few updates on progress for the next version
The empire and CIS all have shields and proper hardpoints (very critical for ships to actually work right I found out), currently working on getting the alliance and Republic to the same point.
most fighters have been implemented and working, still a few bugs with them, but no crash issues.
cost and weapon damage are completely recalculated.
most frigates have higher shield regen rates, the full shield recharge ability and very high shield mitigation to survive longer. However they will still get vaporized quickly when alone, they just last longer in fleet engagements.
Most ships have a long description now, but no icons (curse you icons of evil)
many of the abilities have been reworked on ships to be more useful. Ion cannons have been completly reworked, they will stop antimatter recharge, abilities and hyperspace temporarily, but only reduce the targets abilities slightly (10%-25%)(repeated Ion hits do stack)
Ships have a lot more antimatter, but do not have a Antimatter recharge and all of the abilities now have a cooldown timer. Ships do not lose antimatter on hyperspace. you have to return to a friendly world to 'refuel' your abilities, this means defensive ships get a bonus of having a larger pool of antimatter and offsets the heavier attack capability of many of the ships.
shipyards, repair platforms and research stations and the trade hub have been given the refuel ability
most of the pointless research has been removed to prevent the AI from wasting money on it, but a lot of work needs to be done to make research worthwhile.
neutral capture and colonization is improved, missile barrages are toned down a lot
