Major Patch #9

The Patch #9 is now live and features a lot of changes!! We have re-designed how the player reacts with the interactable items and searchable components of the environment. We have improved the loading times and overall performance of the game. You can find the full list of changes below.

** IMPORTANT**
In order to add some features we had to make some core changes to the game which unfortunately means that your previously saved games might not work. We have to get through these stages in order to make Westwood Shadows a good game. We apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate all your help with the game.


[h2]Fixed - Changed[/h2]
- Settings: Added "Cinematic" as the higher quality option for graphics.
- Settings: Disabled the auto-detect functionality which caused problems on some users
- Settings: "Epic" is now the default quality for graphics.
- Settings: There are now more advanced options available under graphics tab, so each player can tweak, based on computer specs.
- Gameplay: Fixed a bug that caused some cut-scenes to appear blurry
- Gameplay: The default interaction key switched from "left mouse click" to "E"
- Gameplay: Removed unnecessary drawers / closets interactions.
- Gameplay: Save/Load system has been improved to reduce significantly loading times
- Gameplay: Improved collision detection system due to unforeseen collision glitches that caused the player to fall out of map
- Gameplay: The valves from the basement puzzle now return to inventory after use.
- Gameplay: Flashlight now turns off when interacting with a keypad and turns back on at the end of the interaction
- Gameplay: Fixed a bug that allowed the player to pause the game wile loading a new game
- Puzzles: A redesign of puzzles has been implemented to improve the communication of the puzzles' goal
- UI: Player can exit from all UI panels using the ESC button.
- UI: Fixed a bug that caused the wrong subtitle to appear when using a wrong item on a lock or puzzle
- UI: Fixed a bug that caused Save Games to display incorrect time.
- Audio: Fixed a bug that caused some Sound effects and Ambient sounds to playing at the wrong volume.
- Audio: Ambient sound can now be controlled from the menu screen under Audio Settings
- Map changes: New improved overall lighting
- Map changes: Optimized lighting in certain areas of the map that lighting didn't have the desired effect.
- Map changes: Optimized mesh actors that were causing collision glitches and performance issues.
- Map changes: Optimized and added new textures quality for low, medium and high settings.
- Map changes: Optimized basement lanterns that were causing random frame drops
- Map changes: Updated steam effects

[h2]Added[/h2]
- Gameplay: There is now a completely new interaction system that helps the player identify points of interest and items.
- Gameplay: The new interaction system features an icon that will switch to the input key required to press in order to interact. This icon will reflect any changes made from the key-binding menu.
- Gameplay: A new targeting system was created based on "proximity aiming" rather than "precision aiming". Drawers closets and doors can now be interacted with a key without having to aim directly at the drawer.
- Gameplay: A new system that enables the game to load and unload certain areas was created for optimization on loading times and game performance.
- Gameplay: Created a system that gives the player the ability to inspect journal and inventory items again after pick up
- UI: Player's HUD is now updated with information every time the player picks up an item. It is now showing whether it is going to inventory or journal.


[h2]What to expect in the next patch:[/h2]
We aim to improve all user interfaces (UI) soon while working on user interactions and game performance. We are also now working on adding controller functionality and we might have it ready for the next patch.


As we are getting closer to better functionality with better performance and player interactions we will continue to listen to your feedback and improve the overall gaming experience.

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Thank you,
Eleftherios from RedSoup