Now with 50% more ways to die in space!
by Pablo Ichiban
Space Station 13 has been a cornerstone of the Black Pants Legion ever since a gravel-voiced YouTuber chose recording software over a bottle of whiskey. For years, Tex and the crew have played on every server imaginable, ranging from standard space adventures to battling acid-spitting Xenomorphs and even causing chaos by freeing zoo animals and running over cops in swanky convertibles.
But despite the fun, we’ve always been bound by the rules of others. Any seasoned Spaceman can tell you that SS13 servers are riddled with nonsense: power-hungry mods, catgirl metacomm gangs, and sneaky devs slipping in updates that make botany even more overpowered. The Space Station 13 community has always been a chaotic and colorful tapestry of absurdity.
So how did we handle this? We created our own server, of course! Tapping into the diverse talent pool within BPL, we developed a private SS13 server. But we didn’t stop there! We decided to push the boundaries and dive into uncharted waters with the emerging Space Station 14 engine. After experimenting with the Wizden engine for nearly a year, we quickly realized it was too sanitized and restrictive for our tastes. We longed for a return to the chaotic roots of Space Station 13.
Popular space moth Vivian “Doomcakes” Mooncake likened the Wizden code to “the… Disney or Warcraft approach, the amusement park,” claiming it was “toned down” and plagued with “gameplay nerfs due to Wizden admins not being able or willing to admin properly on the front-facing Hub of the entire game.”
Brave New World
With the threat of stagnation, our beloved “Beeplestation” was due for an upgrade. Enter Einstein Engine. This hard fork from the bland Wizden code is heavily inspired by the classic Space Station 13 experience rather than the watered-down game of telephone we had with Wizden. The modular nature of Einstein Engine allows us to pick and choose what aspects we want in our ideal server.
Mr. Tex sees EE as a valuable learning experience rather than a final decision: “EE is a fun change, a dip into another codebase before we settle on one.” It’s a chance to experiment, learn, and refine what Beeplestation truly needs.
One player described the new engine as a fresh start reminiscent of the old Spessman Days: “Einstein Engine (EE) is a breath of fresh air. It provides new and interesting systems. It brings things more in the direction of vintage Space Station.”
So, what are these new and interesting systems, you ask? Space Wind! What’s Space Wind, you wonder? Well, old-timers among us are all too familiar with this dreaded phenomenon. Breaches are no longer minor inconveniences where you simply gasp and rush to the nearest oxygen cabinet. Now, we must fear and respect the laws of physics! Changes in pressure will drag you, and everything nearby, into the nearest hole in the hull. This can lead to hilarious situations where hapless crew members are turned into pin cushions by flying debris, serving as a harsh lesson in Newton’s Laws of Motion.
Other long-requested features, sorely missed in Wizden, have also returned, such as Surgery, Languages, the full-body system, and even classic Space Station 13 races! You can now play as a mysterious Plasmaman or a cold, calculating IPC, each with unique mechanics nearly identical to the classic experience. Even with the new racial additions, the old ones haven’t been forgotten! Character creation has been vastly expanded with an extensive loadout system that allows for custom items. Want to carry around a creepy facsimile of your favorite Quartermaster? Enjoy your Tickle-Me Checkers!
But that’s not all! You can customize your character’s height and girth, as well as select from a plethora of traits that ensure no two characters are the same. Want a slow, lumbering brute who can whoop serious butt with karate? Or a blind mute with tremendous psionic potential? “Traits are wildly popular,” says our hardworking dev, Sir Hatt. “Personally, I can’t function without the one that lets me heal from drinking, which is crucial for any proper Barhalla session.”
The Road Ahead
It’s important to remember that Einstein Engine isn’t an out-of-the-box, ready-to-go codebase like vanilla Wizden. After replacing the original code, we’re still refining and improving the experience. But one thing is certain: Beeplestation has entered a new era, and chaos has never felt so good.
As with any major transition, there are challenges. Adapting to a new engine means encountering unexpected bugs, fine-tuning balance, and ensuring all the beloved SS13 elements function as intended. However, our dedicated developers and community members are working tirelessly to mold EE into something truly special.
Future updates will focus on optimizing game performance, expanding job roles, and introducing more immersive mechanics that bring depth to the spacefaring experience. Additionally, robust modding support will allow players to contribute their own creative twists, ensuring Beeplestation remains one of the most unique SS14 experiences available.
The journey is far from over, but one thing is clear: with Einstein Engine, we are taking SS13’s legacy into the future. The station may be full of holes, the air might be venting into the void, and our best engineer may have just rage-quit, but dammit, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Stay tuned for more updates, and as always keep your helmets on and your airlocks closed!
PabloIchiban is the resident Dorf Fortress and SS13 nerd in the legionnaire. He enjoys complaining about his kids and dad jokes.
