In devlog number 49 for the spaceship action RPG “C-Beams,” Levelvelcap shares exciting progress towards the game’s vertical slice demo. The team has added numerous new spaceships, revamped old assets with a new material workflow, and enhanced camera optimization including a new zoom level. Additionally, new cargo assets and an expanded level map have been introduced, making the game visually richer and more immersive. Tutorial missions are also being integrated to smoothly transition players into the broader gameplay loop.
A significant focus of this update is on the Atlas fleet, the “good guys” of the game. Several new ships have been introduced, including the Heimdoll class rail gun frigate, characterized by its massive spinal-mounted rail gun and fast, glass-cannon-like capabilities. The team also unveiled the Tempest, a size six battleship with multiple engines and a unique above-and-below bridge design, armed with powerful rail guns and turrets for both long and close-range combat. These ships are designed to be pilotable by players after completing specific tasks, adding depth to combat gameplay.
The update also features multi-role ships designed for versatility, allowing players to trade, haul, fight, and even mine. A size four multi-role ship with truss work and support braces was introduced, as well as a size two ship named the Caracle, which balances combat and utility. These ships offer players meaningful upgrade paths early in the game. While the team attempted to showcase a large fleet battle between the Atlas fleet and opposing forces, the AI is not yet capable of handling complex fleet engagements, though full fleet battles remain a key goal.
Beyond spaceships, the team has redesigned cargo containers with improved designs and customizable colors and decals, enhancing the game’s visual variety. Station interiors have been optimized with advanced vertex baking techniques for more accurate lighting and emissive effects. Collision mapping has also been refined to improve gameplay interactions within stations. The camera system has been upgraded to include an inspect mode for close-up views of ships and multiple zoom levels, alongside a new zone map and system map for better navigation.
Finally, the tutorial missions are being developed to introduce players to the game’s mechanics and narrative. These missions teach flight controls, cargo handling, and ship systems, culminating in a mission to locate a missing cargo ship called the Tay Mandi. The tutorial setup requires many core game systems to be functional, which means significant development effort but also lays a foundation for the rest of the game. With most core systems receiving their first pass, the team looks forward to refining these and expanding the game in the coming year, inviting players to wishlist “C-Beams” on Steam and join the Discord for updates.
