Hello Galaxy,

Happy Sim News spam day! Now that Winterfest is officially over, some development news for you. The Dev server is currently hosting the code updates that allow Light Freighters and Heavy Freighters to participate in combat. There is still a substantial amount of balancing work to be accomplished by the administration and the rules team, but in case the past several months worth of Sim News were not enough of a warning:

FREIGHTER COMBAT IS AROUND THE CORNER, AND THERE WILL BE STAT CHANGES!

Without going into any specifics, in general freighters will NOT be good combat vessels. In almost every case, their offensive and defensive stats will be inferior to fighters, gunboats, and corvettes.

This is your official notice to move your freighters to safety from the Petabys region (Space PVP) and deep space asteroid fields (Bandit PVE), or provide them with escorts. There will be a final one-week warning before release after balancing is finished, but depending on your circumstances, that may be too late if you choose not to act now. Freighters damaged or destroyed due to your inaction will receive no compensation from the administration.

The Development Projects page is frequently updated if you are ever curious about the status of upcoming releases. Fly safe!

• An option for allowing/disallowing medical item/action healing permissions has been added to the IFF page.
• The medical application page now includes error messages for why particular targets cannot be healed and filters out conflicting actions.
• Credit/XP/HP/FXP sheets are now paginated.
• New fields added to some WS v2 endpoints.

One week until Winter Festival! Oh, sorry, wrong news topic.

• Added nonlethal damage as a new damage type. Used for Unarmed Strikes and other appropriate weapons. See rules here.
• Space Stations in Asteroid Fields no longer block bandits from de-spawning when all other conditions are met.
• Minor tweaks to hostile AI which reduce the tendency for bandits to repeatedly attack until they are bereft of life.
• New Bounty Hunting Master missions are supported. See rules here.

Two points of clarification on the above feature changes/releases:

1) The hostile AI will continue evaluation and may have further tweaks, either via code changes or other admin-controlled variables, to reach the desired balance of playability vs functionality. This will not happen overnight, and your continued engagement is vital to gathering enough data to effect changes. Please continue to report constructive feedback and observations on Discord in the #feature-feedback channel.

2) Although the Bounty Hunting Master contracts are now supported in the game engine, the first Master target will not be available to hunters until after the Winter Festival to avoid forcing you to choose between the two. Master Hunters, keep saving your rep and training your troops; you're going to need it!

Small sync to fix a bug found with poison damage against non-soft (i.e. droid) targets.

That is all. Carry on.

Hostile aggresion is now enabled on all planets except for the Newbie Tutorial on Darkness Prime, and in all asteroid fields (technically all systems, but bandits don't spawn anywhere except asteroid fields).

Also, escape pods no longer block combat, but they will not be targeted. No using innocent ship wreck victims as shields!

We're fightin' the bandits
But still they do well
And maybe they'll shoot back
Or run, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
Except the devs ('cept the devs)
Will things ever be the same again?

It's the final countdown
The final countdown

In 48 hours (2 days), bandit shoot you!

It's the first sync of Year 23! Guess what that means...

...yeah, poison got nerfed a bit. The previous implementation, doing damage as a percentage for Max HP, was ridiculously overpowered against strong targets. The updated rules for poison can be found in the usual location but TL;DR for combat applications, the damage per hour is derived from the max damage of the weapon which applied the poison, and the amount of damage done is capped.

EDIT: After reviewing some stats and looking at weapon vs creature effects, the following changes to poison parameters have been applied (the rules page should reflect):

• Max duration: 24 => 36 hours
• Hard damage cap: 500 => 800 HP
• Percent of Max HP total damage cap: 25% => 30%
• Percent of Max HP per-hour damage cap: 5% => 10%

Stay tuned for further feature release news and other news over the next month as we celebrate the New Year and move into Y23!

There have (understandably) been a number of questions that have popped up in the last few days about the new Hostile AI. This should hopefully answer the most common ones.

Q: Will space bandits spawn outside of deep space asteroid fields now?

A: No. This update only changes the behavior of bandits (ground and space) once they have spawned. This sync did not change how or where bandits spawn.

Q: Will space bandits attack my mining depot/asteroid hideout/Y-8s?

A: No. This update did not make any changes to the types of entities allowed in combat (i.e. stations are still not part of combat) nor to the classes of entities allowed in combat (i.e. heavy freighters are still not part of combat... for now). The same is true for ground combat.

Q: Will space bandits attack player-owned ships, and will the ships defend themselves, with or without a pilot present?

A: Yes. Any ship that is capable of combat and owned by a player (character or faction) is a fair target, regardless of whether they are piloted or not. Unpiloted ships will defend themselves during a combat round. The same is true for ground bandits; any NPC or Droid or Creature that is owned by a player (character or faction) is a fair target for ground bandits and creatures.

Q: Does this mean that players can attack me anywhere now?

A: No. This is only a change to Hostile-owned creatures and bandits. There are no changes to the areas where PvP is possible at this time.

Q: Why did the bandit do this?

A: We are not answering any questions or revealing any design details of how or why the AI decides to take a particular action, outside of the general descriptions on the rules pages here and here.

• Removed Breathing Mask Refills and converted all existing items into Breathing Masks
• Fixed bug with Bandit Capture that didn't clear AI, causing unintended actions from player-owned ships
• Added new Inventory Filter for "Location Type"

Just a friendly reminder that PvE aggression from hostile forces (ground bandits, creatures, and space bandits) will be enabled in a matter of days or weeks. This upcoming change has been communicated through Sim News multiple times in the last three months (it was first posted on Y22 D248, for those of you who are counting). This is NOT a Soon(tm) situtation and it is not April 1st!

Once the AI finishes Open Beta testing on the combat worlds (Derra, Serroco, and Kowak) and in Exhibitions, there will be ONE final announcement with at least 48 hours (2 days) of warning. All betas have discoveries, but things are running relatively smoothly right now. Due to the upcoming holiday in the US, this final countdown warning will not occur any earlier than one week (7 days) from today. This means that you are only guaranteed NINE more days of protection for your assets from hostile forces, effective immediately. If you have not heeded the warning over the last three months and have left your droids, creatures, NPCs, or (for space bandits) ships and satellites strewn across the galaxy, this is your last chance to grab your most precious assets and get them to safety.

The adminstration is not liable for losses which occur due to hostile action and will not be issuing replacements or refunds. Please secure your assets immediately if you have left them in a vulnerable position.

The creatures and unsavory NPC sorts throughout the galaxy have been taking their smart pills, and are now under the control of a more advanced "AI" to drive their actions. The galaxy-wide aggression has NOT yet been enabled.

Bandits and creatures on Derra, Serroco, Kowak, and in Showdown Exhibition matches will respond aggressively while the new AI is beta-tested. We will post a new Sim News when the galaxy-wide aggression is enabled. The timeframe is TBD but expect it in short order if all systems look good during testing.

EDIT: As part of the new AI, creatures no longer have ridiculous ranges and attack from melee range only. You're welcome/I'm sorry.

EDIT 2: There is some work happening on the backend to standardize how actions (travel, combat, medicine, the Force, etc.) interact with each other. As a result, certain oversights from the past have now been corrected in this sync. For example, you may no longer begin piloted travel while training with the Force.

This is official notice that the Breathing Mask Refill item will be retired shortly. The DC owner has been notified. If you have an assigned DC, please contact the DC owner.

The refill functionality is being removed entirely; Breathing Masks will not need uses or refills to be functional. All existing Breathing Mask Refill items will be converted into Breathing Masks.  

The exact time of the change is TBD, but will likely occur sometime this weekend, pending resolution of any DC assignment issues.

Year 23 Day 26, 17:40 Falcon banned player Arthur Von Kaldreon providing the following reason: Harassment

This is his second strike and is a 1-month ban. He may request to be unbanned in one month by submitting a support ticket.

Year 23 Day 21, 23:31 Falcon banned player Neckris Blaze providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Year 23 Day 21, 23:31 Falcon banned player Vaan Nost providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Year 23 Day 21, 23:31 Falcon banned player Oldin Drexel providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Year 23 Day 21, 23:31 Falcon banned player Eve Sinclair providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Forgive me Combine, for I have used the ban hammer again... The above players have found to be multis, and as such have been banned for 21 days. After that time has expired, Neckris Blaze may request an unban by opening a support ticket. 

May you all enjoy your time at the Winter Festival, and have a Happy Holiday Season!

Baugrems banned player Arthur Von Kaldreon providing the following reason: Strike 1 Dec 4, 2021 (Y23 D 9)

Strike 1 results in a 1 week ban. The strike expires in one year, or one year from when your last strike occurs if more are given in the future.

Reason for this strike: A single instance of Sexual Harassment or Hate Speech is often enough by itself to count as harassment. A single act should be reported on top of blocking them.

While forgetting pronouns and making mistakes is in no way against the rules, blatant hostility over misgendering is unacceptable in our community.

See communication rules here.

Please do not be afraid to report things. We do not punish or "out you" if you are concerned or unsure. These new rules are serious and we want to make SWC a better place. If you have a concern, please make a ticket at this link: http://support.swcombine.com/

 7 Year 22 Day 356, 17:46

Hawk banned player Taevan Zaldeen providing the following reason: Multi Ban-Yr22 D356 -One account per player. You had been notified. Player can file a support ticket in 21 days to have the original/oldest account reinstated.

 5 Year 22 Day 356, 18:11

Hawk banned player Brian Salazar providing the following reason: Multi Ban-Yr22 D356 -One account per player. You had been notified. Player can file a support ticket in 21 days to have the original/oldest account reinstated.

And due to a third attemp: I have banned Makro Talten and the ban has increased to 2 months.  Contact via support ticket when the timer is up. Not before. 

 1 Year 22 Day 330, 17:19 Falcon banned player Idor Lesgard providing the following reason: Multi Ban

 2 Year 22 Day 330, 17:19 Falcon banned player Bartan DeWalt providing the following reason: Multi Ban

 3 Year 22 Day 330, 17:19 Falcon banned player Lylah Skysek providing the following reason: Multi Ban

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The above players have been banned for 6 months for having illegal multi accounts. After 6 months, Bartan may request an unban by submitting a support ticket. 

 1 Y22D323 22:16 Falcon banned player Hiro Craven providing the following reason: Multi Ban

 2 Y22D323 22:16 Falcon banned player Cordin Siprus providing the following reason: Multi Ban

--

Cordin was previously banned for having multiple accounts and was let off with a light sentence. He has since chosen to make another multi account, and as such has been banned indefinitely. 

He may open a support ticket in the future to request an unban

Forgive me Combine, for I have used the almighty Ban Hammer once more...

 1 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Xac Sug providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 2 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Billhec Park providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 3 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player San Krar providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 4 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Kadgur Edar providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 5 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Roovan Zi`veri providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 6 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Vomak Myo providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 7 Year 22 Day 282, 18:02 Falcon banned player Vuks Raa providing the following reason: Multi Ban/Asset Laundering

 8 Year 22 Day 282, 18:00 Falcon banned player Ashara Nashaa providing the following reason: Multi Ban / Asset Laundering

These players have been banned for 3 weeks for sharing assets between them. During our week-long investigation, we found minimal evidence of them being the same individual, so for now they may all individually request an unban after 3 weeks via a Support Ticket. The assets in question will be confiscated and the individuals in question will no longer be allowed to share a connection with another player or register further multis, legal or otherwise. 

Furthermore, the following individuals, while found to be legal registered multis with those above, but not found to be associated in the asset laundering ring will not be banned, but will no longer be allowed to share a connection with the individuals above:
• Damaris Oro
• Wor Baldor
• Chucho Trillby

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that unless you buy assets owned by a previous character at fair market value, then you may not own assets owned by any previous character.

Any questions/comments/concerns can be directed to Syn submitted via a Support Ticket.

Y22/D283 Edit: We have lifted the 3-week ban for Billhec Park, though he must still adhere to the separate connection rule in place for all parties listed above.

Year 22 Day 272, 16:17 Falcon has changed a players handle: Clifton Barnes to Extor Ace.

Handle changed due to breaking name rules. Update the 'ol Rolodex accordingly. When asked for a comment, Extor provided the following statement:

"New name, same personality."

That is all.

Year 22 Day 245, 19:56 Falcon has changed a players handle: Ja Garras Kaos to Ja`Garras Kaos.

Update your rolodex accordingly.

Year 22 Day 189, 22:45 Falcon banned player Marcus Draenor providing the following reason: Bug Exploit

Dear SWC, it has been 25 0 days since the last ban was issued.

Marcus has been banned for 2 weeks for exploiting a bug related to race changes. As a result, it brings me great sadness to inform his family, that unfortunately the Metamorphosis Plague has taken his body over and transformed his to body to that of a mere human. He must spend these next 2 weeks recovering, and when he is ready, may submit a support ticket to request an unban.

Baugrems Edit:

Two week ban for same exploit. If something seems like a problem, report it. Also will be reset back to old race.

Year 22 Day 164, 20:17 Noctis banned player Irdo Vag providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Year 22 Day 164, 20:17 Noctis banned player Raa`hse Nahk providing the following reason: Multi Ban

Accounts under control of a single player.  Previously banned player created new account.

Permanent ban.

Edit: Ban overturned due to clarifying information.  Noctis is newb

2

Year 22 Day 128, 16:43

Baugrems banned player Za Zarzuela Zohan providing the following reason: Multi Ban

3

Year 22 Day 128, 16:43

Baugrems banned player Pierce Woodburn providing the following reason: Multi Ban

As a second multi offense with admited asset laundering and further attempts at asset laundering, there is... very little to be said beyond a permanent ban here. We are happy that the game is enjoyed but follow the rules like everyone else. The Porgicorn still has a hammer!

The Winterfest games are officially CLOSED! I'm sure Polar will post a much more original and enjoyable wrap-up news, but here's what that means for you right now:

• All "game" NPCs are now closed.
• Access to the comet is now closed.
• Access to the Thunderdome is now closed.
• Access to the station is still available from the comet (one way only) or the galaxy at large (bidirectional, for now)
• You may still access all vendors on the station to spend credits and Frost Candy.
• There are no special end-of-event purchases; the lists remain the same as they were during the event. Sorry, Venator fans.

Once the station closes, anyone remaining on the comet, in the Thunderdome, or on the station will be sent back to their "home" station or facility. The station will remain accessible for approximately one week, but Polar will make the final determination on when the station will close.

Polar here

I have a few things to say today. Firstly, if you are participating in the Winter event, remember about the rules you agreed on when entering the event, especially those: "Theft is not allowed in the Winter Festival." and "Do not pick up items from the ground belonging to others. Especially next to vendors. This will be considered theft.". If you take something by "accident", make sure to give it back to the owner. When leaving the Winter Comet, be sure to check your pockets, sleds and backpacks, because if someone reports you for stealing items, it will result in a punishment which can even include a temporary ban from SWC.

Secondly, everything has to come to an end, winter party, candy grinding, slapping each other in the Thunderdome, the Deathmatch. The Winter event ends in a few days (day 50 around 12:00 combine time), but the comet will stay open for a little bit longer (around 1 week). After day 50 you won't be able to earn more candies. You can stick around, finish gathering/exchanging items, think what to buy from the vendors. Any items left on the comet and in the Grand Central Station will be deleted, so be sure you take all your stuff with you.

Thirdly, it's time for a new round of the Deathmatch. This is the last round of the current match, the grand final! You can vote here.

We also have new grudge matches for you. Voting goes here.

Fourthly, that's all for today. Have a good middle of the week everyone.

Polar out

It is with great sadness that I must announce to you all...

Just kidding, you're stuck with me! However, the cyborg clone L4anc3r T0rp011 has escaped from the North Pole, despite the heroic efforts of all present to stop him.  He was last seen entering a Tsmeu-6 Personal Wheel Bike named "Rolling Retreat". A short while later, a Gozanti-class Cruiser named "Delicious Drudgery" was observed departing from the North Pole Airfield; it was last seen hailing the Grand Central Station before disappearing into hyperspace on a course toward Csilla.  It is unclear at this point what will happen with L4anc3r T0rp011, the mysterious Bar Bar Grems, or even our dear friend Lancer Torpoli (the original) who hasn't been seen in many days now. This officially concludes the Lancer Mini-Event.

The Kaminoan delegation on the comet does have a reward available for everyone who was present at the event prior to the conclusion of the Lancer Mini-Event, and who was not actively aiding the clone's escape. Speak to the Kaminoan Weapon Technician in the Palace in Otoh Tipoca to receive your reward.

If you participated in the Lancer Mini-Event and want to share your feedback, please feel free to leave it here: Feedback Thread

Well, it seems like those pesky Gungans have really stepped in some poodoo this time, and unleashed a freakish Lancer cyborg clone... thing?  Both the Gungans and Kaminoans are requesting assistance in putting the creature out of its tortured misery. The battle can be joined in the "southern" bridge of the Thunderdome, where the sound of bare fists slapping and punching echos off of the now broken cloning vat.

L4anc3r T0rp011, as it is known, appears to have a truly stupendous reserve of fortitude, and only a coordinated assault has any chance of weakening the creature, since the Gungans decided to give it some rare armor while in the cloning tank.  When will they learn? There are even rumors that the Kaminoans may be willing to contribute something to the cause, if sufficient progress is made in the fight.  Bring your fists (and probably some festive sticks too) and join the fray!

We would like to remind everyone the rules of the Thunderdome II in the Winter Event.

- You may coordinate with other players to bring a single player down to 1 HP and stun them, provided you then leave them alone.
- You may coordinate a large-scale "slap fight" between two or more groups, provided all sides consent and all other rules are followed. If you want to do this, please choose a room that is NOT the Entrance. NOTE: Declining a group fight does not magically give your group immunity; this is still a free-for-all brawl and other players or groups of players can still use Rule 1 against you.
- You may use the Force to heal another player at any time, provided it is not used in violation of any other rules.
- You may use a Stimpack to remove stun from another player at any time, provided it is not used in violation of any other rules.
- You may not use an item to heal another player without their explicit consent, due to the medical item timer locking them in place. Note: This applies anywhere in the Event system
- You may not continuously attack a player, either alone or coordinated with a group, and keep them perpetually stunned, aka "stunlocked". This is considered harassment.
- You may not coordinate with a large group of players to indiscriminately stun everyone present and "lock down" the Thunderdome. This is considered sabotage.
- You may not attack any player in the same room where the boss target (L4anc3r T0rp011) is located. Doing so is considered sabotage and will be an instant event ban.

Thank you for your cooperation.

edit: rules reminder

Polar here

During the last few days, some unexpected series of events have happened in the Winter City, North Pole. Lancer Torpoli, known Pengauani who was usually hanging out next to the Winter Tree in the center of the city, disappeared. Rumours say that he got captured by an unknown Gungan, who was dressed in a dark robe. The gungan hand cuffed Lancer and led him away from the sight of winter event participants. Witnesses claimed that they went in the direction of the Hangar or the Landing Pad, but no one can confirm, if they entered buildings or used local transportation system to go to some other city or the station.

After shocked passersby realized what has happened, they started looking for Lancer in every place they could access. They turned upside down Thunderdome II, a not so secret anymore fight club, hidden inside the Landing Pad. After finding a locked door to one of the rooms on the top floor, the crowd of violent aliens decided to break inside, yelling things like "FREE LANCER" and "IT'S SO CROWDY IN HERE THAT I CAN'T SEE THE LOCK". After some time, one person finally managed to guess the passcode, resulting in opening the door and revealing what is inside.

This is what we heard from one of the drunk witnesses: "LANCER was KIDNAPPED (some say arrested) by an evil sith gungan wearing a pretty kawaii backpack. They disappeared near the LANDING PAD after which a GOAT attempted to brute force the locked door. Only for it to be opened by a FURRY by the name of Trix". His version seems to be the most accurate so far, although he was also mumbling something about unknown ships landing in the Winter City, rosebuds and hidden treasures.

After entering the room, what people found inside was a group of armed mercenaries, guarding something that looked like... a Cloning Vat?

Just in case that it has something to do with the disappearance of Lancer, loud mobs carrying candy canes and tree ornaments decided to attack the mysterious guards. After long fight full of casualties, mercenaries had to capitulate and retreat, leaving the place of battle. Before most of the freedom fighters managed to regain conciousness and heal their lying on the floor friends, a Gungan "Prince" had shown up in the room, trying to calm down the situation. Although he doesn't want to answers any questions, he is suggesting some bad things may happen soon in the city. He also doesn't want to reveal if he has any informations about Lancer, but his silence probably means that we should prepare for the worst. Many visitors that can be found in the cities or on the station started to comment the occurence. Is it possible one of them knows the truth? Hopefully we will find out soon.

In the meanwhile, people started to gather in the place where Lancer used to wait for his friends to talk with them every day. They even constructed small sled, which is being filled with items from people of all races, in the memory of Pengauani.

The sled is being monitored by winter event guards. Any attempts on stealing it will result in heavy punishment.

From other news, new round of Deathmatch is here, go vote! Same with grudge matches! Previous round gave us some interesting results. For the question How many characters have you had? majority of the people answered "One". But 27 people also said that they had seven or more! Big energy. A lot of beings died to deliver us this information.

Anyway, that's it for today, thanks for a lot of good input about the event and let's continue the adventure (if you are participating). Have a good week everyone.

Polar out

I hate to go and leave this pretty sight site. But I am. Sort of. It's been a good few years but I've hit the end of my time as SWC admin. Real life is busier, SWC is feeling like a job rather than a creative outlet. I'll still be around and have a plan for being a mortal thing somewhere quiet and not involved heavily. Been planning this for a while but I decided to stick around as admin to help write scripts and such for winter event. Not much else to really say! I hope SWC continues to push ahead without me at the helm here and I think we have a great asim/admin team to help make it happen.

I'll be stepping out with the New Years time so really short notice, but I kept not wanting to step on other announcements happening... oops.

Polar here

I hope everyone is having a good time both in Combine and IRL. Today we advanced the Deathmatch to the next round. You can vote for it here or here.

Also there are a few new grudge matches, vote only here!

This is all for today, have a good week everyone!

Polar out.

In case the Winter Event is not already putting you in the Holiday Spirit, we want to extend another gift to the community. For many people today is the day to celebrate Christmas, and while not everyone may subscribe to that holiday, we used it as an excuse to update the CP Exchange. This was a big team effort over the last few months with the hopes to get it released around the same time as the winter event.

Most of the credit should go to the Art Team and Descriptions Team for preparing the front end of these to be ready for you. Make sure to thank your local artist/writer from the SWC team!

If you're not too familiar, Combine Points (CP) are a bonus currency in SWCombine. Your daily login gives you points towards earning these bonus entities. They may not be the highest quality in the galaxy, but they get the job done and are a nice treat for your activity in the game or work on SWC Teams.

Combine Points Exchange

You can find new Ships, Vehicles, and Droids at the following links.

CP Bonus Ships

CP Bonus Vehicles

CP Bonus Droids

For those of you attending Winterfest and visiting the Cave of Exchange, please take note:

Although this is an area designed to facilitate the exchange of items, taking an item that does not belong to you without the explicit consent of the owner is considered theft. When you entered Winterfest for the first time, you agreed to a set of rules, including a no-theft policy.

Please be careful when picking up items, and double-check before you leave the station since that is a one-way trip for the items. If you notice that you have accidentally taken something that does not belong to you, please immediately resolve it with the owner to avoid accusations of theft.

First unresolved offense earns you a place on the Naughty List. A repeat offense is an event ban.

Greetings, sentients of the galaxy!

I finally come bearing non-ban-related news! Starting sometime next week, I'll be taking a roughly 6-month hiatus from the game. This is not because I'm burnt out or anything, but rather I will be taking a work trip during that time and will be largely unavailable. You can still DM me, but just know it will probably take many days for me to respond, and so your best bet would be to either Send a DM to Hawk or Send a DM to Wombat, and alternatively, in extreme cases, you can Send a DM to Polar. Additionally, you can always submit a support ticket and receive help that way(which is usually the best way anyways).

I will still probably pop in from time to time and catch up with the community, but otherwise expect me to essentially be gone from the game for the next 6-7 months. Thanks to all of you who help make this community great, and thanks to the administration team for being understanding. I look forward to serving you all when I get back! 

Cheers!

Not-so-friendly reminder that the vendor rooms on the station are not storage and are subject to random inspection and deletion. Please use the room labeled “Community Center” for item storage, that is the only approved room on the station where items may be kept. If you have something lying on the ground in one of the vendor halls I recommend you clean it up in the next few hours.

Polar here.

Winter event has started. If you are not on the Comet yet, you are welcome to come through the Assistant Conductor in a nearest trading station or powered starport. Remember to read the rules carefully when talking with him. Also remember that custom or any other item exchange should happen in Cave on Exchange (as mentioned in previous Sim News) and nowhere else. Unattended items will get deleted.

Some quests are repeatable so you can try them few times. Some, like Underground Racing, will stop giving you candies after few tries, but you can continue racing for the fastest time. Speaking of racing, it's not based on real time, the game tells you how much time it took you to move to the next room (just so you know).

All events reset at midnight combine time. Also Force is not disabled for the event, but do not Force Test people without their permission. Breaking this rule may result in a ban from the event. Have fun everyone and good luck.

Polar out.

Edit: Event will end on day 50, 12:00 combine time.

Edit2:

Q: Will The Force be disabled at the event?
A: No, Force abilities will not be disabled during Winterfest.

Q: Can I force test at the event?
A: Not without explicit consent from the person being tested.

If you find yourself being tested against your will, let a staff member know. Offenders get one warning before being event-banned.

Edit3:

Q: What am I allowed to do in Thunderdome II? What is considered harassment?
A: Thunderdome II is intended to be a place where anyone can go and try out the new "Unarmed Strike". It is PvP enabled, so anyone can hit anyone else. The fire delay scale is set to 25% of normal; you can attack roughly every 7.5 minutes. The stun timer is also reduced from 10 hours to 2.5 hours. You cannot leave Thunderdome II while stunned or in a fire delay. Therefore, the following rules clarifications are provided:

- You may coordinate with other players to bring a single player down to 1 HP and stun them, provided you then leave them alone.
- You may coordinate a large-scale "slap fight" between two or more groups, provided all sides consent and all other rules are followed. If you want to do this, please choose a room that is NOT the Entrance.
- You may use the Force to heal another player at any time, provided it is not used in violation of any other rules.
- You may use a Stimpack to remove stun from another player at any time, provided it is not used in violation of any other rules.
- You may not use an item to heal another player without their explicit consent, due to the medical item timer locking them in place.
- You may not continuously attack a player, either alone or coordinated with a group, and keep them perpetually stunned, aka "stunlocked". This is considered harassment.
- You may not coordinate with a large group of players to indiscriminately stun everyone present and "lock down" the Thunderdome. This is considered sabotage.