Protocol System Update

Hello, Animas.

The Steam Bullet Fest has begun!

At the same time, based on the feedback you’ve shared with us, we’ve been working on refining and reinforcing the core systems of the game.

In this update, we focused on the first phase of the Laboratory Renewal, introducing the new Protocol System.

This allows you to secure strong firepower early on, while also laying the foundation for a clearer and more strategic combat experience.

To help you freely experiment with various weapon combinations, we’ve also added a refund system for weapons and protocols.

Below, you can find the details of this update.

Patch Notes

Research Lab Renewal

• Protocol System Added

  • A new Protocol System has been added to the Research Lab. Depositing Nano Crystals activates specific protocol effects. Multiple protocols can be applied to a single weapon, but only one protocol of each type can be applied per weapon category.

• Protocol Types

  • Preload System: The weapon starts equipped upon deployment.

  • Priority Access: Always appears when drawing Sync Up cards.

  • Memory Expansion: +1 slot to all tiered Memory Chips.

  • Early Promotion: Starts at Level 2 when obtained.

  • Auto‑Promotion: Levels up automatically along with the weapon.

• Preview Images Added

  • Preview images have been added to show the general behavior of weapons, items, and abilities.

• Unlock Location Display

  • If a weapon has not yet been unlocked, the mission where it can be obtained is now displayed.

• Stat Descriptions Added

  • Descriptions for various stats have been added for better clarity.

• Block Function Added

  • You can now block specific weapons or abilities from appearing as options during Sync Rate Up selections. Only one item per weapon category can be blocked at a time, and Primary Weapons cannot be blocked.

• Weapon & Protocol Refund fuction Added

  • Nano Data and Nano Crystals used for purchasing weapons or upgrading protocols can now be refunded.

• Weapon & Ability Control Settings Added

  • You can now pre‑configure weapon and ability behavior in the Research Lab, either manually or automatically. These settings can also be changed during missions via the pause menu, and the Research Lab presets take priority when first acquiring a weapon.

Combat Mechanism Changes

• Stun Value Added to Pulse‑Type Weapons & Abilities

  • All Pulse‑type weapons and abilities now apply Stun Value.

• Stun Value

  • Stun Value accumulates on hit. When the total reaches 100 or more, a Stun is triggered, and the stun duration increases by 1 second for every 100 accumulated.

• Stun Resistance Penalty Added

  • When stunned, all resistances are reduced by 50. This penalty applies equally to both players and enemies.

• Stun & Stun Immune Gauges Added

  • When hit by an attack that applies Stun Value, a Stun Accumulation Gauge is displayed.

  • When a stun is triggered, a Stun Duration Gauge appears.

  • After being stunned, a period of Stun Immune is granted, shown through a Stun Immune Gauge.

• Boss Difficulty Adjustments

  • The side shields of T205A Stampede and T226P Tempest have been removed.

System & Accessibility Improvements

• UI Sound Volume Control Added

  • UI sounds can now be adjusted independently from other sound effects. Menu navigation, button presses, and other UI-related sounds are now clearer and easier to distinguish.

• Auto‑Aim Delay Improved

  • When auto‑aim is enabled, the lock‑on to the next target now occurs more quickly after defeating an enemy.

Visual Effect Improvements

• Beam‑type projectiles have been replaced with new light‑green visual effects.

• The camera shake effect when taking damage has been slightly reduced.

Primary Weapon Balance Adjustments

• Bazooka

  • Damage: 80 → 100

  • Reload Time: 2s → 2.8s

• Pulse Rifle

  • Stun Value: 100 → 30

Secondary Weapon Balance Adjustments

• High‑Powered Beam Cannon

  • Damage: 400 → 200 (x2) (now fires twice)

  • Stun Value: 100 → 0 ※ The stun beam used by SN‑04 Susanoo will later return as an ability under the name Pulse Cannon.

• Plasma Cannon

  • Stun Value: 100 → 300

• Auto Turret

  • Durability: 60 → 80

Ability Balance Adjustments

• Pulse Charge

  • Stun Value: 100 → 500

• Orbital Strike

  • Stun Value: 0 → 200

Item Balance Adjustments

• Rapid Cooling System

  • Booster Regen.: 10 → 20

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue where the casting effect of High‑Powered Beam Cannon would remain on screen if stunned during casting.

• Fixed an issue where Ambush Turrets ignored stun and continued ambushing.

• Fixed an issue where invisible terrain existed at the bottom of the Ruined Arcade map.

We will continue applying the features previewed in the last notice as soon as testing is complete.

Thank you, as always, for your patience and support!