Hello, Friend.
What have we done for you lately? Hey-hey, everything is written right here, in the diary. Read, please.
We worked on the performance of Soldiers: Arena. We switched to 64-bit client, for example. Steam says that as of May 2017, about 7% of users are playing with 32-bit OS, but their number is constantly falling. Friends, are there any of us who need the 32-bit version of the client?
We optimized the transfer of information between units in combat, which saves resources and is especially felt in mass battles.
Changed the server rules when one of the players lags. Previously, the server, guided by the musketeer’s principle, forced all to wait for one, or slowed the game, allowing the laggers to catch up the rest. In the first case, we "enjoyed" the pause in the culmination moment, in the second we watched another Wachowski film (same spectacular and slow mo). Now the server does not stop the game because of one lagger, because "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”. The game for the others goes on as usual, like a caravan of tanks, aspiring to a cloudless and happy future.

The game for the lagging guy is recovering as much as possible, trying to catch up what’s lost and find what’s gone. Rushing at a gallop and moving to the trot only when catch up the server. Lagger at this time alone in his lagging sad world, like a caravan of desperate tanks, lost among the dull country roads.

Playing God, do not overdo all settings
We configured Soldiers: Arena. Changed the calculation of damage for armor-piercing shells. Now both the muzzle and potential energy of the projectile are taken into account. For example ZIS-2 has excellent armor penetration, but ZIS-3 deals more damage.
Drew markers for fast messages. Now each of the contextual messages has its own visualization, which helps to quickly understand what the ally wants from you, without distracting yourself by looking at the chat.

We fought with strange bugs. There was a time when machine-guns have mythical durability and could withstand a direct hit of 75-mm (and even more) landmines. In those harsh times even glass in the windows were tougher than the chains of Fenrir. The rifles of the defending infantry could not even scratch it. But the tanks jumped on the mines joyfully and high, like mongrels at the sight of meat. Especially lucky ones even could finish the jumping streak with a gymnastic stand on the tank tower.
Want to see beauty,
Burning my life in the game,
Beauty I need. Now!
We filled the map with objects. It’s configuration should provide opportunities for the use of all kinds of troops: open areas for tanks and artillery, areas with dense buildings for mortars, light vehicles and infantry, hideouts and locations for maneuver battles, etc. Based on these criteria, the model of the next soviet village map was also created.
Added a new type of surface - "deep snow", which slows down the movement and makes mobile units even more useful. So we made winter versions of maps for tests.
Configured environments. We want the player to remember with joy the hours spent in the battles on each map, so that one would like to admire them as cherry blossoms and write haiku. Note how the mood of the “Village” map changes with the using of different environment.
Can’t you hear the third set of roosters, looking at this farmland morning?

Do you feel how the sun scorches the landscape on this summer day?

How does your back ache in the evening after hiking for mushrooms?

Maybe you want to make tea and read A.E.Poe, looking at this rainy weather?

If you feel something like this it’s ok. It's nice. But don’t forget these desires must not dislodge your passion to show your skills in the battlefield. Cherish this feeling. This fighter’s enthusiasm will be in need.
And finally we have a couple of questions. How do you feel about bots? Where are they good, and where are they not? To train skills only, or do you need them to replace disconnected players, for example? Would it be interesting to test your skill in cooperative battles against AI in the "hardcore and his brother INSANITY" mode? Blurt out your plain truth below! Wish you all the best!
[ 2017-06-15 17:57:11 CET ] [ Original post ]