Hi all,

This one should hopefully make gameplay more predictable (and trees less scary). Kills and combat should be more satisfying.

Opt-in to the experimental branch to test out this update early:

Additions

• Parts and turrets now have a chance to fly off the vehicle when ammo racks detonate. The turret will need a certain amount of force, so this will be more common in vehicles with more ammo stored.
• Added suspension test bumps to sandbox flat.
• Added 'Railway' scenario as a custom battle map. Weather control is disabled for this one for now.

Fixes

• Fixed issue with photomode exit, causing significant performance drop until the game is restarted.
• Fixed returning to designer while scoped (Without 'Hold toggle' enabled) not returning back to designer view.
• Fixed escape on end screens pausing the game, when it should only be performing the described actions.
• Fixed crew damage model positions being applied incorrectly, should be much more predictable now.
• Fixed issue with damage model causing shots to penetrate and do no damage.

Changes

• Battle balance indicator changed from a bar to pips representing individual vehicles.
• Main gun load progress is now shown on the crosshair, instead of with a timer beside the crosshair.
• Increased cruise control level 1 & 2 power levels, adjusting for recent movement changes.
• Overhauled almost all explosion/flame visual effects in the game.
• Overhauled look of 'Railway' scenario.
• Overhauled tree falling animations and interaction, it's less silly now.
• Trees now need certain amounts of force to run over. Heavier tanks will find it easier, though lighter tanks work too if you hurl yourself at it fast enough.
• Adjusted tree density for most levels, making use of the fact that smaller trees are now fun to drive over.
• Shells can now go through trees, knocking them over in the process.
• Disabled camera clip prevention for trees.
• Lowered crew damage from collisions.
• Restored cupola minimum scale limits to their pre-V0.1247 values.
• Transmissions now have locations in the damage model, meaning penetrating at/between the sprockets will damage them (the location depends on the steering system).
• Photomode depth of field is now disabled by default.
• Muzzle flash visual effects now scale linearly with caliber, instead of having separate effects for light, medium and heavy calibers.
• Increased light intensity of muzzle flashes.

- Hamish