[h3]Hello, Hunters![/h3]
Only a few weeks remain until the release of the
Major Update 0.5.0, which will arrive in
the first half of March. But I can’t leave you without news this month — so it's time to bring back the long-forgotten dev diary format!
The main focus of this upcoming update is the
bandit AI overhaul. Let’s be honest — since the game’s release, enemy behavior has left much to be desired. Bandits could sometimes fail to notice the player standing right next to them or, on the contrary, act like aimbots, shooting from across the map and even through cover. It didn’t help that they all carried the same weapons with a limited loot pool and, upon death, occasionally clipped through the environment. And when it came to combat, “mobility” might be too generous of a term — they often stood rooted in place while shooting.
This will soon change. Bandits will gain access to new weapons, dividing them into different subclasses — each with its own combat behavior. Their loot pool will also become more diverse: you’ll be able to find magazines, compatible with your top tier weapons, and valuable consumables in their pouches. Their combat tactics will feel much more realistic: they’ll change positions, take cover, avoid direct fire, miss shots at long distances, run from grenades, and more. I’ll share further details in the patch notes.
Worried that the game might become too difficult, especially with the addition of the bleeding mechanic? Don’t worry! Along with the AI overhaul,
difficulty settings will also be introduced, allowing you to choose the challenge level that suits your playstyle.
But Update 0.5.0 isn’t just about the bandit overhaul. In addition to other features I’m keeping under wraps for now, the update will introduce two new key characters who were teased in the
last sneak peak. Meet:
Truffle and Kim!
[h3]Truffle[/h3]
From its earliest days, the Chernokamensk Anomaly Zone has drawn all kinds of people like a magnet. Some fled there to escape their problems, others sought adventure, and still others came hoping to make a fortune. At some point, Truffle joined this influx.
No one remembers exactly when he arrived at the hideout — his activities blended so seamlessly into the daily life of its inhabitants that it seems like he’s always been there. Yet, one person was less than thrilled by his arrival: Zakharich. The trader fiercely defended his territory and was even prepared to use certain “persuasive” measures against his competitor. But at some point, Zakharich unexpectedly backed down, and they peacefully divided their spheres of influence.
Of course, contraband goods had found their way into the Zone long before Truffle arrived. But under his watch, the supply network expanded significantly. How exactly it operates remains a mystery, though rumors suggest that the local criminal underworld, led by Kim, plays a key role. Naturally, such activity did not go unnoticed. The military soon took an interest in Truffle, yet somehow, he managed to slip through their fingers unscathed.
Despite the questions surrounding his business, everyone uses Truffle’s services — hunters, scientists, and even the military. He knows how to find common ground with anyone, maintains his composure, and never picks fights. Some of the hideout’s residents even joke that if demons could talk, Truffle would find a way to strike a deal with them too.
[h3]Kim[/h3]
Since the military eliminated the previous bandit leader, the gangs had scattered across the Zone, posing little threat. Sticking to small groups, they only dared to ambush hunters in relatively safe areas. But recently, things have changed. Bandits have been spotted deeper within the Zone, acting bolder and more ruthless — and rumor has it that they now have a new leader: someone named Kim.
Whether it's his real name or a nickname is unknown, but stories about him are already circulating throughout the Zone. Some hunters believe Kim is nothing more than a fabrication invented by the military to scare off newcomers. This theory seems plausible since bandit activity surged precisely when the influx of newcomers began. Zakharich tried to gather information about Kim through his network of informants, but the results were inconclusive.
Some sources claim Kim is a fugitive convict, while others suggest he was once a member of Torch — a reconnaissance unit formed from volunteers of the Chernokamensk special forces. The truth remains elusive: the military has no access to prison databases beyond the Zone’s borders, and Torch disappeared without a trace, with no word from its members in years.
Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: under Kim’s leadership, the once-disorganized gangs have quickly transformed into a formidable force that even the military must now take seriously.
[h3]Conclusion[/h3]
That’s all for now, Hunters — but there’s much more to come! The closed beta test for Update 0.5.0 is just around the corner, and I invite anyone interested to join our Discord server to be among the first to try it out: https://discord.gg/9t79QCHvPc .
And if you’ve yet to explore the Chernokamensk Zone, now’s the perfect time!
Until February 28, the game is available at 25% off. Plus, you can also get it as part of a bundle with
Bootstrap Island — owners of one game will receive an additional 15% discount on the other.
Don't miss the chance to expand your VR library with two of the most popular indie VR games of 2024 — at a great price!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2609610/CONVRGENCE/
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/42080/CONVRGENCE_Supporter_Edition/
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/50570/Best_of_Indie_VR_2024/
