Release Notes for BattleZone 98 Redux

Patch 2.2.301 (07th April 2017)

Highlights

• Big performance increases on lower end systems.
• Mods in multiplayer!
• Custom campaigns.
• Visible multiplayer locked, full and launched games within the server browser.

Performance

• Massive code clean-up resulting in a performance increase.
• Shader refactoring resulting in a performance increase.
• Terrain shader and vertex format rewritten to dramatically lower the amount of VRAM used by the terrain.
• Shadow system rewritten to use less VRAM while increasing the quality of the shadows. (Ultra setting shadows setting now use less VRAM then Medium shadows did while maintaining the higher fidelity)
• Shadows can now be abled in all graphical settings including being turned off.
• Effects system has been greatly optimised. Much higher framerate during large battles.
• Added Emissive lighting to low quality graphic settings.
• Added PSSM (Parallel Split Shadow Mapping) shadows at High, Very High, and Ultra shadow settings.
• Increased HDR/Bloom effects.
• Improved automatic LOD(Level of Detail) system for extra performance.
• Fixed Jitter on low/medium shadow settings.
• Improved vehicle collision.

Multiplayer

• Ability to password protect your games.
• Multiplayer now uses a custom server and custom low level netcode.
• Locked, launched and full games are now visible within the server browser.
• New icons added for locked and full games.
• You can no longer kick yourself from the game.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed various random crashes.
• Fixed some network connection issues
• Fixed grey lightning on Great Pyramid.
• Fixed lightning colour.
• Fixed AI wandering off map when interrupted by a sub-task while following a path.
• Fixed Io emissive texture.
• Fixed it so the APC cannot die during the cut scene.
• Fixed being able to destroy the Launchpad.
• Fixed a crash during cut scenes.
• Fixed lighting changing during certain cut scenes.
• Fixed Black Dog Scout and NSDF scout cockpit from sliding off screen.
• Fixed units not decloaking when they lose a pilot.
• Fixed objectives on first training mission.
• Fixed cockpit for the Yeti.
• Fixed collision with the rear of Hephestus.
• Fixed Scale of Chinese Command unit.
• Fixed Training Mission 4 now updates objectives as they are completed.
• Fixed mission name not appearing on the mission briefing screen.

Patch 2.1.201 (24 August 2016)

Mission Tuning

• CH02 Mission - Stop bug that could cause unlimited spawning of hunters and reduce enemies in the waves to make less difficult at medium and higher difficulties.

• CH03 Mission - Fixed howitzers to work as intended and fixed mine field to be effective against player

• CH04 Mission - Add an abandoned enemy ship to make the retreat after discovery possible.

• CH08 Mission - Adds time to end so final VO completes

• CH09 Mission - Reduce difficulty. The longer cover is maintained, the fewer enemies spawned when cover is finally left. Enemies turrets also became single weapon turrets

• BD02 Mission - Reduced difficulty.

• BD03 Mission - Difficulty tuned, and several object spawning on top of each other issues fixed.

• BD04 Mission - Startup issues fixed. Scavenger's shouldn't leave early which made it hard for new players to follow them. Final chase made more survivable while leaving the epic chase feeling intact.

• BD06 Mission - Enemy attack waves slightly reduced

General

• A number of minor model fixes applied

• Fixed error with point lights. Weapon fire shouldn't cause strange reverse shadows anymore.

• Chinese Scavenger emissive fixed (strange glow removed)

• TRO Music Added to game, and TRO missions play TRO sound files

• Fury hybrids no longer describe themselves as scavengers

• Black Dog weapon properly rotates only top to shoot now.

• CVHAUL adjusted how it holds items so it can't levitate itself

• Fixes BD constructor's description text.

• Non-playing sounds for several vehicles such as CH Constructor fixed.

• Fixed the CVAPC cockpit

• The Patch also includes:

• Mod samples in Edit Mode fixed to be present and useful samples