Hello and welcome aboard version 0.33, Hunters! All the buzz over V0.32 has hardly died down, and we are now ready to reveal another patch for you to relish Steel Hunters to the maximum! The most arresting feature of this update (which we'll take a detailed look at) is the Quarry map. Once tested with a broader audience, and a couple of times with Steel Lab members, Quarry has joined the list of Arenas in the Steel Hunters universe. Fancy more surprises? The final playtest of version 0.33 - dates to be announced - will yet again host a massive number of newcomers and will comprise the longest consecutive session ever! Still not enough? We have something else to keep you entertained. Hold my beer popcorn, and let me tell you all I know about the terrific events we are approaching - one at a time. [h2]What does the future hold?[/h2] Let me start with the MOST exciting announcement - the longest and coolest (so far) playtest in Steel Hunters history is on the way! Happening between the end of May and the beginning of June and running for 11 days, the playtest will see thousands of new players joining the Steel Hunters ranks shoulder to shoulder with our veterans. The play session will offer you a unique opportunity to work together as a community! Why? Because each of you is invited to join the B.E.S.T. event of the year! The B.E.S.T. event is a server event where every Steel Hunters player will contribute to a community goal and be able to unlock unique event-dedicated skins for their Hunters! In addition, there will be a daily leaderboard showcasing the 10 most effective Hunters, each of whom will receive a personalized PC wallpaper (the community guru MrMatcha insisted that I should mention: the wallpapers are for your PC, not the living-room wall)! This is all I can tell you so far, but I hope you are intrigued! More news about the date and time of the B.E.S.T. playtest, as well as detailed rules, are to follow! We'll keep you posted; meanwhile, you can join our [url=https://discord.com/invite/steelhunters/]Discord server[/url] not to miss any important info. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P19.png[/img] Now, before I take you on a Quarry sightseeing tour, you most probably would like to know what else this update has brought to the game. Well, lots of things! In v0.32, you might have noticed the absence of the archer in the Arena. So, we brought Fletcher back and have finished (almost!) his progression polishing: we tweaked some of his weapon and ability mods' effects and added multiple visual and sound effects for enhanced immersion. The patch has multiple updates to encourage strategic choices: for example the green Supply Pod quest is cancelled when a Hunting Ground is announced and the duration of the Hunting ground was increased. There are also improvements in drone behavior, with drones now reacting to attacks more realistically and Guard Drones attacking players who linger in certain areas for too long. We have also done a general balance pass addressing the power level of most of our Hunters to ensure that they are all competitive and viable for the upcoming playtest, we recommend checking out the details of these changes in the changelog to find out how your favourite Hunters have changed. In addition to that, the game has seen visual and user interface updates, such as new VFX for Teleportation Terminal activation and updated icons for quests and events, along with adjustments to the Extraction Zone dynamics. We have expanded the game's accessibility and content by introducing French and Polish localizations, and - surprise, surprise - new 24-hour and 48-hour missions. The changes mentioned here are not an exhaustive list. If you wish to learn the tiniest details of V0.33, feel free to check our [url=https://steelhunters.com/blogs/entry/199-changelog-v033/]changelog[/url]. That was a long introduction, wasn't it? I hope you are not yet tired because I invite you, for now, to mentally transport yourselves to the center of the updated Quarry map so that we can walk through it together. [h2]Quarry[/h2] A little less than a year ago, a new map called 'Quarry' was introduced to Steel Hunters: thanks to your time and interest in our game, we received the feedback we needed and took the map back to our 'art forge' for further reworks and polishing. Now, after months of work, we are delighted to share the result - an amazing, revised, and transformed Quarry! Located on the British Isles of our parallel universe, the new map is truly inspired by real-life British lowlands, highlands, and remarkable places of interest located inside the country that became a welcoming home to the Steel Hunters team. Let me take you on a tour around the map's attractions, where you can learn what objects served as sources of inspiration for our artists and what scenes you will enter on the Quarry map. We suggest you give Quarry a close look and compare it to the initial concept of the map, which was discussed in great detail in the dedicated [url=https://steelhunters.com/blogs/entry/138-quarry-edition/]article[/url]. [h2]Iron Ore Plant[/h2] Judging by its name, the Quarry map was destined to be industrial, thus, its central landmark became an HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) plant with a preeminent tower situated at its core. As the story goes, this tower was designed to maintain the production of briquettes from iron ore, and its view was the embodiment of utility and might. Focused on the concept of semi-realism, we intentionally reduced the clutter of objects that one might expect in the real world, while also adding a deliberate degree of stylization to keep the visual appeal. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_1.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_2.png[/img] [h2]Fuel Storage[/h2] Another designated industrial area, stuffed with fuel storage tanks, serves as one of the Extraction Zones. Some fuel tanks are bound by walls made of concrete, nearby you can notice several uncompleted tanks, standing as stark, apocalyptic markers of the events that brought the world to a standstill. The design of the tanks is remarkably different from conventional forms and gives the surroundings an industrial motif with sci-fi notes. This choice was not merely artistic: the tanks' proportions are intentionally crafted to assimilate the hunters with their size and weight into the setting. The concrete barricades serve two purposes: they define the borders of the fuel tank zone and offer a defensive advantage, providing a safe haven for your Hunter in moments of danger. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_9.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P6.png[/img] [h2]Iron Ore Dump and Sewage Storage[/h2] Although in the Steel Hunter' universe the planet's population has left the Earth's surface, traces of human activity before May Day Omega remain silent witnesses to life on the planet before the disaster. In pursuit of inspiration, our artists studied photos of iron mines and coal depots, typical of the landscapes in lands engaged in this type of extraction. When the idea to create an Iron Ore Dump was born, it was decided that the overall look of the buildings should come from the industrial style, but we also wanted to add certain futuristic touches. These sights visually align with the vehicles you see around the map, making everything look like it belongs together. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_3.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_4.png[/img] Another object that catches our eye is a wastewater treatment plant. To make the whole construction look real, the artist who worked on its model on the map did some research on how such plants actually work. It helped to structure the zone, as well as to find some peculiar shapes, such as the egg-shaped digesters, which have become a local landmark of the plant. An artistic combination of various real treatment plant buildings' shapes in different cities and countries gave a vast possibility for the creation of a complex playground for the Quarry map. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_5.png[/img] [h2]Castle and Viaduct[/h2] When I come to think of Britain in general, notions of 'castles' and glorious chivalry immediately come to my mind. One of our objectives was to conceptualize and construct a castle that not only mirrored the massiveness and brutality of the Hunters but also diverged from the 'fairytale castle' aesthetic. To achieve this, we delved into the ethos of the 12th century, with Dover Castle and Windsor Castle serving as our primary references. These historical fortresses, with their sparse windows and minimal decorative elements, were designed to serve their primary function as impenetrable bastions. We then artistically stylized them, employing a technique that gave them a more organic and timeworn appearance. This deliberate erosion was further added by our level artists, who integrated the ruins into the surrounding landscape using foliage decorations to achieve harmony between the constructs and their natural environs. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_10.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_11.png[/img] The Viaduct is another historical landmark recently added to the Quarry map. It is inspired by the Glenfinnan Viaduct that was featured in the Harry Potter movies. The original construction is located in Scotland and was built between 1897 and 1901. It stands as a celebrated architectural feature, constructed using mass concrete, featuring 21 semicircular arches each spanning 15 meters. This structure is Scotland's longest concrete railway bridge: extending 380 meters in length, it arches over the River Finnan at an impressive height of 30 meters. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_8.png[/img] [h2]Station[/h2] Railway stations are an inherent part of British life - the lion's share of the populace commutes to work and back by train. We wanted to pay tribute to the hours we spend on trains and introduced a railway station view to support the vibe of the map. Our artists started their creative journey by looking at the network of railway stations across Great Britain, drawing rich inspiration from real-world Doncaster International Railport and the Liverpool Freightliner Terminal. We tried to preserve the core characteristics of these actual zones while embracing the artistic path of semi-realism. This approach allowed us to keep a delicate balance, creating spaces that resonate with the reality of existing stations, while also introducing elements of artistic abstraction and simplification. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P3.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P2.png[/img] [h2]Greenhouse[/h2] Running around the map, we come across a man-made object that strikes with its size and makes you contemplate the mind-blowing duet of biological and civil engineering, of nature and humanity. The dome greenhouse nestled within the overgrown quarry area stands as a landmark, blending architectural ingenuity with natural beauty. Inspired by the renowned Eden Project, its distinctive shape and transparent walls invite us to a verdant oasis, serving as a beacon of sustainability amidst the devastated terrain. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P7.png[/img] [h2]Nature[/h2] With the idea to leave the southern quadrant of the Quarry map for landscapes, we sought inspiration from a selection of locations, mainly Haytor Quarry and the Isle of Skye. The former, abandoned for over a century, stands as a relentless monument, a perfect example demonstrating the serene takeover by Earth's flora and fauna. From the Isle of Skye, we extracted the interplay between the rock formations and the surrounding landscape. This inspiration allowed us to design the Quarry map’s southern part, where the interaction between geological and botanical elements coexists harmoniously. [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_P16.png[/img] [img]https://sh-publishing-static.gcdn.co/sh-publishing/assets/img/recap/033/v033_SMM_Branded-Asset_3840x2160_UR_12.png[/img] In weaving the tapestry of the Steel Hunters world, the map inspired by the British Isles stands as a fusion of history and fantasy. Its rolling hills, a medieval castle, and industrial sights draw us as players into a realm where the past and imagination mix and match perfectly. This landscape, with all its detail, takes a bow to the cultural and natural beauty of the country and offers more than just a backdrop for adventure. We are truly awaiting the upcoming playtests of update 0.33 to see how you like a new part of the Steel Hunters world, artistically and gameplay-wise. See you there! ... and don't forget to share your opinion in our follow-up survey, that you can find in the launcher, or published on our Discord server. [h2]On a closing note[/h2] As we wrap up this exciting overview of the improvements in version 0.33 of Steel Hunters, we once again invite you to join us in the upcoming playtests. Don't miss this opportunity to experience firsthand the longest playtest in our history, immerse yourself in the enhanced gameplay, and share your invaluable feedback. Join our [url=https://discord.com/invite/steelhunters/]Discord community [/url] to stay updated on playtest dates and become part of the Steel Hunters legacy. Let's make history together in the Steel Hunters universe, and see you in the Arena!