GROUND BRANCH News

[h3]❓How do I join the open testing?[/h3]
Please see this post for details and instructions.

[h2]Patch notes[/h2]

• Improved lighting in Compound main house
  
• Another attempt at fixing weapon light ghosting in night TOD
  
• All OpenXR plugins disabled (should fix some startup issues)
  
• Added Stubby Grip C (Zenitco® RK-0)
  
• Fixed skinning issues with M16A4 and HK416D variants
  
• Added light switch to The Farm indoor shooting range
  
• Fixed up light portal issues in City and Tanker
• Big pass on red dot and holo reticle brightness, making the brights brighter and the darks darker, and fixing sights that couldn't have reticle brightness adjusted
  
• Optimization and replacing of old assets on Docks
• Added AOR-1 akin to Plate Carrier (MPC), both belts and all pouches

Added Ranger Green skin for Combat Pants and Combat Shirts
Added Light Blue skin to Jeans
Pass on Flecktarn skins (appearance, scale and secondary colors)
Pass on M81 skins (appearance, scale and secondary colors)
Added M81 to Plate Carrier (MPC); pouches coming soon
Added several missing skins for various assets (most need tweaking still) and tweaked a handful of others
Tweaked tan skin for Battle Belt (CB) to be more consistent with others
Fixed AK rear sight on most AK-based weapons being off-center
Adjusted forward position of SVD side mount to fix it being permanently in the player's eye
Big pass on skinned decals (patches on shirts)
Fixed red flashing light in Depot appearing as a dark blob when off
Fixed AK-105 not having rail attachment
Added 30-round PMAG (5.56 NATO) in FDE color

Yet another patch released on the V1033 Community Test beta branch!

[h3]❓Not sure how to join the open testing?[/h3]
See this post and start testing V1033 today!

Here's what's new:

• Muzzle flash size/colour/duration improved and tweaked
  
• AKs now eject empty casings rather than full rounds
  
• Bird flock concentration and spawn method tweaked
  
• Incorrect reload sounds and M24 reload sounds fixed, and corresponding audio mixed
  
• Missing shotgun reloads and missing M4 charge bolt sound fixed
  
• Suppressors can now be added to both AKS-74U variants
  
• Autoexposure (eye adaptation) settings adjusted in Ready Room to avoid runaway darkening when looking in dark spots
  
• NVG tweaked to make them more sensitive in the dark and more blown out in the light
  
• Shooting range in The Farm no longer does strange things to muzzle VFX
  
• Levitating grass in Small Town spawn area fixed
  
• White glowing beards fixed
  
• Tentative fix for ghosting reticles when using DLSS
  
• Volumetric fog adjustments (should reduce ghosting when moving weapon lights around at night)
  
• Fog settings tweaked on maps
  
• Lots more light detector system-related crashes fixed
  
• Zero length ProcessCommand() calls muted
  
• Some work done on doors but issues remain
  
• Fixed some lights not being tied to the right power box
  
• GPNVG-18 rejigged to add black skins (some loadouts might break due to changes of name)
  
• New default item build for NVG Head Mount
• Added inventory icons for SCAR Front and Rear Sights, Ballistic Vest and GPNVG-18 variants
  
• Fixed attachments not able to apply to right rail of FAL (Tactical) when AN/PEQ-15 equipped on top ra
  

[h2]Reminder: less than 2 days left on the Steam Winter Sale![/h2]
Quick reminder that the Steam Winter Sale will be over on January 5th — so if you were looking to grab your first GB copy (or that extra copy to gift a friend), hurry up and get it before the 25% OFF tag is gone!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/16900/GROUND_BRANCH/

We just pushed another patch to the V1033 Community Test beta branch!

[h3]⚠️ Crash reports needed![/h3]
We have identified various random crashes that may or may not be related to changes specific to this patch. Your reports can help us zero in on the sources of the crashes to get them fixed ASAP — but we won't know how widespread or common they are without releasing the patch and getting more players testing.

So please be patient and report in your crashes (using the UE4 crash reporting tool that pops up immediately upon crashing to desktop) if you come across any. With all the data, a fix is likely to come very soon. Thank you!

Here's the changelog:

• Added missing Netherlands country patch
  
• Match defaults now set to continuous for all game mode types (no restarting after each round)
  
• Time of Day-related crashes tentatively fixed
  
• PKM updated: pose, recoil and animations
  
• MK46 recoil updated
  
• Light detector updated to take sunlight and skylight into account, so AI should see you in daylight again
  
• Skylight override volumes fixed up
  
• Saved loadout kit bug fixed (couldn't load presets)
  
• Tentative fix for players not being able to change their own team elements on servers
  
• SAVE button disabled when editing default builds/kits
  
• Items without attachments now get a proper save name
  
• Backup iron sights (BUIS) are listed only once in a save name (no more BUIS+BUIS)
  
• Patches of incorrect dimension are shown with "Bad Size" indicator in patch selector and cannot be selected
  
• Tentative crash fix for light detector component EndPlay()
  
• Floating glass mesh removed from Compound
• Crash fixes relating to player state
  
• Tentative fix for no player numbers shown in Server Browser
  
• 16-character limit for player names now properly enforced; file system characters are also removed now
  
• Resupplying from locker/workbench while wearing NVG no longer leaves NVG overlay around regular vision
  
• Fixed collision on tunnel walls in Storage Facility
• Added ability to equip side rail mount for AK-74M and Wz.88
• Wz.88 and all AKs should be able to use suppressors now
  

Thanks for all the feedback and be sure to keep the reports coming!

Happy 2023!

[h3]❓Not sure how to join the open testing?[/h3]
See this post and start testing V1033 today!

This patch should cover a few major bugs and crashes, as well as take care of some smaller issues that were easy enough to tackle:

• Various audio bugs fixed
  
• M24 sniper rifle: implemented reload sounds and updated suppressed and unsuppressed sounds
  
• Screen-Space Global Illumination (SSGI) turned off for "Low" and "Medium" post-process settings
  
• Loadout apocalypse: all loadouts kit version numbers increased, so all old loadouts will no longer be visible or loadable in V1033. This will hopefully fix some kit-related crashes and issues with cloud saves; more fixing to come!
  
• Full Beard applied after Balaclava is equipped will no longer keep displaying beard in Customize Operator screen
  
• NVG Head Mount can now be customized properly (can attach GPNVG-18, Headset etc.)
  
• German localization will no longer be displayed (was just a test thing that stuck around)
  
• Callsigns can now include hyphens (-)
  
• Callsign swear filter updated a little
  
• Updated patch categories/folders to Country, Blood Type, Role and Morale
• Patch selection dialog no longer displays duplicate category names for modded patches
  
• Overly bright plant in Compound map fixed
  
• Incorrect display name for PMM pistol magazine changed (already had 12 rounds, but said 8)
  

You can now opt in to the Community Test "Beta" branch of your GROUND BRANCH install and preview upcoming release GROUND BRANCH V1033 as it develops.

⚠️ ROUGH RELEASE AHEAD!
Please keep in mind this release is unfinished and prone to issues. We'll list known bugs further down this post.

⛔ IMPORTANT: CLEAR YOUR OLD FILES
Please make sure to delete all contents in the following locations

(copy-paste the path into your File Explorer address bar and hit Enter to be taken there):

1️⃣ %LOCALAPPDATA%\GroundBranch\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor
2️⃣ Documents\GroundBranch

Not doing so will cause various asset and input issues in your game.


Before we show you how to opt in to the test branch, a reminder: GROUND BRANCH is 25% OFF on the Steam Winter Sale until January 5th!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/16900/GROUND_BRANCH/

If you have a PayPal account, the same discount also applies in our official GB Store using code GBWINTER22 at the checkout — a cool option if you'd like us to keep the full cut from the sale, or want to add a donation.



Although we were hoping to release a stable V1033 before the end of the year, various performance issues made that ETA impossible to fulfill.

As a result, we have decided to open up the testing branch "early" (in its current buggy state), so players can start trying out new features and provide feedback on issues and performance on a wider range of PC specs.

[h3]How to opt in[/h3]

• Right-click GROUND BRANCH in your Steam Library and select Properties…
  
• Click BETAS on the left-hand list
  
• Select communitytest - Community testing branch from the drop-down menu
  

Steam will download the files for the new testing branch.

💡 DEDICATED SERVER OWNERS:
To migrate your dedicated server to the Community Test branch, follow the same steps on your DS install.

[h3]How to opt out[/h3]
You can go back to the stable V1032 branch at any time by simply choosing "None" in the drop-down menu. Steam will re-download the files for the stable branch.



Below is a fairly comprehensive list of additions, changes and known issues to look out for.

[h2]Main features[/h2]
[h3]New weapons[/h3]

• MK17 CQC
  
• MK17 DMR
  
• AK-105
  
• Wz.88
  
• M24
  
• PKM
  
• PMM

[h3]Updated/replaced weapon models[/h3]

• AK-74M
  
• AKS-74U
  
• AK-105 Alpha (replaced AK-74 MI)
  
• AKS-74U Alpha (replaced AK-74 MI CQB)
  
• M16A4
  
• SVD
  
• M1911A1

[h3]New weapon attachments[/h3]

• Carry Handle Rear Sight
  
• ATACR 1–8x (currently using Vudu reticle as placeholder)
  
• MK8 CQBSS 1.1–8x (currently using AccuPower reticle as placeholder)
  
• Docter II (Flat, Low and High mounts)
  
• MK46 Suppressor (AAC® MG-SD)
  
• Handstop Grip
  
• Reverse Grip
  
• Stubby Grip B
  
• Tan variants for all foregrips
  

[h3]Updated/replaced weapon attachment models[/h3]

• AccuPower 1–8x
  
• Vudu 1–6x
  
• ACOG 4x
  
• M68 CCO
  
• PRO
  
• Micro T-2
  
• RMR
  
• PSO-1M2 4x
  
• AN/PEQ-15
  
• Bipod Grip
  
• Angled Grip
  
• LPVO scope mount

[h3]Character customization[/h3]

• New character: Male 05
  
• New customization option: Callsign
  
• New customization option: Facial Hair (Full Beard)
  
• New customization option: Patches for headgear (right, left and center) and shoulders (left and right). Patches can use full-color, grayscale, tan or green versions
  
• New night vision goggles: GPNVG-18
  
• New night vision filter option: White Phosphor; to use, select AN/PVS-15 (White) or GPNVG-18 (White) from the helmet attachments
  
• Tucked-in shirts and unzipped Combat Shirts
  
• Various tweaks and additions to skins for Gear and Outfit items
  
• A few changes in item display names
  

🚧 Skins are a work in progress (and so is everything else)
For V1033, we'll be prioritizing making the existing skins consistent, but we'll still be adding a few new ones here and there for the actual release. Needless to say, we'll keep adding and tweaking them throughout development.

[h3]Visuals & graphics[/h3]

• Screen Space Global Illumination (SSGI) and Dynamic Field Ambient Occlusion (DFAO) both provide an upgrade to lighting, with toggle and performance options located in Settings › Video (some in the Advanced tab)
  
• GeForce RTX graphics cards can now use NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex to boost performance
  
• NVG effects (including IR lasers) have been overhauled. The overlay has also been reworked to adapt the FOV to take up as much vertical screen space as desired by the player (this can be adjusted in Settings › Gameplay)
  
• Clothing materials were updated to be less dark and difficult to tell apart in the shadows — which, in turn, should also be less harsh
  

[h3]VFX[/h3]

• Particles were remade for virtually every effect in the game
  
• Added muzzle blast effect (on nearby surfaces)
  
• A first pass of the bird flocks was added to several maps
  

[h3]Optimization[/h3]

• As detailed in Intel Reports #011 and #012, audio has been optimized to reduce CPU usage considerably
  
• Lighting has also been optimized in various maps
  

[h3]Maps[/h3]

• New map: Docks (feedback especially appreciated on overall layout for this one!)
  
• Overhauled map: Depot
  
• Overhauled map: Storage Facility
  
• Tweaked maps Creek and Small Town for flow/playability
  
• Too many minor tweaks to list
  

[h3]Animation[/h3]

• First pass on these item interaction motions (may not match up with certain weapons, positions and poses):
  
  
  
  • Switching Night Vision Goggles up/down
    
  • Flipping the G33 Magnifier on/off
    
  • Throwing the magnification switch lever on the Specter DR 1–4x
  
  
• Enemy AI will now play a "stunned" animation when under the effect of flashbangs
  

[h3]UI/UX[/h3]

• Added new elements and menus to support new features (most are heavily WIP)
  
• New loadout saving system:
  
  
  
  • Automatically suggests build name based on attached items (verbose level can be changed)
    
  • Fewer prompts
    
  
  
• New build display options:
  
  
  
  • Menu now allows stacking builds (i.e. group all builds of a similar base item) to reduce clutter
    
  • Players can also choose to display only their custom builds
    
  • Custom (player-created) builds are now better highlighted
    
  
  
• New sky/weather system
  
  
  
  • Time of Day (TOD) is now set using presets (e.g. "Midnight", Early Afternoon" etc.) due to the sun position matching real-world locations
    
  • Time can be further tweaked for season/time of the year (weather is currently disabled due to performance issues)
    
  
  
• Upgraded Target App (The Farm's shoothouse)
  
  
  
  • Now allows changing the shoothouse layout
    
  • Updated the screen UI style
    
  
  
• Updated several smaller elements for style and readability
  

[h3]Game modes and multiplayer[/h3]

• Updated Intel Retrieval:
  
  
  
  • Enemies will now search players once the intel (laptop) is retrieved
    
  • They will also attempt to intercept players at the extraction point
    
  
  
• Updated Terrorist Hunt:
  
  
  
  • Players can now enable "hot spots" — an area of the map where enemy concentration will be highest
    
  • Enemies will now (well, again) rush players once down to their last few individuals
    
  
  
• Added in-game kit restriction system (via Admin panel)
  
• Rounds can now be 120 minutes (2 hours) long
  
• Added match system (PvP): can set win condition to best-of-X-rounds, first-to-X-rounds, a certain time limit etc.
  
• Added voting for next map
  

[h3]AI[/h3]

• Enemy AI now has a basic light detection system to prevent them from spotting players if hidden in the shadows, improving nighttime gameplay substantially
  
• Enemy AI should now be able to mount ladders and bunch up at doors less frequently
  

[h2]Known issues and further notices[/h2]
As a general rule, the new systems have not received extensive testing — so please report in what you find!

Some other major things to look out for:

• Doors may not reset between rounds when played online, and may become stuck once a new round is started
  
• Some weapon sounds are missing (e.g. M24 reloads)
  
• Due to the audio performance overhaul, mixing may require tuning in several areas (things being too quiet or too loud)
  
• Enemy AI produces no "barks" (voice callouts, groans etc.)
  
• Enemy AI may display poor sound detection
  
• Some of the new/updated weapons are not properly setup to receive attachments, even if they may display a customization menu
  
• New weapons may also not be properly setup in terms of rate of fire, recoil and animations
  
• Icons are missing for the SCAR Front Sight and Ballistic Vest
  
• Patches applied to arms/shoulders appear brighter and flatter than ones applied to headgear; this is due to them not displaying normal maps correctly
  
• Reminder that a lot of the new UI is placeholder/WIP!
  

Using the in-game Bugs & Issues report screen (along the top menu when you press Esc), or sounding off in the #bug-reports channel of our Discord community.

We highly appreciate the reports and all feedback!



The year is almost over, so we might as well take this opportunity to wish all of our player base — as well as our partners, contractors and friends in the GROUND BRANCH community — a fantastic new year. Thanks for sticking with us through another one, and we'll see you in 2023. Cheers! 🥂