Update 19.0 Alpha
Hello, engineers! As I mentioned in the previous update, I am currently actively looking for a programmer and a 3D artist to expand the team and speed up development. So in this update I decided to experiment a bit with topics I previously lacked time or courage for. These topics include optimization and randomization of zombie appearances up to the point of preparing for upgrades to newer Unity engine versions. Unfortunately not all experiments succeeded, but I will definitely return to the most important ones once I find an experienced programmer. Now let’s move on to the main improvements and changes in this update:
Since the number of unique zombies is small at the moment, large groups of identical zombies were very noticeable, especially the standard zombies. As a consequence, I’ve long planned to implement an appearance-randomization system for all zombies not wearing professional uniforms, with the exception of nurses. The mechanic is implemented by randomly choosing between 3–4 color variants of clothing for most zombies. I also implemented a mechanic that outfits a certain percentage of zombies with a specific set of hats, which also come in color variants. All of this should help break up zombie monotony a bit, especially when many zombies of the same type spawn on screen.
Regular zombies.
Nurse zombies.
Fat zombies.
The second most important topic of this update is game optimization. Thanks to neural networks, I started to study various optimization directions in depth and apply this knowledge to the game. In this update I studied batching thoroughly. As a result, in some parts of locations the frame rate increased by 10–20%. I should clarify that this work does not globally optimize the game — optimizations usually take effect in places with a high concentration of objects, for example a city with a boss, farmland, or a desert location.
For quick access to saves, a button to open the saves folder was added to the load menu. This feature will be especially useful for testers or if a player encounters a serious bug and needs to send me their save files.
The Nurse zombie attack mechanic was refined: now this zombie spits a gas projectile only if the player is in the zombie’s field of view. This should prevent attacks based solely on sound, especially in situations when a zombie used to spit through a wall.
The number of zombies at the base starting location has been significantly reduced; this should make it easier for players to adapt during the first steps in the game.
[h2]CHANGELOG[/h2]
Improvements
Changes
Fixed Bugs
Plans for future updates
I want to gradually return to larger, more significant updates even though the team expansion is still in progress. One likely theme for the next update may be the appearance of animals and hunting them, as well as expanded farming and cooking.
Since the number of unique zombies is small at the moment, large groups of identical zombies were very noticeable, especially the standard zombies. As a consequence, I’ve long planned to implement an appearance-randomization system for all zombies not wearing professional uniforms, with the exception of nurses. The mechanic is implemented by randomly choosing between 3–4 color variants of clothing for most zombies. I also implemented a mechanic that outfits a certain percentage of zombies with a specific set of hats, which also come in color variants. All of this should help break up zombie monotony a bit, especially when many zombies of the same type spawn on screen.
Regular zombies.
Nurse zombies.
Fat zombies.
The second most important topic of this update is game optimization. Thanks to neural networks, I started to study various optimization directions in depth and apply this knowledge to the game. In this update I studied batching thoroughly. As a result, in some parts of locations the frame rate increased by 10–20%. I should clarify that this work does not globally optimize the game — optimizations usually take effect in places with a high concentration of objects, for example a city with a boss, farmland, or a desert location.
For quick access to saves, a button to open the saves folder was added to the load menu. This feature will be especially useful for testers or if a player encounters a serious bug and needs to send me their save files.
The Nurse zombie attack mechanic was refined: now this zombie spits a gas projectile only if the player is in the zombie’s field of view. This should prevent attacks based solely on sound, especially in situations when a zombie used to spit through a wall.
The number of zombies at the base starting location has been significantly reduced; this should make it easier for players to adapt during the first steps in the game.
[h2]CHANGELOG[/h2]
Improvements
- Implemented a system for variation of zombie appearance.
- Completed another stage of optimization.
- Refined the Nurse zombie attack.
- Significantly reduced the number of zombies at the base starting location.
- Full localization to Brazilian Portuguese.
- Added a button in the load window that opens the path to the game’s save files directly.
- The locomotive window now opens from both sides.
- The iron sink can now be installed flush against a wall.
- Increased storage capacity of car hoods, because sometimes items exceeded capacity — up to 800% of loot weight.
Changes
- Increased the firefighter-zombie’s flamethrower damage by 50%.
- The game logo no longer scales up in the main menu.
Fixed Bugs
- Fixed a bug where turbine blades changed their rotation axis on sections with steep railway slopes.
- Fixed an issue with the display of the area behind the grated window of the police station in the city.
- Fixed a bug that allowed running while sitting.
- Fixed an imbalance in the price of sofas for the train.
Plans for future updates
I want to gradually return to larger, more significant updates even though the team expansion is still in progress. One likely theme for the next update may be the appearance of animals and hunting them, as well as expanded farming and cooking.