Unturned News

Earlier this year the lower-level network data packing and messaging systems were rewritten. This update builds upon those by rewriting the gameplay-level netcode systems. All features should work the same, but with improved performance especially on the server side.

These changes unlock many possibilities for the coming updates that were previously limited by poor netcode restrictions. In particular the voice chat should perform noticeably better now. Items under active consideration are listed on the roadmap, excluding ideas without a solid plan yet:
View Unturned Roadmap

The upgrades should be backwards compatible with most server plugins, but in some cases adjustments are necessary. Thanks to many plugin developers for working with us to update their code in advance of this update!

For details about the decisions and thinking behind this rewrite consider reading the accompanying blog post:
View March 2021 Development Update

• Fixed first login with item-related quest tracked.
  

This bug broke login for both singleplayer and multiplayer, and was caused by order of initialization changes that improved login performance. Unfortunately it was not found earlier during testing because it only affected certain quests tracked in the HUD on the first login, i.e. tracking an item-related quest and then logging back in would not cause it.

• Fixed duplicating turret items when attachment changed. This was a mistake in the rewrites.
  
• Fixed missing obsolete attribute on several of the old netcode APIs.
  
• Fixed attachment request item type mismatch warning.
  
• Fixed not assigning default glasses state properly.
  

Sorry about this late-night second patch, but preventing the turret item dupe was important.

Added:

• Higher quality replacements for all of the original footstep sounds.
  

Changed:

• Server replaces steam_appid.txt before initializing Steam.
  

Fixed:

• Disable weather if duration is set to zero.
  
• Weather hash kick if weather changed during request.
  
• Snowmobile wheels in Russia tank factory.
  
• Elver radio backpack light position.
  

Most of the original footstep sounds were amateur recordings of me jumping around the neighborhood. There was not much variety and the quality was dubious, so they have all now been replaced by professional recordings. One of the noticeable areas of improvement is walking in and out of the ocean: what was previously only two clips is now separated into four depths with numerous clips each.



The work-in-progress gameplay netcode rewrites went up on the preview branch last week. At this point all of the client->server code has been upgraded, and most of the server->client code. It should be stable for release in a week or two. Highly recommended for plugin developers to take a look. Read more details here.

Added:

• Per-surface landed (i.e. stopped falling) audio.
  
• Release cursor binding for mods using the gesture/faces menu.
  

Changed:

• Rocket 4.9.3.10 OnPlayerDeath respect original ordering.
  
• Log client/server hashes on weather mismatch.
  

Fixed:

• Exception when map finished installing after destroying menu.
  
• Missing NPC vendor currency amount labels.
  

The work-in-progress set of gameplay-level netcode upgrades went up on the preview branch earlier this week. It is highly recommended for plugin developers to take a look. Read more details here.

Added:

• Bullet flyby / near-miss audio.
  
• Limit framerate and max framerate options in display settings.
  

Changed:

• Consolidated car horn audio clips.
  

Fixed:

• Object visibility quest added condition.
  
• Nightvision disabling weather fog.
  
• Disable devkit viewport outside of editor.
  
• Orientation of atomic effect on several Elver items.
  
• Check client weather asset matches server.
  

Most of the development time this week was focused on the next set of netcode improvements. They will hopefully be available on a beta branch sometime next week.

Rain and snow have been built-in for a long time, but not in a way that was customizable or extendable. There were even some old comments in the code for "todo: heavy rain storms". They have now been rebuilt in a moddable fashion so maps can customize them or add new weather events, and lightning storms on official maps are planned for a future update.



Added:

• Collision audio for bullet casings and spent shells.
  
• Full support for custom weather. Hardcoded rain and snow have been converted to custom weather.
  

Changed:

• Replace personal name when streamer mode is enabled.
  

Fixed:

• Fixed admin flag ignoring hide_admins during initial connect.
  
• Placement of kill counter on Nightraider.
  
• Z-fighting quad on log under wooden window.
  
• Buildable door snaps to end of animation on load.
  
• Asset validation checks motion vectors are enabled.