update · July 27, 2026
When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears Demo v1.40 Adds Crew System and Exploration Events
Demo v1.40 for When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears introduces a crew system, three planetary exploration events, a sector map, and extensive ship management updates. Existing saves work with a prompt, but a fresh start is recommended.
A substantial new demo build for When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears arrives with version v1.40. This update packs systemic overhauls, fresh planetary events, and significant additions to ship customization and UI navigation.
Planetary Exploration and Crew Systems
Three text-based planetary exploration events are added, allowing players to investigate an enemy base, a pirate-ravaged research facility, and an ammonia-atmosphere world. A new crew system lets players bring key characters along, whose RPG stats and backgrounds influence dialogue and exploration events via a pause screen crew viewer.
Ship Management and Inventory Overhauls
Destroyed enemy ships now leave collectible parts floating in space that must be reeled in using a tractor beam without shooting them. The shipyard adds an option to sell unwanted modules, consolidates owned and repairable ships into a single list, and includes a button to strip all modules from a specific ship. An inventory viewer and a sector map showing pirate control areas are now accessible from the pause screen.
Combat Balance and Heat System Redesign
The ship heat system features a colored outline that cycles as vessels approach overheating. Accelerator and augment modules now provide smaller individual benefits, but their augment bonuses stack. Lasers no longer collide with mass driver bullets, though they still intercept missiles, increasing laser utility against solid-projectile ships.
Why this patch matters
Demo v1.40 transforms the game's tactical layer by adding deeper crew mechanics, streamlined inventory handling, and meaningful adjustments to ship combat and salvage operations.