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  3. ☵ Hiraeth 0.9.8.45 @ UE 5.7 – Engine Migration, Optimizations & Creatures Return

☵ Hiraeth 0.9.8.45 @ UE 5.7 – Engine Migration, Optimizations & Creatures Return

[h2]Migration to Unreal Engine 5.7.1[/h2][p]This update moves Hiraeth to the newest version of Unreal Engine 5.7.1.[/p][p]This upgrade brings improved stability, smoother performance, and better overall consistency across systems.[/p][p]The migration was significantly more demanding than previous engine updates, but… let’s leave that part unspoken.[/p][p][/p][h2]Windows User Files – Updated Folder Structure[/h2][p]I also reorganized the game’s file structure to make it cleaner and more future‑proof.[/p][p]Previously, game files (saves, logs, configs) were stored in:  [/p][p][c]%LOCALAPPDATA%\\Hiraeth2025[/c][/p][p]Now they are stored in:  [/p][p][c]%LOCALAPPDATA%\\Hiraeth[/c][/p][p]This matters because you can manually move your old saves and settings into the new folder. Simply copy the entire Saved directory from the old location into the new one.[/p][p]This is a one‑time change, and I don’t plan to modify this structure again. Sorry for the inconvenience.[/p][p][/p][h2]DSLL Update (Nvidia)[/h2][p]The new engine version allows Hiraeth to use the latest December DSLL build from Nvidia.[/p][p]I also improved how video settings are applied — both after changing them and when loading the game.[/p][p]DSLL in Hiraeth is still in an alpha state and may require several attempts to find the best settings for your hardware. There are two reasons for this:[/p]
  • [p]Nvidia optimizes DSLL primarily for AAA titles.[/p]
  • [p]Working with DSLL is extremely time‑consuming, and I can’t dedicate as much time to it as I’d like.[/p]
[p]From my tests, the game looks noticeably better on the same settings compared to the previous DSLL version. The older build tended to oversimplify the image.[/p][p]As for performance — hard to say. Thanks to unusual project‑level optimizations in the previous update, my RTX 2060 already achieved very solid results: not EPIC settings, but stable ~60 FPS both in Training Center and the much heavier Nesoi Island (large map, ocean, and many FPS‑impacting features).[/p][p]Performance on my aging RTX 2060 using the settings shown. In other areas I can reach around 60 FPS even on EPIC (though not fully stable). Considering the technologies used in Hiraeth, this is an excellent result for this GPU.[/p][p][/p][h2]New Performance Features (Normally Unavailable in UE)[/h2][p]This update enables additional performance‑oriented features, including AVX2 support.[/p][p]AVX2 allows the CPU to process certain operations more efficiently, improving performance in systems that rely heavily on math and data processing.[/p][p][/p][h2]HLOD Update[/h2][p]Hierarchical Level of Detail (HLOD) systems have been refreshed.[/p][p]HLODs help the engine render large environments more efficiently by grouping distant objects into simplified clusters. This reduces draw calls and improves performance, especially on large maps like Nesoi.[/p][p]A perfect showcase of Hiraeth’s next‑gen HLOD system: from Athens you can see the full panorama of Nesoi Island — distant isles, stations, everything — rendered flawlessly with zero performance loss.[/p][p][/p][h2]AI Navigation Optimization[/h2][p]I updated several project‑level navigation settings to make the AI navigation system more stable and more efficient.[/p][p]This should reduce edge‑case errors and improve overall runtime performance.[/p][p][/p][h2]Creatures Return[/h2][p]With the navigation system updated, I restored creatures that were temporarily disabled in a previous version:[/p]
  • [p]Raptus[/p]
  • [p]Spider[/p]
  • [p]Slug[/p]
[p]There are now more of them, and some appear in new locations.[/p][p][/p][h2]New World‑Loading Checks for Certain Items[/h2][p]Dynamic world loading brings many challenges, and engine rules keep evolving.[/p][p]I added new checks to ensure that certain items — for example, weapons — verify whether the object beneath them is already loaded before enabling physics.[/p][p]What does this fix?[/p][p]Previously, for example, a rifle placed on Mr Gilz could occasionally fall straight through the world and end up at the bottom of the ocean.[/p][p]This new system should prevent that. It uses advanced internal checks but has zero noticeable performance cost.[/p][p]In my tests, items now stay exactly where they’re supposed to.[/p][p][/p][h2]Removal of the Starting Pistol in The Last Drop[/h2][p]You now start the game with a crowbar — if you find it.[/p][p]Players who don’t look around or experiment won’t survive long on Ahra Prime. Simple as that.[/p][p]Nesoi Island still has plenty of easily accessible weapons, but this will change in the future once I add new gameplay elements to replace that availability.[/p][p][/p][h2]Many Small but Important Fixes[/h2][p]A lot of seemingly minor adjustments have a big impact.[/p][p]For example, some lights were reconfigured to eliminate flickering — such as the previously unstable Charger Air light under certain video settings.[/p][p]There are also numerous tweaks across Nesoi Island, foliage, and various environment settings.[/p][p][/p][h2]Fixes for Overload Issues[/h2][p]After introducing stackables, several overload problems appeared — for example when moving Duct Tape and other items.[/p][p]I fixed everything I found, but the system still needs refinement. It’s new to Hiraeth, and the new engine version introduced workflow changes that I’m still adapting to.[/p][p][/p][h2]Simple WIP Head‑Bob Reduction[/h2][p]A work‑in‑progress head‑bob reduction system has been active for some time, even though I didn’t announce it earlier.[/p][p]Press \[L] to toggle between normal camera mode and reduced head‑bob mode.[/p][p]This isn’t yet visible in the keybindings menu (for now), but the key works.[/p][p]How to check?  [/p][p]Look down at your feet and press L — you’ll see the camera shift slightly.[/p][p]This is just a side effect, but it confirms the mode switched.[/p][p]In this mode, the camera also applies partial smoothing to reduce animation‑driven motion.[/p][p]I don’t use it personally, but I’ll continue improving it.[/p][p][/p][h2]Using Old Saves[/h2][p]With changes as deep as a new engine version and major system updates, starting a new game is recommended — but the choice is yours.[/p][p]As described in the previous announcement:
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Playing with old saves requires moving your files from the old folder to the new Windows User Files location.[/p][p][/p][h2]Summary[/h2][p]Beyond the changes listed above, there are many smaller improvements I’m not mentioning individually.[/p][p]Gameplay itself hasn’t changed much, but the combination of a new engine version, navigation overhaul, DSLL update, and performance features makes this a Major Update.[/p][h3]IMPORTANT[/h3][p]With so many deep changes, some issues may still slip through, even though I tested this build for many hours and it is stable. If you encounter any problems, please report them on Steam or Discord — your feedback helps me improve Hiraeth for everyone.[/p][p][/p][h3]Good luck out there, survivors. Keep your eyes open, trust your instincts, and may your journey across Ahra Prime be a long one. [/h3][p]All the best, Paweł[/p]