Survivor
Major Development Update
For the last few months I've been thinking about how to improve the game and I realized that I spent too much time and effort on making the game look good or at least better than what it was before rather than making the game more fun to play. My focus now is to increase content and better the gameplay experience.
Before I get into details, I want to announce my new PATREON page. At the moment it is basic, but I will continue to develop it alongside the game and will eventually add rewards. Any donations to my PATREON are highly appreciated and all funds will go towards development of the game.
Here is my link to my PATREON:
https://patreon.com/SurvivorDevelopmentSupport?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
I have a little roadmap to show you guys the things I will be working on: (THIS ROADMAP REFERS TO JANUARY FOR NOW).
Early January (Today - January 12th)
- Upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.3.
- Fix bugs in the current version.
- Complete a major cleanup of all the code in the project files, getting rid of unused code and files, improving organization, and optimizing code not just for performance but also to make it easier for me to expand on it, debug and test.
Mid January (January 13th - January 22nd)
- Major map rework. A new system that will use AI assistance to help me generate and build maps, this will reduce details but increase the size of the playing area and allow me to add features and whatnot.
- Shop will move out of in-game mode, instead shop is only accessible before and after completing a level.
- More weapons. To do this, I will be simplifying animations, specifically reloading.
- Less detailed maps, and new tools will allow me to improve AI navigation and behavior.
- Reworked wave system that includes: breaks in between rounds, boss rounds, special rounds and a day/night cycle.
Late January (January 23rd - January 30th)
- More maps.
- Return of grenades and healthpacks.
- Return of the teleporter, which will function differently in that it unlocks once the player completes a level.
- Introduction of armor mechanic, armor can be purchased from the shop in-between rounds.
- More bosses.
Post January
- More maps.
- More enemy types.
- More bosses.
- More weapons.
- Weapon firing types (Kinetic/Energy).
- Different projectile types (Bullet/Plasmaball/Laser)
- Firing Modes (Single/Burst/Automatic).
- Shield Mechanic (Works with Armor).
- Ability to upgrade Armor and Shields.
- Perks, Skills and Abilities.
- Saving and Loading System.
- Character Classes.
For reference, Post January refers to the rest of the year, although the list of things I want to do in the Post January list is fairly short since that is sort of the core things I want to work on, I will be adding a lot more.
I am very excited for this year's development for Survivor and am looking forward to seeing how much the game will change and improve.
Thank you to all those who have supported this game, and a even bigger thank you if you've been around for a while, even since day 1!
Kind Regards,
KolaCape
Multiplayer Returns - v0.3.35
The only change in this update:
- Multiplayer is now functional. Players can create and join lobbies. Due to a new system and a re-write of other major functions, bugs that were squashed in previous patches could make a return.
I will be posting a release schedule report later tonight that will outline the next patches and content updates for the game. Additionally, after today's release, the typical schedule of 2 - 3 patches per week will resume.
Thank you very much.
Kind Regards,
KolaCape
v0.3.34 - Patch Notes + Info
Before I get into v0.3.34's patch notes here is a rundown of what is happening:
MULTIPLAYER HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO:
- A very critical issue that has been discovered.
- A new system is being implemented to replace the old one, which requires maintenance and re-writing of major networking and multiplayer features.
Multiplayer will be disabled for a few days while I work on v0.3.35. Additionally, the planned content update for the inventory has been delayed to next week while I work on multiplayer.
While multiplayer is disabled, you will not be able to create or join lobbies. Single player is functional.
Patch Notes
- Fixed a critical bug that prevented the clients from being able to deal damage to zombies sometimes.
- Fixed a critical bug that prevented servers from not showing up sometimes in the server browser list.
- Fixed a critical bug where attachment functionality for buying and integrating attachments for weapons would not function correctly (certain sights were not being spawned in at the right locations and aim points were not correctly aligned or configured).
- Fixed a bug where a pickup truck had no collision mesh and could be walked through by the player.
- Fixed a bug with the T-15 Red Dot Sight, where the aim points were too low.
- Fixed a bug where when trying to join an in-game session, the Joining screen would not be destroyed.
Update 0.3.33 - Faster game pace
We've added more waves (a total of 100) and made some minor design changes.
We're aware of a rare bug where multiplayer clients can't kill specific zombies and plan to address it in the next update.
v0.3.32 - Patch Notes
- Fixed a critical bug that prevented the player from exiting from in-game in Singleplayer.
- Fixed a bug that allowed the host to invite players to in game sessions.
- Fixed a bug that allowed players to join in game sessions through game invites.
- Fixed a bug that allowed players to join in game sessions through the server list.
- Fixed a bug that did not end the game when the player died in singleplayer.
- Fixed a UI bug that showed health in the negative value.
- Fixed a UI bug that did not correctly update the Music Volume bar
- Fixed a UI bug that prevented the client from seeing the Game Over screen
v0.3.31 - Patch Notes
- Removed placeholder collision boxes for vehicles that were preventing players from shooting past or close to vehicles.
- Improved replication settings by connecting ownership rules and other information between GameMode and the system responsible for controlling waves and spawning enemies.
- Adjusted position of “Press F To Interact” text so that it is in the center of the screen.
- Fixed a critical bug that would end the game prematurely when players are alive due to incorrect game state function.
- Fixed a critical bug where the session would not close when the host leaves from in-game.
- Fixed a bug where the players could sprint and shoot at the same time after respawning.
- Fixed a bug where the players could not shoot over the workbench.
- Fixed a bug that was causing errors when the player respawns and it attempts to fetch players weapons.
- Fixed a bug that caused the wave number to not appear in the player’s HUD after respawning.
- Fixed a UI bug where the “Press F To open Loadout” text would appear over the blackout screen.
Release Schedule (September and Early October)
1. Later today, a patch (v0.3.31) will be releasing later today.
2. Two more patches scheduled for release this week.
3. Next week will see three updates, two patches and content update.
The content update will add the inventory system. Note that currently I am aiming to release these updates at there designated dates, but these are estimates and not confirmed.
Target dates for this week:
- v0.3.31 (September 26th) PATCH
- v0.3.32 (September 27th) PATCH
- v0.3.33 (September 29th) PATCH
Target dates for next week
- v0.3.34 (October 2nd) PATCH
- v0.3.35 (October 5th) PATCH
-v0.3.35.1 (October 6th) MINOR CONTENT UPDATE
NOTE: TARGET DATES ARE ESTIMATES AND UPDATES CAN BE DELAYED OR PUSHED BACK.
I will releasing the change notes for v0.3.31 when it launches in a few hours after this post goes live.
Kind Regards,
KolaCape
Multiplayer Released! - v0.3.3
Just a quick announcement, but due to lack of testers I have decided to close the Public Beta early and am instead releasing the current Public Beta version publicly.
Bugs are present and I will be fixing these over the next few weeks as well as working on the next content update for the game.
Kind Regards,
KolaCape
MULTIPLAYER Action Arrives: Join the Public Beta
THIS UPDATE CONTAINS MULTIPLAYER!
Basic Info about the Public Beta
- Only the first 10 waves are functional, this is because I am interested in squashing out important bugs first before extending the number of waves.
- The waves will be extended alongside the Content Update I am planning for the Public Beta test which will also add the Inventory System.
- Bugs are present and I am currently tracking a number of issues. I will be aiming to release 2 patches per week, maybe more, to resolve a number of issues.
How to Access the Public Beta
1. Go to Survivor in your Steam Library.
2. Right click on Survivor and go to Properties.
3. Go to Betas.
4. In the box where it says enter a beta access code, put the following password in: betatesting123
5. After inputting the password, click on Opt into Public Beta Branch.
6. Close Properties and allow the game to update. Once the update is finished, you can play!
You will know if you have opted into the Public Beta if next to Survivor in your library there is the words publicbetabranch in brackets.
Bug Reporting
If you discover any bugs, please refer to the Bug Report section in the game's discussions page. Any information about the bug, such as screenshots/videos as well as what you were doing at the time, are very much appreciated. I will keeping my eye out on discussions and the bug report section to make sure I collect and track all issues.
Happy playing and bug hunting!
Kind Regards,
KolaCape
Information for Public Beta
Firstly, there are currently bugs present in the Public Beta that I am hoping to resolve over the course of the Public Beta duration. These bugs range from critical to minor. I am hoping to fix the critical bugs by tomorrow, but if I cannot fix everything I will be launching the Public Beta regardless. I think it's a good idea to get the public involved especially since it has been so long since an update has been released for Survivor.
Secondly, a content update for the Public Beta will be added which will implement the final list of features I want to add to v0.3.3 which is the Inventory System, which will allow players to move weapons between weapon slots and their inventory. The content update will most likely be released in the second week of the Public Beta.
Thirdly, not all features could be implemented, for example the Automatica, which is the third shotgun had issues and the Tank zombie is more complex to implement due to some changes I am making it. So some features that were supposed to be in v0.3.3 won't be implemented until future updates.
Finally, the break I was planning on taking, I have decided to postpone this break to December instead as I want to continue working on the game after the multiplayer release and add a good amount of content and updates before the end of the year so that you guys have a lot more complete game and can play longer.
Thank you to everyone for helping to support the game.
Kind Regards,
KolaCape