Hello players — we’re excited to announce that all Experimental Branch content has now moved to the Main Branch as we prepare for the next wave of updates.
We Introduce: C.A.P.E.C.O.D.
Clinically Accurate Physically Expressed Cause of Death
Our revolutionary new damage simulates human physiology in detail. It allows NPCs to experience cascading physical consequences from blood oxygen loss to organ failure.
Major Features
Complete overhaul of enemy AI: smarter positioning, varied awareness states, emotional reactions, and over 1500 contextual voice lines.
Revamped enemy design and clothing systems to support the upcoming story mode. (Hair and additional variations coming soon!)
New Arcade Maps: Dreamcatcher, Jumper
New Sandbox Maps: Doppelganger, Grey Matter
Enemies in RAID mode now patrol in an unaware state, enabling stealth kills.
Piovra 9mm is now suppressed, in preparation for the weapon attachment system. (Attachments will eventually be optional.)
Wendigo can now use night vision or a headlamp in dark environments.
Temporarily Removed
Melee NPCs have been temporarily removed while we develop a new melee combat system.
"BUT I LIKED THE OLD VERSION!"
Don't worry — the previous Main Branch build is still available and playable under the branch name legacy_branch_2.
To switch between branches: Go to your Steam Library → Right-click Blood Trail VR → Click Properties → Navigate to the BETAS tab and select your desired version.
*Note: Switching between branches will delete your save game data. Be sure to back up your saves manually if you want to preserve your unlocks for each branch.
(If running, please restart Steam to ensure the update queues.)
Experimental Branch Update
Experimental Branch Update
Changes
Improved ragdoll physics. Bodies now appear heavier and carry more realistic momentum. (Note: Ragdoll behavior will continue to evolve throughout development.)
Made large, high-velocity blood stains permanent when using the Frozen Ragdoll option.
Fixes
Fixed an issue that was making stabbing attacks more difficult than intended.
Corrected damage decals used by certain stabbing weapons.
Fixed collision on some ramps in the Survival mode map "Homewrecker."
(If running, please restart Steam to ensure the update queues.)
RAID Returns!
Experimental Branch Update
New Content
RAID mode is now fully restored, with all 9 levels updated and enhanced.
Changes
Significant improvements to enemy AI behavior across all modes.
Enemy NPCs now wear headlamps during nighttime scenarios.
Added facial variation to enemy NPCs for greater visual diversity.
NPC footsteps now play appropriate surface sounds and are spatialized for accurate directional audio.
Fixes
Fixed a bug where gore effects were not displaying correctly on the right knee.
(If running, please restart Steam to ensure the update queues.)
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Experimental Branch Update
Changes
Adjusted Runner AI to make them more accessible and easier to locate during gameplay.
Optimized collision in the map "Heartbreaker" for improved performance and smoother navigation.
(If running, please restart Steam to ensure the update queues.)
"Homewrecker" Map Returns with Enhancements
Experimental Branch Update
New Content
Brought back the survival mode map "Homewrecker".
Changes
Applied numerous optimizations to the map.
Updated lighting for enhanced visual quality.
Added new areas of interest and cover.
Notes
Runners may be difficult to locate in "Homewrecker" at this time. We're working on updating their AI in an upcoming update to flesh out their behavior and make them easier to find.
This map has highlighted an existing issue with ragdolled enemies being able to get stuck in walls. Please bear with us while we consider a fix. Thank you.
(If running, please restart Steam to ensure the update queues.)
Experimental Branch Update
Experimental Branch Update
New Content
Rerelease of the map “Dreamcatcher,” featuring an updated look and layout for this classic forest map. Foggy and dark conditions require the use of headlamps and night vision.
Changes
Permanent blood effects now appear around inactive “frozen” NPC corpses.
Crack lighter is now visible to enemies in the dark.
Fixes
Fixed a bug where NPCs were shooting from incorrect angles.
Brightened muzzle flash light for improved visibility.
Various optimizations to NPC rendering performance.
Permanent blood stains remain around inactive enemies.
Experimental Branch Update
Experimental Branch Update
Please note that this Experimental Branch update introduces new content that is largely untested by the public and may present unexpected bugs or performance issues. We appreciate your feedback as we refine these additions and work to enhance the gameplay experience.
New Content
Added new Survival Mode map, "Jumper," set in a forest rock quarry with verticality and plenty of cover for intense shootouts.
Changes
Reintroduced headlamp and night vision: reach above your head (L side - headlamp / R side - NV) ) to toggle between them. The headlamp’s beam is visible to enemies in the dark, extending their detection range.
Suppressed Wendigo's Piovra 9mm to prepare for stealth features in the upcoming Raid update. (Enemy Piovras remain unsuppressed).
Increased fall damage for NPCs.
Fixes
Fixed an issue with enemies shooting themselves.
Improved NPC navigation in the sandbox map "Cold Roller."
Fixed a navigation bug affecting unarmed enemies.
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Hey everyone! I was out of the office for the last update, so we didn’t get a chance to post a changelog. To keep you in the loop, I’m combining the changes here. The only change this time is a fix for the duplicate Wendigo spawning in Black Site; the rest are from the previous update.
Fixes
Empty-handed punches no longer cause damage or hit reactions when striking limbs.
Resolved a bug that caused a duplicate Wendigo to spawn in the sandbox map "Black Site."
Changes
Implemented several performance optimizations since the previous experimental build.
Updated the player settings menu.
Added a separate voice volume multiplier option.
Added player options to control the Ragdoll Freeze Effect.
Introduced a new setting for managing the number of simultaneous dynamic blood drippers.
Increased the maximum ragdoll count (recommended only for players with high framerates).
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Changes
Introduced an experimental optimization feature for dead NPCs, making them non-interactable once the player stops focusing on them. This may become an optional setting for higher-end systems.
Optimized the "Heartbreaker" survival mode map by reducing the complexity of landscapes and materials.
Enhanced navigation in "Heartbreaker" by adjusting various areas for smoother player and NPC movement.
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Experimental Branch Hotfix
Fixes
Fixed logic that caused runner enemy types to crash the game; AI is temporarily less advanced but smarter pathfinding will return.
Fixed spawners in "Paint Thinner" map.
Fixed scale of .308 rounds in the magazine.
Improved accuracy of velocity readings for melee blunt weapons.
Fixed bug preventing some discarded magazines from culling themselves.
Removed ability to stab your own hand, which caused glitchy physics behavior.
Fixed issue where damage effects were triggered twice on headshots, potentially causing slowdowns.
Fixed issue where Wendigo's footstep sounds did not play on some surfaces.
Changes
Significant performance optimizations.
Brought back unlimited Crack Time™ in sandbox maps.
