1.9.6 Beta (Major Updates 2)

Overview

Well here we go again with another major update. This version rectifies numerous known bugs and issues that have plagued development since the beginning. The cardboard box and laser sight now work together flawlessly. This was quite the battle to get working properly, I'm glad the bug is squashed! Also, mines and TNT now work with all normal enemies, and a few select mini bosses. The pit traps not resetting was also a big problem, that is now fixed! Pit traps now reset when the player leaves the area. All temporary models have finally been replaced with new HD models as well. The tank terrors now have a new tank model. And the Arnold mini bosses have been updated with new models as well.(No more zombie models!!)

I went ahead and did something unscheduled, or unplanned actually. I had an idea, it took a bit of work to implement, but it's now in game. Introducing the "Stealth Suit"! It runs on batteries. Each battery will give 20 seconds of stealth camo. You can turn it on and off in the weapons menu like the laser sight. Six batteries are seeded in the game world(scattered randomly but not too close together). The Stealth Suit works much like the cardboard box, except with stealth on you can go through doors, and not be spotted by the enemy on the other side. You can't use doors while using the cardboard box at all. So both have their advantages in certain situations. Also I should mention, like the cardboard box, the Stealth Suit will not hide you from any animals. Dogs, Scorpions, or wildlife(A NEW SYSTEM, see next paragraph) will still detect the players movements. It will also turn off if the player gets damaged, like the Uniform or Bomb Blast Suit does.

The next big thing that was implemented was a wildlife system. Small animals such as squirrels, rabbits, and rats have been introduced, and are interactive with the player. They will run away if the player gets too close. Large animals such as elephants, and zebras are deeper in the woodland, and will not interact with the player. Hang around an elephant too long and he may let out a loud trumpet sound though! A bird may occasionally fly overhead too. You'll mostly just see the birds shadow, but if you're lucky you'll get a good look if it flies in front of the camera. That's about it for a basic overview of 1.9.6, please see below for a complete look at all the documented fixes, additions, and changes.

Fixes & Additions

• Added new Arnold mini boss models
• Improved appearance of Arnold battle area. Re-designed with more lights/effects/props
• Added floor paint lines at entrances of all elevators
• Added new M-1 Tank model to Tank Terrors mini boss
• Fixed laser sight functionality when using the carboard box
• New pit trap system. Pit traps now reset and will kill the player instantly if falling in one
• Fixed TNT. Explosion now has a bigger damage radius and will affect all enemy soldiers, dogs, and a few select mini bosses
• Fixed Mines. Explosion now has a bigger damage radius and will affect all enemy soldiers, dogs, and a few select mini bosses
• Added Stealth Suit function, and batteries to the game world to power it
• Added fill battery cheat code to cheatcodes.txt file
• Added ambient exotic bird sound effects to some jungle areas
• Added large animated animal props to woodland areas in the jungle (Elephant, Zebra)
• Added birds that fly over top of some outside jungle areas (Crows)
• Added small interactive animals in jungle areas(Squirrels, Rabbits)
• Added small interactive rodents to some interiors (Rats)
• Fixed centering of CM digital media logo in opening video
• Added guard dogs on duty sign to a jungle area near a dog pack
• Re-designed gate area near the Tank Terrors mini boss(Added look out towers, new gate, signs, and some more foliage)(See attached screenshot)
• Fixed laser sight not showing up when entering the binoculars truck
• Fixed switching between Bomb Blast Suit and Uniform in equipment menu
• Fixed guards that get fooled when you equip the uniform after killing them the first time you encounter them
• Fixed shadows on some outside barrels flickering on and off when getting close
• Fixed willow fern LOD model flickering when getting close
• Fixed camera shake from tank turret fire when battling the Tank Terrors(Cam shake and turret fire now stops when fleeing, or if you die)
• Changed invincible cheat code to a shorter code (see cheatcode.txt)
• Changed doorways/trucks/elevators access. While dashing, reloading, crouching, or while using the cardboard box, the player no longer is able to go through doors. (This solves numerous possible bugs/issues with the laser sight losing function, and the player losing movement control)
• Added a new folder called "Readme&CheatCodes" to the game files directory to clean it up a bit. Inside is the readme file, and a cheat code file. Also I stuck the Steel Gear.ico file in there. When unzipping, the game the folder will show this icon
• Added access to the first small building(This is new content that was not in the original version. I always wanted to get in there!) Card 8 gets you in. What's in there? Well I guess you'll have to play it to find out:)

The Next Step

I'm getting closer to a full release. It will be nice to get Steel Gear out of Early Access. There's still a few things that need tweaked before that happens though. It's mostly just visual tweaks and effects to make everything look a bit more polished. Right now I feel it's still a bit dry. Things I have in mind to work on are adding post process effects volumes to outside jungle areas. I'll be adding more props and effects/lighting to small interior rooms. Also adding more props to outside areas to make some areas look more unique. I have a bunch of flower models I want to scatter about. It should make some of the outside areas pop with some color. One thing I've been thinking about doing lately is a UI overhaul. The hotkey icons are bugging me, I'd like to get some better icons in there. The overall look of the UI and dialogue menus seem a bit bulky looking to me as  well. I have some new UI assets, so I'd like to try them out in game.  The last couple things I need to take care of are the weapons drop on respawn and to get save functionality implemented. Most likely I won't get all this done for next release, but that's what is currently on the agenda. That's it for now. There's still more updates on the horizon. As always, enjoy the latest release! 1.9.6 has wildlife! So this version will bring a whole new feel to exploring the jungle. Have fun!

clintmich