🎄 PolyCrime – December Update

This is our first December drop – we’re already working on another update that will land before Christmas, including a few small in-game Christmas gifts and surprises directly in PolyCrime. 🎁✨

🚓 Police & Crime

• Added a police car system that dynamically reacts to the player’s crimes. Cause trouble on the streets and you’ll quickly feel the heat from police vehicles joining the chase.

• Added ragdoll support for NPCs – NPCs now react physically when hit by vehicles or other strong forces.

• Fixed melee combat against NPCs where hits were sometimes not registered, making fights feel inconsistent.

• Fixed footstep sounds for Police NPCs, so their audio now matches their movement properly.

🏙️ City, Roads & Traffic

• Fixed several intersections and road segments that could cause odd or broken vehicle behaviour.

• Removed or repositioned props near roads that could block lanes and cause traffic collapses.

• Reworked multiple intersections for smoother traffic flow and added additional traffic waypoints / anchor points.

• Increased the maximum number of active vehicles in the city, making traffic feel more alive and dynamic.

🏠 Houses, Shops & World

• Added house robberies:

  • You can now break into selected houses and steal loot.

  • Robbable houses are marked on the map with a red house icon, so you can easily plan your next “visit”.

  • Don’t forget to buy a lockpick before you go – some doors won’t open without it.

• Fixed the TechStore doors, so they now behave correctly and no longer cause interaction issues.

• Added a blacklisted item system to the pawn shop:

  • Certain items can no longer be sold there.

🎮 UI, Controls & Core Systems

• Reworked the main menu to improve layout, clarity and overall user experience.

• Added a controls / keybinding system:

  • You can now bind game actions to any keys or buttons you prefer.

  • This should greatly improve comfort for players with different control preferences and setups.

• Added a splash screen with backend verification when starting the game:

  • Ensures that backend connectivity and basic checks run before you enter the city.

  • Helps us detect potential connection or data issues earlier.

🧭 Helper System & Tutorial QoL

• Fixed an issue with helper hints where the help window could open even when the player was not actually standing in the helper zone.

• Fixed a bug where entering a helper zone could leave the player stuck in the helper UI:

  • The helper can now only be used again 5 seconds after closing, which prevents accidental re-trigger loops and softlocks.

🌇 NPC Behaviour & Day/Night Logic

• Fixed day/night synchronization that incorrectly affected when NPCs became interested in buying from the player.

• NPC interest is now correctly tied to in-game time, improving game flow and overall consistency.

🎨 Visual Fixes

• Fixed black noise artifacts on some textures, improving overall visual quality and cleanliness of the scene.

🧪 Progression & Rewards

• Added XP rewards for collecting mushrooms:

  • Exploration and gathering now contribute more directly to player progression.

🎒 Backpacks & Inventory

As a small extra addition to this update, we’ve also introduced a backpack system:

• Players can now expand their inventory by purchasing Small, Medium and Large backpacks.

• Each backpack tier unlocks additional inventory slots, allowing you to carry more loot, items and gear around the city.

Looking ahead to the Christmas update, backpacks will gain an extra tactical use:

• You’ll be