Armaphract News

[p]Hey armaphracters[/p][p]Due to a busy Christmas break, I decided to delay 0.E by two months. 0.E is a very large update with many many changes, balance updates, and new mechanics. This is a preview of the features in the upcoming update![/p][p]Dev Build: https://aeoriii.itch.io/ironmirage[/p][p]Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/9z7qfffzBN[/p][p][/p][p]Steam page: [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][h2]OVERVIEW[/h2][p]NEW MECHANICS[/p]

• [p]SIGINT: recon system which favors light vehicles and allows for indirect detection of units[/p]
• [p]Cover system: use positioning and terrain[/p]
• [p]Ammo system and better weapon controls: switch ammo, set fire all/fire only effective weapons[/p]
• [p]Resupply: reload ordnance, ammunition, and perform medical repairs[/p]

[p]NEW CONTENT[/p]

• [p]A new mission chain to complete![/p]
• [p]The S-92 tank destroyer, with a 152 main gun[/p]
• [p]The TAL-5 family of utility trucks[/p]
• [p]The KOM light utility vehicle[/p]
• [p]Special operations infantry[/p]
• [p]Flamethrower![/p]
• [p]Resupply modules[/p]
• [p]New region/biome: refinery region[/p]

[p]IMPROVEMENTS[/p]

• [p]In-game user manual to view tutorials/controls/mechanics[/p]
• [p]Improved armory with more data: UI rework, visible stats, change callsign/color, customize ammo loadout[/p]
• [p]Night missions, optics module improvements, and NV modules[/p]
• [p]New mission selection screen, using the upcoming campaign layer as a base[/p]
• [p]Better waypoints: queue more actions like smoke, look point, etc[/p]
• [p]Unit armor/module display: better unit display at a glance, damage view[/p]
• [p]Infantry improvements[/p]

[p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Map Regions/Missions[/h2]

• [p]New mission chain and mission select[/p]
  • [p]This is just a new mission select using the visuals for the future campaign layer. [/p]
  • [p]Several new missions which will eventually be part of the main campaign.[/p]
  • [p]The legacy missions are still available.[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]The refinery region has been added, a wider and less compact area with fewer hiding places for infantry.[/p]
  • [p]More unique buildings will be added to its roster over time![/p]
  • [p]Regions will also have special gameplay effects in the future.[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Night missions reduce visual range and clarity. NV modules and advanced optics can give you an advantage in the chaos.[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Squad/Armory[/h2]

• [p]Max units are increased to 6. The bonus for bringing fewer/lighter units is increased.[/p]
• [p]Unit data tab with some customization options: rename and recolor unit ID.[/p]
• [p]Many stats are now shown on the far right, to give a better idea of what changes a module does[/p]
• [p]New character: Kana, a driver addicted to stimulants. Only one, drawing characters takes a lot of time for me.[/p]
  • [p]I’ll be trying out a simpler portrait style to cut down on the time needed for new characters![/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Units[/h2]

• [p]Special forces infantry[/p]
  • [p]They will get their own models in the future[/p]
  • [p]Equipped with SMGs and satchels and advanced recon equipment[/p]
    • [p]Not designed for fighting, these soldiers can still hold their own against drone squads but excel at tracking and detecting enemy movements while remaining concealed.[/p]
• [p]S-92: A heavy tank destroyer with a deadly, accurate 152mm cannon.[/p]
• [p][/p]
• [p]TAL-5 Trucks[/p]
  • [p]TAL-5T (transport)[/p]
  • [p]TAL-5E (supply)[/p]
• [p][/p]
• [p]The K-75A and K-75BM gets new models[/p]
• [p][/p]
• [p]Unit traits[/p]
  • [p]Some units will get specialized capabilities. So far, the K-75 models have the Blowout Panels and Quad tracked traits which reduce munition cookoff and allow for some movement even when detracked, respectively[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Weapons[/h2]

• [p]Flamethrower[/p]
  • [p]The flamethower is a new secondary weapon which is very effective against infantry but has a limited range.[/p]
  • [p]It also starts fires, which damage infantry. Vehicles can extinguish fires by running over them.[/p]
• [p][/p]
• [p]Smoke screen rocket[/p]
• [p]Other changes[/p]
  • [p].50cal is more effective against infantry and also good at suppressing unarmored units[/p]
  • [p]Ordnance in flight has UI for name and lock-on status. Now you can tell what’s flying towards you![/p]
  • [p]ATGMs are more effective[/p]
  • [p]Ammunition cookoff can also damage nearby units[/p]
  • [p]The crew will get mildly better at aiming on a single unit over time[/p]
  • [p]Some weapons require a minimum crew amount. For instance, satchels requires at least two operational crew[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Modules[/h2][p][/p]

• [p]Optics[/p]
  • [p]Optics now are differentiated (i.e. stabilized optics also provides stabilization bonus to main gun)[/p]
  • [p]panoramic optics[/p]
• [p]Night vision modules[/p]
  • [p]Some optics come with night vision capabilities. Others require night vision modules to supplement[/p]
• [p]Oversized modules such as most engines may be damaged from any side. They will also “absorb” some of the internal damage taken.[/p]
• [p]Multiple engines now have diminishing returns for turning and acceleration.[/p]
• [p]SIGINT modules (details below)[/p]

[p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]SIGINT (signals intelligence)[/h2][p][/p]

• [p]The game needs more recon options, especially some way to register possible enemies out of sight. Additionally, heavier tanks better suited for combat are always better to bring over light vehicles like the b-26, b-30, and the lighter K-50s.[/p]
• [p]Now, units with a SIGINT module can sense which direction nearby units may be. The closer/larger/denser the enemy, the stronger the signal. Two or more recon units can be used to triangulate locations better. Works better out of combat and not moving.[/p]
• [p]Heavier units have a larger signature and are easier to detect. Some units, like infantry, will be quite hard to detect. SIGINT modules can still be mounted on a heavy unit, but they will be subject to more noise and reduced range, encouraging the use of light vehicles.[/p]
• [p]In general, these modules are more of an optional bonus and not crucial or overly powerful.[/p]

[p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Unit Combat Display[/h2]

• [p]An improved display showing the condition of the unit along with module status and armor health.[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Ammo System[/h2]

• [p]Controls[/p]
  • [p]Hold TAB to open the ammo menu on any of your units. (this will also slow time).[/p]
  • [p]Aim your mouse in the direction of the ammo you’d like to load, and click to order it.[/p]
  • [p]Mouse scroll to scroll through weapons.[/p]

• [p]Armory and Crates[/p]
  • [p]Each ammo rack/storage module will have a crate capacity. You can load different crates of ammo onto a vehicle, or just fill up on one type.[/p]
    • [p]You can think of a set of loaded crates as your unit’s ammo presets.[/p]
  • [p]If you don’t care to customize ammo loadout, your maintenance crew automatically determines a loadout in the armory, prioritizing your larger caliber weapons.[/p]
  • [p]A crate for large tank ammo may hold 10 shells, whereas a crate for .50 cal ammo can hold many hundreds.[/p]
  • [p]I’m looking for feedback on caliber ammunition amounts, let me know if something feels oversupplied or undersupplied[/p]
• [p]Guns will automatically switch to next available ammo if current is empty.[/p]
• [p]New Ammo Types[/p]
  • [p]This system opens up adding more specialized ammo types in the future. This update adds the 125mm canister shot, which is extremely effective against infantry.[/p]
  • [p]Some ammo types in the future may be able to inflict special effects against units as well. For instance, the new flamethrower ammo has a higher chance of causing internal fires if it penetrates.[/p]

[p]"infantry front, canister!"[/p][p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Cookoff and instability[/h2]

• [p]In the last versions, ammo cookoffs had a chance to happen every time a high explosive module like ammo racks were hit.[/p]
• [p]The new system pivots towards an ammo instability mechanic, where damage, especially to the ammo racks, will destabilize munitions and will “cool down” over time. This happens in progressive stages:[/p]
  • [p]Normal: nothing happens[/p]
  • [p]Munitions Unstable: ammo has been hit and is at risk of cookoff with further penetrating damage.[/p]
  • [p]Munitions Critical: ammo is ignited and is at extreme risk of imminent cookoff. Even ricochets may set off an explosion. If there is a fuel leak the ammunition will cook off.[/p]
• [p]The crew will slowly control ammo instability over time. If there is an internal fire, ammo instability will quickly rise instead.[/p]
• [p]Damage control can rapidly control ammo instability.[/p]

[p]"oh shit-"[/p][p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Resupply[/h2]

• [p]New supply modules allow you to bring support units which can improve the combat effectiveness of your wounded units.[/p]
• [p]Supply units only supply in a radius, when they’re not moving and out of combat. They can supply themselves and any loaded units too[/p]
• [p]Nearby units which need repair/medical assistance will drain materials to repair/heal faster.[/p]
  • [p]Inoperable crew members (0 health) cannot be medicated.[/p]
  • [p]Medical assistance from supply units will also heal “permanent” damage which normally won’t heal on its own.[/p]
  • [p]Armor and modules not designed to be repaired in combat (such as ERA) will not recieve repairs, only modules. Status effects will also be resolved quicker while supplied.[/p]
• [p]Supply units also replenish ammo, if the have the capability for it. Ammunition for tanks and ordnance require more specialized and larger supply modules.[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Cover System[/h2]

• [p]Cover objects such as dead tanks, emplacement, and abandoned vehicles can be utilized to provide cover. Cover serves some damage mitigation, but also makes your vehicles harder to aim and hit.[/p]
• [p]Overmatching: Kinetic rounds can overpenetrate through several low armor targets such as vehicles, infantry, cover, and even buildings.[/p]
• [p][/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Infantry balance[/h2]

• [p]damage system for infantry have been reworked[/p]
• [p]Infantry are generally more stealthy across the board[/p]
• [p]Running over infantry works properly now[/p]
• [p]Infantry can also climb through most obstacles[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Controls[/h2]

• [p]More actions such as point hull, look at point, unload, smoke can be queued.[/p]
• [p]Tactical slow time: Hold space to slow down time. A less disruptive way for some players to still have time to issue orders without breaking real time flow[/p]
• [p]Double click a unit’s numkey to have the camera lock and follow them[/p]
• [p]Damage control Mechanic[/p]
  • [p]Toggle with X[/p]
  • [p]Very useful with the new ammo instability mechanic. When toggled, the crew will focus all efforts to remediating problems such as fires, critical ammo instability, infantry bleedouts, and other status effects. Also slightly improved minor module repairs.[/p]
  • [p]However, as a result the crew will not perform most standard duties that can be ordered, as well as gunnery and turret traversal. The driver will continue to operate but at a somewhat reduced capacity.[/p]
  • [p]Damage control will automatically switch off when no longer needed.[/p]
• [p]Fire weapon selection[/p]
  • [p]Toggle between Fire All Weapons and Fire Effective. Fire Effective will only utilize weapons that have a penetration chance against the target side (unless it’s the primary/only weapon), and will be on by default for vehicles. No more wasting 50 cal on another tank.[/p]
  • [p]Sometimes nonpenetrating fire is still useful, such as disabling optics and other exterior modules, and for suppression.[/p]
• [p]Fire Anyways[/p]
  • [p]'F' to fire anyways, if a unit is in a position where it can spot an enemy but does not have a clear shot. A prompt will show up when this is the case. The F stands for friendly fire[/p]

[p][/p][p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h2]Minor Things[/h2]

• [p]More commander radio chatter for actions such as smoking, ordnance, look orders, etc[/p]
• [p]Sound alert plays when one of your units are spotted by something[/p]
• [p]Enemies may occasionally target switch[/p]
• [p]The K-50A has been equipped with the new flamethrower[/p]
• [p]Fire control on the top of your display estimates unit accuracy.[/p]
• [p]several performance optimizations[/p]
• [p]Many more units and modules have improved descriptions[/p]
• [p]Status effects[/p]
  • [p]Armor spalling increases crew damage sustained[/p]
  • [p]Sensors can malfunction[/p]
• [p]probably more things I forgot[/p]

[p]--------------------------------------------------------------------------[/p][h3]Closing Thoughts[/h3]

• [p]Thank you again to everyone in the community and the feedback received! Even if it's through the anonymous form, I appreciate it a lot. If you find one of the many new bugs I lovingly added, let me know on discord or via the form so i can crush it!!![/p]

[p]This is a devlog for alpha build 0.D, which you can play for free on itch: https://aeoriii.itch.io/ironmirage.[/p][p][/p][p]I wanted to give everyone more of an insight to the changes and development of the game, and so this is a bit of longer (and hopefully more interesting) replacement to a changelog. [/p][p]TLDR, the key points:[/p]

• [p]infantry rework: they’re deadlier against tanks and more stable[/p]
• [p]AI improvements to make them more unpredictable and interesting[/p]
• [p]Ordnance changes and APS to counter them[/p]
• [p]Wheeled vehicles with different movement playstyle[/p]

[p][/p][h3]AI Improvements[/h3][p]This is the first of several planned iterations on the AI. Same as you, the AI operates in squads, where decisions are made and commands filter down to individual units. Squads can contact one another as well.[/p]

• [p]The new behaviors are based on the squad's cohesion, with future enemy squad types reacting differently.[/p]
• [p]These improvements may not be fully enabled in some of the tutorials/missions, compared to the randomized combat maps (simulator)[/p]

[p][/p][p]Flanking: Units can now split into groups to flank your attacks from multiple streets, if it’s advantageous to do so. This is more of a large-scale maneuver, so units will mostly only attempt flanks along roads.[/p]

• [p]There’s quite a bit of behind the scenes work on this, and I’m happy to hear how well it works or any issues that arise. It was surprisingly difficult to develop this capability and integrate it into the AI, and I might create a future devlog on the technical details and process.[/p]

[p]Smoke: enemies may smoke when attempting an heavy assault, or when individual units feel especially threatened.[/p][p]Threat level: Enemies now communicate detected threat levels, which feed into a squad-level decision to decide engagement behavior. Outgunned units may retreat or attempt to avoid concentrated opposition.[/p][p]Advances: Enemy squads can advance a little less predictably.[/p][p]Ordnance: Enemies now fire ordnance back at you when they feel it is advantageous to do so. This may be when your units are clumped up together, or when you try a large attack or retreat.[/p]

• [p]An audio warning has been added for incoming ordnance.[/p]

[p]This is largely still a work in progress, and these changes may not all make the enemy harder to fight, but generally make them less predicable and interesting to fight. Let me know what you think![/p][p][/p][h3]Infantry[/h3][p]There have been some major changes to how infantry work, especially in terms of weaponry and tactics. Infantry are much more deadly in close ranges with anti-tank satchels, and have the capability to strike from afar with RPGs. Infantry have been given longer frontal range in addition to their 360 degree sight. The recon squad even have thermal sights equipped. Infantry also shouldn't bump/catch the side of walls as they move.[/p]

• [p]You can hold “C” to enter infantry view, without needing to mouse over an infantry unit.[/p]
• [p]Infantry heal faster in transports and resupply from their parent[/p]
• [p]Infantry can scale/pass through obstacles that vehicles would need to push out of the way[/p]

[p][/p][p]Infantry squads have been split into the following:[/p]

• [p]A light AT fireteam[/p]
• [p]A light recon fireteam[/p]
• [p]A medium squad with AT, satchels, and a HMG[/p]
• [p]A heavy squad with many weapons (this requires a vehicle with enough space for the compartment, such as the on the B-20)[/p]

[p]The recon teams will likely come with future units such as jeeps and humvees. Their compartments are small enough that you can also put them on some of your tanks, if you can find space/make sacrifices to other capabilities.[/p][p][/p][p]Key differences in terms of infantry weaponry:[/p]

• [p]Instead of just machine guns, infantry have been given dedicated small arms.[/p]
• [p]RPGs have been added, which fire the same way as ordnance/ATGMs do on vehicles. (Press Q to enter ordnance aim, lmb to fire, rmb to cancel)[/p]
• [p]Infantry are now also equipped with anti-tank satchels which need to be thrown. These are deadly at close range but may struggle to hit fast-moving vehicles.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Mission 5 and multi-faction combat[/h3]

• [p]A fifth mission has been added, which tests multi-faction combat. In this mission, your mercenary squad has been shadowing a stranded convoy and a third party for some time, and can ambush them while both are pre-occupied with one another. Depending on how you approach this mission, the difficulty might vary quite a bit but overall should be easier than mission 4.[/p]
• [p]The third faction, supplied by the Coalition, fields designs not usually seen by factions in the imperial sphere, unlike the prior missions.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]Ordnance[/h3][p]Ordnance, especially rockets, have received some balance changes to make them less overwhelming against armor. They’re still excellent for stunning large groups of enemies though.[/p][p]Ordnance will now show the predicted hit point when you aim. The UI has also been updated to make it more clear why you can’t fire, and will prevent ordering fire if the launcher is broken or reloading.[/p][p]You can hold shift while aiming to switch to ground attack mode, where the ordnance will aim at the ground at your cursor, instead of firing straight. This is useful when attempting to hit infantry or avoid completely missing enemy units with rockets.[/p][p]Manually guided wire ATGMs, like the ARCOS-1, require the firing unit to be stationary. If this isn’t the case, the missile may lose track and go off course.[/p][p]Since the AI gets ordnance too, this makes head-on battles more dangerous. Fortunately the next point highlights a tool you have to defend against enemy ordnance.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]APS[/h3][p]The first of several active protection systems have been added, the Khora 2 APS. This one works like a trophy system, firing a explosive round when incoming ordnance has been detected. Some ordnance will explode upon hit, whereas other, more fragile ATGMs may just be annihilated.[/p]

• [p]It requires a decent track on the target (based on angle and speed), and isn’t guaranteed to hit.[/p]
• [p]It may also end up detonating a rocket closer than you’d like, which may still cause some damage.[/p]

[p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Wheeled Vehicles[/h3][p]Previously, wheeled vehicles like the truck and the B-26 APC could turn on a dime. They can still do this to some extent, as it can be a little frustrating to path them nicely all the time.[/p][p]However, they now benefit greatly from straight/lightly curved paths and can make wide turns without reducing velocity much, unlike a tank which relies on differential steering. They do better on roads, and can even sort of drift a little.[/p][p]A wheeled vehicle will have darker sections along the path which help visualize where they might need to slow down to make a tight turn.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]C1 “Greyhound” and C1V2 “Wolfhound”[/h3][p]Two new wheeled guns has been added. This is the first Coalition unit, whose units will differ quite a bit from the design philosophy of the current units, prioritizing ambushes, firepower, and speed for high risk high reward maneuvers.[/p][p]This is a glass cannon sort of vehicle, with a external stabilizer to help with firing on the move and should be kept behind your heavier units, or in an ambush/flanking role. Or you can drive it straight into the enemy formation and hope you’re fast enough. Up to you[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]B-20 APC family[/h3][p]The workhorse of every mechanized infantry division, the B-20 was designed as a cross between the MT-LB and the M113, with multiple variants to fulfill many roles. 0.D brings the B-20 with a complement of heavy infantry, the B-20 CFV, and the B-207. Future updates will add the others![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Weapons[/h3][p]A new class of physics-based weapons have been added, with the infantry satchel (on the drone assault and heavy squads) and the grenade launcher (found in the armory, and on the heavy inf squad/elite K-75BM).[/p]

• [p]The projectiles have some travel time and are extremely inaccurate if you’re on the move, or the enemy’s on the move. In the future, highly trained gunners should attempt to correct for that somewhat.[/p]
• [p]This should lay the groundwork for smoke/HE mortars and other support units in the future as well, so look forward to that.[/p]
• [p]These arcing weapons will continue to be improved, as units can't fire them over obstacles yet.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Magazine System[/p]

• [p]The grenade launcher also uses a new magazine system. This allows me to create weapons which fire several shots rapidly before needing a reload.[/p]
• [p]The C1V2 swaps out the 120mm cannon on its older C1 variant for a 3 round autoloading 105mm cannon, which rapidly fires 3 times before manual reloading.[/p]

[p]Multiple launch rocket systems are being added and tested too, with the S2 rocket pod which fires 6 light rockets in rapid succession. So far it’s not on any unit but you can find it in the armory.[/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Armory[/h3][p]The armory has had some big graphical and UI improvements, although functionally mostly the same. Modules of different types now have more pertinent stats displayed. Crew will also be unloaded from units when shifted to the motor pool, and will auto-fill when added back to the squad.[/p][p][/p][p]A minor new addition: you can rotate the camera around units in the armory now! very futuristic.[/p][p]Another one: right clicking loaded modules will fast-unequip them to storage.[/p][p]Unfortunately the song which plays in the background of the armory, “La vie en rose”, is not public domain. Thanks to Shodanon for catching this. For now, I’ve replaced with another song from that era, and I hope to have a rotating set of similar songs added soon![/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Buildings/Map[/h3]

• [p]Mouse over buildings to view its structural integrity[/p]
• [p]Buildings at risk of imminent collapse will generate a notification[/p]
• [p]Some new 2x1 building models and interiors[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]Descriptions[/h3]

• [p]Many modules and vehicles now have dedicated descriptions with some interesting tidbits of lore, this is a work in progress. Thanks to RadialPotato for helping me with these![/p]

[h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Crew[/h3]

• [p]Crews now have skills. So far, only the three “special” characters have skills,[/p]
• [p]The regular mercenaries have updated placeholders, and get a chance to have some various skills as well.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Hull Pointing[/h3][p]A much-requested feature! Just as you RMB to aim a vehicle’s turret, you can RMB+CTRL to aim their body.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Look at Point[/h3][p]Another control which veterans of doorkickers will have experience with. This has been in the game at a limited extent, but hasn’t been highlighted or shown in the controls. Useful for holding an angle.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Queue Automove[/h3][p]Hold down shift when assigning multiple automove points to chain them.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Explosive Damage[/h3][p]Explosive damage has had the following changes:[/p]

• [p]Explosive damage is now uncoupled from area of effect range.[/p]
• [p]Explosive damage increases the chance of hitting more crew at once in a unit, and if the crew is tightly packed (such as in a tank) a penetrating shot will deal much more damage.[/p]

[h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Movement[/h3][p]Engine modules are now differentiated by acceleration, torque, power, and reverse gear. I plan to expand/explain this better in the future.[/p][p]Some balancing has been done to lightly reduce turret turn rates across the board, hopefully increasing the importance of covering all angles and rewarding strikes from unexpected positions.[/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][h3]Bug fixes[/h3][p]countless bug fixes and probably other things I’ve forgotten about :. And surely some new bugs I didn’t catch :(([/p][p]It’s due to your feedback that the game can slowly become a better experience overall! A lot of the new additions/changes/improvements are from comments I received, so truly, thank you to everyone! Special thanks if you read this far.[/p][p]So what’s next?[/p][p]With the combat/armory systems in a pretty solid place, the next build should (fingers crossed) focus on progression, upgrading placeholder missions, adding more map objects, and prototyping the campaign mechanics.[/p][p]In the coming months, I’ll also be working on more mission types, more content (enemies, vehicles, weapons), and more regions/map types.[/p]