Deltazone News

Deltazone Update 0.4.0 – New Character Models & Art Direction

[p]We wanted to share a look at one of the major changes coming with Deltazone 0.4.0.[/p][p]As part of the ongoing rewrite of the game, 0.4.0 will also introduce the new direction for Deltazone’s character models and overall art style. The image below shows the style we are now building toward for the project.[/p][p][/p][p]This change is part of a bigger effort to improve the game visually and give Deltazone a stronger identity moving forward. While previous versions helped lay the groundwork, this new update is focused on pushing the game in a cleaner and more polished direction.[/p][h3]What this means for 0.4.0[/h3]

[p]New character models[/p]
[p]Updated visual direction[/p]
[p]A more defined art style for the game going forward[/p]
[p]A stronger foundation for future content and polish[/p]

[p]The goal is to make Deltazone feel more consistent both visually and in gameplay as development continues. Update 0.4.0 is not just another patch, it is a major step forward for the project.[/p][p]More from the rewrite will be shown over time, including progress on gameplay systems, animations, and other updated content.[/p][p]Thank you for following development and supporting Deltazone.[/p][p][/p]

Stay in the loop:

[p][/p][p] As always, don't miss any information about Deltazone and Extynct Studios : [/p]

[p] Glen from Extynct Studios [/p]

Deltazone Weekly Dev Report

[p]Week of: March 4, 2026[/p][p]Version / Milestone: 0.4.0 (Full Rewrite)[/p][p][/p][h3]Summary[/h3][p]Deltazone 0.4.0 is now a full rewrite. After testing and prototyping multiple approaches, the older codebase proved too limiting and messy to build on, so it’s being replaced.[/p][p][/p][h3]Art Style Update (New Direction)[/h3][p]We’re shifting away from the old low-poly look and moving to a stylized realism / semi-realistic PBR style. Characters and gear will use mid-poly models with clean, readable shapes, and most surface detail will come from PBR materials (normal/roughness/metalness) rather than heavy geometry. Expect a more grounded tactical shooter vibe with stronger material definition (fabric vs armor vs metal), consistent lighting/readability, and team identity driven primarily through color blocking (Alpha/Bravo) and controlled accent details.[/p][p][/p][h3]Completed This Week[/h3]

[p]Rewrite Decision[/p]
- [p]Committed to restarting 0.4.0 as a clean rewrite after realizing the old code was holding progress back.[/p]
[p]Networking / Core[/p]
- [p]Players are synced properly and can run around in-game.[/p]
[p]Animation / Combat Presentation[/p]
- [p]Implemented animation support for:[/p]
  - [p]Look up/down while holding the gun[/p]
  - [p]Ready and Lowered weapon states[/p]
  - [p]Shooting[/p]
- [p]Added a full range of additional animations (shown in the screenshot), with more planned later.[/p]
[p]Game Rules[/p]
- [p]Gamemode and teams are working.[/p]

[h3]In Progress[/h3]

[p]Expanding/adding more animations over time (beyond what’s currently implemented/shown).[/p]

[h3]Not Started / On Hold[/h3]

[p]Bots: Not implemented yet. More will be shown once bot work begins.[/p]

[h3]Known Issues / Risks[/h3]

[p]Rewrite scope can expand quickly; focus will be needed to keep 0.4.0 milestones tight.[/p]

[h3]Next Week Goals[/h3]

[p]Continue building the rewrite foundation (systems + gameplay loop).[/p]
[p]Begin early bot implementation work (or prep the framework for it), then share progress once presentable.[/p]

[h3]Media[/h3]

[p]Screenshot: full range of additional animations[/p]

[p][/p]

[p]Screenshot: Preview of the character and new art direction[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p]

Stay in the loop:

[p][/p][p] As always, don't miss any information about Deltazone and Extynct Studios : [/p]

[p] Glen from Extynct Studios [/p]

0.4.0 progress Update

[p]We're excited to share all the incredible features and improvements coming soon. [/p][p]Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect in this major update: [/p][p][/p]

Major Features:

[p]Weapon & Animation System Overhaul: Enhanced weapon handling, animations, and visual effects for more immersive gameplay. [/p]
[p]Map Overhaul: Complete redesign of all existing maps to align perfectly with the updated gameplay mechanics and aesthetics. [/p]
[p]Expanded Achievement System: At least 50 unique achievements to challenge and reward players.[/p]
[p]Enhanced AI: Improved bot behavior with crouching, melee attacks, grenade use, abilities, realistic running and jumping, strategic strafing, and adaptive hiding. [/p]
[p]Full Controller Support: Comprehensive controller compatibility for seamless gameplay. [/p]
[p]More TBA[/p]

[p][/p]

Maps:

[p][/p]

[p]Shardline Depot[/p]
[p]Crosswind Checkpoint[/p]
[p]Redwater Refinery[/p]
[p]Kestrel Yard[/p]
[p]Hollow Mall[/p]
[p]Clinic 12[/p]
[p]Cinder Metro[/p]
[p]Ashcourt[/p]
[p]Signal Breaker[/p]
[p]Bunker Grid[/p]
[p]Triad Plaza[/p]
[p]Foundry Ring[/p]
[p]Ridge Relay[/p]
[p]Gravewave Port[/p]
[p]Sunken Airfield[/p]
[p]UECS Bastion

[/p]

GameModes:

[p][/p][h2]Core:[/h2]

[p]Team Death Match[/p]
[p]Death Match[/p]
[p]Domination[/p]
[p]Hardpoint[/p]

[p]Kill Confirmed[/p]

[h2]
DLC:[/h2]

[p]Search & Destroy[/p]
[p]Headquarters[/p]
[p]Control[/p]
[p]CTF Classic[/p]
[p]Uplink[/p]

[h2]
Core Party:[/h2]

[p]Gun Game[/p]
[p]One in the Chamber[/p]

[h2]
DLC Party:[/h2]

[p]Team Tactical[/p]
[p]Bounty[/p]

[p][/p]

Changes to DLC:

[p][/p][p]- Deltazone - Customization Pack #1: Price Changed to $0.99 USD[/p][p]- Deltazone - Upgrade Pack: Price Changed to $0.99 USD[/p][p]- Deltazone - Gamemode Pack #1: Price Changed to $0.99 USD[/p][p]- Deltazone - Map Pack #1: Price Changed to $0.99 USD and Maps will be overhauled aswell[/p]

[p]Harbor Exchange[/p]
[p]Glasshouse Row[/p]
[p]Severance Dam[/p]
[p]Night Market[/p]
[p]Highrise Evac[/p]
[p]Substation 9[/p]
[p]Tarmac Customs[/p]
[p]Quarry Town[/p]
[p]Pipeline Mile[/p]
[p]Cold Front[/p]
[p]Civic Lockdown[/p]
[p]Wreckrunner[/p]

[p][/p]

Stay in the loop:

[p][/p][p] As always, don't miss any information about Deltazone and Extynct Studios : [/p]

[p] Glen from Extynct Studios [/p]

From Deltazone to Gearbound: Odyssey – what I learned, and what’s next

[p]Hey everyone,[/p][p]I want to be open about something: Deltazone never became the game I wanted it to be.
It was a big learning project for me – from code to art to networking – and while parts of it were fun, it fell short of my own standards in almost every area.[/p][p]Out of everything I learned building Deltazone came a new project that already feels like a much stronger, more focused game:[/p][h3]Introducing Gearbound: Odyssey[/h3][p]Gearbound: Odyssey is my next title – a single-player sci-fi action adventure starring Ember, a rookie space cadet on her first real deployment off-world.[/p][p]Instead of arenas and experimental systems, Gearbound is built around:[/p]

[p]Tighter, more responsive combat – melee and ranged with a lot more weight and feedback[/p]
[p]Better movement and level flow – environments designed for traversal, not just “places to shoot”[/p]
[p]Stronger art direction – stylized planets full of strange flora, machines, and ruins[/p]
[p]A clearer identity – you are Ember, with a signature weapon and story, not just a generic operator[/p]

[p]You’re exploring full planets, not “zones” or contract loops. Each location is crafted to feel like a place with history, secrets, and its own problems, not just a combat box.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]What makes Gearbound feel better than Deltazone?[/h3][p]While working on Gearbound I’ve been fixing the things that always bothered me in Deltazone:[/p]

[p]Cleaner, more stable systems under the hood[/p]
[p]More consistent visuals and style[/p]
[p]A stronger sense of progression and purpose[/p]
[p]A main character with personality and a signature weapon instead of a blank slate[/p]

[p]In short: Gearbound: Odyssey already feels like the game Deltazone was trying to be, but never reached.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]How you can support Gearbound[/h3][p]If you’re reading this on the Deltazone Steam page and you want to support where things are heading next:[/p]

[p]Search for “Gearbound: Odyssey” on Steam and add it to your Wishlist.[/p]

[p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Wishlists make a huge difference for visibility and help me justify putting more time, content, and polish into Gearbound and any future projects.[/p][p]You can also join the Extynct Studios community if you want to follow development more closely, give feedback, or eventually help test.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]Thank you[/h3][p]Even if Deltazone was, in my eyes, a failed attempt, it would not have taught me nearly as much without the people who played it, broke it, and gave feedback on it.[/p][p]If you’re here because of Deltazone: thank you for your time and patience.
I hope you’ll give Gearbound: Odyssey a look – it’s built on all those hard lessons, and I’m already far more proud of where it’s heading.[/p][p][/p]

Stay in the loop:

[p][/p][p] As always, don't miss any information about Deltazone and Extynct Studios : [/p]

[p] Glen from Extynct Studios [/p]

Update 0.4.0 is in progress!

[p]Version 0.4.0 is officially in progress! We're excited to share all the incredible features and improvements coming soon. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect in this major update:

[/p]

Major Features:

[p]
- Complete UX/UI Redesign: Experience an all-new, intuitive, and visually appealing user interface. [/p][p]- Networking Overhaul: Improved multiplayer performance, stability, and responsiveness.[/p][p]- Weapon & Animation System Overhaul: Enhanced weapon handling, animations, and visual effects for more immersive gameplay. [/p][p]- Map Overhaul: Complete redesign of all existing maps to align perfectly with the updated gameplay mechanics and aesthetics. [/p][p]- New Credit System: Earn between 500-1000 credits every 3-4 matches to purchase exclusive skins and cosmetics. Credits can also be purchased directly via Steam, starting at 500 credits for $4.99. More details coming soon! [/p][p]- In-Game Shop: Dedicated shop to browse and purchase various skins and cosmetic items details forthcoming.[/p][p]- Expanded Achievement System: At least 50 unique achievements to challenge and reward players.[/p][p]- Enhanced AI: Improved bot behavior with crouching, melee attacks, grenade use, abilities, realistic running and jumping, strategic strafing, and adaptive hiding. [/p][p]- Full Controller Support: Comprehensive controller compatibility for seamless gameplay. [/p][p]- Advanced Level Editor: Powerful tools for collaborative level creation and editing with friends. [/p][p][/p]

Maps:

[p][/p][p]- Training Grounds[/p][p]- Cargo[/p][p]- Carrier[/p][p]- Camp Delta[/p][p]- Harbor[/p][p]- Warehouse[/p][p]- Railway[/p][p]- Nexus[/p][p]- More TBA[/p][p][/p]

Changes to DLC:

[p][/p][p]- Deltazone - Customization Pack #1: Will give you Similar Gear.[/p][p]- Deltazone - Upgrade Pack: Will be Vaulted and you will automatically get 3700-DZ[/p][p]- Deltazone - Gamemode Pack #1: Will be getting a Overhaul and the GameModes will be [/p]

[p]Kill Confirmed[/p]
[p]LastTeamStanding[/p]
[p]DropZone[/p]
[p]More TBA[/p]

[p][/p][p]- Deltazone - Map Pack #1: Will also be getting a Overhaul[/p]

[p]Carrier[/p]
[p]Nexus[/p]
[p]More TBA[/p]

[p][/p][p]- Deltazone - Legacy Pack: You might have noticed this DLC in your Library, If you do not see it you did not play the game before the original Deltazone V2 announcement was released. You get another additional 3700-DZ for being a loyal player.[/p]

[p]3700-DZ[/p]

[p][/p]

Coming Later:

[p]
- Story Mode: A dedicated story mode planned post-launch. [/p][p]- Zombies Mode: Round Based Zombies.[/p][p]- Co-op Story: The Story Mode but with Multiplayer.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

Stay in the loop:

[p][/p][p] As always, don't miss any information about Deltazone and Extynct Studios : [/p]

[p] Glen from Extynct Studios [/p]