Progress Update 2/21/2026

Originally, at this time we were supposed to be in feature freeze right now, preparing for the release of version 1.0.1. However, we decided to delay that by a week so that we will be able to squeeze in just a few more features that are very close to finished. What we have for you this week is already pretty exciting though!

First, we have what I would consider a major Multicellular Stage feature: Cell specialisation. At its basis it's pretty simple. The more of a cell that is just one Organelle type, the higher the bonus to process speeds you get. In the Microbe Stage, this is a little help for specialised species. But in the Multicellular Stage, this will encourage you to concentrate different functions in separate cell types. Which is also what we see in real life.

In other Multicellular news, the process panel now displays the processes going on in the whole organism, not just the first cell. There's also been an update to the algorithm that takes your Multicellular editor designs and makes a real organism out of them. This is likely never going to work perfectly, since the Multicellular editor is based on perfect hexagons of equal size, while your cells are likely neither. But this update is an overall improvement in keeping the shape.

Next week we'll tell you about those last features going in and probably actually be in feature freeze for 1.0.1. So take a look below for the full list of improvements, and we'll see you then!

Programming

• New Devbuild available to our Patreon Supporters:
  • Added microbe and cell type specialization that grants a bonus for cells that mostly consist of a single organelle type
  • Created a new cell layout algorithm for multicellular that tries to preserve cell positions more closely
  • The process panel now shows all processes in a microbe colony
  • Fixed the cell statistics panel in multicellular editor referring to the organism as a whole
  • Fixed vacuole tolerance bonus effect not being calculated correctly
  • Added a command history and other improvements to the console, including a transparent background and command fixes
  • Added developer documentation for the console
  • Updated code checking tools
  • Updated translations
• Updates and documentation on the debug console.
• A technical discussion on terrain generation.

Graphics

• Nothing substantial.

Gameplay

• New feature: Cell specialisation:
  • Gain a bonus to bioprocess speeds based on the percentage of your cell that is just the most common organelle type.
  • Helps specialised species in Microbe Stage.
  • Makes it a good idea in Multicellular Stage to assign functions to specific cell types, while removing organelles you don't need.
  • Further balancing of this feature is expected.
• The actual shape of Multicellular organisms should now match the editor design a bit better. Old: New:
• The process panel now shows processes of the whole organism, not just the first cell. (Just in time to keep track of all those processes you separated out into different cell types!)
• Development discussions:
  • Discussion on the cell specialisation design as it was being implemented.

Sound

• Nothing substantial.

Theory

• Nothing substantial.

Outreach

• The script for Juuzo's next spec evo video, and a request for feedback on said script.

Other

• Nothing substantial.