Cepheus Protocol News

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[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
This developer podcast dives into the latest playtest of the revamped horde mode map and systems. Efron kicks things off with an update on Alcatraz, highlighting UV mapping progress, set dressing, and a versatile new procedural stairway tool in Blender. As the map nears completion, attention shifts to a major breakthrough: a reimagined gate system designed to finally fix long-standing pathfinding and unit navigation issues. Michael shares animation polish work and new operator features, including terrain-aware leg IK and an overhauled Glock model. Gameplay balance gets a brutal makeover: enemies are deadlier, damage types are in full effect, and the days of cheesing spitters with sandbags and barbed wire are over. Blowup enemies now deal serious structural damage, forcing players to rethink defensive strategies. The core of the episode is a live co-op playtest stress-testing these changes. The infected’s new verticality—climbing walls and ambushing from rooftops—introduces chaos, as players scramble to defend choke points and adapt to smarter AI. Developers analyze player behavior and discuss AI roles: spitters as snipers, blowup guys as siege units, and the concept of fallback defenses. The session is packed with emergent moments, exploit discoveries, and bug fixes in real-time. New features like color-coded operator lights and upcoming systems like grenade throwing and an ability system are teased. The Q&A wraps with community questions on single-player balancing, dynamic difficulty, night vision, and player-requested features like automated flare towers and synchronized music via in-game speakers. This episode shows a project in flux—refining, breaking, and rebuilding its systems in front of a live audience. It's messy, insightful, and a testament to iterative design under fire.

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[/p][h2]🎮 Community Playtest Recap[/h2][p]
https://youtu.be/ahmHYRXNI1E

We ran a 3-hour public playtest last week, packed with chaos and feedback! Curious about what we’re working on and where we're headed?

📘 Read about our Development Phases & Current Goals

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🕔 When: June 7, 2025 – 7 PM EST (New Time!) 📺 Where to Watch:
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• [p] YouTube Livestream
  [/p]
• [p] Discord Server
  [/p]
• [p] Steam Page
  [/p]

[p]
[/p][h3]💬 Topics We'll Cover:[/h3]

• [p] Co-op Progress
  [/p]
• [p] Total Revamp based on Community Feedback
  [/p]
• [p] Level Design Updates
  [/p]

[p]
🎤 Don’t miss our Live Q&A! We’ll be answering questions from the community during the stream.

[/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][h2]📺 Missed a Stream? No Worries![/h2]

• [p] YouTube VOD Playlist
  [/p]
• [p] Spotify Podcast Archive (VODs may take 24 hours to appear)
  [/p]

[p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][h2]🔭 What’s Coming Next?[/h2][p]
This is just a shortlist of goals currently in motion—be sure to watch the last CERC HQ for a more detailed breakdown.

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• [p] Finalize Operator Ability System
  [/p]
• [p] Expand Playable Classes
  [/p]
• [p] Visual UI Polish
  [/p]
• [p] Prepare for Phase 2: Airstrikes, Doctrines, Vehicles
  [/p]

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[/p][hr][/hr][p]
Stay Frosty,
— The Cepheus Protocol Dev Team
[/p]

https://youtu.be/wc0VUzM_7-Q

In this milestone-packed update, we celebrate a huge breakthrough: fully player-driven co-op sessions—no dev hand-holding needed! With structured feedback flowing in from our new Discord channel and active testers, we’ve entered a new phase of real-time iteration.

[h3]🔧 Highlights from the Latest CERC HQ[/h3]

• Seamless level transitions
  
• Player role color assignments
  
• Strobe ID team awareness system
  
• Full-screen tactical maps
  
• Horde AI replication improvements
  
• Reworked operator possession
  
• New gate and turret mechanics
  

Despite bugs like jittery spawns and overpowered blow-up units, the most recent playtest was our most fun, stable, and intense yet. RTS players and operators coordinated live for a true taste of what's to come.

[hr][/hr]

[h2]🎮 Community Playtest Recap[/h2]

https://youtu.be/ahmHYRXNI1E

We ran a 3-hour public playtest last week, packed with chaos and feedback! Curious about what we’re working on and where we're headed?

📘 Read about our Development Phases & Current Goals

[hr][/hr]



🕔 When: May 24, 2025 – 7 PM EST (New Time!)
📺 Where to Watch:

• YouTube Livestream
  
• Discord Server
  
• Steam Page
  

[h3]💬 Topics We'll Cover:[/h3]

• Co-op Progress
  
• Total Revamp based on Community Feedback
  
• Level Design Updates
  

🎤 Don’t miss our Live Q&A! We’ll be answering questions from the community during the stream.

[hr][/hr]

[h2]📺 Missed a Stream? No Worries![/h2]

• YouTube VOD Playlist
  
• Spotify Podcast Archive (VODs may take 24 hours to appear)
  

[hr][/hr]

[h2]🔭 What’s Coming Next?[/h2]

This is just a shortlist of goals currently in motion—be sure to watch the last CERC HQ for a more detailed breakdown.

• Finalize Operator Ability System
  
• Expand Playable Classes
  
• Visual UI Polish
  
• Prepare for Phase 2: Airstrikes, Doctrines, Vehicles
  

[hr][/hr]

Stay Frosty,
— The Cepheus Protocol Dev Team

[h2]Recap from last CERC HQ's[/h2]

This episode dives deep into the latest playtest for the upcoming co-op rebuild, focusing on mechanical overhauls, balance tuning, and the roadmap to Phase Two. The team discusses recent improvements in playtest stability, including crash reductions and operator weapon balancing, especially recoil refinements that radically improve gameplay feel. Michael explains the legacy baggage around attachment systems and how those issues are being resolved.

They also unpack how AI behavior is evolving—from better flanking logic to adaptive pathing—and how small tweaks have made the Horde mode more brutal and immersive. There’s a detailed walkthrough of Trello bug tracking, ongoing development priorities, and the strategy for phasing in legacy systems while keeping gameplay fresh.

Additionally, the crew discusses future map scaling, design choices for objective revamps, modular asset creation, and vertical slice strategies that preview Phase Two content like vehicles and helicopters. Players are encouraged to provide feedback during playtests, with the team emphasizing responsiveness and transparency through Discord and Patreon.

https://youtu.be/xqHVhSajXEo

[h2]🎙️ Topics for the CERC HQ (Podcast) [/h2]

• Coop Progress
  
• Total Revamp Progress based on community feedback
  
• Level Design Progress
  

🕔 When: May 17, 2025 7 PM EST (New Time) 📺 Where to Watch:

• YouTube Livestream
  
• Discord Server
  
• The Cepheus Protocol Steam Page
  

📺 If you Miss it :

• YouTube Livestream VOD
  
• Spotify Podcast VOD (They can take up to 24 hours to appear after the Stream ends)
  

[h2]📣 What to Expect[/h2]
During the livestream, we’ll:

• Recap this week of progress
  
• Answer your questions during a live Q&A session with the development team.
  

Your participation and feedback are key to shaping the future of Cepheus Protocol, and we’re eager to share our progress with you.

[h2]🔍 Next Steps[/h2]

With these initial refinements underway, we’re continuing to build on your feedback and enhance every aspect of the game. Stay tuned for further updates as we move forward together.

Stay Frosty,
The Cepheus Protocol Team

[h2]🎙️ Coop Play test on DIscord Tonight[/h2]

We will be having a Public Coop Playtest for a few hours tonight at 7 PM EST.
https://discord.gg/FwPqx339?event=1370380656663728149


Here's a playthrough of our last Playtest from Monday. We will be discussing progress since then briefly tonight for the next playtest and more in depth Saturday.

[h2]Recap from last 2 CERC HQ's[/h2]

In this unscripted, bug-squashing marathon, the dev team pulls back the curtain on the gritty process of real-time game development. With the game’s building system under scrutiny and multiplayer scaling pushed to its limits, they dive deep into player feedback, crash logs, and moment-to-moment patchwork during chaotic co-op sessions. From latency challenges for international players to implementing client-side prediction and UI refinements, the team dissects what’s working and what’s breaking in their live builds. Discussions include future plans for dynamic operator customization, a squad-based UI system, RTS-operator synergy, and possible logistics mechanics. Expect raw insights, honest tech hurdles, and lots of improv fixes as development meets reality—live on mic.

https://youtu.be/Dm0fXev0c8M

In this special episode, the team dives deep into the first hands-on multiplayer test of the upcoming co-op mode. After a long wait, the crew finally explores dynamic gameplay systems that fuse RTS and operator-based action. They walk through the Alcatraz test map, reliving a moment that brought an Australian dev to tears and explaining how synchronized command and combat are taking shape. Real-time debugging, crash recoveries, and hilarious friendly-fire incidents are all part of the chaos. Listeners get an inside look at the new formation AI, operator customization via console commands, the dynamic build system, and the long-term vision for pandemic scenarios and tactical squad play. Amid laughter, crashes, and teamwork, the episode showcases how much has evolved—and how much still needs to be fixed—before full co-op hits the public.

https://youtu.be/mAFwqfXiPAE

[h2]🎙️ Topics for the CERC HQ (Podcast) [/h2]

• Coop Progress
  
• Total Revamp Progress based on community feedback
  
• Level Design Progress
  

🕔 When: May 10, 2025 7 PM EST (New Time) 📺 Where to Watch:

• YouTube Livestream
  
• Discord Server
  
• The Cepheus Protocol Steam Page
  

📺 If you Miss it :

• YouTube Livestream VOD
  
• Spotify Podcast VOD (They can take up to 24 hours to appear after the Stream ends)
  

[h2]📣 What to Expect[/h2]
During the livestream, we’ll:

• Recap this week of progress
  
• Answer your questions during a live Q&A session with the development team.
  

Your participation and feedback are key to shaping the future of Cepheus Protocol, and we’re eager to share our progress with you.

[h2]🔍 Next Steps[/h2]

With these initial refinements underway, we’re continuing to build on your feedback and enhance every aspect of the game. Stay tuned for further updates as we move forward together.

Stay Frosty,
The Cepheus Protocol Team

[h2]🎙️ Coop Play test on DIscord Tonight[/h2]

We will be having a Public Coop Playtest for a few hours tonight at 7 PM EST.
https://discord.gg/FwPqx339?event=1370380656663728149


Here's a playthrough of our last Playtest from Monday. We will be discussing progress since then briefly tonight for the next playtest and more in depth Saturday.

[h2]Recap from last 2 CERC HQ's[/h2]

In this unscripted, bug-squashing marathon, the dev team pulls back the curtain on the gritty process of real-time game development. With the game’s building system under scrutiny and multiplayer scaling pushed to its limits, they dive deep into player feedback, crash logs, and moment-to-moment patchwork during chaotic co-op sessions. From latency challenges for international players to implementing client-side prediction and UI refinements, the team dissects what’s working and what’s breaking in their live builds. Discussions include future plans for dynamic operator customization, a squad-based UI system, RTS-operator synergy, and possible logistics mechanics. Expect raw insights, honest tech hurdles, and lots of improv fixes as development meets reality—live on mic.

https://youtu.be/Dm0fXev0c8M

In this special episode, the team dives deep into the first hands-on multiplayer test of the upcoming co-op mode. After a long wait, the crew finally explores dynamic gameplay systems that fuse RTS and operator-based action. They walk through the Alcatraz test map, reliving a moment that brought an Australian dev to tears and explaining how synchronized command and combat are taking shape. Real-time debugging, crash recoveries, and hilarious friendly-fire incidents are all part of the chaos. Listeners get an inside look at the new formation AI, operator customization via console commands, the dynamic build system, and the long-term vision for pandemic scenarios and tactical squad play. Amid laughter, crashes, and teamwork, the episode showcases how much has evolved—and how much still needs to be fixed—before full co-op hits the public.

https://youtu.be/mAFwqfXiPAE

[h2]🎙️ Topics for the CERC HQ (Podcast) [/h2]

• Coop Progress
  
• Total Revamp Progress based on community feedback
  
• Level Design Progress
  

🕔 When: May 10, 2025 7 PM EST (New Time) 📺 Where to Watch:

• YouTube Livestream
  
• Discord Server
  
• The Cepheus Protocol Steam Page
  

📺 If you Miss it :

• YouTube Livestream VOD
  
• Spotify Podcast VOD (They can take up to 24 hours to appear after the Stream ends)
  

[h2]📣 What to Expect[/h2]
During the livestream, we’ll:

• Recap this week of progress
  
• Answer your questions during a live Q&A session with the development team.
  

Your participation and feedback are key to shaping the future of Cepheus Protocol, and we’re eager to share our progress with you.

[h2]🔍 Next Steps[/h2]

With these initial refinements underway, we’re continuing to build on your feedback and enhance every aspect of the game. Stay tuned for further updates as we move forward together.

Stay Frosty,
The Cepheus Protocol Team