DevBlog #48

Filipe - Lead Programmer

This month I focused on refining the Rex’s crush ability and the new throw it has, which is linked to crush but not exclusive to it. The grapple ability is still receiving some updates, which now is mainly for balance as the grapple values need to align with the entire roster but we have massively different animal weights.

We added a new open corpse ability with new animations, included in the current Hordetest. This ability is triggered by tapping “E” three times near a corpse to access the organs, replacing the previously unreliable method of biting a corpse open. The skin creator has received some visual improvements, including a “Hide UI” button and some resolution fixes. Chat has also received a minor UI update.

Additionally, we finalized the Mass Migration code, updated Mutations and made improvements to vocals. As always, there were the usual bug fixes and small enhancements to server performance.

Amarok - Programmer

Over the last month, I have been focused on enhancing our backend systems for better scaling and testing to improve our workflows. Our official servers are also now more evenly distributed across each region.

Additionally, I have implemented numerous quality of life improvements to the UI, Rcon, and AI systems. Notably, new Rcon commands have been added, which will be added to ReadMe configs coming during HordeTesting. These commands allow for real-time modification of the server configuration and include the following:

• Whitelist enable/disable

• Add/Remove whitelist id’s

• Toggling AI on/off

• Setting Disallowed AI Classes

• Setting the AI density

• Toggling global chat on/off

• Toggling humans on/off

We are currently testing Psittacosaurus AI along with a new ability for all carnivores to dig at burrows. Exciting changes are also on the horizon for how players detect animal AI. While I won't reveal too much just yet, it's been noted that AI can be difficult to find even when abundant; they're simply hard to see or notice. The upcoming changes aim to make detecting them much easier, though catching them will still pose a challenge.

I made a small change to the pre-lobby character display in the server browser to reduce confusion. Now, it displays the character status. This indicates the last known state of your playable character, if unknown it may have died while you were logged off. Safe logging will prevent this uncertainty.

I have also been working on the Hordetesting patch, preparing it along with some hotfixes from our last release. I’ll leave it at that for now and hope you enjoy the new updates, especially the Diabloceratops!

Ariel - Programmer

Much of the month was spent preparing for the hordetest, this includes bug fixes, polishing, double checking everything. Unfortunately sparring didn’t make it into the first release, there’s still some adjustments we want to make.

I also ended up having to rework how some of the movement speeds are set up related to fractures. Previously, they consistently related to the standard speeds, but we wanted to give the gallimimus a new, faster trot, while keeping the existing fractured speeds. This required several background changes, but it should now give us more flexibility in the future.

I also worked on some features that will be coming out a bit later such as the carnotaurus updates.

VisualTech48 - Environmental Artist

Things have not been idle at all this month. I’ve finally created some new cool kits, first of which is the scaffolding kit. Featuring a lot of parts and “quick” connections it's quite simple yet