Release the KRAKEN! Wait?!?! Wrong mythology reference, this is NS2, not Clash of the Titans. After months of back end work, we are pleased to be releasing the NS2 64-bit Beta to the public. Those of you already using a 64-bit Operating System will automatically start the application in 64-bit. If you are currently running a version of Windows or Linux in 32-bit, you can still launch the game but you will be notified of our impending end of support for all 32-bit users. Once support has ended for 32-bit you will no longer be able to launch NS2 unless you upgrade your Operating System to a 64-bit version. We have been working on and communicating this impending change to players over the last year, and hope that those of you that are not using a 64-bit OS recognize that as an actively developed game, we strive to keep building and improving NS2. Supporting all of this on a system that can barely manage 3.5GB of system memory sadly is just no longer feasible. A note to our non QWERTY keyboard layout users: We’ve fixed a bug regarding keyboard layouts not being detected correctly, now your keyboard will work as intended but this means you’ll need to go and fix some of your key binds in the menu. (Such as the Console key) Next up, NS2 celebrates it’s fifth anniversary! We have some cool things in the pipeline, there is still much more to come. Changelog Tweaks / Improvements

• Migrated to 64 bit architecture
  • Updated related dependent libraries
    • This fixed various dependency related issues.
  • Note: NS2 now detects your keyboard layout correctly. All non QWERTY keyboard users may need to rebind certain features (e.g. the console).
• Reworked job & thread scheduling:
  • Now able to utilize all your CPU cores
  • Slightly increased performance and increased core spread load.
  • Removed dependency on Intel’s TBB library (linux)
• New Auto Crash Collector!
  • If your client crashes, it will quickly show a dialog that automatically begins uploading your crash report and all relevant information to us. This is going to be a very helpful tool for us to diagnose issues, and it should be a simple process for you, since the only button you’ll have to press is “Restart NS2” if it occurs!
• The Server’s dns address is now propagated to the clients via a server field instead the tags string allowing operators to use a longer dns address.
• Dedicated Servers can now use the `-autorestart` argument (no parameters needed). If the server should crash, it will immediately restart with the previous start-up arguments. The crash will also be uploaded to our collector at the same time and not delay the server restarting.

Fixes

• Fixed that the Shared.SortEntitiesByDistance method returned corrupted results at Linux causing all kind of issues and crashes. This also fixes that you couldn’t play the alien commander tutorial on Linux.
• Fixed that Whips sometimes didn’t face their targets correctly (Contributed by Katzenfleisch)
• Fixed that Whips sometimes didn’t get removed from the nav mesh correctly after getting moved (Contributed by Katzenfleisch)
• Fixed a server script error occurring when a client with a custom badge selected connected.
• Fixed a client crash occurring due to the tutorial reminder popup which gets displayed to new player when the access the server browser
• Fixed an issue where dying in an exosuit during the warm-up period would sometimes cause the HUD to remain hidden even after respawning.
• Fixed an issue that affected some maps that would cause marine mini maps to appear blank.
• Fixed a very specific nasty crash that could occur when disconnecting from a server at a very specific point in the loading process.
• Fixed issue where opening server browser with a mod mounted would make it unresponsive.
• Fixed issue where certain maps (such as ns2_mesh) would allow for structures to sometimes, or always, be invisible on the marine minimap.

Maps Derelict

• Modified pathing mesh to ignore tech points (Contributed by Zavaro)
  • This helps ensure drifters can always build hives

Kodiak

• Modified pathing mesh to ignore tech points (Contributed by Zavaro)
  • This helps ensure drifters can always build hives

Known Issues

• If you are using a Firewall, it will prompt to Allow/Deny access for a new executable. This is normal as the 32 and 64-bit are new and separate binaries from previous builds.
• The Dedicated Server console is not accessible on Windows 10
• Linux 64bit client has issue on start-up. This can be fixed by recreating the symlinks for FMOD libraries (in the x64 sub-folder within the NS2 install directory): ln -sf libfmodex64-4.44.58.so libfmodex64.so ln -sf libfmodevent64-4.44.58.so libfmodevent64.so ln -sf libfmodeventnet64-4.44.58.so libfmodeventnet64.so
• The Cinematic Editor is temporarily broken for this build

[ 2017-10-06 17:59:55 CET ] [ Original post ]

Natural Selection 2 pits alien against human in an action-packed struggle for survival. Wield devastating weaponry as a Frontiesman marine, or become the xenomorph as a deadly. Kharaa life-form.

Strategy Meets Shooter

Natural Selection 2 is a First Person Shooter and Real Time Stategy game rolled into one! Each team, alien and human, has a Commander. The Commander looks down on the battlefield and issues orders, places structures, collects resources, researches technology, and deploys abilities.



Here are some gameplay examples: A human Commander could drop health packs and ammunition to a trapped marine squad, and deploy sentry guns to help them defend their position. Or an alien Commander could grow a new Hive to spread infestation throughout newly captured territory, allowing more alien eggs to spawn...

Two Unique Sides

Aliens players choose to evolve into one of five lifeforms: The fast, fearsome Skulk can run on walls and deliver massive damage with is jaws. Lerks fly and deploy gasses to support their teammates in battle. Gorges heal other lifeforms and build tunnels, hydra turrets, walls, and other tactical structures. Fades blink in and out of battle, picking off marines with giant scythes. Finally, the giant Onos is so massive and so tough, that even entire marine squads can't take it down.



Marines wield rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, pistols, and other weapons. Cluster grenades can clear ventilation shafts of sneaky Skulks, flamethrowers make short work of alien structures and infestation, and boosts dropped by the Commander increase combat effectiveness.

When attacking on foot doesn't cut it, marines can construct hulking Exosuits wielding miniguns and railguns, and equip jetpacks for high speed assaults on alien Hives.

Long Term Development

Natural Selection 2 receives constant updates. This year, 2016, Unknown Worlds continues to develop new features, content, and improvements.

Mod Tools Come Standard

Natural Selection 2 comes with all the tools we used to make the game. All game code is open source. That means you can create, and play, an endless variety of mods. Publish, share, and download mods from the Steam Workshop, and automatically download mods when you join modded games.

Digital Deluxe Edition

Digital Deluxe Edition includes:

• Official Soundtrack - 1 hour of tribal, industrial music composed by David John and Simon Chylinski
  
• Digital Art Book - 40+ pages of art by Cory Strader, including environments, creatures, weapons and more
  
• Exclusive in-game marine model - Exclusive in-game marine model - A new marine model with custom visor and armor plating
  
• Exclusive Wallpapers and Avatars - Unique views of the NS2 universe by Amanda Diaz