Starminer

Starminer launched into Early Access on May 27, 2026, developed independently by CoolAndGoodGames after parting ways with publisher Paradox ARC in December 2025 — a transition that was cleanly resolved before launch with no lasting impact on development. Since launch, the studio has maintained a rapid and consistent development cadence: five patches shipped between May 27 and June 24, 2026, including significant quality-of-life improvements (Patch 4 and Patch 5), a new map (Triton Ice Cluster), autopilot overhauls, a new logistics tier (T2 Cargo Packages), UI refinements, and extensive bug and crash fixes. On June 11, 2026, the developers published a formal 2026 Development Roadmap detailing multiple major planned updates stretching from version 0.34 through 0.37+. Planned content includes a full economy overhaul with dynamic pricing, new tutorials, fleet command improvements, NPC AI that mines and issues contracts, an enemy meta-game where hostiles can conquer sectors, new mining mechanics (explosives, tractor beams, gas mining, mega-asteroids), megastructures, two new alien races, cooperative multiplayer, and fully integrated modding with Steam Workshop support. The most recent developer communication came on August 31, 2026, when the team announced that Patch 6 was entering beta "this week" and confirmed that version 0.34 is already in parallel development. They outlined specific new features for 0.34, including localization, a revised economy, an overhauled campaign and progression loop, a complete UI reskin, new late-game mechanics, and new modules. The developers also acknowledged a period of relative quiet and apologized for slower communication — indicating they remain engaged with the community. This is the most recent update before today's assessment date of September 7, 2026, just one week prior.