We really wanted to fix up the client movement experience with this patch. The client-side control responsiveness was poor due to an over-simplified server-authoritative implementation. We were able to solve this using client side prediction/interpolation and also stuffed a bunch of other annoying bug fixes in as follows:
- Clients now respond instantly to skiing, jetpacking, jumping, and the related sounds/effects (i.e. client movement feels as smooth and responsive as the server now while skiing, jetpacking, and jumping). This was accomplished using client-side prediction/interpolation and will greatly improve the client control/movement experience in high ping matches (e.g. United States to Australia) and every match in general.
- Made the jetpack burn its fuel faster so that it keeps matches on the ground and adds more strategy to its use through scarcity.
- Reduced the jetpack refuel rate to also aid in keeping matches more towards the ground.
- Removed fall damage because its annoying.
- Moved the bases down closer to the water to make them easier to reach with the nerfed jetpack.
- Fixed the rocket looping around player problem, increased its speed a little so it catches up easier to fast players, decreased its chase acceleration so it's not as aggressive, decreased its damage, and decreased the fire rate of the launcher to reduce spamming.
- Added the ability for players to float up while under water when holding the space bar to reduce the annoyance of drowning due to the nerfed jet pack.