Dec 18, 2022

December Update (Workshop | Scenarios | Server Configuration Update++)

Survive the Nights - a2z Interactive

Hello everyone,

We’ll be updating on default branch today and introducing a ton of new features to the game. The 1.21 update includes as much as we could get into it before the holiday break so you’ll have your work cut out for you testing all of this. We have updated our server configuration options, allowing for a wide range of customization. We’re introducing gameplay scenarios, taking advantage of the new server configs to create tailored experiences. Along with this, we’re introducing Steam Workshop! So you can all create scenarios and share them with anyone. Below we’ll discuss a little of what has gone into 1.21.

New Server Configuration Options & Workshop Talk

These options will be the cornerstone of the initial introduction to not just a more custom gameplay experience but Steam Workshop. We’ll discuss this further along in the blog but the changes below are what’s driving these new features.

Take Note! A lot of changes have happened here. We’ve exposed a ton of elements that weren’t previously changeable by the user, or on the fly at all for that matter. There’s a good possibility that there will be some hiccups, even with official servers but we’ll get that sorted as soon as possible.

Here’s a list of the new and improved server configuration options. If you have any suggestions we’d love to hear them. We’re pretty open to exploring the idea of providing way more access to the game via workshop and would love to hear your thoughts.

Server Configuration

Here’s a list of the new and improved server configuration options. If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them. We’re pretty open to exploring the idea of providing way more access to the game via workshop and would love to hear your thoughts.

UI Improvements

These new server options are reflected in game with a new and improved UI. You’ll be able to make all the changes above directly via the hosting tab. You’ll be able to create your world here, change all the options and even share it with the community.

UI for Server Configurations

UI Options

Scenarios

Scenarios are templates that can be used to create a new world save. With the addition of all these new server configuration options, we’re now able to create some really unique experiences. You can adjust so much via the server config now you can really have an effect on gameplay. The scenarios aren’t just linked to the server configuration but also the game world and the database save. So the team or any player for that matter can now create scenarios with specific conditions, from zombie amounts to items placed around the world.

Setting up a Scenario

Scenarios are in a sense just world saves. These saves contain a file set that include the basic files to create and launch a world like your server configuration and database file. In the example below we’ll use our pre-installed default scenario template to create a new and unique experience.

Create a World

Clicking browse will open the Gameplay Scenarios window
Here you will find a few things, including access to the steam workshop and all the player created scenarios.
You should see an installed scenario here called Default Template. Use this and click the Create World button.

Gameplay scenarios and world creation
At this point you’ll be able to rename your world and we suggest you do so.

Name your world

You have just created a new world and are ready to begin the scenario creation process. This is where you’re able to get rather creative. You’ll be greeted with the world save and setup configuration screen below. This screen allows you to adjust quite a few features. In our example we’re creating a hardcore world. In our hardcore world we have made server configuration adjustments.

Low loot spawns
Low loot condition
High zombie rates
High zombie health
High zombie strength
Zombie vision, hearing and fortification attack damage are all set to high.
And so on..

Many other adjustments are made to our configuration file here but more can still be done. After we’re happy with our configuration file we move onto server database setup. This setup isn’t necessary, a configuration setup can stand alone and never hast to be tied into a database file.

You can however join your newly created world and place items in specific spots, move vehicles around, alter the general surrounds to limit of your imagination and gameplay mechanics currently allow.

The database saves do however have a limitation. For example, you can place a gun on a specific table in the world and it will be there for you or anyone who plays the scenario however, you’re not able to ‘share’ your personal inventory at this time. In other worlds, if you were to share your scenario your personal on character items would always be unique.

You can overcome this by setting player starting loot in the config file. Allowing players to start with whatever specific items you’d like.

Server configuration options

Creating a Scenario (with an existing world saves already present)

Click the Host tab
Click on Browse to open up the Workshop scenario list

Browse Gameplay Scenarios

Steam Workshop

All of these new features can be adjusted and shared with the community via Steams Workshop. This process is pretty straight forward. You’ve already created your world and scenario following the steps above so now all that needs doing is uploading to the Steam Workshop.

From the configuration page click on the Steam Workshop tab

Steam Worksop Tab

Click on the Create New Workshop Item button
Follow the prompt and once again click Create

Create Workshop item

After hitting the create button you’ll see a confirmation in the results window
Close this window but remain in the Steam Workshop tab
Click the Update button to create a description of your scenario

Update workshop description

Once you’re finished click the Update button
You should be sent to steams workshop webpage

Your scenario in the Workshop

At this point you might notice a warning that content needs checking. Steam handles this rather quickly, please make sure not to include anything offensive. You might also notice that your preview screenshot isn’t very impressive. You’re able to change this screenshot, to do so follow the steps below. Also remember you can take screenshots in game using /screenshot but it does upscale and create a rather large png. There’s a 1mb limit to uploads here so .jpgs are suggested.

Browse for your local world saves. These files are located in appdata/roaming/survivethenightsserver/worldsaves
Replace the ‘preview' image with one of your choice.
Go back to the world configuration screen and click on the Steam Workshop tab
Update your scenario the picture will update shortly after

The Flare Gun

We haven’t had this much fun introducing a weapon in some time. The flare gun was part of our early concept ideas and with the core backbone done and us now being able to move onto polish and fun bits we’ve introduced it in 1.21. It’s a fantastic and surprisingly useful weapon, from setting zombies alight to sparking a campfire up, along with the obvious use of being able to easily find each other.

Firestarter

Links

Discord: https://discord.gg/survivethenights
Changelog: https://changelog.survivethenights.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/STNgame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STNgame
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/a2zinteractive
Website: https://www.survivethenights.net
Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/a2zinteractive

Nov 17, 2022

Experimental Build - Alpha 1.20.4 (Config Options For Days)

Survive the Nights - a2z Interactive

Heyo, Jayty here. Time for the next experimental!

We’ve had a super busy week. That last experimental (1.21.2) actually broke the hordes on default due to them sharing the same file stripping behaviour during the build process. That got hot fixed earlier in the week as version 1.21.3. Sorry about that one.

How to get into experimental branch:

Open Steam and go to your games library.
Right click on STN and select "Properties"
Navigate to the "Betas" tab and select "experimental" in the drop down menu.
Close the properties window.
You will find a single experimental server titled EXPERIMENTAL_SERVER. Join this for some testing.

Experimental Patch Notes - Alpha v1.20.4

Server Configuration

Added multiple server config options (like loads of them).

Today's Experimental Build

Config options! Last update we got all the optimisation stuff out of the way. Over the last week and half, we’ve been adding config options like crazy. We started by gathering community request, figuring what we need for the scenarios we want to make and also considering things we might want to achieve in the future.

Including the existing options, that gives us a total of 115 server configuration options! 89 of these options are implemented for today's experimental. Some of the rest will make it into the 1.21 and some will be in the pipeline for coming versions.

A full list of all the new config options can be found HERE.

What We Need Testing

We really need all of you to jump in and help us validate they all work as expected. Let us know what you like and what you don’t. Please suggest other new config options in the comments.

Additionally, there’s an opportunity to start leveraging these options to create your own scenarios. The full toolset is going to take us a while to get in, but the intent for 1.21 is to introduce Steam Workshop support for the scenarios. So that players can create, upload and have other players try out their experiences.

Steam Workshop

While the workshop isn’t part of today's experimental build, we’re gearing everything up on our side to make the scenarios completely open to the community. Scenarios will be able to store Databases, server config, custom spawn location set by the creator as well as more in depth JSON based balance mods in the future.

We’d love your thoughts for the Workshop, scenario ideas and general advice for what you’d like to be able to modify.

Build Validation & Official Testers

We’re aiming to improve our build validation pipeline to stop regression happening and to stop annoying scenarios like what happened on default earlier in the week. In the coming weeks we’ll introduce some kind of validation form for experimental builds.

We’d love to implement some perk for community members that dedicate their time to helping us validate the quality of builds. If you have any ideas for potential perks, please let us know!

Wrap up

We’ll probably release another experimental a week on Friday (25th) Nov. It’ll likely contain the core of the scenario logic however, it’s unlikely to include a full workshop implementation. We’ll bring some new concepts of the scenarios. By then we should have a clearer idea of how that will all look and function.

Links

Discord: https://discord.gg/survivethenights
Patreon: https://patreon.com/a2zinteractive
Changelog: https://changelog.survivethenights.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/STNgame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STNgame
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/a2zinteractive
Website: https://www.survivethenights.net
Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/a2zinteractive

Nov 6, 2022

Experimental Build - Alpha 1.20.2 (Client & Server Optimizations) + 1.21 Preview

Survive the Nights - a2z Interactive

Heyo everyone. Jayty here.

We’ve decided to try and up our experimental branch game. We’re eager to get builds to you in a rawer and in development state. We’re going to kick that off by releasing the first stages of v1.21.x right now!
I’ll start by explaining what today's experimental build release (v.120.2) includes followed by a preview of we want to achieve with 1.21.

How to get into experimental branch:

Open Steam and go to your games library.
Right click on STN and select "Properties"
Navigate to the "Betas" tab and select "experimental" in the drop down menu.
Close the properties window.
You will find a single experimental server titled EXPERIMENTAL_SERVER. Join this for some testing.

Experimental Patch Notes - Alpha v1.20.2 (Today's Experimental Build)

Server

Servers now built using unity 2021 to match client.
Reduction in server size by stripping files that are not required.
Ram usage reduction for the server. Estimated 1gb idle ram usage reduction.
Faster server load times.

Client

Optimisation pass over in-game textures to lower RAM usage.
Stripping of unused game scene objects to reduce scene size and loading performance.

Server
We’ve started tackling this version from boring to fun (in implementation terms). By that, I mean we’ve started with optimisations. I decided to dig straight into the server as they were using 3.5-4gb’s while idle!

File size on disk wasn’t too bad at around 1.2gb but I felt that could also be improved. CPU as a whole isn’t too much of a concern right now but a few slight improvements have been made.

I started by looking at the file stripping for the server. This is simply the easiest thing to tackle. There’s literally no need for textures, sounds, fonts, etc. on the server. Therefore I did another pass over our stripping system and managed to strip away a bunch more stuff.

Previously we had updated the unity engine from 2019 to 2021. That helped the client out of the box with a few performance bits. However, due to a limitation within the 2021 version, we weren’t able to build the server in 2021. I’ve spent some time getting this working for 1.21 and can happily say it’s working well. The biggest improvement here is that we’re able to take advantage of the dedicated server build target that Unity offers. This strips more engine code and such. Making for a more optimised server.

I’ve decided to ditch asset bundles for the server as there’s really no need for them (due to the stripped nature of the build). This simplifies things and allows us to use the LZ4HC compression method meaning faster and smaller builds.

Server Stats
v1.20 (Current Release)

Size on disk: 1.2gb
Idle RAM: 3.5-4gb
Startup Time: 25s.

v1.20.2 (Today's Experimental Build)

Size on disk: 582mb
idle RAM: 2-2.5gb
Startup Time: 10s

Client
Andre has been digging into client performance as a whole. He’s made a bunch of small optimisations. However the leading focus again has been RAM usage.

A big pass over most of the textures in the game has been done. Size reductions and optimisations have been done on mass to save up to 1-2gb of run time RAM (dependent on location). Our hope is to tip the scales overall and make it easier for players to run both the client and server without bottlenecks.

We started developing STN years before Unity had built in nested prefabs or prefab variants. Very early on we developed a tool to aid level design. The downside of the system is that each ‘design item' had a script and transform parent. These should have mostly been stripped however a bunch were left over as remnants in the active game scenes. Andre has created a tool that strips these away. This removes thousands of empty/unneeded items. Reducing scene size and hopefully frame dips as you move around the world.

What's In Store for 1.21.x

Performance

Server and client have both needed some love for a while. Our primary concern is RAM usage on both the client and server. With a self hosted server, the combined RAM usage of the game and server were creeping to uncomfortable levels.

Server Configuration

We’ve always billed the game as a ‘sandbox' but really, it’s not been all that sandboxie. This has always been down to our need to get the core dev out of the way. We’re in a groove now and with the relays implemented in 1.20. We feel it’s time to start opening things up to the community more and more.

We’re going to introduce a bunch of new config options. Enough that a massive selection of game play scenarios will be possible. Here’s our rough list for version 1.21. We hope to see you on the experimental branch helping out with testing.

Here's our list of new options (So far):

Custom Spawn Location

Config option for choosing different spawn locations (Campsites/Random/houses/Custom)
Ability to choose whether custom locations are used.
System for setting custom spawnpoints.
System for using custom spawnpoint if select config option is chosen.
Add rotation to TP presets

Server Config Options needed

New Config Option Ideas:

Zombies

Zombie runner move speed (Slow-Medium-Fast). Medium keeps up with player.
Zombie runner frequency (None-Low-Medium-High)
Zombie intelligence (Low-Medium-High-Hardcore) Affects: Annoyance/Vision range/Noise range.
Day zombies (Off, Indoors Only, Everywhere)
Zombie fence climbing (Off - On)
Allow logging off near zombies (Off - On)

Hordes

Zombie distribution (Urban focus)
Horde frequency (Off - Random - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 -5 -6 - 7 - 14 - 30)
Allow horde avoiding (Disabled-Hiding-Zombie Blood)
Synchronize Horde Start (Off - On)
Horde Starting Difficulty (Player Level / 1 - 20)

Lore

New life screen message (String)

Time & Weather

Start month (Jan-Feb-Mar - etc.)
Start hour (0 - 23)

Multiplayer

Self Defense System (Off - On)
Mental Health Penalties (Off - Low - Medium - High)
PVP Damage Reduction (None - Low - Medium - High)

Player

Respawn: (Sleeping Bag/Near Death/Random)
Perma-death (Off - On (Delete World))
Items on Death (Keep - Destroy - Backpack Drop)
Player Nutrition Difficulty (Off, Low, Medium, High)
Starting Overall Health (-3-10) 0 = default

Other

Allow Item Ownership (Off - On) Fortification/Trap Ownership
Fortification Strength (Low - Medium - High)
Food spoilage (Off - On)
Water shutoff after time (Off - 1)
Electricity shutoff after time (Always Off - After 1 day - After 2 days - Always On)
Water shutoff after time (Always Off - After 1 day - After 2 days - Always On)
House Alarms (Always Off - After 1 day - After 2 days - Always On)
Night Darkness (No Moon - - Always Moon - Cheat mode)
Food Grow Rate (Realistic - low - Medium - High)

Loot

Lock Sharing (Off - On) On = Anyone can open locks without a code
Loot Respawning (Off - On)
Loot Respawn Frequency (Slow - Medium - Fast)
Loot type in containers (Off - Food only/Everything) or text field [1000-1005]
Food container spawns (Off - On)

Scenarios

This is going to be the meat of 1.21. We’re going to implement a wrapper for all the config options that will allow us and you to create awesome gameplay scenarios.

Scenarios Concept

Scenario Ideas for 1.21

Realism
The world has fallen to ruin. It’s 3 months post infections and there’s still a lot of loot around. Zombies are becoming slower but there’s still a fair amount of fresh ones. Managing stats and preparing for the inevitable scenario of running out of world loot is key to survival. Hordes randomly stumble on your position.

Single loot spawn (On server startup)
Mostly Walkers
Hard Player nutrition
Random Hordes

Fresh Infection
The infection has just happened. Loot is plentiful but so are the dead. Zombies are fresh, fast and hungry for brains.

Fast Zombies
High Loot
Higher Starting Stats

Post Infection (1 year)
There’s not much loot around to scavenge now. Zombies have slowed down but are still around in high numbers. It’s essential to make sure you don’t get caught out by them. Their numbers are deadly.

Slow zombies (Mostly walkers)
Low loot
Low starting stats.

Night of the Living Dead
A disparate group of individuals takes refuge in an abandoned house when corpses begin to leave the graveyard in search of fresh human bodies to devour. The pragmatic Ben (Duane Jones) does his best to control the situation, but when the reanimated bodies surround the house, the other survivors begin to panic. As any semblance of order within the group begins to dissipate, the zombies start to find ways inside -- and one by one, the living humans become the prey of the deceased ones. ← Use the actual synopsis of the movie!

Start at a farm house
Partially prepared area
2 Hour Day
Single Hard horde comes.

7 Days to Try (7d2T)
Yup, we did it. You’ve got seven days to prepare for the mega horde.

Barely Alive

-3 Starting Overall Health

We’re also after your contributions and ideas so please submit them here.

Flaregun (Maybe)
It’s functionally very similar to the crossbow right… It’d be crazy not to add this?!??! We’re going to low key start the implementation of this. It might make 1.21 and if not, we’ll squeeze it in before Christmas. Maybe it could be part of the Winter event.

Links

Oct 24, 2022

October (Improved Hosting | Windows Dedicated Server | World Saves | Crossbow+)

Survive the Nights - a2z Interactive

Hello all and welcome to our October update! We’ve been hard at work over the last month working on game improvements. 1.20 features some of the biggest changes to the game since our alpha release. We’ve completely reworked out hosting solution, we’ve added the ability to save worlds, updated UI and added a new weapon. Below we’ll discuss some of the features you’ll find in version 1.20.

Improved Hosting (Steam Relays | No more port forwarding!)

We’ve taken our network solution and overhauled it to be able to work with Steams Relay network. This means that the network traffic is now routed through steam. In simple terms, steam has net traffic through to your computer. Utilizing this means that you (the player) doesn’t have to worry about configuring your router to use UPNP or manually port forwarding for the game server.

On a low level, the only change is that the bytes of data are sent through steam instead of a direct connection. Meaning you just sit back and hit ‘host’, invite your friends and we’ll do the rest.

Update host UI and World Saves

World Saves

Many of you have requested separate world saves since we first implemented server hosting. World saves will allow the player to have multiple instances, making gaming in multiple worlds far easier than it currently is.

The system also includes what could be considered a ‘self healing’ system. If you should for some reason move files or delete files in your world saves the new system will handle replacing them for you. In the past this could cause some serious issues, mainly not allowing a server to spin up.

World save UI

Game Play Scenarios

With the addition of world saves, we've decided to expand our game play loop in the coming 1.21 update. We'll be introducing a wealth of new server config options along with gameplay scenarios that players can choose from.

Game play scenarios

Gameplay scenarios will allow us to expand on the creative front. We are now able to create scenarios for you. Ideas like wave based survival game scenarios. This game mode would set the player up in a fully fortified and stocked farm house to see how many zombie waves they can survive. Hardcore modes, casual modes (maybe just some hunting and cooking). There’s an endless amount of possibility with this new system. If you have any ideas for this new feature please feel free to share them here on the steam forum.

Windows Dedicated Servers

Yes, we know.. It has taken us some time to get this sorted for all that have requested it. 1.20 will feature dedicated Windows servers. You can download the windows server via Steam. Ensure you have tools ticked in Steam’s library filter.

Steam dedicated server

You’ll also be able to download the server via Steamcmd using appID 1502300. If you’ve using Steamcmd for the first time check out the documentation here. You can download anonymously.

Steamcmd

Crossbow

One of, if not the most requested weapon is the crossbow. We’ve internally discussed a crossbow pretty much since the start of development. Now that a good deal of our core development is out of the way and core issues are being addressed quickly and effectively it’s time to have some fun. The crossbow is a beast of a weapon, nearly silent it’s the perfect tool to dispatch animals and zombies alike.

The crossbow won’t draw zombies like other weapons will and they do severe damage to zombie brains. Crossbows also won’t scare off other animals when the player is out in the wilds hunting. Arrows fired from the bow will craftable. The crafting recipe will also introduce a new drop “Feathers”, chickens should provide a steady supply. Combine wood, scrap metal and feathers to craft arrows. Arrows are also all retrievable, so don’t for get to double back and pick them up!

Feather harvesting

Arrow crafting

Propane Tank Bait Trap

If you’ve followed development and the team you’ll remember our concept videos. One of them featured a meat/propane tank trap that could draw the dead allowing you to fire on the tank and blow all up. It was fun, and fun is something we plan on focusing on moving towards full release. The propane bait trap is perfect to draw zeds away from a player or out of a specific area.

Propane tank meat trap

2022 Halloween Event

We’ve enabled the Halloween event as part of this update so enjoy the trick or treats from now until November 2nd. You’ll get a couple of new treats this year including the crossbow and arrows.

Drive-In Night of the Living Dead

Watch the full length movie right in the game. Find a film reel while trick or treating. You can take the reel to either of the drive-in theaters and play the movie via the projection room. Try and survive a couple of hordes while watching a classic film!

Trick or Treating

You'll find most of the structures in the game will currently have decorations around the doorstep and a new door knocker. Use the door knocker once the sun sets for a trick-or-treat. Tricks aren't always fun but the treats should make killing them easier ;)

Patch Notes - Alpha 1.20

Crossbow

Crossbow weapon added.

Halloween Event

Halloween event enabled from the 24 of Oct

Networking

Steam game server relay support (No more port forwarding)
Core netcode updates/improvements.
Added server config option for use of Steam Relays
Added commandline arguement for setting use of Steam Relays.

Traps

Added new propane tank bait trap

World Saves

Added world saving support so that multiple saves can be managed from within game.

Drive-in cinema locations added to the map
overhauled the entire hosting tab to improve the experience.
Fixed various items that had long names, causing UI issues.

Animations

Fix for weird transition between running/aim/idle weapon positions on the Lola

Performance

Fixed a crash caused by selecting the hosting tab.

Localization

Imported translations from crowdin on 21 oct

Links