📋 Starminer Patch Notes: Early Access Update Tracker

1. EA Launch — May 27, 2026

Starminer launched into Steam Early Access developed by CoolAndGoodGames, a 2-person studio. Launch content included:

• Game modes: Campaign, Sandbox, Survival
• Core systems: 6DOF Newtonian flight, mining, ship building, research, combat
• 40+ modules across Power, Mining, Refining, Thermal, Weapons, Defense, and Infrastructure
• 2 star systems with unique asteroid belts, resources, and alien activity levels
• 6 enemy types: Scouts, Drones, Corvettes, Frigates, Carriers, Swarms
• Reclamation 9 trade hub with dynamic economy
• Ship blueprint system, Hauler AI, Drill Nodes, Link Gates

Launch reception: Very Positive on Steam (1,200+ reviews). Peak concurrent players: 1,376.

2. Patch 1 — Launch Hotfixes (May 28-30, 2026)

• Fixed: Tutorial mission 3 soft-lock when docking at Reclamation 9
• Fixed: Mining laser audio loop continuing after laser deactivated
• Fixed: Rare crash when deploying Drill Nodes on scanned asteroids with complex geometry
• Fixed: Hauler AI pathfinding getting stuck in dense asteroid fields
• Balance: Reduced starting debt interest rate from 5% to 3% per cycle
• Balance: Slightly increased common ore spawn rate in starter system inner belt
• QoL: Added F5/F9 quicksave/quickload prompts to loading screen tips

3. Patch 2 — Balance Pass (June 1-3, 2026)

• Heat system rebalance: Reduced mining laser heat output by 15%. Increased radiator cooling efficiency by 10%. Net effect: miners can operate ~25% longer before hitting critical heat
• Combat balance: Reduced Drone spawn group size from 4-8 to 3-6. Increased Corvette torpedo cooldown from 30s to 45s. Reduced Frigate beam cannon damage by 10%
• Economy: Increased refined rare earth metal base price by 20%. Reduced common metal price fluctuation range
• Research: Reduced Drill Node research cost from 2,000 RP to 1,500 RP (faster early automation)
• QoL: Added module count and mass total display to ship builder HUD. Added "Are you sure?" confirmation before selling ships
• Fixed: Ships sometimes spawning inside asteroids when loading save files

4. Patch 3 — Content Update (June 4-6, 2026)

• New modules: Military-Grade Radiator, Advanced Maneuvering Thruster, Capital Scanner Array, Targeting Computer Mk II
• New feature: NPC trader ships now appear near Reclamation 9. They sell rare modules not available in the standard tech tree
• New feature: Derelict station POIs added to both systems. Explore for salvageable modules
• AI improvements: Hauler AI now avoids hostile zones when plotting routes. Combat AI uses shield facing more intelligently
• Balance: Reduced Link Gate power draw from 150 MW to 100 MW per pair. Increased Antimatter Reactor output from 1,200 to 1,500 MW
• Fixed: Multiple Drill Nodes on the same asteroid causing resource duplication bug
• Fixed: Capital ship mass calculations incorrect when using symmetry mode

5. Patch 4 — Beta (June 7, 2026+)

Currently in beta testing. Expected changes:

• New enemy type: "Hive Guardian" — elite enemy that protects alien Carrier spawn points
• Station modules: Research Lab (passive RP generation), Trade Terminal (sell directly from station)
• Blueprint sharing: Export/import ship blueprints via Steam Workshop
• Balance: Further heat system tuning. Possible Survival mode difficulty options

6. Development Roadmap (Community-Sourced)