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LIVE: Holiday Event and Nightclub Arena. AI Update Next Week!

[p]Hey everyone, happy early holidays![/p][p][/p][p]You asked 'December update when?!' every single day, and we took it personally. We ramped up our work to answer this holy question and today, we are happy to announce the brand new Nightclub Arena and Holidays Update![/p][p][/p][p]However, you left out one small detail in your question - we'll address it later in this post.[/p][p][/p][h3]♠️ Introducing: Nightclub Arena ♠️[/h3][p][/p][p]A brand new, multi-leveled Arena is here - Nightclub Arena.
[/p][p][/p][p]With the launch of Nightclub, we continue confidently reshaping both the geometry and narrative of Hard Bullet. [/p][p][/p][p]This is a multi-level Arena, split into zones of interest and packed with interactive objects. It continues the new design approach we first introduced with the Harbor Arena.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Jump in today and live the action like never before, and watch out for the threats.[/p][h3]
☃️ Holiday Event☃️[/h3][p]
We’ll need to prepare for the winter holidays properly — and of course, it all starts with decorating the traditional festive tree!
[/p][p]But there’s a catch: the decorations won’t come easily. You’ll have to earn them from new magical enemies, angry snowmen! ☃️ These guys will appear during RIDE mode, and hitting them will unlock decorations that turn into weapon skins or player outfit pieces.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Angry Snowmen can appear all over the game, but only kills in RIDE mode count to gather points.[/p][p][/p][h3]🔵New Weapon - the Lucky 7🔵[/h3][p]
This December, we decided to focus on shotguns. We’re introducing a brand-new mag-fed shotgun, along with updates to two classic models: the grandfather of automatic shotguns, Sisu, and the hunter’s trusted companion, Cayuga 37.
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[p] ⚠️ ACCESS: Right-click HARD BULLET in your Steam library, then select ‘Properties’. In the new window, select ‘Betas’ and choose there “Public Beta”. The new game version will start downloading immediately.

📢 FEEDBACK: Please leave any feedback in the “#beta_test” channel in our Discord where you can participate in voting and other community activities or use Steam Discussions.
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[/p][h2]🔴AI Update coming December 25🔴[/h2][p]
Remember when we told you that your question was missing one small detail? Yeah, it's not December Update - it should have been Updates.[/p][p]
The first part of the AI update is coming on December 25
and gives us a solid foundation for expanding enemy behavior and animations in the future.[/p][p]
This flexible system will already allow us, in the nearest update, to add new states such as rifle butt attacks, retreating behavior, distance management, player detection in City Mode, and also small but important hit reaction animations that make enemies feel more realistic.[/p][h3]
🌇 Upcoming City Mode Beta with Roguelike Elements 🌇
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In the upcoming City Mode Beta, we’re planning to test how our new City Mode works — zone progression, mission flow, and of course, random encounters on the criminal streets of the city.[/p][p]
And this is where the Club plays a very important role. Thanks to its new geometry and complex architecture, it becomes part of a more story-driven experience — with missions and a familiar, classic single-player flow from the start of the level to its final goal.[/p][h3]
🛠️Other Improvements🛠️
[/h3][p]The file structure has been fully reworked to improve synchronization across platforms. This not only allowed us to return to a smaller game size but to reduce it even further than before — the new size is 14 GB.[/p][h3]
⭐ Wrapping up 2025 ⭐
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It’s been an incredible year for us, and we’re deeply grateful to our audience and the store for all the support. We hope the updates coming this year and next will let us give something back and show just how much we appreciate you.[/p][p]
Wishing everyone happy holidays! ❄️ ☃️[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Check out our Socials and have a chat with us! Twitter Discord Instagram Mods [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

☃️Get 20% OFF on Hard Bullet!❄️

[p]It's almost the festive season! And it wouldn't be the ideal festive season without some Hard Bullet action.. ❄️[/p][p][/p][p]☃️We are participating in the Steam Winter Sale!❄️[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Hard Bullet is 20% OFF between December 18 - January 5, don't miss this deal!
[/h3][p]It's the perfect time to jump into the action as we keep working on the new updates, including a story-driven City Mode, AI rework & improvements, new Arenas, new weapons and skins, and even more exciting stuff we are working behind the scenes!

Also December update is almost upon us, keep your eyes peeled! 👀

Here is a quick teaser for you:[/p][p][/p][p]Join us today! 🔥[/p][p]
Check out our Socials and have a chat with us! Twitter Discord Instagram Mods [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

Open Beta: Graphics Update, New Weapon Skins & Updated Weapon Models

[p]Hey everyone,

A brand new Beta update is here - bringing a new graphics update, new weapon skins, updated weapon models, and some bug fixes! Thank you for all the feedback, we really appreciate it, keep'em coming!

We are almost done with the Beta updates, which means the December update most likely will be the final one, and we'll shift to the retail version!

Patch notes are below, enjoy!
[/p][h3]🌆Graphics Update[/h3]
  • [p]Restored all arenas to their original quality, except for the new Harbor Arena — it will take a bit more time to update.[/p]
  • [p]Improved explosion effects for a more dynamic look.[/p]
  • [p]Enhanced overall VFX quality.[/p]
  • [p]Added LOD settings to Graphics options (requires arena reload to apply).[/p]
[p][/p][h3]🔃Updated Weapon Models[/h3]
  • [p]Shotguns: Shredder and Wicked[/p]
  • [p]Pistol: G17[/p]
[p][/p][h3]🆕New Weapon Skins[/h3]
  • [p]Big Iron – new skin added[/p]
  • [p]Gretta T9 – new skin added[/p]
  • [p]Wicked – 2 new skins[/p]
  • [p]Striker — 2 new skins[/p]
  • [p]Shredder – 4 new skins[/p]
  • [p]Updated Rusty Skin for Tommy — now looks truly rusty.[/p]
[p]
[/p][h3]🛠️Other Updates[/h3]
  • [p]Some players had issues with Backstreets Arena not loading - this is fixed![/p]
  • [p]Tweaked blood dispersion speed on bodies.[/p]
  • [p]Adjusted bullet hole sizes to better reflect different calibres.[/p]
[p][/p]
[p] ⚠️ ACCESS: Right-click HARD BULLET in your Steam library, then select ‘Properties’. In the new window, select ‘Betas’ and choose there “Public Beta”. The new game version will start downloading immediately.

📢 FEEDBACK: Please leave any feedback in the “#beta_test” channel in our Discord where you can participate in voting and other community activities or use Steam Discussions.
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[p][/p][h3]🗓️Latest News on AI Update [/h3][p]
Last month, we announced the AI improvement update for November, as you can also see on the whiteboard in the game. While we are happy with how it turned out for the first part, we have learned from our previous important updates, and we feel like there is still room for improvement.

It's a huge rework considering all the AI systems, animations, and little details - we want to get it right. [/p][p]
After careful consideration, we now expect the first part of the AI update in December. We know that you are really excited for this one, and we want this update to live up to your hype! [/p][p]
Thanks a lot, and we'll see you soon!


Check out our Socials and have a chat with us! Twitter Discord Instagram Mods
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Open Beta: Hotfix Update

[p]Hey everyone,[/p][p][/p][p]A new update on the Open Beta Branch is here, bringing back the lovely skulls & bones - also getting rid of the annoying FPS lock (not sure how it got there in the first place). Overall, the game should feel much faster right now![/p][p][/p][h3]📜Patch Notes[/h3]
  • [p]FPS Lock issue has been resolved, game should feel much faster even though you are surrounded with 10 enemies.[/p]
  • [p]The issue affecting the skulls and bones of enemies has been fixed. Skeletons are back![/p]
[p][/p][p]We are also working on the other bugs you have reported, such as VFX & LOD issues, and many others.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you all so much for the feedback. Please let us know if you try the performance changes. 🤝[/p][p] [/p][p]Check out our Socials and keep yourself in the loop![/p][p] Twitter Discord Instagram TikTok Mods [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

Open Beta: A Much Faster Hard Bullet & Halloween Update

[h2]🛠️Open Beta: What's Next for Hard Bullet?[/h2][p]
Hey everyone!

Today we’re launching the Open Beta on PC! This build brings together the latest updates — including reworked gun models, seasonal events, and several features we previously released on the standalone version.

It still carries some legacy solutions from standalone development, and PC-specific optimizations can be pushed further. Because of this, we won’t move it to the main Steam branch just yet. As developers who’ve been building PC VR since 2015, we want to make sure it meets the standard PC players deserve before going fully live.

That said, this will become the main version that future updates are built upon — so it makes sense to switch over now. Inside the game, you’ll also find a roadmap of upcoming content updates planned for this version.

As with everything we do, this is an ongoing development process — and a unique chance to see how the new optimized version evolves from beta into a full-featured PC release.
[/p][hr][/hr][h3]A Much Faster Hard Bullet[/h3][p]
This Open Beta of Hard Bullet is a huge leap forward compared to the old builds. Our programmers reworked almost every system that used to slow the game down.
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  • [p]Bot deformations and physics: Optimized to run smoother, with fewer performance spikes.[/p]
  • [p]Blood effects & bot spawning: No longer bottlenecks, allowing bigger and more intense firefights.[/p]
  • [p]Shaders and level geometry: Refined for better visuals without killing performance.[/p]
  • [p]Physics simulation: Still the heaviest system, but now much more efficient.[/p]
  • [p]On PC, performance can be up to 1.5–2x faster, depending on your settings and hardware configuration.[/p]
[p]
This optimization not only makes the game run better
— it also gives us a strong foundation to keep adding new content and pushing the limits of what Hard Bullet can do.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]
Halloween Update: Mob Hunt
[/h3][p][/p][p]Open Beta also includes our new Halloween Update with reworked gun models and a brand new event to win new cosmetics: Mob Hunt!
[/p][p][/p][p]
This Halloween Update brings new challenges — you’ll need to pull off a few “jobs” to earn enough coins.

Grab early-20th-century weapons and fight your way through three different killhouses, each more twisted than the last. Don’t forget to visit the classic shooting range, where little Tommy is waiting for you!
[/p][p]By completing challenges, you’ll earn points to unlock:[/p]
  • [p]A gangster’s fedora for your character[/p]
  • [p]A stylish three-piece suit[/p]
  • [p]Gentleman’s white gloves[/p]
[p]
And for your arsenal — art-deco skins for the 1911, Sawed-Off, and Tommy Gun![/p][p][/p][h3]New Arena: Harbor[/h3][p][/p][p]Harbor is finally here! We’re introducing a new level design approach for larger, more diverse locations! Harbor features distinct narrative zones and even a hidden area to uncover.[/p][p][/p][h3]How to Opt-In?
[/h3]
[p] ⚠️ ACCESS: Right-click HARD BULLET in your Steam library, then select ‘Properties’. In the new window, select ‘Betas’ and choose there “Public Beta”. The new game version will start downloading immediately.

📢 FEEDBACK: Please leave any feedback in the “#beta_test” channel in our Discord where you can participate in voting and other community activities or use Steam Discussions.
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Feedback and Suggestions[/h2][p]
Please leave any feedback in the “#beta_test” channel in our Discord where you can participate in voting and other community activities, or use Steam Discussions.


[/p][p]Check out our Socials and keep yourself in the loop![/p][p] Twitter Discord Instagram TikTok Mods [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]