Progress Update 9/27/2025

Progress this week is once again less on the visible side, but nonetheless critical for future development! Thrive was converted to Godot 4.5, in a process that took slightly more time than expected. This also required the upgrading of the Thrive Launcher to version 2.2.1, future builds will not work with older versions of the launcher. The entity component system (ECS) switch was also finally completed. This should be an overall more efficient system, though there are no immediately apparent performance benefits, as the Thrive codebase is already quite optimised.

Beyond this, experiments and discussions continue both on wrapping up the microbe stage, and the design of the multicellular stage. This also includes ongoing progress by our volunteers on the handling of currents and particles, and a rework of the tolerance UI panel. Please do tell us how you think it is looking!

On the “breaking things as we build them” side, the ECS and and Godot updates mentioned before both disabled the saving system, and has caused the Mac version to crash on launch. Fixing the Mac version will likely require some investigation. As for the saving system, rather than fixing it for the new ECS system, the whole saving system will be replaced by a new one to support future development. Both of these will be the focus for next week. So please enjoy this progress update and look forward to the next!

Programming

• New Devbuild for our Patreon Supporters
  • Entity component system switch completed.
  • Thrive updated to Godot 4.5.
  • Fixed a bug with Behaviour sliders moving as if connected.
  • Updated translations.

Graphics

• Continuing progress on current/particle handling.

Gameplay

• In the context of the discussion on Microbe Stage Terrain Generation, a collection of reference images of minerals for the different patches was posted on the development forums
• Commentary on the Macroscopic Editor concept that was posted last week.
• A brief discussion on updating the handling of toxic (player) species being engulfed.
• A WIP update to the Tolerance tab of the editor screen.

Sound

• Nothing substantial.

Theory

• Nothing substantial.

Outreach

• Nothing substantial.

Other

• Nothing substantial.