Space Engineers: Automatons (2024)

• AI Flight (Move) - 1 block, S + L grid
• Designed for flight control in both space and atmosphere. The Flight block enables complex behaviors in-flight as well as detailed control of how your grid will move in both space and atmosphere.
• AI Basic (Task) - 1 block, S + L grid
• An extended version of the Remote Control block that provides complex functions such as following the player, traveling to a “Home” destination, and of course Autopilot, as well as the original basic behaviors.
• AI Recorder (Task) - 1 block, S + L grid
• A precision flight path recorder. The recorder can not only log and follow a selection of waypoints, but it is also able to record and replay hotbar actions that trigger on waypoints.
• AI Defensive (Combat) - 1 block, S + L grid
• Allows for the easy automation of complex defensive behaviors such as when (and how) to flee combat, as well as what locations to fall back to. Additionally, the defensive AI can determine what weapons to use when returning fire, and how to identify a possible threat.
• AI Offensive (Combat) - 1 block, S + L grid
• The Offensive block is a highly level AI block. Able to perform extremely complex tasks including target identification, targeting priority, and execution of complex attack patterns.

• AI Blocks Guide: https://www.spaceengineersgame.com/new-players/grid-ai-guide/

The Event Controller

(1 block, S + L grid)

You asked, we delivered. Often requested in a myriad of different imagined forms, the concept of tracking a change in the state of one block, and taking an action based on that change, is something we have long wanted to tackle. We are very proud to deliver on this concept in what we feel is a comprehensive, but still easy to master, “Event Controller”.

The Event Controller can monitor various block states and trigger toolbar Actions when those values change. This can be used in conjunction with other automation blocks to create logic systems on grids.

The event controller is a powerhouse addition to existing Space Engineers mechanical blocks. The concept of action, reaction, may seem simple on the surface, but when coupled with existing SE solutions, it has the power to simplify the complex, or add much needed functionality to simplistic design.

Similar to our previous major releases, we hope you will take this opportunity to support the continued development of Space Engineers. This DLC pack consists of cosmetic items that enrich your game visually. None of the features in this package provide any advantage to players who purchase this DLC.

This package includes:

Emotion Controller & 16 Emotions
(1 block, S + L grid)

Machines can be expressive too! The Emotion Controller allows easy communication of grid states through the event controller. Keep your ships happy.

Saddle co*ckpit, Compact Saddle co*ckpit

(2 blocks, S grid)

Speed through the landscape on a motorcycle style co*ckpit. Comes in a 3x3x3 and slightly more compact 3x3x2 version.

Robot Helmet Skin

A new helmet skin with a robotic face.

Plastic Armor Skin

A new “plastic” style armor skin.

Warning Signs

(13 variants L grid, 13 variants S grid)

A sign for every occasion. A collection of warning message signs to adorn your ship, and prevent disaster!

Angled Interior Wall

(2 blocks, L grid)

An interior wall angled variant. Used to construct interesting and detailed looking corridors, tunnels or interiors.

Inset Light Block

(1 block, S + L grid)

An Interior wall with an integrated light. Add lights in a tight corridor or when space is at a premium.

Pipework Block

(2 blocks, L grid)

A new decorative pipework block, for added visual appeal.

Access Panels

(4 blocks, S + L grid)

Control panel block, with access hatch.

Air Vent Fan

(2 blocks, S + L grid)

A massive industrial fan variant of the air vent. Includes half-block and full block versions.

Automaton Programmable Block

(1 block, S+L grid)

“Server rack” style Programmable Block variant with a console and LCD panel.

Automaton Timer Block

(1 block, S+L grid)

Following the Programmable Block theme, a “server rack” style timer block.

Automaton Sensor

(1 block, S + L grid)

A larger, armored reskin of the sensor block.

Room for improvement

We are always looking forward to how we can improve existing systems, and the current pathing and collision detection of drones and Automaton systems are no exception. Not every change we wanted to include could be a part of this update so expect improvements to path-finding and collision detection in the future.

New PvP scenario - Combat Evolved

Soon we will be releasing a new PVP scenario (player versus player scenario)! This will be a very special scenario as our approach to its development will be quite unique. Rather than a single, static release, we would like to evolve this PVP scenario over time, using your feedback to help fine-tune, or even make major overhauls, and develop a PVP scenario that delivers the best possible experience.

Lore:

“Your team has managed to acquire an encrypted data container that could hold the key to gaining an upper hand in this endless conflict. Unfortunately, your enemy is resourceful and has acquired the same encrypted data from an unscrupulous seller. Now, the race is on!

Join The Red team or Blue team, prepare your defenses, and make sure your data container is well defended during decryption. Launch your assault and destroy the enemies data container before they manage to decrypt its secrets!

Choose carefully between fortifying your compound, building up a jump-capable strike force, and infiltration of the enemy base. The enemy’s data container must be destroyed!”

Your feedback will play a pivotal role in its evolution and I am looking forward to play this scenario together with you (or against you)! I will be joining the servers and playing alongside other Space Engineers players.

One part of my original vision for Space Engineers was to make a game where players create warmachines and then test them in battles against other players. The goal was to merge building and fighting / creation and destruction. Nothing like this is possible in other games. Space Engineers has dynamic and destructible environment, only you have control over how you build your fortification and defense, and only you have control over what offensive machines you build. The number of combinations a match can evolve are limitless.

However, the cost of building is disproportionately high when compared to destruction (which is typically easy and cheap).

An important principle is that the battles should be based on the “Vanilla” Space Engineers experience - nothing that works in the default game should be disabled (e.g. we will not disable welding, we won’t make indestructible voxels or grids, we won’t disable jetpack).

The challenge for players is to use your engineering skills to prepare excellent defenses, and at the same time, to prepare surprises for your enemies.

Naturally, I would like to seek a balance between creation & destruction.

Two steps of my plan:

1) My first step is to create a balanced PvP scenario where both teams have the option of either offense or defense. Both teams should have the same objectives and tools, like a chess match. We cannot expect a competitor to allocate much time to building (it's too time consuming). The first release of the PvP scenario will focus on this stage.

2) The second step will come in a later update and will enable players to spawn grids (blueprints) into the PvP scenario. This empowers competitors to “pre-game” and offsets the cost of creation. Time invested in customization and optimization of designs can be invested outside of a PVP battle, much like it is in survival. Players can then bring these optimized designs directly to the battlefield “on demand” and without slowing play.

We are currently reviewing these concepts.Enabling players to spawn their blueprints in this or future PvP scenario would be an ideal result. We see huge potential in the ability to design and build your ships in creative mode, and at your leisure. Without the stress and time constraints of combat you can refine a design and bring it to “trial by fire” in this evolving PvP scenario.

The gameplay shouldn’t just end with one match. It should extend beyond it. Practically right after the match ends (no matter if your team won or lost), you should start thinking about improving your strategy and preparing for the next match, where you will experiment with different defenses and offenses.

This naturally leads to meta arms-race loop, and should provide a lot of replayability.

Q: Can we expect more mechanics and QOL changes, not just cosmetics?
A: Yes. We hear you and we have big changes, updates, and additions planned for 2023 and beyond.

Q: How do I provide feedback?
A: Please contact us with your bugs, and feedback here: https://support.keenswh.com

Q: Can we expect some special promotions in the future?
A: We are always looking at new ways to bring Space Engineers to a wider audience. Special promotions are good opportunities for this. We have a number of exciting promotions planned for the future, which include both game and DLC content!

Q: Are you planning to expand the Automatons update later, add new AI blocks?
A: We have ideas for more and we're looking into it.

Q: My drone does not do what I want? Why has it stopped working?
A: New Grid AI blocks are complex to set up, sometimes it's hard to debug and understand what is happening or not happening. Checking the block’s console is always a great first step to understanding AI block behavior. Learn more about our new AI blocks here.

If you’re interested in working on awesome games like Space Engineers or our in-house game engine VRAGE3, and love solving unique challenges, we’d love to hear from you! Check out the open positions at Keen Software House and don’t forget to send us your English CV/resume and cover letter.

Remote collaboration is possible!

Our team is global.

Finding the best candidates to join Keen Software House means exploring every possible solution, including remote work. While we strive to provide team members with the best possible work-life balance here in Prague at our incredible Oranzerie offices, we understand that it is not always possible to transition, therefore we are very remote-friendly. Here’s a map of where our teammates live.

Follow our social media to get the latest news!

• Space Engineers Twitter
• Space Engineers Facebook
• Keen Software House Discord
• Space Engineers on Reddit

We are always impressed by the innovation of our modding community! We would like to thank the Space Engineers community for continuing to inspire us through their ideas, suggestions, and hard work.

If you want to let me know your feedback, please get in touch via my personal email addressmarek.rosa@keenswh.com, or use ourKeen Software House support site. I welcome all of the feedback we receive and we will use it to learn and provide better services to our players.