June 2026 - 'Prelude' v1.61 Update Changelog

June 2026 - 'Prelude' v1.61 Update

Release Status: *** RELEASED ***

We’ve decided to switch gears for our June update to a more modest v1.61. Our ARES update (which is still available in opt-in) requires more time in the oven before a full public release. As such, our plan is to release the new ARES AI system along side our next DLC later this summer. Expect continued updates to the opt-in build for ARES as we work.

Change Log - v1.61

• AI players can now survey planets they own based on difficulty level.

• AI bonus modifiers adjusted to help ease issues that get an AI’s progress blocked (e.g., not enough exotic refineries).

• Added new AI loadouts subsystem which allows AI players to better pick out abilities/upgrades for all units.

• Improved autocasting and AI only autocasting for the Radiance Battleship. It will now use its abilities more intelligently. Animosity and Cleansing Brilliance will now activate in the center of groups of units, while Detonate Antimatter will favor targets that are higher level or channeling abilities.

• By user request, the original AI portrait art is now selectable for each faction (we won’t judge). Select these using the new custom flow. You can find them in the game’s install directory in the textures folder.

• Players can now use custom portrait art in the faction customization section - scroll to the bottom and click the + box. These appear in single-player games only.

Modding

• Added two new enums to player_ai.uniforms:

  • surveying_upgrade_check_interval_in_minutes

    • Type: array

  • max_concurrent_surveying_upgrade_requests

    • Type: positive integer value

• Added new .loadout system. Allows you to define ability/upgrade picking order.

To Use Older Versions (for Mods, etc)

• On Steam

  • Select ‘Sins of a Solar Empire II’ in your Steam Library.

  • Click the gear icon in the upper right.

  • Select Properties → Game Versions & Betas

  • Select the version you want from the Beta Participation list.

  • Steam will update you to that version.