Weekly Dev Activities

[Hamma]

Earlier this afternoon Sporkfire posted this weeks Development Activities:

This week, I present generally the same list as I have for the past several, but there are a few important updates to make you aware of. Version 2.8 has entered QA. We're hoping to be able to put 2.8 on Public Test early next week.

Internal testing of the Battle Islands is beginning this week, meaning that we'll be assessing the gameplay for any necessary tweaking soon. Having flown around solo on extinction, I can't wait to see the feedback we get. The sharp focus on gameflow through these maps really shows. Fighting and moving across these islands will be a tactically richer experience than ever. There will be opportunity to use and develop skills like you never have before. It will be quite an experience. Hopefully, it won't be too long after 2.8 goes live before you can have your first look. Hmm... Sorry for sounding like such a fanboy just now

I also wanted to let you know that the Design Team is looking at the population balance situation, and will be working out solutions to address it. At this point, I don't know the plan, but when I do, it will be added to this list. We'd like to have something along these lines ready for version 2.8 or an intermediate update shortly thereafter.

• We have made some performance optimizations by reducing the client's reliance on the system page file in lower memory machines.
• Data tracking is being implemented to begin the tracking process for Merit Commendations. With the first update, no awards will be available, though the data will be tracked to count toward the first round of commendations when they are released. The shoulder pad will be implemented and the Meritorious Service (one year of playing) commendation will be available.
• The Map screen will now feature an overlay grid, dividing the map into sectors that can be easily identified and communicated. A soldier's grid location will be shown in the proximity radar. each squad member's grid loc will be displayed in the squad display beneath their name (so, you see squad member number, name, health, armor, and Grid Loc for each squad/platoon member)
• Players will be able to toggle their LFS flag to turn off be off when they first log into the game.
• A new feature is being implemented called Proximity Squad formation. This feature will simplify the squad formation process by sending an invite to un-squadded players with the LFS flag on within a certain radius of the player who initiates the command.
• Players will have the ability to spawn multiple chat windows, where they can send different channels to. For example, a player could create a new window that all broadcast chat would be sent to.
• There will now be 8 banks of 8 shortcut keys. CTRL+F1 through CTRL+F8 will switch between them (where F1 represents shortcut bank one, F2 represents bank two and so on). You can also use "+" or "-" to switch between the next or previous shortcut bank, respectively.
• Enemies spotted by yourself will properly appear on your radar. Previously, they would only show up on your squadmates' radar (or not at all if you were not in a squad).
• Outfit invitations will now display the name of the Outfit you are being invited to, in addition to the name of the person inviting you.

In addition, the following previously discussed items are also in development, but will not be a part of version 2.8. Battle Islands will be a part of the 2.9 build with the Phantasm and joystick support being slated for an update further out.

• Three new Battle Island continents are in development.
• The Phantasm, a light cloaking air transport, is currently in development.
• Enhanced Support for joysticks is in development.

Great to see that the battle islands are entering QA :D Check here for the full Official Thread.

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