Hello everyone, this is SILOEGI Operation.
It has been a while since we last shared development news.
We apologize for not being able to provide updates more frequently due to Kickstarter preparations and build updates.
Today we would like to share two major updates.
1. New Build Update
Soon you will be able to play a new build through the Steam Playtest feature.
This update includes
New special equipment
New weapons
Campaign story additions
UI improvements
AI improvements
Difficulty adjustments
Bug fixes and many other changes.
Special Equipment Added
New special equipment that adds strategic options to gameplay will be introduced.
BUCK-M9 Barrier
An instantly deployable barrier device.
It blocks threats from the front and is specialized for sealing narrow areas or controlling enemies approaching from a single direction.
Dgoth-S28 Auto Turret
An auto turret that automatically detects enemies.
Although it cannot attack in all directions, it eliminates frontal threats with powerful firepower.
J14-300K Aerial Drone
A high-mobility aerial combat drone.
It supports firepower in the direction the player is facing and effectively suppresses enemies ahead with a wide firing angle.
BARAN-D20 Ground Drone
A ground combat drone that defends both the front and rear.
It features strong durability and excellent enemy detection capability, making it ideal for frontline combat.
UI Changes and Control Improvements
The existing weapon UI has been redesigned to better match a sci-fi near-future special forces aesthetic.
Before
After
The following overall interface improvements have also been implemented.
Minimap UI improvements
UI control bug fixes
Campaign Story Added
Additional story elements have been added to the existing campaign.
These elements existed in early development but were removed because they were considered lower priority.
However, we later determined that they are important for establishing the game's world and progressing the campaign story, so they have been reintroduced.
Three New Weapons Added
This update introduces two primary weapons and one secondary weapon.
The update focuses on experimental weapons that slightly diverge from existing firearm mechanics.
SG-12 Breaker
A pump-action shotgun that can fire even while reloading.
It delivers extremely powerful close-range firepower.
Burkefull-A20 Trinity
A three-round burst battle rifle with strong power and long range.
HG-234 Ripper
A secondary weapon in the form of a rapid-fire machine pistol.
Enemy AI Improvements
Previously, enemies spawned from creature nests (spawners) appeared at a rapid pace.
If the nests were not destroyed quickly, enemies would tend to rush toward players regardless of distance.
Creatures now have a patrol state.
Enemies spawned from nests will no longer blindly rush toward players.
If players move away, they will instead wander and patrol the surrounding area.
Additional AI behavior improvements include:
Optimized player detection logic
Improved AI behavior for creatures with special abilities
Difficulty Adjustments
All firearms have been adjusted so they can more effectively stagger zombie movement,
and all melee weapons now include a pushback effect.
Overall difficulty has also been slightly increased with the introduction of special equipment.
Especially for solo play
Increased creature spawn counts
Limited item supplies
These adjustments have been made.
Previously it was possible to clear the game without actively using secondary weapons,
but now utilizing a wider variety of equipment, including secondary weapons, will become more important.
Multiplayer Bug Fixes
Overall multiplayer issues have been improved.
In particular, the following issues that affected gameplay progression have been fixed.
An issue where players could not board the extraction ship
An issue where mission progression could become blocked when not playing as the host
However, multiplayer systems require continuous improvement,
so we would greatly appreciate your bug reports and feedback.
Detail Improvements
Overall firearm animation details have been improved.
Improved running animation while holding weapons
Adjusted sound effects for some weapons
Added muzzle smoke effects during sustained fire
Several issues related to player animations have also been fixed.
In particular, the high jump that occurred when using the sliding command on stairs,
which many players enjoyed, has been fixed due to balance and progression concerns.
However, since many players enjoyed this mechanic,
we are considering whether it could return in the future as a separate piece of equipment or system.
Additionally, instead of immediately switching to walking when stamina is depleted while running,
a new exhausted running state has been added for a more natural transition.
Content Currently in Development
The following content is currently in development but was not included in this build.
Campaign stages
New creatures
Mission objects
Game modes (Horde Mode, Defense Mode)
Mid-boss stage
This content is scheduled to be revealed during Steam Next Fest.
Going forward, while continuing existing development work,
we are also reviewing ideas suggested by the community, including a class system and player suit upgrades.
Expanding the player suit to enable new equipment or abilities such as jetpacks or self-repair kits
is also being positively considered as a potential direction.
2. Kickstarter Funding
March 24, the
BLACKOUT: Zero Point project will be revealed on Kickstarter.
Through this campaign we are preparing various special rewards.
For example
Weapon design participation
Creature design participation
Boss design participation
and various other rewards are planned.
More details will be shared in a future announcement.
Finally, this playtest may not feel like completely new content for players who have already played the previous build.
However, this update focuses on improving the overall polish and quality of the game.
Your feedback will be extremely important for improving the demo quality that will be shown on Kickstarter.
We will continue sharing development updates more frequently in the future. Thank you.