.

"We stated quite succinctly, and I quote, 'PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE BUNYIP,'" said one exhibit spokesman. "Is there some ambiguity here that the public does not understand? Of course, we realize that some Progen and Bogerils may not fully understand the word 'please,' but the rest of the message was quite clear. 'DO. NOT. FEED. THE. BUNYIP.' So what did the cretins do? They fed Conorium to the Bunyip! Gahhh! This is inconceivable!"

Clean-up and recovery efforts are continuing throughout the sector. The Bunyip has been temporarily stabilized and pacified, though exhibit officials are worried that it may escape again at any time. Exhibit scientists reiterate their request that the Bunyip NOT be fed Conorium or any other material.

Job Services Office responds to complaints

Officials with the Job Training and Placement Services offices have responded to recent complaints about some terminals and job offers throughout the galaxy.

All job referrals to Shepard Planet have been discontinued, as the area was deemed too inhospitable for job seekers. In addition, emergency job listings in the Aragoth System were being placed in the database by pranksters intent on misleading prospective employees by sending them to non-existent jobs.

An anonymous report filed with Net-7 by a self-proclaimed prankster explained the ploy, "see, Dude, you send them like to Nifleheim Cloud Nav 12 to do some bogus emergency job. But get this -- there IS no such nav point! Hahahahaha."

Counsel for the Job Training and Placement Services office has stated their intent to pursue legal action as necessary to protect their interests.

V'rix representative seeks contact

Net-7 has also received sketchy and unconfirmed reports that a representative of the V'rix is seeking human volunteers for undetermined reasons. The V'rix, apparently named "1Z1Z2L," is located in Ardus Sector of the Aquitaine System. Net-7 advises caution when approaching any Výrix, particularly if they have been recently hostile toward you.

Enjoy!

- Cerdith

Here are the details.

General

• Improved server stability.
  
• Installed logic to write a small diagnostic file if the client crashes with information that the dev team can use to help track the problem down.
  
• Decreased the amount of bandwidth being used in many sectors.
  
• Increased the volume and frequency of Net-7 broadcasts in most stations.
  
• Alt-Tabbing out of game will no longer change your sound volume settings.
  
• If you create a new EA.COM Account with a name that's already taken we will suggest alternative names.
  
• The in-game embedded browser (used to submit bug reports, access the knowledgebase, and view Intergalactic News Terminals) now supports 800x600 resolution.

• Visit Jackson Pruddett if you were on his investigation and told him who committed the crime.
  
• Added a sound effect to when players receive an incoming message for a push mission.
  
• The Mordana that Tzu refers to in his mission are now in Aragoth.
  
• Since players cannot get close enough to Shepard Planet to complete random missions, the random mission system will no longer send players there.
  
• Fixed a bug where random missions would send players to non-existent nav point in Nifleheim Cloud.

• V'rix Helkos and V'rix Helkos Maxos will now give the correct faction changes when killed.
  
• Belter Bing, while rare, is spawning in Vishao's Cove.
  
• Fixed a bug where the wrong buff/debuff was displayed as active.
  
• Fixed a bug where Sharim mobs were killing spores in resource fields.
  
• The sounds from V'rix ships now fade with distance.
  
• Fixed a graphic bug with the Asteroid Fungus's Weapon. The Fungus will no longer use the Shield Inversion visual for its weapon.
  
• Fixed a problem with reinstallation times when a V'rix attack dislodges equipment with an activatable effect.

• Improved the Interrupt system.
  
• Made a modification to the Share Scan ability (lvl 7 Scan skill). This skill will no longer stack with itself when more than one explorer is in the group.
  
• Adjusted scan. You will now be required to be within range of the scan user to gain the benefits of scan. The range of share scan has been modified to 25K.
  
• Updated the Prospect skill description to reflect that increased prospect skill allows refining higher tech level ores.
  
• Updated Shield Nova so that the targeting reticule will only turn green when a valid target is selected.
  
• Fixed an "out of range" error message after teleporting enemy beyond the skill's range (Fold Space).
  
• Fixed typos in several skill descriptions.
  
• Fixed a bug with very high impulse speeds after activating fold space while entering a stargate.

• Prospecting will take a bit longer, per ore, but will give substantially more exploration experience, as long as you are mining within the sweet spot band. You will see less trade experience and credits as you will be pulling in ore a little more slowly and will need to move a bit more within the larger fields.
  
• Resource field guardian spawn times have been changed. Resource field guardians now spawn less often, allowing prospectors to clear the field of mobs for a short period of time.
  
• Added asteroid-clearing bonus.
  
• Altered the density of level 6/7/8 and 9 resources in many sectors.
  
• Adjusted the reactor drain formulas and the amount of time it takes you to pull in harvestables.
  
• Removed Infiniticorp patrol mobs from the resource fields from Arduinne. We could not convince them to stop killing the rest of the mobs in the sector so they were let go.
  
• Inceased V'rix activity has been reported in Akeron's Gate sector.
  
• The Mars Construction Site has been revamped. Now that the V'rix war is in full swing, the government is throwing more resources at capital ship construction. Explorers who aid the war effort by bringing in quantities of the necessary alloys will be rewarded.
  
• Fixed a bug where players could not exit warp if they swapped engines during warp initiation.
  
• Adjusted landing facing on Inverness Down. Players should now face towards the interior of the sector upon landing.
  
• The stargate used to exit V'rix-occupied Primus Planet will always appear on a player's map.

• New items have been created and placed into loot tables to replace the reactor shunt equipment drops removed in July's patch. (Martyr's Heart device, Antlia line of devices, Chlorosynthesis device, Warrior's Heart line of reactors, Deadly Surge reactor)
  
• Reduced the signature on the Deadly Breeze.
  
• Added drops to certain drones in Blackbeard's Wake. These items should make creating certain items less painful.
  
• Improved the common loot drops on the mobs in Ardus.

• Aquitane and Blackbeard's Wake added to galaxy map.
  
• Nav Map size is now remembered after logging off and back on.
  
• Polished Guild and Ignore Player interfaces.
  
• The chat panel now gets focus when you click 'Send Message' from Friends Interface.
  
• Clicking on your inventory after modifying your ship will no longer cause you to leave the starbase if your ship was behind the inventory.
  
• Fixed bug where occasionally it was possible to click between prospecting/loot window tiles to click on group interface below.
  
• Fixed a bug with long ship names having characters appended to the end
  
• Fixed a bug where in certain cases faction of an NPC or tech level of a harvestable would not appear in the PIP window.
  
• Fixed problems of interfaces underneath inventory and loot bleeding through and receiving mouse clicks meant for the inventory.
  
• Fixed a bug in the inventory interface where part of the sort button overlapped the filter button.
  
• Fixed a problem where camera would get stuck if you were incapacitated while gating.
  
• Fixed a bug with display color for changes in signature in ship stat display. Decreases in signature will be displayed in green.
  
• Fixed issue where scrollbar would disappear during refining.