Tank Mechanic Simulator News

[h2]Dear Mechanics,[/h2]

Welcome to our one hundred and seventh development status update.

[h3]DLC#1 Status update[/h3]
Our initial plan was to release the first DLC in Q3 of 2021. We are very sorry to push the release again for a few months. The amount of work for each new tank requires two times or three times of work that we previously had to do - mostly because we are adding more and more mechanics and features. Each new tank has to support them. The Maus tank that was released some time ago is a good example. We won't promise an exact date but expect the DLC out this year.

Now to show the progress and new features that we need to add for the DLC:

• User keys - a special set of keys assigned by a player and then recognized by tank special config - an example would be the ability to drop or mount tracks for BT-7, or drop or mount extra fuel tank on Maus
  
• Reorganisation of how the game handles profiles - each profile will have its own save files and folder for profile content, as well as allow for profile names without current bugs
  
• Sandbox mode - unlimited money and reputation but no achievements
  
• Building tanks - from the crafting menu, it will spawn a hull and turret only of a given tank
  

[h3]Churchill Mk III AVRE[/h3]
Much like Shermans with their Crab version, Churchills also had some unique variants. One in our jurisdiction is the AVRE version, boasting 290mm mortar, instead of the standard 57mm cannon.



The mortar was reloaded by the driver's assistant, by opening a sliding hatch and breaking the mortar in half, like a side-by-side shotgun, rather than loader in the turret.



[h3]BT-7[/h3]
BT-7 with mod.35 turrets were most often command tanks, with less ammo, but a more powerful radio, equipped with a transmitter, a rare commodity in Soviet armored vehicles. The 71-TK-3 radio wasn't the most sophisticated or robust but surely did its job.





[h3]PzKpfw VI Ausf. B Tiger II (H) “King Tiger”[/h3]
The Tiger II was able to use three types of ammo, two of which we are currently making the PzGr 39/43 armor-piercing and Sprgr 43 High Explosive. The former was able to penetrate 233mm of vertical armor, and 202mm of 30 degrees angled armor at 100m. Latter high explosive round was mostly used for either truck, lightly armored vehicles, or infantry emplacements.



[h3]M18 Hellcat[/h3]
M18 Hellcat is known for its tremendous speed and acceleration, and it owes it to its lightweight and powerful engine. The Wright-Continental R-975-C4 is an air-cooled, 9-cylinder radial piston engine, producing an impressive 400hp. The same type of engine was used on the early Shermans.



We are putting lots of focus into getting this engine done right. Fortunately for us, we have good references and documentation. It is much easier than making an engine or gearbox for the Maus.



[h3]Tutorial remake[/h3]
We hear complaints about incorrect tutorials, that it is too complicated and bugged. The decision has been made and we are going to remake it from scratch. There will be a special mode not integrated into the main game. Stay tuned for more info about this, also if you have suggestions - please post them here in the comment section or on our discord.

[h3]Tank Creator[/h3]
Development of the Tank Creator tool is resumed. Similar to Metal Object Creator, the tool will be shipped as UnityPackage. Currently, it supports the generation of tanks from input FBX geometry. The tank then can be spawned in-game from a contract, with elements assembly/disassembly, and Paint Room support. More info soon.



Thanks for all the support and have a good weekend.
DeGenerals

[h2]Dear Mechanics,[/h2]

we have released second hotfix for update 1.2.6 for PC and MacOS version of the game. List of changes below:

[h2]1.2.6.2 Hotfix #2[/h2]

Added:

• A check before allowing to leave to main menu or back to workshop in Pause Menu
  

Fixed:

• Maus will not appear on scrapyard
  
• Maus Radiator Cap Cover is now visible in store
  
• Panzer II Radio position
  
• Resupply menu now correctly displays more than 2 weapons
  
• Pershing now correctly handles its radiator state
  
• Pressing Interior mode key when being inside tank will not disable rendering the outside world now
  
• Tanks should now correctly check additional parts that are outside Drive modules (Engine/FuelSystem/Gearbox) when checking if the game can start that tank engine
  

Enjoy!

Thanks and have a good weekend,
DeGenerals

[h2]Dear Mechanics,[/h2]

we have released first hotfix for update 1.2.6 for PC and MacOS version of the game. List of changes below:

[h2]1.2.6.1 Hotfix #1[/h2]

Added:

• An option to toggle blinking lights on extraction markers
  
• New keys to be controlled by controller (Prone, Tank Secondary Gun)
  

Modified:

• Hull Exterior UV2 fixed on some elements to have same resolution as UV1 (camouflage scale issue)
  
• Better drone behaviour and movement
  

Fixed:

• Issue with permanent Motion Blur
  
• Maus Fan B prior elements (it had incorrect dependency config)
  
• Maus now disables alot more parts when filling fluids
  
• Entering Interior filter mode (I key by default) and sitting inside the tank correctly turns on the world around the tank (Maus right now has feature to disable the outside world when player is inside for performance)
  
• Armament menu bug when mounting a MG
  
• Issue with disappearing decals and camouflages subscribed from Steam Workshop
  
• Maus materials and animations issues
  
• MG34 and tank crew version was not visible in Maus
  

We hope this hotfix will be helpful. We look forward to your feedback!

Thanks and have a good weekend,
DeGenerals

[h2]Dear Mechanics,[/h2]

Finally, after many days of fighting with this monster, we are able to share with you the results of our work. Ladies and gentlemen - there it is, the fearsome and deadly giant - PzKpfw VIII Maus, together with the 1.2.6 update!

[h2]PzKpfw VIII Maus[/h2]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]Stream Info[/h2]
Together with update, we are firing the promised stream in which you will be able to repair Maus with us, and ask questions on chat!

For full list with changes please find attached change log below:

[h2]1.2.6[/h2]

Added:

• Tank: Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus
  
• Highlight for hammer when aiming with it, so it highlights the tank part that will be hit
  
• Options to save and use Drone Waypoint Scheme
  
• Stopping and Starting the Drone
  
• Placing marker with the Drone
  
• Framerate limit option in game menu (it helps to reduce GPU usage, requires V-Sync to be set off)
  
• New placement options (move up, move down, rotate up, rotate down) for museum collectables
  
• Paint Schemes for paint room
  
• Periscope mode when inside the tank
  
• Support for a coaxial gun and a toggle button for it (to toggle between coax MG and Gun)
  
• MG34 variant for tank (Maus only for now)
  
• Support for separate loading ammo (separation for ammo container for only propellant or projectile)
  

Modified / Tweaked:

• Reduced by 65% the sound of player falling
  
• Reduced by 50% the sound of player jumping
  
• Buying elements that are tool proof and can be only exchanged is now blocked in any other state than new
  
• Fixing elements that are tool proof and can be only exchanged is now blocked to any other state than new
  
• Connected the assembly state of a tank part to the possibility to put ammo inside that part if that part is a parent to ammo container
  

Fixed:

• Missing icon for Next option in radial menu when selecting slot for tank
  
• Sdkfz suspension
  
• Ammo now correctly dissolves when clicked instead of instantly dissapearing
  
• Ammo can now be picked up on extractions when being inside the tank
  
• Ammo is no longer shown in extraction when highlighting objects
  
• Armament Manager will correctly show only MGs for vehicles that do not have main guns
  
• Sparks for welder
  
• Positions of Torsion Bars in Stug
  
• PanzerIVG now requires Battery box assembled for the tank engine to run
  
• Stairs cannot be placed outside workshop or above canal in workshop
  
• Stairs cannot be placed when colliding with player
  
• Panzer II C wheel in Hull section is now called properly as Spare Wheel
  
• Memory Leak for Ammo models, it was not deleted when leaving scenes and kept in memory
  
• Issue with Stug being able to rotate the main gun
  
• Panzer II C localization for Water Cooling Outlet (A, B and C letters added)
  
• Little Willie Roller wheels unification of names (previously some of them were called Road Wheels)
  
• Various tanks animation issues
  
• Various tanks material issues (wrong visuals for some parts)
  
• Lighting on Warehouse scene as we now use new method to load rooms
  
• Screw visuals so they correctly keep up with the parent element state
  

Thanks for all the support and have a good weekend.
DeGenerals

[h2]Dear Mechanics,[/h2]

The long-awaited Maus is almost ready!

Make room in your workshops and get ready for that giant. It will be available together with a 1.2.6 Update in upcoming friday, 03.09.2021!



We would like to spend some time with you, so we invite you all to stream with the developers, which will also start on 3.09 at 6 PM CEST on Steam. We are going to go through Maus and answer the questions from the chat.



In addition to the Maus itself, new drone features and something special for macOS users await you.



More info and full changelog is going to be included in 1.2.6 Update post.

See you there!
DeGenerals