Update :

2 new options now available :
- Design your own ships
- Negotiate treaties with Independent stars (NPCs)

Now 98% working in Chrome, just some issues with canvas.

Tutorial re-done, simplified, got rid of the videos, now text pop-up based.

Graphics marginally improved :

The tutorial has been axed in favour of in-game hint panels.

The episode "Mercatus Volgus Ubivis" has begun.

New game features:

Dogfights : Takes place during short range combat by fightercraft
Thrusters, Generators and Ion Cannons : Only usable on Fighters & Interceptors
Civil Markets : Similar to black markets but deal in legal goods
Luxuries : Demand now based solely on each star, rather than realm
Civil Defence Fleets : Replace tribute ship building. CDF's build automatically based on habitat level
Monuments : May now be dedicated to science, fertility, productivity or shipping. This results in bonus output

Guess I will have a look.

Sounds like a homage to this fine classic of a similar name. The visuals don't really set the same mood though.

The episode "Partes Facere Totam" will begin on September 11th 2020.
If you have never played and wish to join in, please begin the training game now so you can join the above game with some knowledge of the mechanics.

New game features:

New Structures :

Crafter - Crafts components
Power Station - Higher level structures now require power
Slave Market - Provides workers, but increases rebel activity
Training Base - Increases experience of ships at the star

Components : A new asset type :

May be used to reduce costs of building structures, modules and ships.
Should provide a comparative advantage to lords that invest in their research.

Misc :

Tradebases have been removed in favour of the more universal "Sector Markets".
Lords may now enrol officials for extra training at foreign academies.
Shipyards, assemblers and academies may now be dedicated to a single output, reducing time and costs.