Endless Sky 0.11.4 stable release fixes cloaking bugs, refines play time tracking

Endless Sky 0.11.4 is a stable maintenance release for the cross-platform open-source space exploration game, addressing several gameplay-blocking bugs and introducing quality-of-life improvements. The most significant fixes resolve mission NPCs with cloaking devices becoming permanently cloaked and draining all fuel, which rendered escort missions impossible to complete, and correct visual and state synchronization issues for externally docked fighters that previously displayed engine flares independently of their carrier's cloak state. The release also resolves progression issues in the Ka'het and Successor mission lines, including a soft-lock scenario when transferring a jump drive to the Unfettered faction under specific outfitter-absent conditions.

On the feature side, the release introduces more granular play time accounting that tracks time per-pilot and globally rather than per-save file, with separate idle time measurement for periods when the game window lacks focus. A new trading panel button allows bulk movement of outfits from cargo to storage, and outfitter logistics now prevent moving oversized equipment into cargo holds that cannot physically contain it. A breaking change to interface definition loading behavior means subsequent definitions now append to rather than replace prior definitions by default, which may affect plugin and content creators.

Gameplay systems and engine changes in 0.11.4

• Cloaking and NPC state machine: Fixed a bug where mission NPCs equipped with cloaking devices would enter permanent cloaking, consuming all fuel and breaking escort mission completion logic; externally docked fighters now properly inherit the carrier's cloak state and suppress independent engine flare rendering.
• Mission scripting and progression: Resolved multiple issues in the Ka'het and Successor storylines, including a soft-lock triggered by giving the Unfettered a jump drive from the player's flagship when no other drives are installed and no outfitter exists on the current planet.
• Combat AI and damage handling: Weapons with exclusively negative damage values no longer trigger aggression responses from struck ships, closing an edge case in the combat provocation system.
• Save system and telemetry: Play time tracking was restructured from per-save-file to per-pilot plus global aggregation, with new separate idle time tracking for unfocused window periods.
• Interface definition loading: Breaking change for content creators: interface definitions now default to additive merging with previously loaded definitions rather than full replacement, affecting plugin compatibility and load order behavior.

Why it matters

For Linux gamers and Steam Deck users running Endless Sky natively or through Proton, this release eliminates several progression-blocking bugs that could waste hours of play time in the newer mission content. The improved play time tracking also benefits open-source game preservation efforts by providing more accurate player engagement metrics. The interface definition change signals maturation of the game's modding infrastructure, though plugin maintainers will need to verify compatibility.