Squirrelmageddon! News

I've overhauled the in-game messaging system and have been working on fixing multi-player issues.

[h3]HUD Messaging System Overhaul[/h3]
- pick up items now show details bottom left
- tutorial messages appear top center
- weapon pickup messaging updated



[h3]Other UI / Gameplay Updates[/h3]
- pickup and interact objects now sparkle (more arcade-like)
- fixed loading screen glitches
- completing a mission now unlocks squirrel hats!
- character select has new UI background on first start
- weapon level up grid / screen improvements
- character level up skill upgrade button added to overlay

[h3]Moveable Object System Updates[/h3]
- gravity checks applied to stacked objects (drop to ground)
- fixed: destructible barricade rubble gravity

[h3]MAP UPDATE: Training Gauntlet[/h3]
- EXPERIMENTAL: active video screens with linked cameras at level start viewing area
- arena tweaks / improved squirrel navigation



[h3]Other Fixes & Game Updates:[/h3]
- fixed: grenade spawn 3rd person camera when extreme view angles
- squirrel item drops now interactive pickups instead of auto pickup (easier to save for later)
- squirrel hat / mask systems added (can disable in options)

Augmented reality overlays additional cuteness upon the enemy. Woe to those who should gaze upon the the true horror of the hordes...

- added squirrel hats and masks as mission completed unlocks
- item spawned pickup radius to avoid some spawned item stacking
- orb spawn effect and sound added
- MAP: Summer Squirrels disabled volumetric fog (FPS Improved)
- MAP: Valley of the Squirrels added mushrooms and berries + fixed landscape glitches
- Multiplayer: mission complete messaging replication fixed
- Multiplayer: client replication tweaks (LAN still best way to play Squirrelmageddon! MP)
- Ultra big blue squirrel now has some horns on it's back...
- FIX: end game squirrel DNA item pickup messaging
- FIX: multiplayer destructible window replication
- FIX: multiplayer window 'squeeze' control loss fixed (squeeze disabled on MP)

"I didn't choose the dev life, the dev life chose me..."

Stay squirrely, have fun and I'll see you top-side!

NEW WEBSITE:
https://squirrelmageddongame.com/

- FIX: Squirrel Turbine map correctly mapped to SPECIAL EVENTS mission zone
- FIX: squirrel drop multiplayer spawn location de-sync: squirrel meats always spawn at kill point.
- FIX: terror squirrel multiplayer explosion location sync: explode instantly when shot
(bonus result: more tactical gameplay)
- TWEAK: enemy health bar height increased 50%
- TWEAK: randomize squirrel jump heights
- UI: game over scoreboard improved
- MAPS: more squirrel spawners!
- MAPS: orbs of delight cleanup

Still working on mission rewards / hats system - coming soon!

All the best for 2023 ! Stay squirrely!

It had to be done. Ravenous squirrels with Santa hats... Everyone's stressed out this time of year. No one has any credits. Squirrel meats are scarce... this means going top-side into the Squirreling Fields and collecting what we can to spread some Xmas cheer.

SPECIAL EVENT ACTIVE:
Xmas 2022 - 4 missions



[h2]Patch Notes[/h2]

• MAP: Squirrel Town - stuck squirrel fixes
  
• MAP: Squirrel Town Balance: Orbs of Delight removed in favor of spawned Orbs and drops.
  
• MAP: Specimen Observation Lab - stopped squirrels getting stuck in crawlspace / roof
  
• MAP: Specimen Observation Lab - added Ratatoskr statue in back research room
  
  
  
  
• SQUIRREL PHYSICS: tweaked in search of the perfect launch window
  
• SOUND: game over game sounds mix volume lowered with re-set on lobby or map load
  
• SOUND: squirrel chatter occlusion tweaks
  
• UI: game over screen dark overlay removed
  
• UI: new game over skin designed by AI
  

• UI: weapon level up is now grid instead of single column
  
• SQUIRREL BRAIN: Brethren squirrels now have more random movement around maps
  
• SKILL SYSTEM: skill level cost increase by current level
  
• TUTORIAL UPDATE: HUD based tutorial
  

SQUIRREL FACTIONS:
Some 'Deep Squirrel' experiments produced hyper intelligent species... Free from the insanity and hunger for flesh plaguing their more unfortunate cousins, they have evolved into factions of their own.



Have a squirrely Xmas!

Ratatoskr Statues now spawn quad powerup orbs automatically. This adds another dimension to high score gameplay and has been added to Squirrel Town and Autumnal Rituals mission maps.



A couple of small hotfix patches this week to address audio, squirrel climbing and stuck squirrels.



While squirrels sometimes still get stuck in places, I'm continually improving maps to minimize problem areas not noticed before.

[h2]Updates Summary[/h2]
- squirrel wall and fence climbing improved
- fixing 'stuck' squirrel areas on maps
- clearing trees on Autumnal Rituals mission map
- fix puchasable ammo on Autumnal Rituals map
- Ratatoskr statues now spawn orbs of delight (working on spawn effects / sounds)
- less roof cheese



It has come to my attention that Squirrelmageddon! may be one of the first released games openly using AI art to help tell story and set visual lore.

Before discovering AI 'art', the lore for Squirremageddon! was primarily text, with a few screenshots here and there. I had no way to convey the HORROR... after all, the in-game squirrels are adorable... so adorable... so cute... so hungry...

Some people are saying that AI Art is a passing fad, others say it's illegal to use, others like myself see it as a game changer.

After engaging with the AI Art / Art community and researching a heap, I can see how this is a highly debated subject, with some legal precedence coming soon...

I totally understand real artist's concerns, mainly around their art being used to train AI without their consent... but really, is that much different than a hyper art genius being shown art and then them using that as inspiration / basis for their own works?

I do firmly believe that if an artist can substantially recognize their own works in a commercially used AI Art image, the artist has a definite right to claim ownership and compensation.

What I have found really funny is that people making AI Art are actually calling themselves ARTISTS. I gave my 'AI Artist' a name 'Renaldo Montoya' as a JOKE... others are actually trying to sell AI ART as their artwork and calling themselves artists... that is just stupid. :P

Anyhow, will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Enjoy some spicy squirrel jerky in the meantime!

Was going to record an update video and noticed some glaring issues...

- audio fix 2 (oops pitch value wrong)
- Specimen Observation Lap map 'pit' squirrel climbing fixes
- Sanctuary map van mesh collisions changed to complex