2.9.X testing - changelog inside

Please report any bugs below. One server is currently up with the new version.

Empires 2.9.0 "Battery"
July 16, 2016

* Features:
Linux client and server, including easy installation using LGSM
Building upgrades are now split into their own script definitions which allows values to be overridden when a building upgrades. For example turret damage can now be set when it is upgraded.
Removed various code restrictions that meant only turrets could be upgraded. This means that new building upgrade definitions are now a possibility.
Maximum carcass health is now defined in scripts, defaults to vehicle health.
Concussion grenades re-added.
Resource income now displays total income from all captured refineries and flags without using averaging; this should make it easier to notice when your income changes without random fluctuations. Resource deductions will display as and when they occur.
Resources and wages will now display as rounded figures. This helps to make sure all the information stays visible without overlapping or going off-screen.
Removed hardcoded layout for hud ammo indicator.
Standing near an unbuilt refinery point shows a hint that you have to move away.

* Bugfixes:
Made walls placable in Hammer.
Fixed the bug causing players to spawn in Barracks facing East; players will now spawn facing the nearest exit.
Fixed a bug where an engineer could place small walls even though they hit their limit.
Fixed persistent wall ghosts when holstering engineer tool.
Fixed a bug where the start position of a wall would be the map origin, meaning players would be unable to place a wall until they right clicked.
Engineer recycling no longer gives more resources when recycling without repair upgrade.
Turrets upgrade instantly after turret upgrade research.
Fixed scout class being named assault at the end of a round.
Removed unused emp_sv_refinery_interval cvar.
Made default class on start of game engineer instead of scout.
Fixed guard order drawing outline with an extra side.
Fixed gui images becoming blurry on low graphics settings.
Intro video has been fixed.
Hints should no longer show when inside a vehicle; destroyed vehicles show their own hint.
Engineer buildables no longer block building placement for commander.
Fixed news panel in menu.

* Non-code changes:
Added emp_money_2016 with prebuilt walls on the entrances.
Fixed third flag on emp_escort giving Brenodi reinforcements multiple times.
Added ocean water material for use in mapping.
Improved NF jeep VGUI images.
Hud style updated.
Updated some collisions for old Brenodi props.

* More detailed balancing changelog:
NF SMG3
Damage 40->38
MinimalDamage 30->28

StandingSpreadMax 0.3->0.25
DuckingSpreadMax 0.2->0.17
ProneSpreadMax 0.2->0.14

StandingSpreadIncrement 0.009->0.0082
DuckingSpreadIncrement 0.006->00055
ProneSpreadIncrement 0.005->0.0046

Sticky Grenade
Damage 150->175

Commander vehicle
InfantryStickyResist 0->0.25

Advanced Coolant Engine
Heat Output At Max
6->5 for AFV/LT
7->6 for Medium
6->5 for Heavy

GL
Gravity 1->0.92
Cycle time 3->2.5
Total Ammo Clips 2->4
Reload Time 10->6
UGL
Gravity 0.9->0.88
Total Ammo Clips 3->4
Reload Time 12->8

Bio MG
Vehicle Bio Damage 3->4

Plasma MG
Damage 4->5
Cycle time 0.4->0.35
Heat to Target 1.6->1.8

HEMG
Projectile Spread 0.015->0.025
DUMG & DUHMG
Projectile Spread 0.03->0.02

Guided ML
Heat 7->7.5
Cycle Time 1.0->1.2
Reload Time 6.0->5.5

Salvo ML
Weight 50->60

Plasma CN
Heat 20->15
Heat to Target 10->7
Explosion Radius 350->325

Artillery tank
Base cost 1000->850

180mm arty cannon
Gravity 0.7->0.55
203mm arty cannon
Speed 1800->1900
Gravity 0.6->0.57

Scout
Ranged arty resist 0->0.1
Other arties resist 0->0.15
Rifleman
Other arties resist 0.1->0.15
Grenadier
Other arties resist 0.3->0.4
Engineer
Ranged arty resist 0->0.1
Other arties resist 0->0.15

Capacitive Armor
Damage To Heat Absorbed 0.06->0.045

Regenerative Armor
Health 70->72

Deflective armor
Health 72->75
Angle Modifier 0.95->0.88

Absorbant Armor
Health 66->67
Speed to Damage Modifier -0.00011->-0.000112
Bio Modifier 0.3->0.45

NF Heavy Rifle
Clipsize 12->10

 

We jump a minor version when the server needs to be updated to keep playing. The changes made it necessary to do that.

 

There were a couple of things missing from the change log so I've made an edit to add them. Happy testing!

 

Sorry, I misreported that. The research to trigger the wall upgrades hasn't been included in this version and when it is included the strength increase will be tuned beforehand.

Luckily this is a testing release and not a final release. If the tests indicate it doesn't work for gameplay we can always remove it before release. If you have feedback on the rest of the changelog I'd like to hear it.

 

this so awesome.

 

The current release is missing debug symbols, the new release will allow us to use automatically uploaded crashdumps to fix errors.

Do you know how to reproduce these bugs? I haven't encountered them before.

It's not in the release.

 

I would like to remind people that all work done towards making Empires better is voluntary. Some of the feedback in this thread is counter-productive.
I understand that people are really passionate about the game and sometimes you won't agree with all the changes, but please; rather than outright dismiss things, discuss them.

I don't want to sound negative, I really don't. But sometimes it can be discouraging to read a thread like this.
In terms of changes - just remember that one of the biggest deciding factors on whether something works or doesn't work is the feedback received from you.

It seem's like every time theres a controversial script change, someone throws a shit-fit. All that I can ask of you is that you be a little clearer on what you disliked and why?
It simply isn't constructive to say "NOPE, fuck these changes I'm out. Later Empires, GG.", if you dislike something; present a counter argument about why you disagree with it.

Back on topic with the crash discussion; as stated by @Thexa4, crashes will be easier to remedy now that the crash dump uploading has been fixed. We also get crash dumps reported from the beta branch on steam so the more people that try the beta build the better, this is the only way we can debug the crashes at the moment.

 

We have a subforum for bug reports. If you would use that and try to completely describe the bug (French would be fine, if that helps you be more precise) we could reproduce it and fix it. When I play, I usually command, but I've never been unable to leave the command view.

Is the whole bug just that pressing the key bound to "exit command view" does nothing? When next it happens, could you try to remember how you entered command view, and anything else that you pressed just prior to the bug?

Edit: also, upload your keybindings file with the bugreport, it might be needed for reproducing. You can write your current keybindings to a file by starting up Empires and running emp_save_binds from the developer console (Options > Multiplayer > Enable Developer Console > press ~, left of your number keys)

It's not in the code at all! That's the beautiful thing; any research can be made to change any aspect of any building, all in scripts.

What do you mean exactly? Do you mean that walls take more damage from tanks in the 2.9.0 beta? I don't understand what point you are making, but if you articulate it fully and it's true, we won't add this research. (and in any case, as said before, HP x2 was never the value intended) Is there another way to add a research that helps when turtling, or improves walls, without being OP, or do you just think that there shouldn't be any such research at all?