Astroneer Patch 1.44.4 Restores Data Circuit Scrapping and Introduces the EXO Archive
Vehicle Ports receive more precise interaction rules, while bug fixes cover custom modes, multiplayer transitions, Xbox cosmetics, and storms.
Astroneer Patch 1.44.4 puts Data Circuits back in a less destructive corner of the game. They are scrappable again, and Dynamite can no longer destroy them, while Vehicle Ports receive several usability fixes.
The same build is numbered 1.44.3 on Nintendo Switch, but it contains the same changes as version 1.44.4 on the other platforms. The Steam announcement also introduces the EXO Archive, a new collection of short stories, comics, poetry, and epistolary fiction connected to the ASTRONEER universe.
The EXO Archive begins with Snail Tales
The EXO Archive celebrates ASTRONEER approaching the 10-year anniversary of its Early Access launch. New written works will appear on the ASTRONEER news page, while comics will be hosted on the STARSEEKER comics page. The collection will include new releases alongside earlier ASTRONEER comics.
The first short story, “Snail Tales: Enoki,” is available now. Amanda I wrote the story, which follows Enoki, a galastropod with exactly one brain cell, after a bumpy rover ride sends her off on an unexpected adventure. Meredith McClaren provided the banner art.
Save file management features are still in development, and the team said it hopes to release them soon. The anniversary update planned for the end of the year is also taking shape, with new content and other surprises still to be revealed.
Patch Notes for Astroneer 1.44.4
The patch’s largest gameplay changes affect Data Circuits and Vehicle Ports. Mission-related circuits can once again be scrapped, while reclaimed versions now follow a one-per-POI limit to help performance. Vehicle Port interactions have also been adjusted so the Terrain Tool remains usable when players work around those structures.
CHANGES TO DATA CIRCUITS
As of this update, Data Circuits have gone back to being scrappable and they’re no longer destroyable with Dynamite. You all rightly pointed out the inconveniences that the recent changes we made unintentionally had on Data Circuits earned from LTEs like the recent EXO A.M.P.P. event, so we’ve walked back some changes and made the following adjustments:
- All Data Circuits are now scrappable again.
- All Data Circuits are no longer destructible with Dynamite.
- Reclaimed Data Circuits are limited to 1 per POI that generated them.
- Dev Note: This means that only 1 reclaimed Data Circuit can exist at any given time per POI that generated them, not that you can only use the Reclaim action once per POI. Also, when you generate a new reclaimed Data Circuit, it will delete the previously reclaimed one. This measure is primarily to help with performance.
Reclaimed Data Circuits can be generated from POIs (Points of Interest) that are tied to specific Missions, such as the Vehicle Ports (previously Parkade Pad). This option was added as part of a set of fixes for instances where Mission-required Data Circuits could be lost and would lock you out of completing those Missions, but also for situations where you might lose or misplace them.
IMPROVEMENTS TO VEHICLE PORTS
- Made improvements to the outline of the Vehicle Port so it’s no longer so bright.
- Changed the areas of the Vehicle Port that bring up the outline when hovering the cursor over it. You now have to hover over the pillars or the canopy in order to access the Reclaim action.
- Fixed an issue which caused Vehicle Ports and Mega-X Platforms to not spawn hard terrain under them in new save files created after Update 43.
- Dev Note: In save files newly created after Update 43, this hard terrain will be generated underneath these structures if it wasn’t previously.
Adding the Reclaim action to Vehicle Ports was causing some usability issues which led to the Terrain Tool becoming unusable when hovering the cursor over a Vehicle Port, in addition to making the outline a bit too aggressive and bright. With this update, we’ve addressed those issues. Thank you all for sharing your feedback!
BUG FIXES
Megastructures
- Fixed an issue in multiplayer which caused the client player to become stuck in the transition screen if the client moved the Orbital Platform and the host wasn’t on the Orbital Platform.
- Fixed an issue which caused changing the MEGA-Mini Asteroid from the Control Panel to not be fully visible until moving far enough away and then returning.
Glitchwalkers
- Fixed an issue which caused the Glitch Shelter’s Oxygenator to not be visible.
Miscellaneous
- Fixed an issue which prevented the SES Hardcore, Supersphere, Stranded and Unbeatable Custom Game Modes from launching correctly.
- Fixed an issue which caused Deluxe Edition cosmetics to not unlock after purchasing them on Xbox or the Xbox for PC App.
- Dev Note: If for whatever reason this happens to you, please reach out to our support team for assistance: https://[email protected]
- Fixed an issue which caused packaged Thrusters to move from storage to the Thruster slot on the Small, Medium and Large Shuttles.
- Fixed an issue which caused the fuel tooltip not to update until entering or exiting the Mega-Mini Training Shuttle.
- Fixed an issue which caused a green outline to appear around the slots on the bottom of the Smelting Furnace instead of a red outline.
- Fixed an issue which caused the incorrect SFX to play when reclaiming a Data Circuit from the Mega X-Platform.
- Fixed an issue which caused Storms not to spawn when starting a new game before saving and reloading.
Legacy Issues
- Fixed a legacy issue which caused the Headlights on Large Rover Seat B to face the wrong way.
- Fixed a legacy issue where foliage and rocks removed by the terrain flattening around structures and POIs could respawn when loading a save.
- Dev Note: This would previously result in foliage and rocks overlapping immovable structures or appearing to float in mid-air.
IMPROVEMENTS
- Remodeled the Fluid Canisters on the Intermodal Terminal to have a more integrated look and make it clearer in their item description that they can only hold Hydrazine.
- Reduced the VFX frequency of dust and falling rocks in caves.
- Made improvements to Storm spawning so they no longer spawn on top of Gateway Chambers in new saves.
Will the restored Data Circuit rules make mission items easier to manage, or do the Vehicle Port changes stand out more to you? Share your thoughts, then follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
