Version 1.9.7 Beta (Major Update 3)

BIG CHANGES!!!

Ok, well it has been over a month since the last update. Life has been busy, so getting this update out has been a challenge. There has been a vast amount of changes and improvements. I focused a lot on polishing Steel Gear up to be more finished. It's almost there! The main thing that has been improved is the UI. Every element of the UI has been replaced or updated with new artwork. All the old icons are gone! All the old dialogue boxes are gone! The trans radio has a new paint job too! Everything is new! And it looks fantastic! Steel Gear now has some personality. The next main improvement was the addition of voiced dialogue. The voices really bring the game to life. All NPC's have voice overs, as well as all radio transmissions and cut scenes.

Another large aspect to this update is some new content. I added an underground mine area to the desert. Also a new boss. The Scorpion King! I felt the desert area was a little lacking in the original game. So I decided to spice up the area a bit. It's not necessary to go through the mines, or fight the new boss to finish the game. It's more like a little side quest. The reward for killing the Scorpion King can be very attractive though. The option's there:)

As usual, a bunch of fixes are included in this update too. Please see below for all the documented overhauls, changes, additions, and bug fixes.

Overhauls/Changes/Additions/Bug Fixes

Overhauls

• UI overhaul - Upgraded to professional grade art
• Game icons overhaul - now upgraded to professional grade art
• HUD overhaul - new HUD with professional grade design
• Mini-Map overhaul - Redesigned with new pro grade art
• Dialogue menu overhaul - New professional art
• Transceiver overhaul - New professional artwork and new animated signal art
• Backpack menu overhaul - New professional art
• Pause/Death menu overhauls - New professional art
• Elevator floor selection window overhaul - New professional art
• Small interior overhaul - Added more props, effects, and post-process volumes
• Cheat menu overhaul - Redesigned with a virtual keyboard, no need to use your actual keyboard now. New art

Changes/Additions

• Added fail safes to exit and restart buttons within the options/pause/death menus
• Added "Keys" to equipment that can be found
• Added cheat code to teleport to the desert (see SteelGear_CheatCodes.txt file)
• Added cheat code to add "Keys" to players inventory (see SteelGear_CheatCodes.txt file)
• Adjusted damage rate of poison - It now damages the player 1 HP every second.
• Removed a testing code for "G" keyboard press that granted the player 5 stars. I forgot to delete it in the last version
• Added underground mine areas to desert (New Content)
• Added new Scorpion King boss to the mines (New Content)
• Added more cactus and grass to the desert area
• Adjusted scorpion enemies aggressiveness - They now immediately charge the player once detected
• Added rock formations to desert area
• Added beware scorpions signs to desert area
• Added wildflowers to jungle areas
• Added post-process effects volumes to outside jungle areas
• Adjusted Arnold bosses sensing radius
• Added a safe to an office room. A hostage gives the code to open it
• Added cheat codes for Star Rank 2,3 ,4, and 5 (see SteelGear_CheatCodes.txt file)
• Changed some cheat codes to accommodate the virtual keyboard in the cheat menu
• Added a "Rank Up" screen - Access it from your backpack after earning a new star rank
• Added a virtual keypad at the super computer - This replaces the old way to enter codes through your manual keyboard
• Added a few cheat codes to the Super Computer keypad (see SteelGear_CheatCodes.txt file)
• Adjusted scorpion sight range
• Added missing radio squelch sound when contacting Jennifer for the first time
• Added voiced dialogue to all NPC's, radio transmissions, and cinematic cut scenes
• Added function in options menu to turn voiced dialogue on/off, also added volume controls
• Increased the size of the mini-map markers for weapons
• Increased the distance enemy map markers show on the mini-map
• Added hover and click sound effects to a few buttons that were missing them in the options menu
• Added a mini-map marker for "Rations" pickup
• Added a "Mission Briefing" screen at the start of the game. (Just before the parachute cut scene)
• Discontinued 32-bit version - This version barely has got any downloads. So I'm not building them out anymore. I might build out a 32-bit version once Steel Gear is out of Early Access. Depends on demand.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed opacity of Hotkey icon boxes 6, 7, and 8
• Fixed some interior door overlap triggers
• Fixed "Antidote" - It now neutralizes poison every time you use it
• Fixed being poisoned - Now if the players health reaches zero while being poisoned it kills the player
• Fixed scorpions still poisoning the player while they are playing their death animation
• Fixed enemy land mines - They will now respawn after being set off. But not until the player leaves the area
• Fixed all sliding doors - The trigger box for the doors now will not block player projectiles
• Fixed scorpions disappearing on screen when chasing the player
• Fixed flashlight not unequipping in inventory when the player dies while it's equipped (EDIT:MAY 30,21 - this is still buggy)
• Fixed some enemies seeing player while the "Stealth Suit" or "Cardboard Box" is equipped
• Fixed a couple spelling errors in the options menu
• Fixed the death animation for dogs
• Fixed the "Close" button on the final transceiver communication when you finish the game - It now brings you back to the title screen
• Fixed the collision on the fences surrounding the escape helicopter at the end of the game
• Fixed shadows not casting on small trash debris

My Next Mission

There's 4 main things left to do, and a bunch of little stuff. I am going to try and focus on some of the major stuff to get it out of the way. I've been procrastinating on the weapon drop when the player dies. I really need to get this fixed. Once that's done I can finally start building a save system. The 3rd big thing, that really hasn't been an issue, but it's beginning to annoy me now, is the cinematic cut scenes. I made them a while ago, and they really look like place holders now that all the UI has been upgraded. They just don't have the zing that the game needs. So new cut scenes may be in the works soon! The last main thing is optimization. Right now the game runs great on my rig! A solid 60FPS most of the time. It plays and feels great! But running it on a medium spec rig the game isn't quite performing the way I want it to. The more I optimize, the better it runs! So hopefully I can get a bit of that done too. 

So that's about it for now. As usual, enjoy the new version! With all the new art, content, and voice additions, you're sure to have some fun!

clintmich