If the concurrent player numbers on Steam are any indication, a large number of the Starbound playerbase are awaiting the next patch. With it comes a slew of new features, but also a complete wipe of current characters.
Update: The patch is out!
Those who simply look at the concurrent numbers may think Starbound has died. Instead, players are awaiting the patch that will change the game and secure their favorite characters through this beta phase and into release.
This patch will be bringing backwards compatibility to ship and character data, meaning both your ships and characters will be permanent once the update is deployed. Universe data is not yet guaranteed to be permanent.
Along with the much-awaited backwards compatibility are a number of tweaks, items, features, and two new game modes. You can check out a list of fixes and additions on the official site. By the looks of the list, it is by no means complete.
If you hope to see this big patch soon, fret not. Tiyuri confirmed on January 21st that patch development was complete and was in internal testing. The official Starbound Twitter account later confirmed the patch would be deployed this weekend. The wait is soon to come to a close!
