Hello Onward Players! Absolute deLIGHT doesn’t even cover the excitement you showed for the news we shared last month, especially related to the Night Vision features. We are going to be keeping up on that trend this month. You may not think it possible to be more hyped for this update, however, we have some big updates on features you have asked about for a long time. The Devs’ Desk will be going over the remaining features that will be included in Update 1.13. Make sure to read all the details because there are some things you probably are not expecting. We will also be providing some additional details for some of the features we talked about last month. Update 1.13 is shaping up to be very impactful no matter which way you play Onward. From the Hard Core Competition players to the Role players, Social Warriors to PVE hunters. This update has features for everyone. The other thrilling part is that all of this will be available before the long Thanksgiving Holiday weekend in the USA! [h1]From the Devs’ Desks:[/h1] The Unity update in our last patch set the stage for a lot of the work we have done in this update. Making the changes to major tools and systems beforehand allowed us to make much more meaningful updates to features you have been asking for. Overall, Update 1.13 isn’t everything we are working on, we still have work to do for some bigger features for the game. We have a lot of exciting stuff in development. Being able to release such impactful features to the players and seeing your joyful reactions the past couple months has brought us immense happiness. [h2]Quest 3[/h2] As the Quest 3 ships out to people the first thing we are getting asked is “What is the difference in Onward for the Quest 3 vs the Quest 2?” Some improvements can already be seen when using the Quest 3 based on the improvements in the hardware. In Update 1.13 We've increased the LOD bias for Quest 3 so you will see less LOD popping, and we increased the resolution of both the game but more importantly for scopes, so scopes will be sharper and higher resolution. More improvements are coming down the road as well, so that is just the first batch. [h2]Updated Tutorial & Player Instructions[/h2] With the launch of the Quest 3 there are going to be a lot of new VR users and new Onward players. In order to help these new users and also current users become better familiar with Onward’s gameplay and mechanics we have updated our in-game tutorial. The first big change is now the tutorial is located in the FOB Bassett training room. We made several changes to how training is done. We have included improved text and visual representations to help new players understand more complex functions. The new tutorial instructions and updates to AI in training mode should help players feel better prepared for battles when they join PVE and PVP games. In addition to the tutorial improvements, we have added objective details and instructions to the whiteboard in most game modes. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/5df02ef40bd80edce82525dfe600e614a5946c53.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/cf268f7dd124d5f13ba9705d5eabf71e3bd5f422.jpg[/img] [h2]Additional Night Changes[/h2] One more piece of equipment we have included to help with night mode missions is an update to the Flare Gun. The Flare Gun has been updated to have Parachute Flares. This means when it is shot into the air it will now parachute in place for an extended amount of time, and actually illuminates the surrounding area. This is extremely helpful in situations like getting pinned down by enemy fire and needing to signal to your teammates where exactly you are located. Make sure to take caution when aiming the Flare Gun, if shot directly at someone, it will cause them to be engulfed in fire. [h2]Additional Details on FOB Bassett[/h2] [i]FOB Bassett is a US military station located overseas. MARSOC has been stationed there to help provide medical aid while helping fight off Volk forces from trying to take over the areas that contain this country's two most valuable industrial crops: tobacco and sugar extract.[/i] This environment is a medium size map designed to be an iconic overseas military station. It includes several locations within it such as a Gym, Rec Room, Infirmary, and Advanced Training Facility. Social Game Modes will have an opportunity to play on a large scale map with lots of twists and turns and spots to take cover. This will make Social Games more difficult and require more advanced tactics to find your opponents. This map is also an ideal location for Free Roamers to meet up with their squads and go over tactics, practice maneuvers, or just hang out and play a game of basketball. When we say play a [url=https://youtube.com/shorts/_Ac7BfflEvk]game of basketball[/url], we mean it. FOB Bassett has two ways to play. One is a single hoop and the other is a full court. Both locations will keep score for 2 point and 3 point shots. It also has its own weekly global leaderboard. Basketball can also be good training for improving your grenade throwing skills. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/af46299840f294ad5de01a7fb63f803fa9169e4e.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/10e0054fd0c087559efbff2ddfa267b890785d26.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/42d536aef29e25cb352b5e6df140370b70dfbb0d.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/2674743a89680206bafa54c95a37406beec42349.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/2f38a522654c00efc18f543dafe57aa22c20084d.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/f96f7f34c086cd97696a0f1cc3ffebb6cf76eab7.jpg[/img] [h2]Updates to Environment Graphics & Parity[/h2] Currently there are 4 different versions of every Onward map. There are PCVR versions (Night & Day) and Quest Versions (Night & Day). This means when we fix bugs, we need to fix them 4 times. This also means that some assets are on some maps and not others causing some visual and cover compatibility issues. With a lot of the updates that have happened over the past several months, we have been able to address this by consolidating our environments to one version. This means PCVR and Quest players will now be on the same version of the maps. This will bring a lot of much needed gameplay parity to PCVR and Quest players. It also ensures that when bug fixes or updates are made to maps, it will be easier for us to keep those fixes consistent across platforms. This is a big improvement for the competitive players. Overall, it means less time spent redoing map fixes and more time for other improvements to the game like making new content and features and fixing bugs. Before you worry or any assumptions are made, this will not be a graphics downgrade to put all maps on the current Quest 2 versions. As part of this process we have updated the graphics throughout the maps. For Quest players this means improved textures, added assets to better fill in the scenes, and a lot more. For PC Players this will affect details like removal of blades of grass, small plants, and some decals. We've made the decision to remove some smaller details that could provide concealment on PC that Quest players could just see right through.The list of all the work that was done is really long and we think it will be more impactful for us to show you. Images below are examples of Quest and PCVR Graphics in 1.12.2 and what it looks like in Version 1.13. The Version 1.13 view is how all players will see the environments after the update is released.* PCVR retains visual benefits like higher resolution and LOD bias. It’s important that we also note that all platforms have now been set to using the same maps, however, not all maps have received their proper upgrades. We are continuing to work on the maps and will be updating them over time. Some maps may feel like a complete remaster. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/cd73865ae4cbcef6b6833e65de0d09bda73e4d14.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/dc456264904cce0a003134782f1fbb355af2edda.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/25603247/e4ed0e7b53c58ed0000b47ea82dd0b006d8e9d46.jpg[/img] *Note - PC resolution and textures for 1.13 will be a bit better than what is able to be seen in these posted photos vs when in headset. In addition, some work is still being done on maps and environments may change slightly from images shown in the 1.13 versions. [h2]Fire Fight Updates[/h2] We have been closely listening to your feedback and reports about the new game mode. Based on your feedback and additional playtesting, we have made the following changes in the game mode: [list] [*] Increased points awarded for a hard drive capture to 2 from 1 [*] Increased the Victory limit from 3 to 4 [*] Increased the max round count from 6 to 8 [*] Reduced the time the helicopter takes to arrive from 4 minutes to 3:30 [*] Adjusted and added more spawn locations to be more randomized [/list] [h2]An Advanced Enemy Approaches[/h2] This is the news a lot of players have been waiting years for. We have made drastic improvements to our AI for our PVE modes. We have made several smaller changes to AI over the years, such as animations and response adjustments. However, what we really wanted to do is completely re-do their behaviors. In Update 1.13 we have been able to do just that. The AI has had a complete refactor done. [list] [*] AI can now take the "direct path" or the "safe path", which allows them to flank you much more often and intelligently. Some other highlights for the new behavior include the following: [*] AI spawn all at once in Hunt. If you clear an area you don’t have to worry about them spawning behind you. [*] Active bot count has increased from 10 to 32 (8 higher than the previous PCVR bots!) [*] Improved patrolling behavior throughout maps [*] Adjustments made to AI behavior for difficulty scaling [*] AI will react to tactics made around them and not just gunshot sounds made anywhere on the map [*] AI no longer has a “swarm” behavior and will not all attack you at once. It is now based off a new visual and audio cue system, meaning it is possible to play more stealthily. [*] AI will now have more intelligent tactics like using how and when they use grenades and taking cover dynamically behind any object. [*] AI bodies are now persistent, and do not disappear. [*] After a few minutes in Hunt, your tablet will periodically scan a few (not all) Volk AI and show them on the map to keep the match going if you can’t find that last bot. [*] AI will now drop their inventory and you have the ability to pick up items from it. Consequently, ammo boxes are no longer available in Hunt or Evac. [*] Most of the previous SteamVR AI inventory loadouts are back! With some additions like syringes and flashbangs. They will carry a variety of weapons, attachments, and equipment. [/list] That’s right, picking up AI inventory is back! This is something you have been asking for and we have been working hard to bring it back into the game. We would also like to note that this refactor launching with 1.13 is the foundation for work that we plan to build upon to make additional improvements to the AI in the future. For example, in 1.13 the Rifleman AI has returned and we are currently working on other AI types like Snipers, Automatic Rifleman, and more in future updates. We are excited to see the dynamic improvement this refactor will bring to your PVE experiences. More details on the AI changes will be shared in the patch notes when the update releases. The AI is not the only major update to Co-Op. Some other highly requested updates will also be added. You can now use the ballistic shield again in Hunt and Evac. In addition, the defibrillator is also available for 12 loadout points. All this news is HUGE. If you haven’t tried Co-Op or it wasn’t your thing before, you should try it again with all the adjustments that have been made. Make sure you have enough time over the holiday weekend to experience all the new updates. [h1]Community Center:[/h1] Our Custom Map Maker Showcase entries are wrapping up and there are some exciting maps to play on. We will be reviewing the maps and announcing the winner on our social media channels soon. Be on the lookout for that announcement and make sure you try out the map for yourself. Keep your head on a swivel