Hi all,

Commanders are back!

Create a commander by assigning a crew member to any viewport on the vehicle.

Fully healthy commanders provide these benefits:

• 50% faster role switching
• 100% wider view direction cone
• 100% faster scan direction change frequency.
• Removes the +0.5s reload time penalty.
• Allows bots to stop and fire accurately while advancing

These bonuses only apply when the commander role is being performed.
So for example, loader-commanders wont get the benefits while loading.

Vehicles without a commander will have a +0.5s reload time penalty from being less organized.

Bot reworks

Bot vision has been reworked to be more human.

They now have a single look direction with a limited field-of-view.
Previously, bots could see in all directions at all times.

This look direction changes based on whether they're scanning for targets, watching existing targets or watching the direction of incoming fire. During scanning, they'll routinely look around in all directions.

This isn't meant to be a stealth mechanic. It's about giving them realistic reactions to you cresting a hill, allowing you an extra 1 or 2 seconds before they notice you to get a shot off or close the distance and outflank them.

Overall they should act like less of a hivemind now, since some will take more time to look at the threat than others.

New Parts (By DarioXN)

• Celere Sahariano roadwheels
• AMX 13 track belts
• 17pdr muzzle brake
• D25 muzzle brake
• Wire spool
• Hanging tow cable

Changes

• Gun layer AI now tries firing at different parts of the vehicle, instead of shooting at the same spot repeatedly.
• Driver AI no longer tries to keep moving when immobilized.
• Bots will now sometimes fall back upon receiving a penetrating hit.
• Updated all built-in vehicles with the new commander role.
• AI zeroing is now done per shot, instead of over time. It takes around 3 shots before they start getting accurate.
• Made shell tracers more realistic. They'll only emit light from behind now.
• Added shell trails

Fixes

• Fixed track trails not appearing.
• Fixed VVSS assemblies disappearing when far away.
• Fixed Czech hedgehogs not colliding with the vehicle.
• Fixed shell drag being applied incorrectly.
• Made the AI significantly better at leading shots.
• Fixed projectile visuals not scaling with calibre.
• Fixed the barns on Silent Border not having correct hitboxes.
• Fixed damage not applying correctly for artillery shells, landmines and drowning.
• Fixed NTL artillery shells despawning before they hit the ground.
• Fixed enemy artillery on No Tank's Land shelling their own positions.
• Fixed artillery shell explosions being too quiet.

The dev team has been expanded!

The new developer, Mark, is now working alongside me programming Sprocket fulltime.
He's been hard at work on the next editor update while I've been working on this gameplay one.

Let's give Mark a warm welcome!

- Hamish