Multiplayer Re-Enabled

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Change

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Why it matters

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Steam Sockets NetDriver is now compiled in & on by default.

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Gives secure NAT traversal and cross-platform relays while shaving 15 ms off median RTT in EUUS tests.

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9999 ms ping bug fixed

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Server browser finally shows real latency instead of the placeholder value older drivers produced.

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Version lock

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0.2.2 clients only list 0.2.2 servers to prevent mismatched packets.

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Visual Clarity & Performance

• Reflections dial-down We lowered Screen-Space Reflection quality per Epics guide, recovering 5-10 FPS on mid-range GPUs while reducing the hall-of-mirrors look.

• Brightness pass Auto-exposure upper limit raised by +0.3 EV, leveraging the extended luminance range option for more readable nights without losing mood.

• Updated Lumen presets UE 5.6 ships with cheaper global-illum tweaks; we adopted those for parity lighting at the same frame cost.

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Smarter, Meaner Monsters

Our enemies now run a Utility AI brain evaluated every 0.25 s, then follow a pacing Director that decides when to stalk, ambush, or panic teams.

Highlights

• Aggro Meter Fills at 0.25 pts/s and +5 pts per document, then decays if you escape.

• Dynamic scaling Volley damage and hunter pack size grow over time for rising tension.

• Volley combat New attack montages trigger damage spheres mid-swing for readable telegraphs.

• Evade & teleport Hunters reposition when kited or spotted too early, maintaining pressure.

Expect two more AI iterations: were analysing gameplay clips to fine-tune stalk distance, flee triggers, and volley size.

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Enemy AI Under the Hood

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Sub-system

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Core Function

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TL;DR

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Perception

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OnPerceptionUpdated

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Sight + hearing with 2 % miss chance so monsters stay imperfect.

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Utility scoring

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EvaluateUtility

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Weighs nine actions (Idle Evade) every 0.25 s.

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Aggro loop

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UpdateAggro

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Time-based gain, doc pickups, decay, and hint spikes.

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Volley attack

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DoAttack / HandleAttacking

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Plays random montage fires synced damage sphere up to 5 hits.

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Director hooks

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OnDirectorHint

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Guides two closest active hunters toward the lowest-threat player to balance pacing.

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Roadmap

• Hint System UI In active development; ties Director cues to on-screen prompts so late joiners orient quickly.

• Objective Overhaul Layered tasks beyond collect docs, adding strategic choices per match.

• AI Polish Pass Audio barks, death animations, and final balance scheduled for the next two patches.

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Patch Notes (0.2.2)

• Migrated core project to Unreal Engine 5.6.

• Enabled Steam Sockets networking by default.

• Fixed server browser ping mis-reporting.

• Reduced Screen-Space Reflection quality & lowered reflection capture resolution.

• Exposure +0.3 EV for night readability.

• Added Utility-AI brain, adaptive aggro, and synced attack montages.

• Memory still down ~40 % from prior texture trims and pooling.

• Director now enforces lull windows to avoid constant panic spikes.

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Thank You!

Thanks to everyone for the support and feedback so far. If you run into any issues, please let us know! Your feedback drives every patch!

[ 2025-06-18 10:51:34 CET ] [ Original post ]