Today, Misc Games announced that the Ships at Sea Public Test v0.8.6 is officially live.
Ships at Sea Public Test v0.8.6 introduces significant technical upgrades, including dedicated server support and numerous quality-of-life improvements. Players can now host or rent dedicated servers, allowing up to 8 players to join a single session without needing to be on each other’s friend list.
Performance and graphics got a big boost thanks to the upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.7.3, resulting in better visual quality, improved performance, and greater stability. The overhaul of ship physics and buoyancy that was introduced in update v0.8.5 continues in this test, featuring more natural wave responses, improved buoyancy in rough seas, and refined steering.
The update also includes a redesigned fish ecosystem, improved weather systems, a new fuel-consumption model, and the first iteration of a new fuel-station system, all of which you can see in the videos below:
Last but not least, Ships at Sea update 0.8.6 adds independent throttle controls for vessels with twin- or triple-propellers, offering more precise maneuvering for service and cargo vessels. Multi-engine throttle control operates independently from bow thrusters and serves as the vessel’s primary propulsion system, while Class 3 service ships are equipped with a dual-engine control unit that features two propellers for Twin-Engine Throttle Control. These allow for players to control the following:
- Differential thrust for tight manoeuvring
- Precise low-speed control
- Improved docking performance
- Realistic multi-engine vessel handling
Since Ships at Sea originally launched back in 2023, Misc Games has added new content to the game monthly, with three significant additions since August: tier 2 cranes, the MacDuff partnership, and tier 3 fishing vessels. The game is available in early access via Steam starting at $24.99. For more information on update v0.8.5, as well as previous patches like the Lighthouse Beacon, be sure to check back to Simulation Daily.
