Desolate News

Hello, Volunteers,

Thanks to your feedback, we’ve found and fixed several in-game bugs in Desolate:

• Fixed a bug where the player would lose control during melee fight in cooperative play;
  
• Fixed a bug where the user would end up in the safe zone instead of the location where they had saved before after loading in the cooperative game;
  
• Fixed several bugs that caused the game to crash or fail to launch;
  

We will continue to work on Desolate and update the game. If you have witnessed an in-game bug, please let us know about it on Discord: https://discord.gg/bgq5JxZA

Volunteers,

After the major Desolate update, we found a problem with connectivity in co-op games. We released a small patch that fixed this problem.

However, if you continue to have trouble connecting in co-op games - let us know about this in the comments below this text or write to us in our Discord: https://discord.gg/KHzf4cF8

Hello, Volunteers!

We bring you the big Desolate update! New combat system, new animations, improved enemy reactions, redesigned character appearances, and a lighting upgrade that will give you up to +20 FPS performance boost depending on your PC.

[h2]New Combat System[/h2]



You've given us a lot of feedback on what could be improved in Desolate. In particular, you talked about how melee in the game could get better. You asked, and we delivered! Meet the new combat system in Desolate.

New Kicks



Now, in addition to the usual attacks in the game, kicking appeared. By pressing the F key, you can kick your opponent and push him away from you. This way you can get time to choose a new attack strategy or to run away.

Counterattacks

Previously, Desolate had the ability to block attacks. After your feedback, we decided to add the ability not only to block them, but also to parry! Clicking the left mouse button right after a successful block will now damage your opponent and briefly stun them.

Combo Attacks, Accuracy and Animations



As we promised, Desolate is getting new combo attacks! Thanks to them, melee became more dynamic and diverse, and you can deal more damage. There are two combo attacks:

• Combo attack #1: Normal attack (left mouse button) + normal attack + kick (F key). The opponent will receive increased damage and will be thrown away at a further distance than from the normal kick.
  
• Combo attack #2: Block (right mouse button) + kick + normal attack. The scope of the final attack will become larger, which you can understand by the special animation of the camera!
  

We've also added accuracy to your punches, so they don't go through enemy models. Plus, as you may have already noticed, there are new camera effects in close combat. This will add dynamic, cinematic effect to your battles.

Reaction of Opponents in Battle

In addition to the new mechanics, we have significantly improved the reactions of enemies to blows. Humanoid NPCs now have separate new animations in response to being hit. But that's not all! Blood effects on cutting weapons - are no longer an explosion of black liquid, but a directed spray of blood.

It is important to understand if your hit connected during combat. Everytime your attack hits, you'll know by the way camera reacts and slight weapon jamming.

[h2]Updated Lighting and FPS Boost [/h2]

We redesigned the lighting in the open world and in some rooms. The light has become natural, and the performance of Desolate improved as well - on different configurations the FPS increase is from +1-5 to +20.

We will continue to improve lighting and FPS stability in Desolate throughout the year.



[h2]Appearance Options[/h2]

Now you can play Desolate with a style. We have thoroughly improved the facial models available for selection, as well as redesigned the appearances of hairstyles and beards.



[h2]What's Next [/h2]

Thank you for the feedback you give! It helps us make Desolate better. We will continue to improve the game further - now we plan to work on the game's balance, improve the open world and it's main questline and further the improvements of the NPC AI.

We hope you enjoy this big update and give us even more feedback and support. If it wasn't for you, it wouldn't be here!

Don't forget to subscribe to our Discord, where you can find company to play together, as well as chat with developers from Nearga: https://discord.gg/wYpBfgDD

Hello Volunteers! Today we invite you to test the new Desolate combat system before the big free update launches.

[h2]Beta test: combo attacks, new punches and AI[/h2]

The purpose of the beta test is to test the combat system before it arrives in the next big update. To put it simply, you should just have a good fight with the madmen, using any melee weapon available and more, because now you can kick them too!

Testing takes place in two locations: in a special space in the open world (with boundaries for movement) and in the Desolate prologue, which you can fully complete.

Important - backup your autosaves! Please note that the beta test may overwrite your autosaves - normal saves will not be affected. However, we advise you to make a backup copy of your saves and move them to another folder just in case.

[h3]A list of updates you can try and test:[/h3]

• Kicking. Now you can kick your opponent and thus either knock him away from you or break his block.
  
• Combo attacks. Click twice on the normal attack button (Left mouse button) and then immediately click on the kick (F button) - the opponent will receive increased damage and will be thrown away at a greater distance. Or you can start the attack with a kick and then click the left mouse button - the normal attack becomes stronger. Combo attacks only work if you have a melee weapon in your hand!
  
• Counterattacks. You can now repel attacks. To do this, press the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously.
  
• New hit animations. Pay attention to the camera sway during fights, and how enemy models react to a blow, especially when falling down. We've added more physics to their movements and reactions to blows.
  
• AI. We're working on the group intelligence of enemies. In this build, they don't just pounce on you in droves, but act tactically. While one is attacking you, the other is sidestepping or waiting for the right moment to do the most damage.
  

Anyone can participate in the beta testing of the new combat system from May 27 to 31.

[h2]How to participate in the beta test[/h2]

Important - backup your autosaves! Please note that the beta test may overwrite your autosaves - normal saves will not be affected. However, we advise you to make a backup copy of your saves and move them to another folder just in case.

1. You need to have a purchased copy of Desolate in your Steam library.
   
2. Go to your Steam library in your profile, find Desolate, right-click on it, and click "Properties.
   
3. Select the "Beta Tests" tab.
   
4. In the empty field for beta access codes, enter the key: combatbetatest
   
5. Close the "Properties" window and wait for the game to update
   
6. Turn on the game after it has been updated. Play Prologue or a new game - there will be a special test location with different weapons and enemies.
   

[h3]How to return the game from beta mode to the classic build:
[/h3]

1. Go to your Steam library in your profile, find Desolate, right-click on it and click "Properties".
   
2. Select the "Beta Tests" tab.
   
3. Click on the Beta Tests tab and select no beta there
   
4. Wait for Steam to update the game to its normal state
   

[h2]Feedback [/h2]
You can write your feedback in the comments below this news or on the Desolate Discord server: https://discord.gg/KHzf4cF8

Thanks for your help, volunteers!

Hello, Volunteers! Nearga Studios here. Today we will talk (and show) about Desolate improvements in the upcoming free update.

[h2]Combat system: combos, new punches, animations, accuracy[/h2]

For the last three months our team has been working on melee combat in Desolate, and we can finally share the results. One of the things you can now do is kick your opponents. This will help you push your enemy away to escape or get a breather. Check it out!



Combos are coming to Desolate. Left-clicking is our thing, but if you add kicks to that, you'll get a truly irresistible series of attacks! You'll even get a solid damage booster at the end of the combo.



We're also working on improving animations and character movements. They will become more natural and flexible, and the time between melee hits will be reduced. This should make fights a lot more comfortable.



After reading your feedback, we decided to redesign the melee weapon hitbox system. Now hitting an opponent is counted along the entire length of an object, so the hits will be more accurate and realistic. See what it looks like before improvements and after.



[h2]Illumination and reflections [/h2]

Desolate is an atmospheric game and we decided to improve the quality of lights, shadows and reflections of objects. Don't worry, the system requirements won't get higher - we are also thoroughly working on optimization of all the things we update. Check out the beautiful screenshots with the upcoming visual updates!



[h2]What's next [/h2]

These are just some of the upgrades that will be delivered in the next free Desolate update. Right now we're working on optimizing the main quests, creating new customization options, and improving AI.

We'll tell you more about that in the future devlogs! The update release date announcement is coming soon as well.

Stay tuned, volunteers!
And follow us on Discord: https://discord.gg/AVfvuzj