Jun 22, 2024

vivid/stasis - kouneyagami

Chapter 4 has arrived!

- Chapter 4 has been added to the game in its entirety
- DeSPAROLA added to Boundary Shatter
- Fixed an issue with shader malfunction in ASTELLION causing the screen to go blue
- Added new loading screen tips
- Final Landing now only requires 10 songs from the shop to be unlocked
- Updated speed overrides for moving between nodes that change chapters on the Node Flowchart
- Added new achievements for collecting a lot of gems in Betweenspace
- Updated Course Mode songs
- Added Class 10 (accessible after completing Chapter 4)
- Changed text noise
- Fixed a bug where using the judgement graph option would cause some shaders to malfunction
- Changed graphic of mine notes
- Slightly modified the math for proxies in modcharts that use them

Jun 22, 2024

Dev Blog: Clandestium Gloriana Level Design

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - rodrigue.delrue

Hello, everyone!

We’re excited to talk about the newest mission coming to Darktide: Clandestium Gloriana (AKA Atelium Foundryplex Omega V). For this, we interviewed Lead Level Designer, Fredric Grapensparr and Narrative Lead, Michael Knight, both of whom were part of the team responsible for crafting this new zone for players.

When reviewing feedback from the players around the last mission we designed (The Carnival), we saw the strong response from players regarding the lore and narrative woven into the level. This is something we enjoy doing more of, and that was a key starting point for the design of Clandestium Gloriana.

Setting the Scene

From a narrative perspective, our goal was to create a temple-like facility in the Void between zones. We landed on the idea of lost facilities peppered deep within the bowels of the Hive. These fabled facilities, Machinaria Gloriana, are long-forgotten wonders constructed to support Saint Messalina's crusade through the Moebian Domain. Each is rumoured to house some technological marvel that significantly aided the war effort. Unfortunately these have fallen out of service and become lost through the centuries. (It didn’t help that record keeping was never a strong point for the Adeptus Administratum.)

The machine in this particular Foundryplex was centuries old, and it generated a lot of heat when it was running. This required massive cooling systems. And while the forges have been quiet for 1000s of years…no one seemed to remember to turn off the coolant system. This is the setting of our newest mission: the grandeur and prosperity of the past, contrasted with the decay and neglect of the present. This contrast is then further highlighted by the snow and ice which covers the level as a result of the forgotten coolant system. It’s visually different from anything we’ve delivered before. This setting also allowed us to introduce new gameplay mechanics and objectives.

Introducing Swagger
As a vehicle to further deliver narrative to this mission, the team landed on the new NPC, Swagger.

Swagger is an enigmatic character whose origins remain unknown. He is more capable than players might credit him based on his manner and appearance alone. For example, how did he have the codes to the Mourningstar Vox Network? How does no one seem to know where he is from?

Swagger is the mission giver and unlike our regular NPCs, Swagger will actually be present in the level directing the strike team from the ground. This added an additional technical aspect in terms of audio that we’re pretty excited to share with players.

We can also confirm this is not the last interaction players will be having with Swagger. He will be sticking around.

Navigating the Mission
In this mission, players are tasked with meeting Swagger, who has provided the location of this Foundryplex rumored to hold the secrets of true Moebian steel. The objective is to get the facility running, obtain samples and fulfill Hadron’s motivations (whatever they may be). The mission objectives and the end event itself will depend on the players’ capabilities more than past events. If players are a coordinated team, they’ll be able to clear the objectives more quickly and efficiently.

The mission starts with a sense of claustrophobia in order to foster a sense of danger and tension for players. As they progress, the environment opens up to allow for more freedom of movement and good ole’ hack and slash. This is an intentional design choice to make the initial stages more challenging, before providing players with a sense of relief and progression as they move further into the mission.

We don’t want to say too much more without letting players be able to experience it for themselves. But we can say we’re particularly excited for players to reach the end event. (Jesper Kyd is a genius.)

Please stay tuned for more updates and dev blogs for Secrets of the Machine God! We look forward to seeing the reactions to this new level.

Jun 22, 2024

Announcing Update 0.8.0: Carnage on Planet X-11

Starship Troopers: Extermination - [O] Astraea

Troopers, we’re happy to announce that Update 0.8.0: Carnage on Planet X-11 will be set to launch for troopers to experience June 24th, 2024 at 10:00 AM PT (GMT-7).

Remember to keep yourself in one piece out there. We will be releasing the full patch notes soon, but you can find below a summary of what Troopers can expect in Update 0.8.0.

Weak Points

We introduce the much-anticipated Weak Points and Armor system, impacting all Bugs and Federation weaponry. Choose the right tool for the task and strike where it counts—right in the nerve stem! We're thrilled to finally bring this feature to the game, enabling you to serve the Federation with greater efficiency! So brush up on your aim, Troopers, and make use of what we taught you! For more details, click on the Weak Point System title above!

Planet X-11

Welcome to a new locale for the Deep Space Vanguard to explore, set in the Tibannis system within an Arachnid Quarantine Zone. This is our first major venture into blending interior and exterior settings. The area is shrouded in mystery, but for those eager to investigate, you might piece together what transpired here while fending off those pesky Bugs who have discovered the Listening Post! For more details on Planet X-11, click on the title above!

Carnage

We're thrilled to introduce the Persistent Body System, which we've dubbed "Carnage," in Starship Troopers: Extermination. Bug bodies will no longer vanish after being slain, so it's up to you to hack them apart with your hands or blow them to smithereens with explosives. Kill them all, but beware: while a pile of dead bugs is a Trooper's greatest honor, the Bugs will also utilize their fallen comrades just as you use them for sightlines. For more details on Carnage, click on the title above!

Ammo Types

In Update 0.8.0, Federation R&D is introducing two new ammo types: FMJ and Hollow Points. These additions aim to enhance your effectiveness in exterminating Arachnids. Load them up and let R&D know how they perform. We'll continue researching and expanding your armory!

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Besides that, Update 0.8.0 will include numerous quality-of-life changes, optimizations, and improvements we've been working on behind the scenes. We will share the patch notes soon, so hang tight, Troopers!

0.8.0 is a big leap into bringing the Starship Troopers experience into Extermination, and we hope all troopers will enjoy the content we're introducing. We can't wait for you to experience this update and look forward to your feedback as we continue to develop during this Early Access period.

If you haven’t yet, please feel free to join the Starship Troopers: Extermination Community Discord! Here, you can chat all things ST:E in general.

With Update 0.8.0, Federation Command leaves you a simple message:

Embrace the Carnage Troopers.