Hello everyone

Badiya Alpha 1.9.7 is available now and it brings with it new features, bug fixes and performance optimizations:

* First Person Perspective:

You can now play the whole game in first person as an option. You can press "C" or "L3" on the controller at any time.
This adds a new way to experience the world of Badiya.

* Ultra-Wide Screen Support:

The game now supports ultra wide resolutions with the 21:9 aspect ratio.

* Performance Optimization:

We solved several "stutters" that used to happen whenever the auto save is called as well as in POIs. The game should feel much smoother in this regard.
The game now also supports impostors for all art assets, which are 3D billboards that receive lighting and shadows and should provide a nice boost in performance.

* Bug Fixes:

We fixed several bugs related to saving/loading of items stored in chests/vehicles/camels.

* Next Step: The Horse Update

The next updat Alpha 1.9.8 is going to be the "HORSE UPDATE" which will feature a full rewritten horse riding system with features such as:

• New Horse Models, textures, breeds and optional accessories such as saddles.
• New animation set.
• Ability to jump over low obstacles while on a horse.
• Ability to aim and shoot with any weapon while on top of a horse.
• Ability to hold any item while on a horse such as torches.
• AI (civilians and enemies) will be able to ride horses as well both inside POIs (villages, tents, camps) and in the open desert as roaming convoys.
• Enemy Bandits may launch raids on the villages or bedouin camps you happen to be in, and at that point you can either flee or stay and fight with the civilians.

As always, looking forward to your feedback. let us know what you think and what you are looking for next in the world of Badiya.

Best Regards from the whole Semaphore team,
Ahmad Jadallah (@AhmadJadallah)
Director of Development
Semaphore (@SemaphoreLab)