https://www.dropbox.com/s/3suk7xu4ues3c4z/btc098.zip?dl=0BTC 0.98.
It still needs some polish but I think it's safe for testing now. Some of the graphics need tweaking still (like the new consumable icons) but that'll come later today or tomorrow. Please, anyone who can, take the mod for a test run now and report any bugs you find here. I know there are a few, but there have to be some that I haven't found yet. Also let me know what you think on weapon balance, looks, and... well, everything. For now tons of news toys to play with:
All new graphics for a ton of stuff.
Tech tree is 90% done. The only bits to add after I've had more time to balance are the 2nd tab of the defenses tree, for armoring, and the 2nd tab of the engineering tree. I haven't decided completely on that one, it'll either be the industrial tree or, if I can find someone willing to help with making mining/trading more robust or incorporate an outside mod, it'll be the generic-engineering tree and the mining will go to the social/industrial tab. Other areas should be fully fleshed out now, though balance tweaks will be coming.
New hulls in the game. All variants of the Athena, Apollo, Hephaestus, Ares, Dionysus and Artemis are now in, as is the basic civilian version of the Hera heavy cruiser.
All tier-I tech should be in the game now. This includes 2 engine strains, 2 RCS strains, 2 radar strains, 3 power plant strains and 3 shield strains.
In 0.99, the last before the the 1.00 Tech 1 release, I hope to have the following:
- The remainder of the Hera hulls, as well as the frigate-size cargo ship and the Poseidon tanking hull.
- Armor tech.
- Some baseline booster modules reintroduced into the mix.
Another hull that is carrier-enabled. Note that to balance out hulls, ships that are able to handle drones aren't as capable in missile warfare as dedicated boats. (The bomber and a few others get bonuses to lock range and speed to help with missile warfare, the carrier and capital hulls get a lock range boost but a fairly hefty lock speed penalty and cannot engage nearly as quickly. Ships like the Ares get neither, as they are multi-role and use missiles for support and not a primary weapon.) - Medium-sized weapons (once smalls are balanced.)
- Character classes. (GOODBYE CHEATER CLASS. But Space Hobos are here to stay.)
And, as always, some screenies for Lurler.


Combat page of the new tech tree. I really like how the icons are shaping up now.

Mini-Avalanche and mini-Banshee fighters launch to engage the enemy. You can even see a few of their missile and railgun shots.