DEVLOG 013: Breaking the Meat Cage
[h2]Hello, Mercenaries![/h2]
The first phase of Beta testing has wrapped up, and the second phase we announced a couple of months ago is now nearing its end. It’s time to sum things up and tell you all about the content coming in the next major game update — Patch 0.9.
And it’s going to be a big one: augmentations, implants, new locations, a combat log, weapons, and much, much, much more!
[h2]Augmentations & Implants[/h2]
Augmentations are robotic devices that can be installed into different parts of the body to change their functionality. It’s time to break the limits of your meat cage: augmentations let you replace an arm with a machine gun or a drill, install a leg that gives you more AP or makes you harder to knock back, or swap in a head that boosts your vision.
Implants are a natural extension of the augmentation system, offering a slightly different function. They can be slotted into various body parts to give additional bonuses — from increased armor and faster reload times to increasing your melee damage by the amount of current pain.
As with augmentations, it's not all upside: both augmentations and implants come with drawbacks. Bonuses stop working if the body part is wounded! Repairs also require special items. Installation happens aboard the Magnum, in a new menu accessible via the Operators Management screen.
This system had been delayed several times and even became one of the main reasons the patch release was postponed. We tested it heavily in the Beta branch and gathered tons of feedback to make sure the new tools feel powerful and interesting—while still having clear trade-offs. The system has grown significantly but ended up being an exciting expansion of character customization.
[h2]New Locations: Jupiter and Surroundings[/h2]
We’re continuing to expand the operational zone of PMC Magnum. In this update, you’ll be able to visit five new celestial bodies: Jupiter, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
The update includes 27 new stations and three new location sets-like the snow-covered terrain of Europa or the coniferous tundra of Callisto. Unique biome-specific bramfaturas aren't ready yet, but we’ll get back to them later.
[h2]Combat Log[/h2]
“Where did that hit come from?”
Now you can find out. We’ve added a text-based combat log in the lower left corner of the screen, which tells you exactly who did what, from where, with what, and how hard it hit. More tactical clarity = better decisions.
[h2]Controller Support[/h2]
Controller support is getting a major overhaul. We’ve reworked a lot under the hood and hope it now feels much smoother and more accessible to a wider group of players. Your feedback is more important than ever — controller support will continue to evolve.
Also, a treat for the true old-school crowd: we’re adding more improvements to let you play Quasimorph using only the keyboard, no mouse needed.
[h2]Numerous Balance Changes[/h2]
[h2]When’s the Patch?[/h2]
Right now, we’re planning to push it to the main branch late next week. The exact date will be announced alongside the final patch notes at the end of the week, but you can tentatively expect it around April 11.
Huge thanks to everyone who shared feedback during Beta testing. Magnum will not forget your suffering. We’ll be back very soon with new tests and updates!
But for now, as always:
Happy hunting, mercenaries!
The first phase of Beta testing has wrapped up, and the second phase we announced a couple of months ago is now nearing its end. It’s time to sum things up and tell you all about the content coming in the next major game update — Patch 0.9.
And it’s going to be a big one: augmentations, implants, new locations, a combat log, weapons, and much, much, much more!
[h2]Augmentations & Implants[/h2]
Augmentations are robotic devices that can be installed into different parts of the body to change their functionality. It’s time to break the limits of your meat cage: augmentations let you replace an arm with a machine gun or a drill, install a leg that gives you more AP or makes you harder to knock back, or swap in a head that boosts your vision.
Implants are a natural extension of the augmentation system, offering a slightly different function. They can be slotted into various body parts to give additional bonuses — from increased armor and faster reload times to increasing your melee damage by the amount of current pain.
As with augmentations, it's not all upside: both augmentations and implants come with drawbacks. Bonuses stop working if the body part is wounded! Repairs also require special items. Installation happens aboard the Magnum, in a new menu accessible via the Operators Management screen.
This system had been delayed several times and even became one of the main reasons the patch release was postponed. We tested it heavily in the Beta branch and gathered tons of feedback to make sure the new tools feel powerful and interesting—while still having clear trade-offs. The system has grown significantly but ended up being an exciting expansion of character customization.
[h2]New Locations: Jupiter and Surroundings[/h2]
We’re continuing to expand the operational zone of PMC Magnum. In this update, you’ll be able to visit five new celestial bodies: Jupiter, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
The update includes 27 new stations and three new location sets-like the snow-covered terrain of Europa or the coniferous tundra of Callisto. Unique biome-specific bramfaturas aren't ready yet, but we’ll get back to them later.
[h2]Combat Log[/h2]
“Where did that hit come from?”
Now you can find out. We’ve added a text-based combat log in the lower left corner of the screen, which tells you exactly who did what, from where, with what, and how hard it hit. More tactical clarity = better decisions.
[h2]Controller Support[/h2]
Controller support is getting a major overhaul. We’ve reworked a lot under the hood and hope it now feels much smoother and more accessible to a wider group of players. Your feedback is more important than ever — controller support will continue to evolve.
Also, a treat for the true old-school crowd: we’re adding more improvements to let you play Quasimorph using only the keyboard, no mouse needed.
[h2]Numerous Balance Changes[/h2]
- As always, we’re tweaking and tuning the balance based on your feedback and new ideas that emerge during development. This time, we focused on:
- Faction profiling for specific damage types and resistances. You should now have more meaningful tactical choices when prepping to assault certain factions.
- Scientists, professors, VIPs, and assassination targets now have access to higher-tier tech compared to standard units. Solid gear for solid gentlemen!
- Reworked Line of Sight and Targeting algorithms. You should no longer experience the frustrating “they see me but I can’t see them” moments (fingers crossed).
- Adjusted mission difficulty balance:
- Easy missions give fewer reward points.
- Hard missions are now slightly shorter.
- Escort missions now give more reward points.
- Enemy count in Defense and Control waves has been increased.
- Easy missions give fewer reward points.
[h2]When’s the Patch?[/h2]
Right now, we’re planning to push it to the main branch late next week. The exact date will be announced alongside the final patch notes at the end of the week, but you can tentatively expect it around April 11.
Huge thanks to everyone who shared feedback during Beta testing. Magnum will not forget your suffering. We’ll be back very soon with new tests and updates!
But for now, as always:
Happy hunting, mercenaries!