Gunner, HEAT, PC! News

GHPC Early Access has been updated to version 20230228.

In this regular update, we introduce several new features, adjustments, and bug fixes.

This month's work was largely devoted to several upcoming major roadmap items, which are still under development at the moment. As usual, our small team is giving it our full effort, and we'll release these features when they're ready. We appreciate your patience!

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

• Added several new missions to Eastern Hills map
  
• Rearranged missions to provide a smoother new player experience
  
• Added day/night selection to compatible Instant Action missions
  
• Added new kinetic impact effects
  
• Reworked T-72 engine audio
  
• Updated model for T-55A, including wobbly antenna and East German style fender modifications
  
• Did minor model updates on all T-72s
  
• Revised fire and smoke effects
  
• Removed instant damage log during missions (you can still see the full list of hits and penetrations in AAR mode afterward)
  
• Significantly reduced performance overhead of vehicle driving effects
  
• Added a new aircraft type to flyovers
  
• Added smoke grenades to launchers of M1 tanks (these cannot be deployed ... yet)
  
• Revised Eastern Hills terrain geometry
  
• Increased burn time on various flammable items in most vehicles
  
• Renamed vehicle change keybind for clarity
  
• Missed shots in AAR now show vehicles in their positions when the shot landed, rather than when it was fired, in order to reduce player confusion and erroneous bug reports over what appeared to be "ghost shells" passing through posed vehicles
  
• Removed permanent FPS counter from HUD
  
• Improved commander's binocular zoom and reduced aim sensitivity in that view
  
• Slightly buffed some HE frag effects
  
• Fixed a bug that caused fire not to emit from open turret rings on destroyed tanks
  
• Fixed a bug that caused ammo cookoff explosions not to show up
  
• Fixed a longstanding issue where ATGMs that had not yet armed after launch would still penetrate at full power
  
• Fixed moving targets in Grafenwoehr range moving at incredibly low speeds
  
• Fixed several mission related issues
  
• Fixed an issue that caused BTR-60 to be hard for AI crews to detect in some situations
  
• Fixed missing heat signatures on several vehicles
  
• Fixed a lighting issue on hay bales
  
• Fixed explosion debris getting stuck on vehicle
  
• Fixed a bug that caused Malyutka ATGM to be steerable while using the BMP-1 turret to aim a different weapon
  
• Fixed several sources of error spam in player log
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause a contained engine bay fire in a BMP-1 to scorch the vehicle and melt the suspension
  
• Fixed some incorrectly tagged voice lines
  
• Fixed an issue that caused Bradley commander to order ATGM when shooting at trucks, and to never order coax or HE
  
• Fixed a bug that could lead to commander override continuing to focus on a dead target
  
• Fixed a bug that could cause a funny rock to be viewable from close range
  

Thanks for playing!

GHPC Early Access has been updated to version 20221218.2.

This is a minor update, introducing small adjustments and bug fixes.

Stay tuned for much bigger developments in 2023!

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

• Added MERDC camo paint to M60 tanks
  
• Added MERDC camo paint and unit decals to M113
  
• Added luggage to M113
  
• Improved some impact and muzzle blast effects
  
• Improved fidelity of CAS plane models
  
• Adjusted aircraft engine sounds
  
• Introduced some rare additional aircraft types for flyovers
  
• Added flyovers to more missions (these cannot target you ... yet)
  
• Made campaigns slightly more difficult to steamroll
  
• Fixed mission "Recon in Force Tarantula" having a misplaced end trigger zone
  
• Fixed flames burning a bit too brightly
  
• Fixed crew voices playing in AAR mode
  
• Fixed a bug that could cause generic buttons to appear in mission lists
  
• Fixed Malyutka not disappearing from BMP-1 rail when fired
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause the BRDM-2 to shoot its own KPVT barrel
  

Thanks for playing!

GHPC Early Access has been updated to version 20221218.1.

This is a minor update, introducing small adjustments and bug fixes.

Happy holidays from all of us at Radian! We're looking forward to another great year of GHPC development.

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

• Added flavor text in campaign mission briefings to hint at the current logistics strength of each side
  
• Reduced graphics strain of rendering muzzle blasts and bore evacuation smoke, especially from gunsight view
  
• Reduced graphics strain of rendering flames
  
• Adjusted logistics penalties for losing vehicles and crew in campaign
  
• Introduced occasional "reinforcements" to partially restore logistics strength during campaign
  
• Reduced accuracy of ATGM emplacements and APC machine guns
  
• Fixed an issue that could break mission briefings during missions
  
• Fixed player view visibly starting under terrain and teleporting to starting vehicle in campaign missions
  
• Fixed music not respecting volume settings
  
• Fixed BTR-60PB wheels being impenetrable to all munitions
  
• Fixed an error that was spamming the player logs
  

Thanks for playing!

GHPC Early Access has been updated to version 20221218.

This is a regular update, introducing several new features and bug fixes.

[h2]New additions[/h2]

[h3]Visual effects[/h3]

At long last, we've implemented new fire and dust effects. Cookoffs and blast effects are now significantly more realistic and have improved lighting. Our artists used real world references and modern fluid sim techniques to create the new systems, and we're proud of how they've turned out! As with everything else in the game during early access, we will be adding to and iterating on these effects in the future.

We have also improved the fire and scorching on vehicles that were missing it, as well as implementing vehicle suspension failure due to extended fires. In combination with the new fire effects, this should make vehicle destruction and its aftermath a bit more more visually engaging overall.

[h3]New content[/h3]

Filling in the APC slot in the East German forces, the SPW-60PB makes its debut in this release. This is the local designation of the Soviet BTR-60PB, an 8-wheeled troop carrier that forms the backbone of Pact mechanized forces. The BTR has been added to a few missions for now, but expect it to make plenty of appearances in the future, especially when infantry are added!

Not content with just adding a vehicle, we also introduced six new Instant Action missions: five on the Point Alpha map, and one on an all-new map: "Eastern Hills". Expect more missions and campaign content on this map in the future!

[h3]Quality of life improvements[/h3]

A major focus in this update was adding features to make the gameplay experience smoother. The primary improvements are:

• Briefings accessible during missions (default key: J)
  
• Objective tracking system during missions
  
• Unit switching menu (replaces "next unit" function on Tab key)
  
• Better filters for AAR shots
  
• Reorganized mission lists in Instant Action
  

We know many of you have been asking about ways to keep better track of what the mission goals are and what's going on, and these new features should make a big difference in that regard.

For a full list of changes, see the list below!

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

• Completely overhauled flame and dust effects (WIP, more to come!)
  
• Added new vehicle: SPW-60PB (East German designation of BTR-60PB)
  
• Added a new map: "Eastern Hills"
  
• Added 6 new instant action missions
  
• Added mission briefing during missions (default key: J)
  
• Added an objective tracking system to most missions (visible in briefing pop-up and whenever an objective updates)
  
• Added a unit switch menu that shows the current selection and all available units to choose from
  
• Added scorching and better flammables implementation to BRDM-2, M113, and cargo trucks
  
• Added scorching to visible crew members
  
• Added music in AAR mode after win or loss
  
• Added options for "Player shots only" and "Exclude fire support" in AAR, enabled by default
  
• Removed non-functional "Damaging hits only" option from AAR
  
• Reworked campaign vehicle selection to take into account the logistical health of the faction: heavy equipment and personnel losses will reduce availability of first line units until strength recovers
  
• Added chronological limitations for some vehicles appearing in campaigns
  
• Made NATO equipment losses in campaign have a larger logistics effect
  
• Added a rare contingency for late-game Pact forces in case of severe logistics issues
  
• Added a rare WIP item in some missions
  
• Added category spacers to instant action mission list and reorganized list
  
• Added antennas/aerials to most Pact vehicles
  
• Reworked the map "Fulda Outskirts" for performance and stability
  
• Reworked the in-game navigation map for "Fulda Outskirts" for readability
  
• Improved AI responsiveness to friendly units being blown up
  
• Improved AI communication of threats to fellow platoon members
  
• Improved AI handling of missed waypoints
  
• Vehicle decals can now burn off
  
• Axles, springs, and torsion bars can now melt and fail during a prolonged vehicle fire, causing the vehicle to gradually collapse on its wheels
  
• Changed NATO tank markings to black (some buff colored background paint not present yet)
  
• Fixed an issue where AI would turn around and expose rear armor instead of driving in reverse (they may still make this mistake if they can't see an enemy and wish to turn around)
  
• Fixed an issue where the M60A3 TTS would have perfectly crisp WFOV thermals on 1080p or lower screen resolutions
  
• Fixed an issue where AI waypoint path debug could sometimes display in game
  
• Fixed an issue where player vehicle could be taken over by AI driving during mission
  
• Fixed issues with UI scaling on some screen resolutions
  
• Fixed missing commander crew member in BRDM-2
  
• Fixed BRDM-2 engine eating shots in situations where it should not have
  
• Fixed an issue where M60 series tanks could have their gun breech X-ray model rotate out of place
  
• Fixed an issue where certain gunsight elements would draw over top of the navigation map and block mouse inputs
  
• Fixed dirt piles and certain other props not interacting with wheels or projectiles
  
• Fixed an issue where Spoiling Attack Wolverine could be won and lost at the same time
  
• Fixed a game breaking issue where the HE scale on the T-55A gunsight read "0F" instead of "OF"
  

Thanks for playing!

GHPC Early Access has been updated to version 20221030.

This is a regular update, featuring several new features and bug fixes.

[h2]New additions[/h2]

Just in time for Halloween, we've made a major change to night missions. Now, both the player and the AI forces will have the ability to call for illumination rounds to light up an area of the battlefield! Targets in the illuminated area become more visible to non-thermal optics, based on the amount of light reaching their position, until the illumination source is extinguished. Pact forces are now able to significantly close the detection gap after dark.

In keeping with the night vision theme, thermal optics are now realistically low in resolution for the first time ever! NATO players will notice that targets at long range appear blobby and unclear, making the day sight a far more attractive option for target identification. Some small flavor details, such as scan lines, are also present to spice up the visuals.

Thermal optics aren't the only ones affected in this update, though. Now all optics in vehicles are visibly affected by vibration and shake! The severity of this effect depends on the optic's stabilization quality and how fast the vehicle is moving. Some, like the main sight (GPS) on the Abrams tank, are barely affected even at high speeds. Others, like the optics of the M60 series, are so violently affected that it's not advisable to use them at all while on the move.

Speaking of vibration and shake, free look views are now affected by nearby explosions or concussion. Driving through an artillery barrage will produce severe disruption, and smaller events like large guns going off nearby will produce some kick as well. This is a small change but should make the immersion a little stronger.

For Pact armor fans, a notable change in this update is the introduction of the "gill armor" variant of the T-72M tank. This was an early attempt at making the T-72 more resistant to chemical energy (CE) threats, such as HEAT rounds, from frontal arc angles where the side of the hull was slightly visible. The armor panels attached to the sponsons are able to detonate CE warheads before they reach the actual hull armor, creating an air gap for the penetrator jet to cross. While not a guarantee of protection, this does affect the jet enough to allow the hull armor to save the tank in ideal conditions.

For a full list of changes, see the list below!

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

• Added T-72M "gill armor" variant with fold-out armor panels to enhance CE protection at the edges of the frontal arc
  
• Added scanlines and lower resolution to thermal optics
  
• Added scanline animation when refreshing thermal optics for a different zoom level
  
• Added illumination flares (can be called from map view)
  
• Added illumination flare influence to AI target spotting
  
• Added head shake in exterior camera views
  
• Added explosion kick to head shake for close range (affected by explosion size)
  
• Added shake to gun sight reticles when driving (affected by optics construction and stabilization)
  
• Added vibration blur to optics views
  
• Added concussion blur for projectiles penetrating crew compartment and nearby explosions
  
• Added backup gunner periscope to T-72 variants
  
• Added destructibility to T-72 main gun sight
  
• Added missile blast shield to BMP-1 gun sight during Malyutka launch
  
• Added distance falloff effects to weapon sounds
  
• Added M60A1 RISE (Passive) to campaigns
  
• Improved audio stability
  
• Changed TOW tripod thermal optics to early red type
  
• Corrected zoom level of TOW tripod day sight
  
• Removed non-working bloom slider
  
• Removed developer controls for changing time of day
  
• Fixed error in campaign template "Company Attack Seal" that would break the game
  
• Fixed BMP-1 convoy number lamp having missing deactivated texture and displaying wrong digits of vehicle number
  
• Fixed BRDM-2 missing number decals
  
• Fixed HEAT jet calculations to make them properly degrade over air gaps
  
• Fixed blur in optics having a different scale on different screen resolutions
  
• Fixed M60A1 lamp controls not appearing in Q menu
  
• Fixed vegetation LOD slider not working properly
  
• Fixed label on WIP model for Leopard 1A1A2 in Grafenwoehr range
  

Thanks for playing!