Less is More :: Alpha 5
After a fairly long wait, Alpha 5 is finally here. This update had a primary focus of catching up on technical debt, and addressing the core gameplay. For a specific breakdown, you can check out the changelog on our Discord server, or on the game's Steam page.
New SCPs and world content
This update has added several new SCPs, primarily as a foundation to expand on down the line. These include SCP-1123, SCP-087, SCP-012, and a new area for SCP-1074. The facility itself has also been expanded with new hallways, a system for connected corridors, new checkpoints, and a redesigned intro area. Speaking of areas, we've also now split the sandboxes into dedicated testing levels for specific mechanics, to reduce lag and provide a more focussed approach. Environmental detail is also something we're working on, with the hanging lights now being utilised, changes to the player camera and FOV, and a ton more props to populate the world.
Systems, UI, and gameplay overhauls
The majority of this update has focussed on reworking core systems. Procgen, room loading, shelf generation, prop culling, and game loading all recieved complete overhauls, hopefully improving performance and frame consistency. Inventory and door systems have been refactored, although the inventory still remains unfinished at this time, and the procgen can now support small rooms with multiple entrances and exits to the wider facility. The UI and menus have been redone with expanded settings and settings scope, meaning you'll have finer control over everything in game, a new startup screen, a dedicated pause menu, and the return of a proper cheat console with aliases.
Accessibility
This update brings with it localisation support, a few more accessibility options, bug reporting tools, and of course, the most important element, a cat button. We do plan to add more accessibility features down the line, but for now it isn't too high of a priority, as core gameplay systems always need to come first.
Known issues
Typically we wouldn't include a segment like this, but in this case, it is important. While updates always carry with them a few issues, this particular one seems to have brought about the return of the dreaded "memory access violation". If you recieve unlogged crashes whilst exploring, please try to remember what you can, and pass it onto us so we can get to the bottom of what's going on here.
Future plans
So, what's in the future for CBR? Well, at the moment we're planning a small update of QOL fixes and additions, at which point we'll be discussing the way we've been tackling updates to try and avoid such long waits again in the future, or at the very least reducing the time between them. This should be especially possible with the core features nearing completion. Quality over quantity though.
