by Bod9001
Weekly Update
It's that time again where we get to share with you the most recent developments in Unitystation. We took a brief hiatus from our regular blog updates last week, mainly because our energies were channeled into enhancing the security measures in preparation for Unitystation's anticipated launch on Steam. We'll delve deeper into this exciting development in a bit.
While our primary focus has been on ensuring Unitystation is rock solid for its big Steam debut, we've still managed to pepper in some intriguing updates for our players. So, without further ado, let's unwrap this week's offerings!
Choose Your Preferred Font
Reading comfort can sometimes be a personal thing, and we're all about making Unitystation as user-friendly as possible. Thanks to the diligent work of MaxIsJoe, players can now personalize their chat experience by selecting from an array of font styles! This move comes in response to feedback from some of our players who found the default font a tad challenging to read or simply had a preference for something different. So, take a moment, explore the options, and tailor your chat to reflect your ideal reading style.
Maintrooms Balancing and Improvements
Our Maintrooms have seen quite a surge of activity recently, especially with players swiftly zeroing in on the high-value items. This fast-paced grab was becoming a little too easy, and as a result, AtnerNT has stepped in with a series of adjustments designed to enhance the gameplay experience:
- Teleporter Inhibition: No more easy getaways! Maintrooms now actively block teleporters, ensuring players can't simply vanish with the goods.
- Randomized Exits: Each time you venture into the Maintrooms, finding your way out might be a bit trickier. Exits will now vary, with five possible locations to keep you guessing.
- A New Look for Maintrooms: AtnerNT has introduced a fresh layout, featuring a range of new areas and room variations.
- Loot Rebalance: We've tuned the loot table in Maintrooms. While players can still find valuable items, we've made sure the gear doesn't skew too heavily towards the high-end.
Hopefully this will make the Maintrooms more challenging but also fun!
Monitoring with Graphy
MaxIsJoe has taken another pivotal step towards improving our game's performance. Recognizing the need for real-time client-side performance data, especially as we approach our Steam release, they've integrated Graphy into Unitystation.
This tool enables us to actively monitor performance, providing invaluable data on issues like jittery frame rates and those pesky 1% lows. With the insights gathered, we aim to rectify these glitches for a smoother gameplay experience.
Old Style Right Click Menu
MaxIsJoe has taken note of player feedback and recognized a common preference for the traditional dropdown right-click menu as opposed to the more recent radial version. Understanding the comfort and familiarity many players associate with the classic style found in SS13, MaxIsJoe reintroduced the dropdown option.
For those who prefer the nostalgic touch, you can toggle to the classic dropdown style through the options menu. While it's now available for use, we'll be continually refining and polishing its design in future updates, ensuring an optimal gameplay experience for all.
Strengthening Client Security
Bod9001 has taken significant strides in bolstering the client security of Unitystation, drawing insights from the code scanning system found in SS14's hub. The main goals of this endeavor include:
- Identifying and securing code sections that could be misused, wrapping them with robust security protocols.
- Establishing a system that not only deters harmful actions but also actively seeks the user's consent for certain operations.
With this revamp, the StationHub will be enhanced to provide an active defense against malicious code, ensuring that server owners cannot host harmful or risky code. Users will experience notifications when the game attempts to open URLs in a browser, initiate API requests to distinct domains, or transition the game to a trusted mode, such as enabling variable edits on the client end.
So, what's driving this change? This security boost is a pivotal step towards our anticipated Steam release. Our existing system hasn't accommodated Forks to operate servers with custom code. The ongoing modifications, while foundational, set the stage for a seamless Steam debut. Bod's commitment to this project is commendable, and we're eager to update you on further progress in the coming weeks.
That's a wrap for this week's update! We trust you found it insightful. Stay tuned for more next week, especially as we inch closer to resolving the last challenges with the Changelings PR. As always, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our patrons, contributors, and our incredible player community. Your support and dedication are the lifeblood of this project, and we genuinely couldn't do it without you. Until next time!