Open Alpha is Awesome

I've gotten a lot of input for AstroMiner ever since opening up for public alpha.  I was very nervous about releasing the game at first, but after all the very constructive input I'm very happy I did it.  First off, some awesome fanart from kowbis at the TIGSource forums!

Such awesome work.

Next great news is that I got some audio for the game background.  It gives the game a mysterious, but spacey tone.  I can't wait to get it in the game.  Expect a new build with it within the next 2 weeks.

So as I said, I got some great input.  The most common request was to make the game brighter, so I've been looking at many different space photos and seeing all the different ways that space can be bright.  I have some  ideas that I'll implement before I release the next version.

• I was also asked to make the beam shine some light around it - that's done.
• Mouse controls have been revamped.
• The block algorithm generates more BASE2 now.

Before the next week, the following will be done:

• Blocks will look more distinctive.
• Radar in the top left corner.
• WASD will control the menu.
• UI will be moddable.
• Chests will drop items if they're destroyed.
• Better death animation.

For the future updates:

• The ability to pick where you save your maps.
• Tutorial
• Higher Terminal Velocity
• Ability to customize your controls

I've also switched off my forums for now.  I get so much spam :[  I decided to create a Wiki filled with lots of information, including more bad guy info:  http://www.astrominer.net/wiki/doku.php

So I have a lot of work ahead of me.  I'd expect a new build sometime next week with the new audio and some updated features!

Thanks to everyone for helping me test.  You've made all the work I've done for the last few months well worth it!

Roy