Here’s what’s new in
‘Season 4: Brothers-In-Arms’
Season 4 brings with it a plethora of changes! Namely a complete overhaul of the map, as well as the introduction of a clan system. The season title, “Brothers-in-Arms”, represents the ability for players to work together to achieve their goals as a larger group.
The content of this season update can be split into 2 categories: Map Changes & New Functionality. That’s why I’ll be splitting this into 2 parts. You can keep reading to learn all about the changes to the map, or scroll down to part two where I introduce all of the new functionality we’re including.
Part 1 of 2: World Map Overhaul
(Scroll down for ‘Part 2 of 2: Clans, New Skills, and More!’)
Over the course of early access, we’ve changed and added so many things to the game that we needed to move things around the map and redesign enemy bases to better fit our vision for the game. We really wanted to give players a more intuitive feel for level progression.
That’s why we took the dozens of Hyena and Orbis bases, as well as all of the other landmarks (juggernaut, launch pad, etc.), and condensed them into larger bases while also redesigning them to make them more distinct and unique in their experiences. This means that you’ll be more likely to run into other players while you’re out hunting for materials.
Hyena Bases
The Hyena forces are more fortified than ever! Jump from platform to platform as you search for items and try to dodge the bullets being shot at you from other players looking to steal your items.
Each base is a bit different, but many will also be housing the entrance to the Hyena Den.
Infested Bases
The mutants have made their way to the surface and have made their home in a number of Hyena bases. We removed the roadside entrances to the Bunker and placed them inside of infested bases, and also outside of the Chemochamber.
You’ll occasionally run across a Hyena dropship trying to take back their lost territory, so be sure to avoid the crossfire!
Orbis Bases
Once you’re geared up and start venturing to the inner parts of the island, you’ll be able to enter the Orbis bases.
The Orbis troops are wary of the mutants getting into their bases, so they’ve settled high above ground to make sure their bases don’t get infested as well. Each circular base is connected by a long structure that houses a number of smaller Orbis facilities.
Launch Pad
The interior of the launch pads are now protected by Stompers. You'll have to make your way through them if you want to access the unique items stored inside the base of the launch pads.
Drill Silos
We locked the Juggernaut into what we're calling a 'Drill Silo.' It made more sense for it to be guarding some kind of important facility.
Delta Catalyst Vault
Lastly, we’ve replaced the Delta Launch Pad with a new and unique Orbis point of interest. This one’ll be a challenge for quite a few of you, so be sure to prep before you take on the new mobs that are waiting for you.
Part 2 of 2: Clans, New Skills, and More!
Part 1 was all about how much the landscape will be changing in next week’s update. In part 2, I’d like to share all of the new features we’re adding. Most of them help to round out the game’s content and give players more direction about how to move through their journey on Ararat Island.
Clan System
You can now manage your in-game friends with our all-new clan system! Clans will be shown in the rankings as well so you can show how strong you and your friends are by rising to the top of the rankings together!
New Base Protection Server-Type
Some of you may remember the ‘no-raid’ servers we used to have. We’re bringing them back while also adding a few new improvements, so we felt the name needed a change to suit those changes.
🔹 Slower energy usage in all base cores.
🔹 Higher gathering rates for resources.
A Surplus of Skills
We’ve added 25 new skills to the skills menu that range from giving you resistance to different status effects to increasing the max durability of your weapons, armor and protocols when crafted. The crafting skills will definitely help clans work together by allowing different members to build up their mastery in different weapons or armor categories.
Refined Progression System
We realized that players needed a bit more structure when progressing through the game, so we’re adding a tech-tree system. It’s based primarily around your building core’s level, so you’ll need to have a better building core to be able to craft better items.
This will be useful for newer players to the game by giving them a more distinct pathway to follow when learning the game’s systems. But if you’re more experienced, and are worried that this will ‘cramp your style’, don’t worry! We’ve been careful to make sure the progression feels natural and doesn’t add unnecessary hurdles to the game.
Forge Production Time Reduced
We've listened to your feedback and reduced the production time of the Forge. Enjoy faster processing without the wait!
We have enhanced the crafting system and improved the resource balance to achieve this. Now you can experience a more enjoyable crafting process!
New Mob Types!
With all of the gun-type mobs on Ararat Island, we wanted to add some melee types to round out the experience more. They might seem harmless because they can’t hit you from far away, but some of them can jump pretty far, so be careful!
Axeman
Minerbot & Wardenbot
There are also some new super cute new floating robots that’ll zap you if you get too close!
Buff/Debuff Pills
In the past, pills were used as a way to instantly restore negative conditions. We’ve modified them to instead give the player certain buffs. The Heat Preventive Pill, for example, will give you resistance to heat status changes for a few minute seconds, but beware! It also makes you more susceptible to cold damage at the same time!
We’ve also added shots back into the game for you to use to remove status effects.
New Endings/Scenarios
Lastly, we’ve added new content to the tutorial.. ahem.. mission guide, extending the game well past the Hyena Transport Ship portion of the “storyline.” The new story content adds a lot of needed depth to the characters of the game, so be sure to give it a run-through on your next playthrough! It’ll apply to both single-player as well as official servers.
Other Changes:
Optimizations & Improvements
🔹 We’ve improved fps overall for the game.
🔹 Reduced memory usage
🔹 Improved Mailbox functionality: You can now “receive all”.
🔹 Players can breathe longer underwater.
🔹 Rebalanced siege weapons.
🔹 Improved gun recoil.
PvP Ranking Score Balancing
🔹 Adjusted ranking score algorithm to alleviate issues with meeting basic conditions for ranking tier rewards.
Animation Enhancements
🔹 Improved mantling animations
🔹 New animations to express recoil when firing
🔹 Procedural sway animations based on player movement
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