Over the last several updates, the team has rolled out a wide range of improvements across gameplay, visuals, performance, and core systems. These changes represent a major step forward in both feel and stability as development continues.
Gameplay & Combat Improvements
- Introduced the Gravity Beacon gadget, allowing players to dynamically redirect gravity for creative movement and combat plays.
- Refined teleport behavior across multiple scenarios, including crouched teleporting and destination accuracy.
- Buffed the Siphon class with Aether regeneration that scales as health drops, alongside new Aether lockout rules to prevent abuse.
- Slightly buffed Orc skin hardening to reduce incoming damage.
- Reduced fall damage caused by Gravity Beacon interactions.
- Tuned grenade and explosive weapon balance, including slight reductions to explosive radius.
- Improved combat feedback with clearer ability availability indicators and refined on-screen damage indicators.
- Updated revive chain behavior and fixed edge cases related to Aether lockout between rounds.
- Improved weapon handling and animations for the katana, shotgun, and minigun.
Characters, Animation, and Visual Updates
- Added fully customized character meshes for both Human and Siphon.
- Enabled team color visibility for Humans and Siphons to improve combat readability.
- Added visible holstered weapons on players’ backs.
- Improved ragdoll behavior with variable launch force based on weapon type.
- Explosions can now launch other grenades and ragdoll bodies for more dynamic interactions.
- Updated death effects, animations, and teammate outline visuals for better consistency.
Map & Environment Updates
- Completed a visual refresh of the Lunar Sea map, now considered feature-complete.
- Overhauled the Station map environment with two lighting modes: Lumen and baked lighting for improved performance.
- Continued minor visual and placement adjustments based on player feedback.
UI, Menus, and User Experience
- Introduced a new Aether HUD with animated Aether pips for a more modern look.
- Added new lobby menus, character selection screens, and loadout menus.
- Updated ability icons to clearly indicate when abilities are unavailable.
- Added new lobby menu sounds.
- Introduced a debug screen to help players report issues more effectively.
- Temporarily enabled non-player spectating to assist with gameplay capture and testing.
Multiplayer, Servers, and Networking
- Implemented a new party and lobby system, shifting matchmaking to a lobby-based flow.
- Improved server provisioning, initialization, and empty-state handling.
- Added server-authoritative lag compensation and hit validation for improved fairness and cheat resistance.
- Improved server beacon handling and reduced race conditions.
- Dedicated servers now properly reset to default maps when empty.
Performance & Stability Improvements
- Began leveraging Unreal Engine 5.6 performance improvements for increased frame rates.
- Applied numerous backend fixes and input edge-case corrections.
- Improved overall stability across matchmaking, servers, and gameplay systems.
Looking Ahead
- Player feedback continues to directly influence tuning and prioritization.
- Additional refinements and improvements are planned for upcoming builds.