Progress Update 2/07/2026

This was a busy week behind the scenes, but once again not as many patch notes on the list. A lot of work went into performance improvements for the compound cloud system, which had become slower after last week's fix to the “harsh lines” problem. But the result is that it now actually runs slightly faster than before that fix. There was also a significant delay due to technical difficulties with our lead programmer's computer.

There were still some notable fixes, for example a very long-standing editor MP bug involving symmetry that has previously been very difficult to reproduce.For the Multicellular Stage specifically, AI-controlled organisms can now use engulfment even if only none-stem cells are capable of it.

Meanwhile, over on the developer forums, there were a few comments on Multicellular Stage design (specifically size-based costs), Microbe Stage polishing in general, and specifically how the AI should use the Signalling Agents. We also saw a concept for how hex adjacency could be used for cell parts within cells. This will probably become available as a side-effect of Multicellular development plans. There was also a thread chronicling those performance efforts on clouds I mentioned earlier.

Look below for the full progress list if you're interested, and we'll see you next week!

Programming

• New Devbuild for our Patreon Supporters:
  • Fixed auto-evo prediction not predicting any energy gain from miches that were empty originally
  • Fixed MP calculation error when using symmetry mode and the hover hexes overlapped
  • Fixed loading saves with custom auto-evo configuration
  • Improved compound cloud performance by adjusting the math
  • Improved compound cloud performance with world shift coordinate caching
  • Buffed meteor impact events by adding a rare new bigger size
  • Microbe AI in control of colonies, where just other members of the colony can engulf, is able to use engulfing
  • Added slight randomness to microbe AI think interval
  • Made sure AI cells cannot look for mucilage thinking it is useful
  • Updated from gdUnit 6.1.0 to 6.1.1
  • Updated translations

Graphics

• Nothing substantial.

Gameplay

• There is now a new, larger, variant of the meteor event that affects a larger proportion of the planet.
• Development discussions:
  • A new comment on size-related costs.
  • A new concept for an organelle adjacency bonus system.
  • More suggestions for Microbe Stage polishing.
  • Proposals on how the AI should use the Signalling Agents.

Sound

• Nothing substantial.

Theory

• Nothing substantial.

Outreach

• Nothing substantial.

Other

• Please welcome our new programmer, AnIDFB!