PATCH NOW RELEASED - Patch 1.4.4c rolled back for now
Patch has now been released
Apologies to anyone affected by new patch. While I have now fixed the game breaking issues, I will be working on adding extra polish to this patch and have a release later today (07/01/24). Again, apologies for any players that were affected by this patch.
Patch 1.4.4c rolled back for now
Apologies to anyone affected by new patch. While I have now fixed the game breaking issues, I will be working on adding extra polish to this patch and have a release later today (07/01/24). Again, apologies for any players that were affected by this patch.
Patch 1.4.4c - Abyss
Battery charging station: Drop batteries you need charging into the station and as long as it has power going to it, all batteries inside will get charged
Improved context menu allowing for multiple options for the player to choose from
Change to horde beacon system: AI will now spawn in a close proximity to the beacon, however in that proximity you're not able to place buildables so the AI at least have some space to spawn and chase the player
You can now craft a new radiation filter by using 2 existing radiation filters
Added water wells to towns around the valley
You can drink directly from a water well
New item: Car battery added
Interaction UI is now static
Lockpick containers and tool required containers not act like normal containers that they save if they've been searched and will respawn loot after a certain amount of time (If enabled)
When ammo is at 0, UI for current ammo will be red
You can now craft molotovs without a crafting bench
Increased chance to find rope
Increased chance of finding polymer at high tier military locations
Reduced area that classified container marker will disappear at
Change to how resetting skill points is done
Fixed issue of being able to hear water where you shouldn't
Fixed molotov audio having a slight gap between it looping the sound
Fixed issue with not being able to use a spawn point until you have reloaded that save
Fixed setting respawn point on a sleeping bag
Fixed picking up a battery/filter and it's durability getting changed and stacked to another similar item
Fixed issue where if you didn't change anything in the character creator, you would spawn with the options of your previously saved character
Fixed not being able to drop items from a vehicle's storage
Fixed an issue with context menu that would result in wrong option being chosen
Fixed an issue with getting in a vehicle
Fixed containers not saying they are looted after reloading/starting a save
Fixed zombies not being able to walk through player placed barbed wire
What's Next?
Upgrade to UE5.3
New dungeon - The Hotel
Vehicle upkeep & gasoline revamp
Snap base building (Building pieces)
Map expansion
Bunker/Prison revamp
After this, look forward to full on quests
Developer Update - A plan for the future
Hey everyone!
First of all, hopefully everyone has had a good new year and holidays and going into a new year means more updates for SurrounDead. In this dev update I'll be going over near future updates and stuff a bit further than that.
Quests
The base for quests have been added now with the 1.4.2 update. In the background, I've been working on systems for the quests and at a point where I can start adding this to the base game. As quests get added the story of SurrounDead will get expanded. Find out the inner secrets of 'The Valley' or just help out your fellow survivors by getting them resources, taking out the undead and more.
Ability to remove world objects
Something I've recently started to concept/experiment with is the ability to remove trash objects from around the world map. While this may not be coming in one of the next few updates, it's possible to be added sooner rather than later.
Easier control with world objects
This will be coming in the next update but I've completely reworked the context menu system so that I can easily add more options for the player to interact with. This as well then links to stuff like generators, water wells, etc. Allowing more options for them (Like being able to drink directly from a water well) and easier control or pre-existing options (No keyboard combinations for the generator for example).
Base building - Walls, roofs, etc
More options for how you build a base will be added. From the normal thing of decoration items, etc but one new thing will be modular building. At a minimum, floors, walls, etc will be added.
Bunker/Dungeon revamp
This is one thing I believe is very much needed, bunkers need to have way more depth added to them. With this, systems like the keypad at the Oil Rig, or electrical puzzles at the Laboratory will begin to be added to the bunkers. In an ideal world I would have this stuff be randomised but I'm promising nothing with random generation stuff, more something I will look into.
Bounties - Random quests
Found in safe zones will be the bounty system. Check the board for bounties survivors need you to do. This could vary from finding a certain item, to hunting or classic kill quests. These bounties will link back into safe zone (More info when this is closer to getting added). Also, this whole system will basically be an off-shoot to the standard quests but using all the same systems that does.
Settlement system
Also coming, while different to safe zones are settlements. These will be areas where active scavenger survivors will call home. The locations for these will be randomized and different with each playthrough. These will also be a place to get new quests or trade for rare resources or gear. Give them help and they'll help you.
First person improvements
The main thing with this is proper first person ADS. First person aiming at the moment is quite painful and well the weapon just gets in the way. While this is one way first person will get improved other ways will be improved animations and just a more smoother camera system.
A full updated game trailer
The last game trailer for SurrounDead came out nearly 2 years ago and SurrounDead has changed heavily since then. It has now came for the time that it gets an overdue upgrade to show people what the game is nowadays.
Horde mode
Something more of an arcade mode, but somewhere you can have a quick play and slay waves of zombies in a unique map made only for this mode. The plan is to have it so you can unlock new locations, buy new weapons (Or find them), new equipment, etc. It's somewhere to have simple fun!
Crossbows
You may have already found this weapon in the dev menu. The next steps for this weapon are to create the bolt ammunition and give it some unique animations!
Vehicle upkeep
Coming in one of the next patches will be a revamp to vehicles and how you keep them running. From having to find a key unique to that type of vehicle (eg, Damaged Sedan Key), to fuel cans that you can fill up at the local gas station and vehicle batteries that slowly degrade over time.
More depth to player actions
At the moment, most player events have no animation that is linked to it. In the future, I will be looking at adding unique animations to certain events like; refuelling, eating, drinking, medical, filling up water, etc (One thing to note is that animations for eating, etc would not be overly long or complicated to not drag away from the gameplay).
World electricity/Substations
Take over a substation and provide electricity to a part of the map (Attacks, repairs, etc?) Something further down the road is the ability to provide electricity for certain parts of the map. This would allow the player to illuminate streets, unlock new objects that can help the player with certain tasks, production, etc. Suggestions for this system also would be welcomed as its still in the concepting stage.
More locked stuff with puzzles
With the addition of lockpicking, more minigames will be added to the game. These won't be just found in high level areas but places like towns or that odd house in the forest.
World events
This would make the radio item actually useful. If you've got that item on you in game you'll start to get notifications about events happening in the world. These can vary from a survivor in need of help, to a military encampment that has been spotted, or a special zombie located somewhere. There are many possibilities for this system.
Multiplayer/CO-OP
The simplest thing to say is, work is still getting done. Not soon however.
And more...
Level design: Much of the west and north of the map is unfinished and still needs a lot of work, that is something I am actively working on. Expect new POIs in the near future. As well, a large city will pop up in the future.
Companion AI: I am currently working on adding a dog companion to the game that you will be able to find around the map.
Motorbikes: Has been on hold recently, but have got them working better recently.
Farming: Create a small farm and gather seed packets, this is something I very much want to add, as well as foraging.
New items: Always coming, got some fun stuff planned.
etc...
Thank you for everything, Zurvivor
Patch 1.4.4b - Abyss - Hotfix
Speed of zombie hit animation reduced
Increased chance of finding items in a safe
Reduced scale of keycard pickup
Increased size of hitmarker slightly
Removed Christmas stuff
Fixed fishing not working
Fixed crash that occurred when stacking items from the vicinity UI
Fixed being able to stack items with different durabilites
Fixed being able to stack multiple batteries into flashlight, etc
Fixed exploit with classified containers
Fixed melee weapons never having hitmarkers
In the next couple days, expect a post going over the next features & more getting added to SurrounDead!
Patch 1.4.4 - Abyss - Swimming, batteries & more
First of all, apologies for the delay in this patch and beginning next year expect more frequent updates.
Christmas
With this update comes Christmas content. Expect find Klaus at your local safe zone waiting for you, will he give you a gift?
Red Nosed Shotgun added
Candy Cane melee weapon added
Seasonal decorations at safe zones
Seasonal main menu
And onto the update...
Water -
Water deeper than your ankles has finally been added. Look out for secrets in the deep and expect new locations in the water to get added in the near future (Even a flooded town).
Swimming -
With the increase in water depth comes swimming. You're able to swim above and under the water, but be sure to watch your oxygen.
Battery system - Flashlights and night vision goggles require batteries to work (You will have to find a new flashlight, etc for this system to work).
Radiation filter system - Like batteries, respirators require a filter to stop the effects of radiation poisoning (You will have to find a new respirator for this system to work).
New dungeon - Out in the water, an oil rig from before is left to rot. The danger is out there, waiting in the fog.
Long melee weapons (eg. Baseball bat or axe) will now stagger zombie AI
You can now refill empty water bottles at a water source (Ocean, river) and you will get dirty water that will need to be boiled
Re-added tutorial when you start a game. Most will already know how to play so you can just exit to main menu straight away and it won't appear again
You can now zoom in the player camera when not ADS or using binoculars (Default: Middle mouse button)
The 'Undead Shambler' archetype has been changed to be a sprinter
The number on the action bar is now related to the key binding
Added a warning to picking up the generator that you will lose all gas in it
You can now craft lockpicks at crafting benches
Infected archetype now has a sound when it explodes
Added camera shake when a noise is made when searching a container
Water now has reflections
New items:
Dirty water bottle
Dirty water canteen
Dirty water jug
Battery
Radiation filter
Oil rig keycard
When searching a container, searching will be paused for a random period of time when a noise is made instead of time being taken away
No more scrolling to pickup an item, that is now the first option and second option is to inspect the item's content
If your backpack is full when crafting, the item will now be dropped to the ground
Night is darker
Foggy weather is more foggy
Increased distance human AI can attack player
Both military respirators now protect 100%, hazmat respirators protects 99% and the filter mask protects 95%
Game will always start (New save) with partly cloudy weather type
Increased AI spawn delay by 1 second
Notifications will no longer display if it is exactly the same as another one currently visible
Reduced speed of infected & radiated zombie AI
Slightly increased quick search speed
Slightly reduced stamina consumption
Instead of a container being outlined when close to, it is now replaced with a small magnifier icon
Removed some zombie models that we're out of place
Reduced lockpick durability
Reduced sensitivity of lockpicking
Can now exit photo mode by pressing the same key you use to open it
Fixed issue with quests destroying themselves when you should of successfully completed it
Fixed issue causing an item (eg. From water well) to not be added to the inventory or dropped to the ground
Fixed issue where player feet wouldn't animate
Fixed a possible crash when ripping an item (Or after drinking one, etc) the item that is dropped to the ground and then attempted to be picked from vicinity crashes game
Fixed issue where AI firearms sometimes wouldn't show the muzzle effect or a bullet trail
Fixed issue where some containers would still require the player to go through the entire searching mechanic again when looting a container
Fixed an issue that could of caused the lockpick to not break when it should of
Fixed death of an AI or player where zombies would start attacking each other or nothing
Fixed AI navigation at front of prison door
Fixed an issue causing refilling vehicle %, etc to stay on screen
Fixed bush not getting snow added to it
Fixed a collision issue with round quarantine tent
Fixed player not correctly snapping to a ladder
Fixed alpine backpack not spawning
Possible fix for map markers not showing
After Christmas I will be releasing a dev update going over the next updates that will be happening early next year. Until then, enjoy your holidays and keep surviving. Zurvivor
Patch 1.4.3b - Scavenger - Hotfix
Press ESC to exit map
Fixed issue with item getting added to inventory flashing
Fixed consumables not working in containers
Fixed human AI not dealing damage or melee attacking
Fixed zombie AI not attacking randomly
Possible fix for item not getting consumed (Water well)
Patch 1.4.3 - Scavenger - Looting overhaul
First of all, apologies for the delay in this patch. Expect the next few patches to come out faster than this one.
New looting mechanic:
Added with this patch is the new looting mechanic. With this system it will take a number of seconds to search a container before you open it. With this, you can also speed up the search time by holding the 'Quick Search' key binding. When you are quick searching there is a chance to cause noise, this will attract nearby AI to the location (Also, each time you cause noise the chance to cause it gets reduced). There is also a multiplier in loot difficulty settings to multiply how long it will take to search.
New lockpicking mechanic:
You are now required to actually lockpick containers, etc instead of waiting on a timer to complete. Also, located around the map are new military containers that have to be lock picked. In the future, more will be added to lockpick and new mini games like this.
New backpack: Alpine backpack
New ice axe model
Added difficulty sliders for zombie archetype amount multipliers
In the debug menu there is now an 'All' items list
Night ambient sound added
Quests now display a save icon in the corner if it saves its progress
Item list in debug menu now shows item names by their debug/dev item ID name
Slightly reduced chance of rain
Increased chance of bleed after being hit by a zombie
Player hit animation will only play if the player isn't currently doing another animation
Radiated zombie archetype now checks what respirator the player has
You can no longer enter a vehicle that has 0 health
Increased how fast it takes water wells to fill up
Increased accuracy of most human AI (Military AI generally have around the same, but a bit more accuracy)
Changed how items spawn in the quest containers
Max FPS setting changed to a slider
Increased power attack stamina reduction
Zombie archetypes now have unique names
Wandering trader now spawns with a ranged weapon
Adjustment to inventory grid slot design
Increased human AI equip animation speed
Human AI can attack with melee more often/faster
Changed description of loot container refill so it makes more sense
Improvements to foliage LODs
Changed how horde beacons determine how far away AI will spawn
Big optimization for containers & AI
Optimization to weather textures
Added a slight delay after rotating the player (Alternate melee mode)
No longer able to loot Wandering Trader after killing them
Adjustments to some melee weapon hit detection
Fixed issue where bottles, etc wouldn't get added to inventory (Unfortunately bugged slots due to this issue cannot be fixed, as the game thinks there is an inventory item there)
Fixed AI jitter when chasing player
Fixed issue where melee weapon could get stuck carrying onto damage when not attacking
Fixed quests deleting themselves when completed
Fixed human AI spawning (This is mainly prevalent in the *REDACTED* Area where AI could be found spawning inside walls causing a not so fun encounter)
Change to how save games are deleted, this should fix the lag spike that occurs
Fixed issue where vehicles and buildable containers could be wiped due to the refill container settings getting attached to them (It shouldn't)
Fixed loot container refill not working
Fixed under water getting rain & snow
Fixed reloading not correctly choosing mag with highest amount of ammo
Fixed not being able to reload a weapon while scoped in
Fixed AI going up/down stairs (eg. prison and bunker)
Fixed issue where you couldn't complete a quest due to AI already being dead
Fixed infestations still spawning near player placed objects
Fixed notifications not appearing in game after a player death
Fixed AI walking out of safe zone area
Fixed some zombie boss spawners spawning 5 bosses instead of 1 or 2
Fixed some container dimensions
Fixed being able to vault on water
Airdrops that land on a steep slope, should now be able to roll/fall down it
Fixed container quests not completing task when reached location
Fixed issue where you couldn't loot extra animal meat due to buildables being nearby
Fixed interaction outline on hangar door
Fixed not being able to finish horde beacon
Fixed being locked in ADS while player rolling and letting go of ADS binding
Fixes/changes to AI spawning for horde beacon
Fixed player rotating when melee weapon not equipped if alternate melee mode is enabled
Fixed notes location at crashed helicopter random event
Fixed horde beacon debug box showing in game
Fixed radio not looping transmissions
Fixed 'Angling For Beginners' item description
Fixed being able to interact with objects while climbing
Fixed some floating grass and trees
Fixed issue that could of caused your melee weapon to damage the player
Possible fix for vehicle, containers, etc having their inventories randomly disappear
What's next?
Swimming (Next patch)
Battery system (Flashlights, etc)
Crafting overhaul
New dungeon & bunker revamp
Quests & bounty board
Settlements
Boss zombie revamp
These other features & more will be outlined in a dev post coming soon!
Zurvivor
Patch 1.4.3 - Scavenger - Looting Overhaul
First of all, apologies for the delay in this patch. Expect the next few patches to come out faster than this one.
New looting mechanic:
Added with this patch is the new looting mechanic. With this system it will take a number of seconds to search a container before you open it. With this, you can also speed up the search time by holding the 'Quick Search' key binding. When you are quick searching there is a chance to cause noise, this will attract nearby AI to the location (Also, each time you cause noise the chance to cause it gets reduced). There is also a multiplier in loot difficulty settings to multiply how long it will take to search.
New lockpicking mechanic:
You are now required to actually lockpick containers, etc instead of waiting on a timer to complete. Also, located around the map are new military containers that have to be lock picked. In the future, more will be added to lockpick and new mini games like this.
New backpack: Alpine backpack
New ice axe model
Added difficulty sliders for zombie archetype amount multipliers
In the debug menu there is now an 'All' items list
Night ambient sound added
Quests now display a save icon in the corner if it saves its progress
Item list in debug menu now shows item names by their debug/dev item ID name
Slightly reduced chance of rain
Increased chance of bleed after being hit by a zombie
Player hit animation will only play if the player isn't currently doing another animation
Radiated zombie archetype now checks what respirator the player has
You can no longer enter a vehicle that has 0 health
Increased how fast it takes water wells to fill up
Increased accuracy of most human AI (Military AI generally have around the same, but a bit more accuracy)
Changed how items spawn in the quest containers
Max FPS setting changed to a slider
Increased power attack stamina reduction
Zombie archetypes now have unique names
Wandering trader now spawns with a ranged weapon
Adjustment to inventory grid slot design
Increased human AI equip animation speed
Human AI can attack with melee more often/faster
Changed description of loot container refill so it makes more sense
Improvements to foliage LODs
Changed how horde beacons determine how far away AI will spawn
Big optimization for containers & AI
Optimization to weather textures
Added a slight delay after rotating the player (Alternate melee mode)
No longer able to loot Wandering Trader after killing them
Adjustments to some melee weapon hit detection
Fixed issue where bottles, etc wouldn't get added to inventory (Unfortunately bugged slots due to this issue cannot be fixed, as the game thinks there is an inventory item there)
Fixed AI jitter when chasing player
Fixed issue where melee weapon could get stuck carrying onto damage when not attacking
Fixed quests deleting themselves when completed
Fixed human AI spawning (This is mainly prevalent in the *REDACTED* Area where AI could be found spawning inside walls causing a not so fun encounter)
Change to how save games are deleted, this should fix the lag spike that occurs
Fixed issue where vehicles and buildable containers could be wiped due to the refill container settings getting attached to them (It shouldn't)
Fixed loot container refill not working
Fixed under water getting rain & snow
Fixed reloading not correctly choosing mag with highest amount of ammo
Fixed not being able to reload a weapon while scoped in
Fixed AI going up/down stairs (eg. prison and bunker)
Fixed issue where you couldn't complete a quest due to AI already being dead
Fixed infestations still spawning near player placed objects
Fixed notifications not appearing in game after a player death
Fixed AI walking out of safe zone area
Fixed some zombie boss spawners spawning 5 bosses instead of 1 or 2
Fixed some container dimensions
Fixed being able to vault on water
Airdrops that land on a steep slope, should now be able to roll/fall down it
Fixed container quests not completing task when reached location
Fixed issue where you couldn't loot extra animal meat due to buildables being nearby
Fixed interaction outline on hangar door
Fixed not being able to finish horde beacon
Fixed being locked in ADS while player rolling and letting go of ADS binding
Fixes/changes to AI spawning for horde beacon
Fixed player rotating when melee weapon not equipped if alternate melee mode is enabled
Fixed notes location at crashed helicopter random event
Fixed horde beacon debug box showing in game
Fixed radio not looping transmissions
Fixed 'Angling For Beginners' item description
Fixed being able to interact with objects while climbing
Fixed some floating grass and trees
Fixed issue that could of caused your melee weapon to damage the player
Possible fix for vehicle, containers, etc having their inventories randomly disappear
What's next?
Swimming (Next patch)
Battery system (Flashlights, etc)
New dungeon & bunker revamp
Quests & bounty board
Settlements
Boss zombie revamp
These other features & more will be outlined in a dev post coming soon!
