The first post-game launch update arrives with lots of improvements on the match selection system and server configuration, making life easier for those who want to play with friends and create teams. This is the first of many planned updates that will enhance the experience of creating teams and interacting with other players. We keep, as always, doing game balancing, bug fixing and content additions alongside these main improvements.

Find Your Friends on Home Screen

This new feature allows you to see, on the game home screen, which of your friends are playing Ballistic Overkill, allowing you to immediately join to the same server that they are playing. This feature will be the foundation of the clan system, that will be available in the future. In order to make this system the best possible, we rewrote a considerable part of the code that connects players into matches, you can learn more about these changes below.

New Queue System

It is now possible to enter in any server you want, even if that server is full. Doing so will make you a spectator in your friend’s match until a vacant position on your team becomes available. This way, newcomers will enter in a queue, joining the match in an organized way. It will be much easier to organize teams then. Game lobby screen and private matches no longer exist, players can now organize their teams from inside a match. We still offer the ability to create password-protected servers for those who want to play with big groups of friends.

Team Selection

Players are asked to choose a team before their first spawn instead of being automatically placed in the team with less members. We still enforce a minimal difference in team sizes to avoid unbalanced teams. When this happens, you have to wait in the queue until the teams are balanced again. Different from what happened before, however, you will never be blocked from changing teams (with the only excepting of when the match is nearing its end). This change is crucial for the new game modes that are coming.

Spectator Mode Changes

Spectator Mode was remade to let both players and spectators join matches by the same method. Spectator mode is more accessible from the respawn screen, behaving as if it were a soldier class. You can join a match as a spectator at any time, but if you want to join a team to play you’ll be placed in a queue just the same.

Teammate Outlines

We changed characters outlines to allow players to see their teammates through walls, encouraging even better teamplay.

Gold Badges

All classes with level 100 or more will have a golden badge instead of a silver one. Be extra careful when finding one of these in the enemy team!

New Weapon: Sledgehammer

The tank can now unlock a brand new weapon, one that greatly helps him in close quarters combat.The Sledgehammer is a melee weapon with a slow fire-rate, but massive damage. Unaware Shadows may have an unpleasant surprise when getting close to a Tank.

New Melee Animations

Melee weapons received new animations for sequential attacks.

New Weapon Stats Screen

The weapon Information Screen on the Soldiers Tab was redesigned to make it easier to find your available skins to equip.

New Antialiasing Modes

We’re aiming to give more flexibility on game graphics configuration options. Advanced users who want to can now access them through a text file in the Ballistic Overkill installation folder. On top of an improved version for the standard FXAA, we added the possibility of switching to MSAA, of 2x, 4x or 8x. It's possible to combine both modes, for those who want to take the game graphics to the next level: - FXAA - MSAA2X - MSAA4X - MSAA8X - MSAA2X + FXAA - MSAA4X + FXAA - MSAA8X + FXAA See the comparison: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballistic-marketing/ballistic-patch-notes/136/antialiasing_comparison.jpg

Custom Server Commands

We added a few commands to help those who create their own servers manage them with ease. If you are a server host you can type these in the chat anytime during a match.

./list Lists in numeric order, all players in the match.
./kick [player number from the list] Kicks the player identified by that number.
./blacklist [player number from the list] Permanently kick and ban the player identified by that number in this server.
./prioritylist [player number from the list] Includes the player in the priority list. This will give him priority in any future queue in this server.

To manage banned and priorized players in your servers, you can always manually edit the file BallisticConfiguration.serverdata in the custom server folder.

Vulkan and Metal Support

Linux and MacOS users can celebrate! It is now possible to choose the Ballistic Overkill graphic API through a launch command in Steam properties. Vulkan API is relatively new and may have some bugs. The available APIs are: -force-d3d9 -force-d3d11 -force-vulkan -force-metal -force-glcore You can check out which graphic API is running by looking at the bottom left corner in the home screen, next to the game’s version.

Balance Changes

Melee Weapon Changes

One thing that made melee weapons tough to get right was their ability to kill anyone instantly with a backstab. This was done automatically, regardless of the weapon damage or the target’s health. We’re changing this system to allows us to balance the backstab itself via a multiplier so we can have more variance to it. On top of that, we changed the valid angle of attack of melee weapons by reducing it across the board to avoid situations where hits seemed unfair or too easy to aim.

Backstab Multiplier added
- Melee weapons won’t kill instantly on backstabs. Backstabs are now considered critical hits (similar to a headshot from a regular weapon). This means that each weapon has it’s own multiplier, allowing for extra variety in that weapon class.
- You can check the actual values of Backstab Multipliers in the character sections below.

Melee Strike angle reduced slightly on all melee weapons

Tank

We felt that Tank needed an extra option of “fast moving sidearm”. The current only weapon that fits this description is the Blackhawk. We hope that Tanks who want to be a swifter than normal will find the Sledgehammer as a suitable choice. It allows the Tank to serve Shadow some of that sweet melee action he seems to love.

Weapons
- Sledgehammer added

Unlocks
- Sledgehammer added as the new level 2 unlock
  - All other weapons pushed up in the progression
- Rampart and Brigand unlock position switched
- Raging Bull and Last Stand unlock position switched

Skills
- Raging Bull damage reduction increased from 30% to 50%

Shadow

Shadow has been very dominant in the current meta. More specifically, a certain kind of Shadow... We hope some of the changes introduced will help players counter this strategy, while still keeping it a viable choice.

Weapons
- Xian
  - 150% Backstab Damage Multiplier added instead of an instakill.
- Ninjaken
  - Attack Speed increased from 100 to 120
  - 200% Backstab Multiplier added instead of an instakill.
- Shinobi
  - Movement speed reduced
  - 50% Backstab Multiplier added instead of an instakill.
- Unlocks
  - Vampire and Shadow Walker unlock position switched

Marksman

Marksman received the current version of Awareness as an extra trait while the skill itself was buffed. We hope this helps differentiate the class from others, while also making the skill itself more reliable.

Skills
- Trait buffed
  - All enemies are revealed on the map for 1 second every 5 seconds. This ability reveals even invisible opponents.
- Awareness
  - Time to activate reduced from 5 to 2 seconds.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

Fixed a bug that eventually freezes the free camera from the Spectator Mode.
Fixed a series of validation errors on weapons skins.
Reduced the overall memory usage.
Hungarian language added.
Fixed a bug that made the camera shake in a wrong intensity when the player gets hit by certain weapons.
Fixed an audio bug that tied voice commands volume to general sound effects volume
Fixed a problem that makes the Reset Statistics Button reset achievements too.
Fixed a bug that makes the glass breaking noises too loud.
Fixed a bug on Lone Wolf skill (Wraith) that allows allies positions to interfere with the skill’s effect.

Cheers!

[ 2017-05-16 17:40:01 CET ] [ Original post ]

Ballistic Overkill
Aquiris Game Studio

Developer

Aquiris Game Studio

Publisher

2017-03-28

Release

Action Indie Casual

Game features

Select a role from one of the unique game characters, each with their own skill tree and weapon arsenal. On the full game you’ll be able to level up to unlock additional loadouts and weapon skins to show off your experience with it. Mercenaries are designed to compliment each other’s skills, but each is fully capable of delivering insane frags on the battlefield: no wimpy support classes, in Ballistic everyone is a killer!

Early Access Classes

The Vanguard– a master of field survival, capable of sustaining himself from for long killing sprees without ever returning to base.
The Berserker – a deadly close combat specialist with vicious skills that enable him to engage his prey on his own terms.
The Wraith – a master infiltrator that rarely misses their mark with the deadliest sniper rifles that can turn invisible with limited mobility.

Future Classes

The Tank – a towering machine-gun totting bulwark of a mercenary, draw all the attention to you and live through it to tell your story.
The Grenadier – the bane of the campers and master of ordnance, carrying enough grenades to gib out entire teams.
The Shadow – master of speed and stealth, the silent blade can easily dodge bullets and make your enemies cry in frustration whenever you get them from behind.
The Engineer – with his powerful exoskeleton, the engineer can carry the heaviest weaponry and a drone that can deploy as a guardian turret.
The Medic – with his next-gen field medical gauntlet, the medic can boost nearby teammates and quickly revive them amidst a firefight.
The Huntress – the master of stealth and silent kills, the huntress utilizes a custom-fitted arsenal of bows and arrows to stalk and take down their prey undetected.

Fully loaded arsenal

Starting with an arsenal of 24 unique weapons on our Early Access, we’ll quickly expand ranging from state of the art modern assault rifles, light machine guns, sub-machine guns, machine-pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles and sidearms to more specialized ones like grenade launchers and ninja swords. There is ever a new way to kill your enemies in Ballistic.

Tactical skills

Each character has two unique skill-trees designed to allow you great strategic and tactical advantages over your opponents: each has many options so make sure to try and come up with a build that fits your playstyle: Do you prefer to run and gun with extra damage for sprinting? Or take a more strategic approach and reveal enemies on the minimap for you and your friends?

Unique locations

Each level is crafted to deliver a unique atmosphere and allowing four gameplay modes. Starting from the 3 maps available at the start of the Early Access, we already have 9 maps to be released.

Early Access maps

Corporate park: a large map set in between two corporate towers that enables very strategic gameplay routes.
Sunnsquare Mall: a multi-layered level where firefights can occur from every direction set in a luxurious downtown mall.
Overhead: a compact warehouse filled with containers and moving platforms sets the tone for intense close-combat firefights.
Hollow: a close-quarters focused map set in the bowels of a secret facility under construction.
Nox Museum: a mix of long and multi-layered corridors and close quarters adjacent rooms makes this contemporary art museum an exciting battleground.

Future maps

Hakim Library: a large arena with long-range fire lines surrounded by corridors and stairs set in a stylish library atop a skyscraper.
Wonderdome: a sniper-friendly map set in the “outdoors” of a research facility greenhouse.
Citadel: an underground data center that offers many different interconnected areas with many horizontal action battlefields.
Blackfield Hospital: a harrowing abandoned mental hospital in the heart of a metropolis that hides secrets that could change everything.

Game Universe

A new form of energy was discovered 15 years ago. Clean, safe and abundant, it changed the course of civilization. It’s 2035 and a secret war surfaces for the first time...

It happened faster than anyone could have predicted. Scientists found a bacterial moss living in the most extreme and remote places of the world that could do a strange form of photosynthesis, releasing Hydrogen in gaseous form as a byproduct. By means of artificial cultivation in large scale, H2 burning would fuel the world into a new era of clean energy with pure water as a byproduct. Seeing how their grasp on power would soon end, oil mega-corporations seized what control they had on global politics and made sure that this breakthrough be maintained under tight control.

The MFA has claimed a monopoly on this technology, regulating distribution, production and further research, claiming that this is the best way to provide everyone with access to it. Many other private parties do not agree with the terms of this monopoly, their opinion that only the free market can truly defend people's interest without the rampant corruption that runs in political organizations.

The war begun when mysterious mercenary strikes were launched on several MFA facilities across the globe, all related with MFA governmental activities. The MFA itself doesn’t want much information about their actions being divulged, so decided to fight back hiring their own mercenary forces who could neutralize the threat as soon as possible. These mercenaries are highly trained mysterious fighters from across the globe. They have no loyalty but to their current contract, no interests but to accomplish their missions as both sides are fighting this war in secrecy from the public attention.

Long term development

Ballistic has been in the making for a few years. What started out as a purely F2P browser game developed for a publisher has evolved to be our passionate self-published game. After bringing it to the market with a publishing partner, we are now assuming full control of the product, and we feel there is an audience that will enjoy the game with no microtransactions and a complete overhaul. We have worked hard on the foundation of Ballistic Overkill and will start as an Early Access game so our player community can give us feedback from the very start, helping us shape what this new Ballistic will be.

The game will receive constant updates and extra content. You can expect new weapon packs, characters, game modes and levels that are already in the works as well as weapon and character skin vanity DLC to show-off on the battlefield. You can check our plans and track our development on our forums and public task board, voting on what features you want in the game first. We hope you like it and take your time to participate in the game’s development, it is being made by us for you, so help us make it even better! We are committed to bringing this vision to reality and your support is very much appreciated. See you in-game!

About us

AQUIRIS is an independent game studio based in the city of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. We started 7 years ago doing casual games and work for hire, we did everything from web games, to mobile, to PC. In 2010 we started the development of Ballistic, our most ambitious game to date. Now we bring you the best version of Ballistic ever, filled with the experience we had so far, the game we want to play!

Join our active players community and take part in the development while we complete and evolve the game:

MINIMAL SETUPOS: Linux Ubuntu 12.04 or newer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHZ or betterMemory: 2 GB RAM
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or betterNetwork: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 4 GB available space
RECOMMENDED SETUPOS: Linux Ubuntu 12.04 or newer
Processor: Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz or betterMemory: 4 GB RAM
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce 200 Series or betterNetwork: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 8 GB available space

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