February update is here!
The biggest and most exciting feature in this update is definitely direct control mode(DCM), which allows you to sit behind the wheel(or whatever it happen to have) literally every enterable unit in game, that includes AT guns, static MGs etc.
Steel Rain is first game ever to implement such feature in strategy.
One thing that we considered when implementing this feature is how to limit it to avoid abusing it and breaking balance by giving player too much advantage....
fortunately many tests showed that DCM doesn't actually give player much advantage, and fighting against enemy in well balanced mission will always be fun challenge, also being more accurate than AIs even with default accuracy settings isn't that easy!
One other interesting 'side effect' of DCM is immersive, first person perspective recon - as in DCM mode all units on maps will be rendered, not only those that your units can see, so that may be helpful, but again - nothing balance breaking: just because you can see enemy units in DCM mode, doesn't mean your units see them!
In summary we believe that DCM is very interesting addition, adding whole new dimension to battles, and gives player much better immersion; and it's just so much fun to send your whole tank platoon on mission, and then to parttake in it first hand.
How it works:
Select any single enterable unit and press backspace to enter DCM.
Units movement is controlled with WASD keys (some units obviously don't move, like Flak 36), brake with space and you can aim using mouse movement. To aim press X. To shoot main gun use LMB, and machinegun is operated with RMB. Guns are automatically reloaded, but you can force reload with R button, for example if you want to load other type of ammunition(select ammo with C for main gun and V for mg). While not aiming in DCM you can also look around freely with left alt button.
While it's convenient and rather arcade-style control mechanics, don't let it fool you!
It's still realistic system, with simulated every crew member and so you can expect difficulties without full crew - for example you won't be able to move tank without driver, or without loader gunner will take his role, and as consequence you can't aim or shoot while gunner is realoading. To be able to use DCM unit have to have at least driver or gunner station manned, if they are both unmanned or dead DCM will automatically exit, as there would be no any control over unit.
Watch it in action here
In terms of implementation, thanks to flexible and natural way of how everything works in Steel Rain (eg. every crew member logic is simulated separately) there is literally no additional work needed when adding new vehicles to game to support it, it's there for every vehicle 'by default'. The only additional (optional)component that we added in Asset Editor for this feature is DC camera point component.
Anyway try it for yourself and let us know what you think - do you like it? can it be used to abuse game? does it gives unfair advantage to player? should it be somehow limited?
We cant wait to hear your opinion.
Another notable improvements are many new AI features like reacting to incoming fire, rotating toward danger and tanks will rotate their turret forward when not in fight anymore. You can also now see what type of ammo is loaded for every weapon, as well as what selected unit is engaging (red line).
This update also provides very numerous other improvement, new features and bug fixes, more info here
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1150390/partnerevents/view/1710741388948575857
See you on the battlefield!