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Development Status #76 + Game Update 1.0.13



[h2]Dear Tankers and Mechanics![/h2]

Welcome to our 76th Development Status.

[h2]A few words from us[/h2]

It's been just over a month since we released our game. We would like to thank you very much for your support. We appreciate your activity and suggestions, and the fact that you have placed so much trust in us. I am working hard to deliver what we promised in the published roadmap for May and June. There is still a lot ahead of us, including many ideas for campaigns, vehicles and typical 'quality of life improvements', which we are gradually implementing with each patch. We hope that we can continue to develop the game with you

[h3]Current situation[/h3]

Last week, we released one patch (version 1.0.12) and two hotfixes. We have not been able to release a major patch on fridays as we have done so far, due to the fact that we are preparing new content and improving what we find as new things appear when we add them. Additionally, we are constantly trying to optimise the game, including reducing RAM consumption by cleaning up the project, which carries the risk of unintentionally breaking something.

[h3]When release of Soviet mini campaign and new content?[/h3]



We plan to release a major patch, version 1.1.0, at the start of the Summer Sale on Steam on 26 June. As we did when the game was released, we will also be live streaming. As last time, we will be available to react and fix any issues that arise.

[h3]New content we are working on[/h3]

KV-1S



In addition to the missions, we have added a new KV-1S tank to the new campaign, and we are also trying to make a command version of this tank so that when you play the Soviets you can also have a mobile spawn point.



We have added a few visual elements to the KV-1S to make this tank slightly different from the KV-1, such as containers, toolboxes, barrels and ropes. Please note that these elements can fall off while driving and be reinstalled at the repair stage.









Opel Blitz



We have also been working on adding an Opel Blitz-type running truck. This truck will be used as a target to be destroyed in the first mission of the Soviet mini-campaign. As for driving capability, this will be possible. One suggestion is the possibility of some form of force pool editing for the selected campaign. We think this would be a great addition to the game. This would make it possible to freely configure and build force pool, including squads with specific unit vehicles. It will also open up the possibility of adding for example a Ferdinand to the game so that he can be played in another campaign where he was not originally available, if anyone wants to do so.

As a new feature, we have added selectable smoke shells when playing with Soviet tanks. Without the smoke screen, it is much harder to play against the Germans. We have also added the ability to call in air strikes with a smoke screen for both Germans and Soviets. Currently, smoke shells are only available for the Soviets; the Germans have smoke grenade launchers installed.

As for the KW-I with a 75 mm KwK 40 L/48 gun as a captured version by the Germans. The subject has not yet moved. It is simply waiting in line for its turn.

[h3]Ballistics Examination Mode[/h3]



We are working on a new tool for the game - a ballistics testing mode that would be accessible from the main menu. After many reports of erroneous armor values or strange situations in which the game does or does not allow armor to penetrate, such a tool could help visualize our current system and its shortcomings.

[h3]Tutorial - situation report[/h3]

The tutorial is still in production, we already have a design of what and when to show to teach the player the basics of the game. The whole thing is unfortunately delayed due to the need to fix current bugs and fixes that are more important.

[h3]So, whats up for today?[/h3]
In summary, today's update involves fixing bugs resulting from previous patches and implementing player suggestions. The fast pace of development has resulted in a lot of bugs and a lack of time for thorough testing and playtesting.

[h2]Changelog 1.0.13[/h2]
Below is the list of changes being made:

Added:
  • Giving orders is possible when in mid peek
  • VO for APCR, Smoke and HEAT rounds
  • Smoke Screen offmap support


Fixed:
  • StuG loader peeking
  • Smoother vehicle movement when rotating camera toward same direction + smoother reticles/crosshairs movement
  • Not spawning all vehicles when spawning in squad
  • Church and big wooden houses now correctly collapse upon hit
  • Infantry and Vehicles spawned by orders menu not being visible properly
  • Order markers not removing after squad death
  • Game freeze on timeout
  • Client calling artillery now correctly lowers the offmap count for himself
  • Custom settings correctly copy settings of unapplied presets
  • Sound for engines etc for player when peeking, using binocs and using mg on roof is now correct
  • Buying wrecks limit now is correctly synchronized so no more negative values can happen
  • Acacia tree on various terreins should not be correctly destructible
  • C1M9 navmesh fixes
  • Added navmesh obstacle to rocks and bridges on SM4 (Nechaevka mission)
  • SM3 AI navmesh should now allow better behaviour for tank AI squads
  • Pak40 can now correctly rotate to shoot
  • Offmap smoke support now correctly generates ai block vision
  • Refreshing current gear, when changing throttle mode
  • stucking during loading screen when playing online
  • Vehicle tpp camera behaviour fixes
  • Pak40 not shooting at enemies
  • vehicle physic performance tweaks
  • Fixed slow drving while peeking out or entering AI vehicle
  • Game should now correctly show the track and wheels state right upon breaking them


Modifed:
  • Changed game version from 1.0.12.2 to 1.0.13
  • Recycling any module recycles whole vehicle
  • Single Player session won't have vote time that counts down when waiting for player decision


[h2]Known issues:[/h2]
  • for those who played demo version before: black/grey screen (temp fix is to remove local files from C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\LocalLow\DeGenerals\TankSquad and launch the game to generate fresh files)
  • Currently, everything is sitting on one processor core, which means that the rest of the resources, e.g. the GPU is waiting and only for example 20% of the graphics card can be in use. So there is a lot of potential to free up, which will result in an increase in FPS, better textures because more can be allocated, etc. So in basic words - no matter what GPU you have, the better CPU the better game will have performance - This is huge thing that we need to address in upcoming updates
  • of course there is more...


Thank you and have a good weekend!
DeGenerals

Game Update 1.0.12



[h2]Dear Tankers and Mechanics![/h2]

[h3]Sitrep[/h3]
Welcome to the twelfth update of the game! Another portion of game improvements, bug fixing and general QoL improvement.

EDIT2:
We again had to rebuild the game as there was a null reference exception thrown when player was on repair scene
[h3]Hotfix Changelog 1.0.12.2[/h3]
Fixed:
  • Sound and shooting bugs with character weapons
  • Shooting sfx still playing while reloading
  • wrong animations with retreating/surrendering and suppresion fire
  • Achievement for TextBook victory has been reset and correctly assigned a condition that checks if the battle was a combat mission (not proving grounds for example)
  • Game will no longer save the game when launching proving grounds scene


EDIT1:
We had to immidiately rebuild the game as PzIIIM could not be spawned, adding it here
[h3]Hotfix Changelog 1.0.12.1[/h3]
Fixed:
  • Pz III M ability to spawn
  • Panther driver being able to peek
  • Issues related to MP40 and Luger


[h3]Changelog 1.0.12[/h3]
Below is the list of changes being made:

Added:
  • Angle of attack information about damage in kill-cam and in wreck damage browser


Fixed:
  • Panzer IV H frontal armor mesh/shape to correctly cover a 20mm slope for 80mm frontal armor (the 20mm was in front of 80mm and caused troubles)
  • Panther A frontal gearbox/inset armor split from side armor - it was only 62mm and upon penetration it caused the tank to be knocked out when in reality it didnt really do much
  • Aim prediction should now be better at predicting shots that actually deal damage to target
  • Vehicle parts pushing entire vehicle after fell off
  • Game won't create 2 save files every time it needs to save
  • Game now saves when battle ends in a win, immidiately when the battle summary menu appears (it doesnt wait for returning to repair section)
  • HE explosions now correctly treat armors
  • Enforce difficulty option now changes the interactability of other difficulty buttons in session creation menu
  • Choosing custom difficulty settings copies current difficulty preset options
  • Achievements to kill enemy units no longer work if you kill allied units
  • When battle finishes and the animation of battle summary starts the killcam UI will no longer be visible (happened when you died after battle has been won)
  • Session Creation UI now correctly copies all difficulty settings
  • Buy Wreck button interactable state is now correctly reset upon starting new battle or opening the menu again (it sometimes just did not reappear)
  • Not being able to Refill/Rearm while peeking out of vehicle
  • Being able to peek out from commander slot in KV1
  • Ribbentropp platoon battle area fix
  • StuG III G had painted balkenkreuz on textures that couldn't be changed in customization
  • T-34/76 on arcade vehicle drive data had wrong values


Modified:
  • PzBfWg VI E unit decal moved to rear of the tank (front track was covering visibility)
  • Battle Summary mission voting time moved up to not cover a voting counter
  • Spalling from penetration, APHE explosions and HEAT jet generation are now postponed untill the game checks that projectile has hit an interior compartment of the tank. Without this the game ballistics system caused issues of destroying tanks without penetrating the main armor
  • Energy from explosions required to detach non-essential parts is now lower
  • Game should now make a better choice when displaying the armor that was the main reason of penetration or damage in a tank (both in kill-cam and in wreck damage browser)


[h2]Known issues:[/h2]
  • Chinese localization is under heavy improvements currently
  • missing tutorial - bigger subject
  • Currently, everything is sitting on one processor core, which means that the rest of the resources, e.g. the GPU is waiting and only for example 20% of the graphics card can be in use. So there is a lot of potential to free up, which will result in an increase in FPS, better textures because more can be allocated, etc. So in basic words - no matter what GPU you have, the better CPU the better game will have performance - This is huge thing that we need to address in upcoming updates
  • of course there is more...


Thank you for your support, we are working. See you next time!
DeGenerals

Game Update 1.0.11



[h2]Dear Tankers and Mechanics![/h2]

[h3]Sitrep[/h3]
Welcome to the eleventh update of the game! Another portion of game improvements, bug fixing and general QoL improvement.

This week, we played the first mission of the second Soviet mini-campaign and added the KV-1S yesterday evening. We are working towards releasing a bigger update (working title 1.1.0) on 26 June, which is when the Summer Sale will start.

Regarding the tutorials, we have finalised the designs for both the battle and repair sections, and started implementing them. We would like to release them before 1.1.0. Only time will tell.



[h3]Changelog 1.0.11[/h3]
Below is the list of changes being made:

Added:
  • Added overmatch to ballistics
  • Colliders to train tracks
Fixed:
  • Issue when after exiting our tank, the tracks were not displayed
  • Missing navmesh for factory buildings on C1M4
  • Static guns have now improved positions of look from for their AI. Should balance the game
  • Fixed evacuation for KV-1 nad Stug
  • KV-1 gun mantlet won't move when shooting main gun
  • Big lag when opening the radial menu for the first time (default is press and hold middle mouse button)
  • Big lag when opening battle map
  • Added navmesh obstacle component to stones
  • Battle area not working on C1M10
  • StuG reticle was blurred at 5 FOV on 200 and 1800 m range set
  • Using custom difficulty settings should now correctly save the state and correctly apply it during battle
  • Camera for tank interior has now better clipping planes and it should not clip through armor so easily
  • Issue when despawning from a tank did not hide meshes of crewman inside, leading to bigger gpu usage
  • Vehicle entrances interaction not working when inside or outside vehicle
  • Navmesh obstacle area for buildings
  • Vehicle interactions not working properly while moving
  • Interior vehicle interactions enabled when peeking out of vehicle
Modified:
  • Changed game version from 1.0.10 to 1.0.11
  • Russian font fallback, Source Sans Pro is used as on other languages.
  • Warning Marker icon on compass and minimap is same as indicator
  • Session Creation UI right panel fits better resources names on different languages than english
  • Navmesh obstacle for buildings (from dynamic to static)
  • Both Soviet AA M1939 52K and M1939 61K have destroyed version


[h2]Known issues:[/h2]
  • Chinese localization is under heavy improvements currently
  • missing tutorial - bigger subject
  • Currently, everything is sitting on one processor core, which means that the rest of the resources, e.g. the GPU is waiting and only for example 20% of the graphics card can be in use. So there is a lot of potential to free up, which will result in an increase in FPS, better textures because more can be allocated, etc. So in basic words - no matter what GPU you have, the better CPU the better game will have performance - This is huge thing that we need to address in upcoming updates
  • of course there is more...


Thank you for your support, we are working. See you next time!
DeGenerals

Game Update 1.0.10



[h2]Dear Tankers and Mechanics![/h2]

[h3]Sitrep[/h3]
Welcome to the tenth update of the game! Following yesterday's update, we discovered that a few things had stopped working, so we began fixing them immediately. On top of that, further fixes were required, so the decision was easy. We need to rebuild and release another patch.



[h3]Changelog 1.0.10[/h3]
Below is the list of changes being made:

Fixed:
  • Quartermaster convert button now works
  • Game will no longer allow spotting during repair section (to block enemy tank 10 o clock)
  • StuG reticles scale was wrong at some distances for AP and HE
  • Disable Grass While Aiming now correctly works only when we aim through gunner or radio op sights
  • Panther A in Total Control mode now correctly displays reticle when aiming with main weapons
  • All tanks should properly display their reticles now
  • Bad body rotation while peaking out of some vehicle slots
  • Missing battle area in config for C1M8
  • Issues with aiming as crew character after peeking out using scroll button
  • Custom quality settings now correctly apply shadows settings to the game
  • Panther reticle should no longer be overriden if you man the mg and then come back to use main guns
  • Retreating units getting under player orders
  • Characters, Weapons, Vehicle shader were missing Sample State Macros turned on
Modified:
  • Changed game version from 1.0.9 to 1.0.10
  • KV-1 front glacis armor near MG nest
  • Pz III M reload time decreased from 5 to 4.8 s
  • Pz IV H reload time increased from 6 to 7.6 s
  • Pak 40 reload time decreased from 9 to 7.6 s
  • Flak 36 reload time increased from 6 to 9.6 s
  • Pz VI reload time increased from 6 to 9.6 s


[h2]Known issues:[/h2]
  • Chinese localization is under heavy improvements currently
  • missing tutorial - bigger subject
  • Currently, everything is sitting on one processor core, which means that the rest of the resources, e.g. the GPU is waiting and only for example 20% of the graphics card can be in use. So there is a lot of potential to free up, which will result in an increase in FPS, better textures because more can be allocated, etc. So in basic words - no matter what GPU you have, the better CPU the better game will have performance - This is huge thing that we need to address in upcoming updates
  • of course there is more...


Thank you for your support, we are working. See you next time!
DeGenerals

Game Update 1.0.9



[h2]Dear Tankers and Mechanics![/h2]

[h3]Sitrep[/h3]
Welcome to the ninth update for the game. We have fixed quite a few critical issues we spotted on how ballistic and tanks armor behaved during gameplay.

[h3]Ballistics[/h3]
Firstly, in the course of combat, damage was made to a seemingly insignificant piece of armour on a moving vehicle, for example. The projectile that penetrated it was blocked by the next piece of armour located immediately behind it. In turn, penetration of the smaller, less significant piece of armour generated spalling in the next frame. If the tank moved between frames, this spalling would already be inside the vehicle.



Our solution was to disable spalling for any less significant armour on all tanks. This should stabilise the ballistics system and improve optimisation, as there will be no need to calculate shrapnel trajectories.



[h3]Periscopes[/h3]


We have added new periscopes that work based on the solutions introduced in IL-2 Sturmovik. As a result, they are much simpler to render, and have much better quality.



[h3]T-70 TOP periscope / reticle[/h3]


We would like to thank RideR2, Rastmust and the other members of our Discord server community for their suggestions. We have added a new aiming crosshair based on the references gathered. The T-70 tank was fitted with a periscope called the TOP.



In the current game implementation, for this particular case of a optic/periscope the aiming reticle itself should not move. However, with the ability to change the magnification by changing the range of the field of view from 25, 15, 10 and 5, we had to create different versions of this reticle. This allows you to read and set the correct correction for distance and the selected shell without using aiming prediction at any FOV setting.

In the future, we may redesign the reticles themselves to achieve even greater realism and accuracy in the representation of different optics. Below is a presentation showing how it currently works in the game for the T-70.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3]Changelog 1.0.9[/h3]
Below is the list of changes being made:

Added:
  • New Tanks Periscopes (germans for now, soviets in next updates)
  • New reticle for TOP periscope used in T-70
Fixed:
  • minimap on SM2 Morton Defence
  • Missing battle area parts on C1M9
  • Too many battle areas enabled after starting C1M7
  • Command Tiger bought in graveyard can now be correctly manually
  • (without Mount:Barrel)
  • StuG III G vertical aiming limits were incorrect, now they are minimum 6 degress and max 17 degress
  • Invisible objects settings fix.
  • Reverting keybindings to default not being saved
  • ammo crate animations
  • main vehicle movement keybindings are no longer blocking each other when trying to set new inputs.
  • StuG III G had missing description
  • Steel Fear achievement now should work
  • M-42 barrel position now fits the shooting angle
  • PZ IVH incorrect driver/radio op hatch and interior mesh
  • C1M4 - Battle of Vasylyevka - calling in arty through battle map has now correct coords
  • Spalling generation for non-essential parts is now totally disables - this should lead to more stable ballistics simulation and optimalization upon penetration
  • KV-1 incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Tiger H1, E and Command incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Panther A incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Panzer IV H incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Panzer III M incorrect ballistics armor types
  • T-70 incorrect ballistics armor types
  • StuG III G incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Crane audio playing after leaving the crane while it moved
  • T-34-76 incorrect ballistics armor types
  • Driving not working after peeking out from vehicle
  • Engine will turn itself off when fuel runs out in vehicle
  • Zoom sound will only play for gunner and radio op aiming camera modes
Modified:
  • Changed game version from 1.0.8 to 1.0.9
  • Every periscope now uses different approach of displaying what is happening outside the tank


[h2]Known issues:[/h2]
  • Chinese localization is under heavy improvements currently
  • missing tutorial - bigger subject
  • Currently, everything is sitting on one processor core, which means that the rest of the resources, e.g. the GPU is waiting and only for example 20% of the graphics card can be in use. So there is a lot of potential to free up, which will result in an increase in FPS, better textures because more can be allocated, etc. So in basic words - no matter what GPU you have, the better CPU the better game will have performance - This is huge thing that we need to address in upcoming updates
  • of course there is more...


Thank you for your support, we are working. See you next time!
DeGenerals