Previously, we've looked at[b][url=https://primalcarnage.com/news/the-road-to-evolution-gameplay] Gameplay[/url][/b], [b][url=https://primalcarnage.com/news/the-road-to-evolution-visuals]Visuals[/url][/b] and [b][url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/321360/view/4683271241483370656]Sound[/url][/b] in our deep dive series about how PCE is evolving. This time the focus is on how Freeroam is getting a bit of a makeover. [h2][b]What's in a Name?[/b][/h2] [b]Sandbox Mode[/b] is the upcoming[i] replacement[/i] for Freeroam - it is a much more user-friendly and customizable mode. The new name ties into this rework, with the notion of it being a creative and easy place to mess around in. The FR gametype was included as a bit of an afterthought originally in PCE, because we wanted to prevent the odd “friendly” dinosaurs that would disrupt deathmatches in the first game. It’s never been the main focus of[i] Primal Carnage[/i], but there are many players who love to just chill. Aside from that, it's a good place to experiment with and get used to the game's mechanics. We’ve also heard a lot of confused PlayStation players over the years wondering why they can’t drive a dirtbike as a Novaraptor! To that end, we've been working on a slightly more robust experience... [h2][b]The Sandbox Quickmenu[/b][/h2] Previously, most all of the fun features in Freeroam would need to be accessed through the developer console window (which obviously doesn't exist on PS4). Features such as vehicles and item summoning would [i]require[/i] typing out long awkward strings of text or hacking in keybinds to trigger events. Not anymore! A new and easy to use Sandbox quick menu will now let you do this hassle-free... [img]https://i.imgur.com/4hpF364.gif[/img] In normal gameplay, hold the Use key for half a second to activate the Sandbox quick menu. Tapping right into one of the main categories shows options to choose from. Tap left to go back, and keep tapping left to exit the Sandbox menu completely. Your character can continue moving around and even attacking while interacting with the Sandbox options. [h2][b]Quick Menu Features[/b][/h2] [h3][b]Enter Cheats[/b][/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/182438ef28f69d518244fd7ab3120b2aa7394f4b.png[/img] Finding cheat codes will add them to the Sandbox cheats list, where you can quickly activate them. These range from Change Size to Godmode, and are found by entering random button sequences when playing Custom matches on PlayStation. [h3][b]Summoning[/b][/h3] This offers multiple categories to choose from such as[b] Vehicles[/b], AI [b]bots[/b] (both human and dino), and soon[b] in-game items[/b] (health kits, ammo kits, etc.). We are still prototyping these features currently, so there may be differences between PS4 and PC. The number of spawnable items / AI will be limited to prevent server crashes. [h3][b]Passive Mode[/b][/h3] Going passive means that you [b]won’t receive damage[/b], but while active you [b]cannot deal damage[/b] to others either. This is useful for when you want to go AFK, or if you don’t want to run a fully no-damage server. [h3][b]Change Map / Vote Map[/b][/h3] For server owners / admins, a change map list will be available from the Sandbox menu. If voting is enabled on the server, the option to vote for a new map appears in place of this. [h2][b]Subject to Change![/b][/h2] We’re still developing Sandbox Mode and some of these features may change or be removed, particularly on PS4. For example, testing in the beta will determine how many AI are safe to spawn on console, and certain vehicles may be prohibited on PS4 due to their unpredictability. Outside of the quick menu, an additional option when selecting someone on the scoreboard in Sandbox will let you to [b]teleport[/b] to that player's location. [h2][b]Expanded Class Selection[/b][/h2] When playing Sandbox, there will now be[b] additional playable classes[/b] listed on the spawn menu. These include several former “NPCs” that have been given a little extra TLC for Sandbox Mode! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/47ef522e8bd08da297c6ee021e3ef623041c0332.jpg[/img] From the humble little Compy to the mighty Iguanodon, a new range of [b]Sandbox-only dinos [/b]will be playable soon. Iguanodon actually has a completely new model, as it was only ever a corpse before. Sandbox dinos support all the usual playable features such as shoulder cam and have their own roars. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/4012ed91ed06ed442ba4e4e1162d2047d391dbe4.gif[/img] The playable[b] Iggy / Stego / Para are omnivorous[/b] - able to heal by both grazing and eating corpses. Aside from the Iggy glow up, other former NPCs like Compy, Stego and Para have received texture / model adjustments and bonus animations. [img]https://i.imgur.com/ebZg9uQ.gif[/img] Iguanodon has its own thumb spike attack, but for the most part Sandbox dinos repurpose existing dino abilities. Tail swiping is popular among both Parasaurolophus and Stego, although the little baby "Steglings" cannot defend themselves. Adult stegosaurs also have a familiar stomp attack... [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/da4e9356c5f33222390b7dcc80018a514c720c3c.gif[/img] Each of the Sandbox classes will have several default skins to select from at launch, and we're looking at proper Workshop support for them in future. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/f1f6554d2d8dee32eb26e16e3d36d1be8dff11d5.jpg[/img] They also come with new internal skeletons for being electrocuted or melted (and halloween)! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/84de2fa636e6be2a303b357b2241aee6e6e76195.gif[/img] Other bonus playable creatures are already in the works for future updates to Sandbox, such as Kaprosuchus, Baby Brachi, The Veteran, and Dog. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/4d170e90297cc647b94c07e1917d0a16d99898fa.jpg[/img] Don't get too hyped up at the mention of baby Stego, we are [b][i]not[/i] [/b]going to do anything like growth for dinosaurs (it's simply a class to select) and there are [b]NO arduous "survival" mechanics [/b]planned currently. We do have emotes for drinking, which is something that might refill your stamina in future, but we'd rather not waste people's time unneccessarily. [h3][b]Looking Ahead: [/b][/h3] [h2][b]CUSTOM MATCHES[/b][/h2] Currently the bonus classes are confined to Sandbox mode. However, we’re in the planning phases of adding [b]Custom gametype variants[/b] of other modes like TDM. These allow PlayStation players to modify options not previously available outside of the Steam game, while adding a bunch of new ones too. Custom matches will be added sometime[b] after 3.0[/b], with advanced tweak options including individual [b]class limit adjustments[/b], tweaking [b]respawn timers[/b], toggling spawn waves, allowing [b]cheats[/b], and yes - [b]enabling Sandbox dinos in other game modes.[/b] [b]Running a Custom match will disable EXP gain,[/b] but allow a lot of flexibility for those who want to experiment with mechanics and are more interested in [i]fun[/i] than progression. Want to play a match that has an infinite time limit with all Iguanodons versus all Pyros and low gravity? Knock yourselves out. [h2][b]Coming Soon…ish[/b][/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/d6e2dd908c41d8226bf72a842328f6b76077ce1c.jpg[/img] Sandbox Mode will debut first on PlayStation with [i]Primal Carnage: Evolution[/i] when it launches, it's quite a large overhaul and we're developing it on the console platform first. This means that for our PC players, you’ll have to wait just a tiny bit longer for it to be ported across. Sorry! We’re looking forward to road testing the new playables in the closed beta on PS4 as we close in on a release date. The final wave of beta invites will be going out soon, so if you’re on PlayStation and haven’t signed up... [i]what are you waiting for?[/i] [h2][b]Getting in the Spooky Spirit![/b][/h2] The annual [b][i]Halloween Horrors[/i][/b] event for PCE on PC arrives at the tail end of October, and you can expect the initial [b]3.0 overhaul shortly before[/b] we start the spooktivities! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/2cf15fc0c434f2fd6d1c1fc85ae5e4082ee0c9ca.jpg[/img] [b]Some features from [i]Primal Carnage: Evolution[/i] will not be there on day one of 3.0,[/b] as we have mentioned in the past. New elements like the Announcer, Skillshot System & Expanded OST will debut first on console, likewise the expanded lore documents and deeper dialogue system will arrive on PC after [i]Evolution[/i] has launched on PlayStation. For the initial 3.0 update on PC, there will be a reduced number of playable maps - however, new nighttime variants will be available to play for the first time. More remastered maps will be added over the next couple months, with snow levels returning this winter. We're excited to finally bring this[b] first big chunk of PCE's new era[/b] to Steam this October with 3.0, it's definitely been a long road! We do not have an official date for [i]Evolution's[/i] release on console just yet, but we plan to finalize the game's content going into November. Stay tuned! [h2][b]Join us on Discord[/b][/h2] If you'd like to get all the latest Primal news & previews first, or take part in our regular community contests and polls, join [url=discord.gg/primalcarnage][b]the Official Primal Carnage Discord channel...[/b][/url] [url=https://discord.com/invite/primalcarnage][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/7077945/8d7dd8cd87c4f85f27be94c269175aae5bd5e157.png[/img][/url] [h3][b]Thanks for reading![/b][/h3] [i]-The Primal Carnage Team[/i]