This update is also only accessible by switching to our Experimental branches (instructions on how to do so here) - although please be aware they have slower load times and worse performance than normal builds due to the extra logging they contain!
Gameplay Changes:
Added two Scout UFO crash site maps for each biome.
Updated the Geoscape UI placeholder background, and generally made the colours in that area a bit more muted. With the addition of the Supoprters / Strategic Operations and the new UI that came with it, that area had become rather busy.
Added two new "tutorial" pop-notifications that explain quality of life functionality that many newer players were unaware of:
Soldier screen - added a popup explaining how to sort the various tables by header, which makes managing / recruiting soldiers much easier.
Armory screen - added a popup explaining the various QOL shortcuts in the bottom left assignment panel (e.g. RMB unassign, click-and-drag to reorder team, double-click to replace soldier)
Added a Close button to the Soldier Loadout selection pop-up on the Armory screen.
Added the final artwork for the Colossus Automed System (this now appears when the item is equipped).
We've fixed a lot of localisation issues / untranslated text over the past week, and will continue to do so in the coming few weeks. We've also gone through to fix places where the UI was breaking due to foreign languages having much longer text stirngs than the English equivalent.
Balance Changes:
Fixed an issue where Terror Site spawned from Terror UFOs that aren't shot down (as opposed to Terror Sites that spawn automatically) were significantly harder than they should be.
The AI will now always replan its actions whenever it sights a new hostile unit, which should hopefully reduce the number of aliens positioning themselves in extremely vulnerable positions.
Reduced the AI "kill" bonus for certain alien species - this represents how much weighting an enemy gives to attacking a target it believes it can kill, rather than simply scoring as many hits with its weapon as possible. Practically, this means that "smart" aliens (Wraiths, Psyons, Sectons, etc) are more likely to prioritise attacks that will actually secure kills, whereas melee-only or "dumb" aliens (Androns, Sebillians) will favour the enemies that are easiest to hit (usually the closest enemies).
Made another row of tiles at the front of the Battleship UFO exterior walkable, making the front door more accessible.
Bugfixes:
Fixed a crash that could occur if you clicked the Open Mod Folder button on the Mod Management popup when no mod existed.
Fixed a bug where an AI unit would take no further actions that turn if a reaction fire shot was fired at them during their movement.
Fixed another bug that was causing grenades to unnecessarily strike the ceiling when underground or inside buildings.
Fixed Colossus-wearing soldiers being suppressable when they were not meant to be.
Fixed the Colossus model not rendering in the tactical combat if the Automed System was equipped.
Fixed the Power Capacity tooltip (which shows the power calculation) being broken on the Base screen.
Fixed a lot of aliens displaying the wrong corpses, as I had not updated these after making the changes to alien ranks earlier in Milestone 7.
Fixed the UOO Bridge mission briefing incorrectly listing "Elliminate all hostile units" as an objective.
Fixed the Xenopedia font displaying accented character glyphs slightly differently from standard characters, making the text difficult to read in several non-English languages.
Fixed several visual issues on the Western Town Cleaner data raid maps.
Fixed a visual issue with the Endgame part 1 roofs.
Fixed several destruction issues with alien walls.