A new update has been released for BlastZone 2! (v1.24.2.0) This update overhauls the particle system, resulting in huge performance gains when many particles are on screen. Testing shows that roughly 20-30x more particles can be shown on screen for the same performance levels of previous versions. Not only that, but performance can be improved even more through a new Particle Thread Count option. The game defaults to dedicating 2 threads to particles to ensure the best experience for Single-Core and Dual-Core CPUs, but can easily be raised up to 8 threads in the Configuration Program to take full advantage of Quad-Core or Octo-Core CPUs. Please note that the thread count cannot be changed in game. These performance gains can be tested through the “Stress Test” and “Stress Test 2” custom addon packs for those who are curious. I strongly suggest raising the particle detail level to “High” or “Very High” now, even for lower end machines.
There are a number of other bug fixes and improvements included in this update. Here are the full release notes:
- Made big improvements to the particle system -Allows for 20x-30x more particles on screen for the same performance level of previous versions -Takes much better advantage of multithreading to achieve this -Now has a more even workload between threads -Can now scale up to any amount of cpu cores (previously capped at 2 cores)
- Updated the configuration program to select the amount of threads dedicated to particles (This option is not available in game) -The minimum threads selectable is "2", which is 1 render thread and 1 update thread -Using a higher thread count keeps the 1 render thread, but splits the update workload between multiple threads
- Added a new client motion smoothing option for online multiplayer - "Interp Only" -This option fixes potential erratic object movement for poor internet connections, but introduces hitching instead -This is now the default option to accommodate the widest range of internet connection quality -Renamed the original smoothing option from "On" to "Interp/Predict" -Interp/Predict is the recommended option for mediocre and good internet connections
- Added antialiasing to all HUD meter bars
- Fixed several very rare crash scenarios from the recent multithreading updates
- Fixed occasional oversized player ships in online multiplayer
- Fixed the client player incorrectly showing a beam fire animation at the beginning of the next wave when finishing the previous wave with a beam weapon when playing online multiplayer
As always, to make sure you have the latest update, start the game and check the lower left corner of the title screen for “v1.24.2.0” or higher. Be sure to leave any feedback in the forms. Enjoy!