Welcome back, Hunters! It's once again time for an Update Recap, and therefore, we're excited to take you on a brief journey through everything that's changed and evolved since our beloved new archer, Fletcher, joined the League of Steel in version 0.29. Let's keep it focused on the essentials and dive right in. As always, you can find an exhaustive list of all changes in our [url=https://steelhunters.com/blogs/entry/177-v030-changelog/]changelog[/url]. [h2]Holiday Surprise[/h2] Very special and exciting holiday achievements await you in our Xmas Playtest. Our festive achievements, "Baubles of Steel" and "Naughty List", offer rewards for those who join us and complete them. Here's a little teaser: these rewards are more than skin-deep. What is it, you wonder? Well, that remains a surprise. But maybe I can drop a hint in the pictures below. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42049322/05505f3226b707c1493c60ac744142f9e1140e54.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42049322/5decc097b4429eb247ad74e67848848f4b723968.jpg[/img] Please note: These achievements can only be earned during our Christmas Playtest from 22/12 - 24/12 and won't be available in other 0.30 playtests. In addition, you can look forward to a festively decorated Hangar and the return of the festive Maryland Heights center. [h2]The Hangar[/h2] Just in time for our next gathering, we've updated the UI in the Hangar. You'll notice some changes: the PLAY button has now moved to the left side of the screen, while all social features, including the chat interface, have been neatly organized on the right side. The "Match found" notification will now appear centered in the Hangar Menu, as will the Hunter Cards in the Carousel. An especially handy update within the social features: you can now see at a glance if friends from your list are online. Plus, your status indicator will show them whether you're in the midst of battle or just chilling in the Hangar, recharging for your next match. We're eager to hear what you think about these updates, so be sure to fill out our feedback survey after the playtest! [h2]Fletcher...and others[/h2] As we mentioned earlier, our new archer, Fletcher, has been a hit among the reigning Hunters. We've received a wealth of feedback from players about him. Now, his leveling and progression are fully implemented, meaning you can play as Fletcher and level him up to your heart's content. Additionally, Fletcher has undergone a slight nerf to his damage output. But don't worry, Fletcher isn't the only one enjoying some upgrades. We've also revamped the Crosshair UI for Ursus' F.A.N.G. rockets. Along with this redesign, we've introduced new SFX and VFX effects that activate when the rockets are triggered. And for an added touch of visual splendor, our Nordic Wolf Fenris now flaunts a global animation update for his feathers in various states, be it idling, moving, or during ability activation. [h2]Audio[/h2] Audio-wise, we're about to serve up some juicy beats. Our reimagined track list elevates the game's music with the introduction of new themes and tracks – and that's just the beginning. You'll find a fresh theme in our Hangar-Games (or just our Hangar, as our creative author likes to call it), as well as the "Olau" and "Yume" tracks setting the mood on the Maryland Heights Map. Crimson Ridge is also treated to two new musical pieces, "Oscilassis" and "Flimpse," and more. In addition to these tracks, enjoy new audio presets in the Game Settings, with options like "Immersive" and "Informative" tailored to your auditory preferences – plus more surprises in store. To top it all off, we've smoothed out the music transition between the Login and Hangar screens, ensuring a seamless auditory journey from the moment you start the game, and more. [h2]That's not all[/h2] Don't forget to check out the [url=https://steelhunters.com/blogs/entry/177-v030-changelog/]changelog[/url] to discover all the smaller tweaks and balance changes we've made to your favorite Hunters. After all, you can't expect the author to do ALL of the heavy lifting for you - wink wink. [h2]Happy Holidays![/h2] And last but not least, we will be taking a short break from our never-ending effort as well - starting on the 24th of December. But we will be back! Our first Playtest for 2024 awaits us on January 12th. And we look forward to having you on board! Happy Holidays, Hunters!