This is one of the most important updates to the game. We are aware of the issues many players have faced with performance, and over the past few months, we have conducted a comprehensive refactoring, significantly improving the game's core systems, resulting in substantial gains in terms of performance and stability. We are confident that these changes will provide a smoother and more satisfying experience for a large portion of players. Check below for all the fixes, improvements, optimizations, and new features included in this update!

The reason why this update is larger than usual is due to the graphics engine update to Unreal Engine 5. The upcoming game updates will return to a smaller size.

GAMEPLAY

• Weapon customization system: In addition to the visual aspect, each weapon modification now has a practical effect during gameplay. You can now customize your weapons at a specific shop on the map. Customization options include:
• Standard or extended magazine, providing a larger ammunition capacity before needing to reload.
• Addition of scopes (arcade), allowing for increased zoom during aiming, depending on the chosen scope type.
• Addition of lasers, improving shot accuracy.
• Addition or modification of stocks and grips, increasing weapon stability during shots and, consequently, accuracy, depending on the chosen stock type.
• Addition of suppressor, reducing the sound of the weapon shot for a more stealthy approach. Moreover, you can customize the paint of your weapon according to your taste.
• Added enemy cover system: During confrontations, enemies now seek protection behind trees, buildings, and other obstacles when in danger, providing a more dynamic combat experience.
• Introduced the possibility of recruiting criminals in conquered areas. Recruits follow and protect Nicolau in his endeavors, engaging in conflicts against authorities, other criminals, and even pedestrians. Recruits accompany Nicolau on foot and also get into vehicles when necessary. They can shoot and participate in confrontations even while inside vehicles. When in the passenger seat of a car, they lean on the door to shoot, while on the back of a motorcycle, they can shoot to protect the player.
• When the ammunition of a firearm is depleted, it remains in the inventory, facilitating management between purchasing ammunition and paints in the shops.
• Introduced a new radial weapon selector system:
• Traditional mode: By scrolling the mouse wheel, you can quickly access available weapon categories.
• Detailed mode: By pressing ALT and moving the mouse, you have full access to the weapon inventory, allowing you to switch between categories and models while the game is in slow motion.
• Consumables can now be accessed through the weapon wheel, providing greater control and resource management.
• Christmas theme added to the game map.

OPTIMIZATION

• Deep optimization in some of the game's core systems, including an improvement in the object spawn system throughout the environment and enhancements in the navigation system and raycasts of characters and vehicles in the world, resulting in a significant performance improvement in gameplay.
• All models, textures, and materials of buildings and property objects, such as gates, fences, doors, and windows, have been reworked and optimized. This has led to a reduction in the number of draw calls, ensuring more efficient rendering of the environment and, consequently, a performance increase.
• Support for super resolution has been updated through the implementation of DLSS 3.5, providing an enhanced visual experience.
• The option to change the game's DirectX has been added, offering two options:
• DirectX 11: More suitable for older GPUs.
• DirectX 12: Recommended for newer GPUs.
• The Apex Destruction methodology has been replaced by Chaos Destruction, promoting a more advanced and efficient approach to managing destruction in the game.

IMPROVEMENTS

• The game engine has been updated to version 5.3.2, enabling the use of more recent development tools. Currently, we are not yet utilizing the cutting-edge rendering and physics tools available in Unreal Engine 5.
• Models and textures of all firearms have undergone a redesign.
• Specific improvements in armed combat.
• Enhancements in camera position and FOV.
• Camera shake effects have been improved, providing a more immersive experience.
• The gun firing particle has also been enhanced with a more realistic lighting effect.
• Nicolau's aiming and shooting animations during armed combat have been improved.
• Animations for the game's weapons have been added, with specific movements for each detail of the weapon, including the Trigger, Bolt, Cylinder, Tile, Hammer, etc.
• Reloads have also received improvements; now, the cartridge is removed and inserted back into the weapon during the reload animation.
• The blur effect has been enhanced, providing even better definition to the game.
• The subprefecture flowerbed, which had reliefs that could affect vehicle handling, has been leveled to provide a smoother experience.
• A firing effect has been added for helicopter shooters, increasing immersion and realism during combat.

FIXES

• Fixed an issue that prevented the game from progressing in the menu when selecting Mandarin language, where the error displayed the text '171NPC' on the initial menu.
• Fixed LowLevelFatalError issue on some older GPUs.
• Fixed an issue with pedestrians' cars not turning the wheel during a curve.
• When popping a wheelie on the motorcycle, the rear wheel now respects the ground location.
• Mitigated the possibility of car wheels climbing on nearby objects.
• Corrected the direction of the muzzle flash.
• Fixed animations and content with negative values when using consumables.

Other Information:
During the implementation of DLSS 3, we were surprised by the anticipated release of FSR 3. However, due to its timing in relation to our development sprint, we opted for implementation in subsequent updates, thus bringing performance improvements to more players.

Some animations used in this update are placeholders. We will be acquiring mocap equipment at the beginning of 2024. This will assist us in creating custom animations for use in the game.

The progress of the weapon wheel construction is constantly evolving. It will receive even more features in the upcoming updates, and your feedback is crucial for good progress. Some functionalities using a joystick are currently limited but should be updated as soon as possible.

Note: The game currently has partial controller support, as described on our Steam page. However, it should be stabilized as development progresses towards the final version of the game.

The DirectX system, when changed in the settings menu, requires manual game restart for the correct application of the system. An automated restart system will be implemented once we introduce a custom launcher, due to engine limitations.