Cepheus Protocol HQ

The new map is finally in active testing, and evacuation is getting very close behind it.San Francisco North is now playable internally in an early blockout state. It’s massive compared to everything before, with long travel times, dense street grids, and tons of viable base locations. Right now it’s being used for co-op playtests to dial in pathfinding, performance, and overall flow before it’s ready for players.Civilian evacuation is not live yet, but it’s close. All major systems are being built and tested individually, including intake, staffing, buses, helicopters, and zone management. The full pipeline still needs to be connected, with research and final flow logic being the last major steps before an experimental build.There’s already a lot of depth in how it’s shaping up. Security teams patrol automatically, overpopulation can trigger militia attacks, and evacuation planning now depends heavily on layout, timing, and protection. It’s a much more involved system than before and is being tuned carefully before release.There are still bugs and limitations being worked through. Guard targeting issues, damage inconsistencies, UI clutter on large maps, and edge-case problems with civilians and pathfinding are all being actively fixed during internal testing.Next up is finishing the remaining systems, connecting the full evacuation loop, and pushing an experimental build once it’s stable. The goal is to get it into players’ hands soon, but only when it’s ready.

This update pushes the game closer to full civilian evacuation, with major systems finally coming together.New civilian variants are being finalized and added, including scientists and security units, with player feedback directly shaping their design. These will start appearing in gameplay very soon as the team prepares for full-scale testing.Balancing is getting a serious pass, especially for juggernauts, vehicles, and mid-game upgrades. Expect changes to survivability, splash damage, and new upgrade paths that make armored playstyles more viable.A huge map expansion is underway, with a massive mainland area entering early experimental testing soon. It’s far larger than anything before and will be rough at first, but it’s key for performance testing and future gameplay scale.There are still issues being worked through, especially with bus pathfinding, collision, and AI behavior. You’ll see edge cases like vehicles getting stuck or choosing inefficient routes as these systems are refined.Next up is finishing bus AI, implementing intake systems, and bringing the euthanization and security structures fully online. Once stable, a public experimental build is planned.

This update completely changes how you manage civilians, with new systems that can help you survive—or tear your run apart.The new evacuation system introduces transport buses, overpopulation mechanics, and autonomous security teams you can hire and equip. Managing flow between zones now matters, and poor planning can lead to chaos fast.Militia uprisings are now a real threat. Kill too many civilians or tank your reputation and armed groups will form, escalate, and attack your base with increasingly dangerous weapons.This build also includes map updates, improved pathfinding, early co-op support for evacuation, and major balance work on combat and AI behavior. Some bugs remain, especially with buses, pathfinding, and UI quirks, but they’re actively being worked on.Next up is finishing the evacuation systems, refining AI and balance, and pushing the first playable build for wider testing.

A massive shift is coming to how you survive and control the city, and it changes everything about mid to late game.Civilian evacuation is getting a full overhaul with intake systems, zone routing, and automated transport. Buses, depots, and population flow now define your strategy, letting you move thousands efficiently while managing capacity and safety.New and reworked maps are rolling in, including a standalone island map and major upgrades to existing locations. Environments are being rebuilt for smoother gameplay, better navigation, and more meaningful combat spaces.On top of that, new systems like DNA collectors, martial law controls, and a full reputation system are being added. Push too hard, and armed civilian militias will form and fight back dynamically across the map.There are still active bugs and edge cases, especially with population transfers and pathfinding, as these systems were implemented very recently. Expect rapid fixes as testing continues.Next up is completing evacuation flow, adding militia AI behavior, and pushing toward a playable large-scale city map with early opt-in testing.

Civilian evacuation is finally coming—and it’s set to reshape how every match plays.The new system introduces full zone-to-zone population control, letting you move, contain, or eliminate civilians depending on your strategy. Buildings now matter more than ever, with purge and condemn mechanics directly affecting reputation and long-term stability.DNA gameplay is being overhauled with drops, collectors, and faster gathering. Scientists now play a bigger role, and this system lays the groundwork for future upgrades and progression tied to infection control.New maps are rotating in, including a refreshed island and another standalone map arriving soon. Weapons continue expanding with fresh additions, while vehicle balance and time-to-kill values are being tuned across the board.There are still rough edges. Infected birds need polish, some AI behaviors are inconsistent, and DNA collection has a few bugs. These are actively being worked on before release.This build isn’t out yet, but it’s right around the corner. Next up is buses, full evacuation intake, and major system polish heading into April.

A massive new gameplay system is coming, and it completely changes how you fight the outbreak.Calypso is nearly ready for release after a public playtest exposed several pathfinding and gameplay issues. The level itself is functionally complete with dense hills, cities, and defensive chokepoints designed to create new base-building strategies and flanking routes. Once the remaining issues are fixed, the map will roll out to experimental first before a full release.Legacy locations are also returning as standalone scenarios. A smaller island operation called Iron Wake is being converted into a pandemic map where players deploy from a carrier and push inland. Another island map is also planned, giving players quick one-to-two-hour sessions while the larger northern city region enters a longer development cycle.Combat pacing has been heavily rebalanced based on player feedback. Early attack waves now ramp up more slowly with far fewer special infected on the first days. Juggernauts have been nerfed, weapon damage has been adjusted, and new anti-air defenses like SAM and Avenger systems help counter airborne threats. Some visual issues with bird targeting and a rally-point bug are still being fixed during the current experimental testing phase.The biggest reveal is the new civilian evacuation system. Players will build screening checkpoints, isolation cages, evacuation zones, and euthanization facilities while managing staff shifts and security. Early in a match you won’t know how to detect infections, forcing risky decisions until DNA research unlocks scanners and better detection tools. Poor management can lead to outbreaks inside your own camps, while proper logistics allow you to move civilians between zones using bus depots and helicopters.Next up is finishing the evacuation system, expanding research mechanics, and preparing the groundwork for infection spreading across islands. Once those systems stabilize, development shifts toward new factions, civilian groups, and additional large-scale mechanics.

This episode focuses on major gameplay changes that reshape how matches flow from the opening minutes to the late game.A new dedicated balance lead has joined the team to focus entirely on weapon impact, doctrine costs, and time-to-kill across the entire progression of a match. The goal is to make infantry builds viable into the mid and late game so players aren’t forced into armor or air strategies just to stay effective.Power generation has been heavily redesigned to introduce real logistics into base building. Guard towers and turrets now rely on a functioning power grid, meaning generator placement, expansion planning, and infrastructure protection matter far more. A single breakthrough can knock out power and shut down defenses, forcing players to recover and rethink their strategy.Several technical improvements are also underway. Vehicle and helicopter pathfinding fixes are being tested, network optimizations have reduced bandwidth usage significantly, and new operator weapons are being added. Some vehicle movement bugs and targeting issues are still being tracked while the team prepares the next round of fixes.The episode also outlines the early concept for civilian evacuation systems. This was only a high-level plan, with the full detailed design discussion scheduled for the following week as development prepares to move into that phase.

This week’s update changes how matches flow from the first minutes all the way into late game, with a major rebalance to pacing, base planning, and multiplayer performance.Treasure Island and Half Moon Bay got important zone updates, including redrawn layouts and higher turret limits per zone. The goal is to open up base building again while keeping defenses tied to smarter placement instead of easy spam.Power is now a much bigger part of the strategy. SOCs draw power, more structures have meaningful energy costs, and tier 2 and tier 3 generators matter far more. Supply depots were also streamlined to handle ammo and fuel together, which should make frontline logistics cleaner without removing the need for infrastructure.A lot of work went into network optimization too. Projectiles were shifted to client-side prediction to cut replication cost, reduce bursty traffic, and improve large co-op sessions. Save and load support was expanded for more systems as well. A few issues are still being tracked, including client crashes when leaving a match, some muzzle flash desync on clients, and a handful of save/load exceptions for specific strike abilities.On the content side, two new operator weapons arrived for testing, the MP5 and the MDR, with more on the way including a new LMG. Calypso also made major progress this week, with layout work, roads, compounds, and combat spaces coming together ahead of broader playtesting.Next up, the focus is on wrapping remaining save/load work, fixing multiplayer edge cases, improving mid-to-late game performance, and pushing Calypso toward a playable release. After that, attention shifts to pathfinding, AI behavior, and the next major systems planned for March.

This week’s update adds powerful new ways to control difficulty while laying the groundwork for bigger systems coming soon.The biggest addition is expanded custom game options. You can now control the infection spread multiplier and override the infected attack interval with minimum and maximum timers. Want a relaxed run where the infection spreads slowly, or constant pressure with attacks every few seconds? These settings let you reshape the pace of the entire game.The save system has also been rebuilt. Campaigns now generate a unique identifier so autosaves are tied to that specific run instead of overwriting each other. You can configure how often the game autosaves and how many backup points it keeps, making it much easier to recover progress and share saves for debugging.Several fixes and improvements landed alongside the update. Audio now correctly mutes when the game window loses focus. Vehicle pathfinding around gates has been reworked with predictive detection to stop units from ramming into them. Network client-side prediction was added to improve multiplayer smoothness at high ping. New tools like Hellfire missiles and the M72 LAW were introduced as additional counters to heavy infected, though balance is still being tuned.Next up, the team is stabilizing the save system and finishing pathfinding fixes before moving into March’s major focus: civilian evacuation gameplay. New infected birds, additional maps, and larger strategic systems are also on the roadmap as development continues.

Summary: Saving is finally in your hands, and it unlocks the fastest way for the team to squash the nastiest bugs.This episode starts with the new save system rollout across all branches, what’s still on the to-do list, and the plan to wrap the remaining issues by Monday and Tuesday so saving feels rock solid.Next, it’s all about vehicle pathfinding. A community Discord session turned into a live stress test where players recreated the weirdest failures on demand, including vehicles reversing into objects and getting “eaten” into buses, plus tracked vehicles doing start-stop stutter behavior. The team’s using your videos and, now that saves exist, your save files to reproduce and fix these edge cases faster.After that, there’s a round of gameplay updates and polish: the poll results that set priorities, early balance goals to keep infantry viable without forcing vehicle play, the M72 LAW being added for engineers as an early counter, and a Hellfire-style missile prototype for the Sparrow as a non-OP bridge before stronger rocket pods. Operator content keeps growing too, with new weapons like the P90 and an LMG, plus plans for dynamic operator pricing, better UI, and fixes like improved grenade launcher arcs so AI operators stop undershooting.Looking ahead, there’s progress on maps and tools. Calypso is getting reworked to reduce navigation chaos, improve vehicle traversal, and cut down on frustrating “find the last infected in the mountains” gameplay. Zone borders are also being reconsidered to better match turret and guard tower caps, with the warning that redrawn zones will break old saves. A new countryside-style map is in the concept phase as a way to build better internal tools for roads and procedural placement before the big push toward the larger north map.Also in the works: a replay system prototype is already recording and scrubbing matches like a movie for trailers and community machinima, with some rough edges still being ironed out such as camera feel, visibility hiccups, and a few replay-only oddities.

A dev stream focused on two big near-term upgrades: an early save/load system (currently via console commands) and a major vehicle pathfinding overhaul aimed at getting trucks and armor to drive like humans instead of bulldozing entire city blocks. The host demonstrates saving in-game (including screenshot-based save thumbnails), explains multiplayer limitations (host-only saving, loading from the hub, clients/operators being recycled, money/control returning to host), and calls out what’s not serialized yet (things like grenades/projectiles).On the AI side, they walk through the new navigation “cost” tuning: vehicles now strongly prefer roads and dirt paths, only smashing through fences/walls when a short move makes it genuinely cheaper. They show the debug nav visualization, highlight remaining oddities (end-move quirks, objects not waking from physics sleep, streetlights behaving wrong, loss of vehicle momentum), and flag more polish coming next week based on community poll priorities (vehicle pathfinding #1, infantry pathfinding #2, performance and formations next).The stream also touches several other updates: a recently fixed crash tied to a specific vehicle move order, desync-related guard tower placement bugs, camera feel improvements, cinematic mode toggles for clean screenshots, and a balance pass that buffs infantry resilience and improves vehicle survivability while reducing population costs for many vehicles.Finally, there’s a look ahead: UI-based save/load arriving around Monday/Tuesday, more custom game options (infinite ammo / no reload / toggles for supply and gas), ongoing optimization for lower-spec GPUs and Steam Deck/controller support, a near-term roadmap toward civilian evacuation presentations and implementation later in February, and weapon pipeline updates for customizable operators (including an LMG drop and a P90 in progress).

Episode summary:After a short hiatus, the dev team returns with a rapid-fire status update on what’s shipped, what’s broken, and what’s coming next. They recap the January build flip and the launch of a deeper doctrine tree (including airstrike support like A-10/AC-130 and gas canisters), then address the biggest immediate gap: the in-progress save system, currently being tested to ensure all new systems serialize and load correctly.A big chunk of the episode focuses on stability and moment-to-moment frustration fixes—especially “pathfinding” complaints that often trace back to bad collision and navigation mismatches. The team explains how they’re hunting down stuck units across older maps, and why Calypso was pulled for a major rework: mountains were too tall for helicopter behavior and engine limits, so the landscape was cut down, routes were widened for vehicles and juggernauts, and buildable plateaus and beachhead access were expanded. Calypso is expected back in rotation soon once terrain smoothing and grid fill are finished.On balance, infected melee damage has been refactored to feel less cheesy (with special attention to juggernaut attacks), and the next balance pass targets CIRC weapon damage tables. Operator content continues to grow with themed skins (including new onslaught variants), XP grind reductions, and upcoming operator improvements like zoom behavior when aiming with optics and a laser designator to call in support options.The final segment lays out an early plan for a revamped civilian evacuation system: civilians funnel into a central intake, get screened, and are routed into holding, research, or euthanization based on player-defined rules—supported by a separate staffing system so your RTS population isn’t permanently tied up guarding tents. The team also teases longer-term ambitions—more maps, larger mainland scenarios, optional destruction experiments, and campaign inspiration—before closing with Q&A and an invite to public playtests immediately after the stream.

Summary: This episode dives deep into the massive rebuild and overhaul of vehicle systems, from fixing longstanding physics bugs—like tanks endlessly reversing—to laying the groundwork for more realistic formations and interactions. The devs share how new logistics systems are reshaping supply chains with fuel, ammo, and repair variants, and walk through the first iteration of the targeting computer that will power automated mortar systems. There's a focus on meaningful playtesting feedback, AI pathfinding fixes, and real-time tweaks as new vehicles roll into private testing. You’ll also hear about the push to streamline unit modularity for faster development, the addition of medical variants, and early work on improving map design for heavy vehicle navigation. Plus, progress updates on airstrikes, doctrines, unit interaction polish, and upcoming seasonal cosmetic features.A few times each week, our developers host public multiplayer sessions where we jump into the chaos ourselves—testing, refining, and showcasing the true state of the game. These sessions are open for everyone to join, chat, and experience the evolving sandbox that Cepheus Protocol Multiplayer and Singleplayer has become.

Episode summaryThis episode is an unfiltered deep dive into the hardest remaining system in the rebuild: vehicle pathfinding and convoy behavior. Robert walks through days of live playtesting, debugging, and iteration on the Ajax, Striker, and Mule, showing exactly where vehicles succeed, where they fail, and why that last 10–20% of polish is the most time-consuming part of development.The team breaks down how vehicle AI now evaluates road preference, turn-in-place recovery, reverse maneuvers, obstacle avoidance, and navigation cost layers—and why dense urban environments expose edge cases that simpler RTS maps never face. Convoy movement introduces an entirely new layer of complexity, with formation logic, dynamic spacing, gas usage, and mixed infantry/vehicle groups all fighting each other when systems don’t perfectly agree. Robert openly demonstrates failures: clipping, overcorrection, bad formation anchors, vehicles recoiling off small objects, and rare cases where collision or navigation data breaks down entirely.Alongside vehicles, Michael details ongoing infected model optimization, including atlas-based materials to massively reduce draw calls, enabling far larger battles without CPU bottlenecks. Future polish includes restoring dismemberment chunks, refining VFX, and upgrading animation pipelines to improve fluidity across both operators and RTS units.The episode also previews upcoming combat balance changes—new operator weapons to counter juggernauts, sniper buffs against builders, and experimental heavy canister weapons—while clarifying why cosmetics, infantry skins, and non-critical features are intentionally deprioritized until core systems are rock solid.On the roadmap side, Robert lays out a clear December plan: finish vehicle pathfinding, add remaining vehicle variants, roll in logistics systems like finite resupply, then move into doctrines, airstrikes, and super-heavy units. San Francisco North remains the long-term centerpiece, with island hopping and civilian systems planned once vehicle AI can reliably handle the terrain.The key message is blunt and consistent: vehicles will not ship half-broken. The team is committed to crushing edge cases through aggressive playtesting—even if it takes longer—so convoys work under pressure, not just in ideal conditions.

Episode summaryThis episode is a deep dive into one of the rebuild’s hardest problems: making vehicles work reliably in dense, living cities. Robert and Derek walk through the current state of the Ajax, breaking down why vehicle AI is so difficult at scale and what’s actively being done to fix it. From higher-speed handling and smarter braking to predictive turn logic, obstacle detection “antennas,” and road-preferred navigation, the team shows exactly how vehicles decide where to go—and where that logic still breaks down.They demonstrate new physics interactions like snapping streetlights, destructible roadside objects, and weight-based ramming that lets vehicles plow through infected while gradually losing momentum. At the same time, they’re wrestling with edge cases: lamp posts that attract collisions, formations that force vehicles into bad decisions, early turns that cause crashes, and tight navmesh margins that leave no room for error. A major takeaway is that rotation-in-place and smarter recovery behaviors—common RTS cheats—are likely necessary to make vehicles feel dependable rather than babysat.Beyond vehicles, the episode covers parallel AI work. Infected now use squad-based logic to reduce conga lines, spread attacks, and lower CPU cost, though target fixation and corner clustering still need refinement. Building-avoidance nav layers are being added to stop hordes from hugging walls, while performance hitches tied to nav rebuilds and async checks are under investigation.The team also previews upcoming systems: weight-class destruction (fences, walls, street furniture), juggernaut interactions, convoy formations with infantry, and how all of this groundwork feeds future features like civilian evacuation buses. On the content side, Robert shows progress on new infected meshes, plans for expanded civilian/infected variants (police, firefighters, National Guard), and explains why fully modular clothing systems aren’t feasible at the game’s scale.The episode closes with roadmap clarity: vehicles won’t ship until they’re reliable, even if it takes another week; playtests will run daily to hunt failure cases; and December is shaping up to be a heavy month with vehicles, doctrines, operator polish, and major systemic fixes landing as the rebuild pushes toward its one-year milestone.

Episode Summary:This episode is a massive dev drop packed with updates from the last two weeks. The team walks through the ongoing overhaul of vehicle systems, focusing on the Ajax transport. Derek covers the migration of vehicle AI from Blueprints to C++, including new pathfinding behaviors, formation syncing with infantry, braking logic, and adaptive driving based on terrain. Vehicles now stop sliding off buildings when they spawn, thanks to new handbrake logic. The discussion dives into formation integration, improved enemy targeting, garrison logic, seating logic, and plans to enable ramming, shooting from vehicles, and parachute drops.They also highlight upcoming work: destructible environment objects (fences, trees, mailboxes), ramming logic based on vehicle weight class, and how players can eventually use vehicles tactically to break through dense city layouts. A double-click “run mode” is proposed to let vehicles choose whether to obey roads or brute-force through structures, borrowing from classic RTS control schemes. There's also an exploration of vehicle handling, friction issues on hills, tight cornering, and real-world-style terrain collision debugging.Beyond vehicles, the episode covers improvements to the infected: new ambient sound behaviors for idle vs. alert states, refinements to their death and damage logic, and plans for special infected variants like SWAT, firefighters, and medics — all with different resistances and combat dynamics. Nighttime gameplay is also being rebalanced with “stalker” types that become more aggressive after dark, adding pressure and urgency to nighttime missions.The custom game options system is now fully live, letting players modify everything from day/night cycles to infected stats, gas tower range, and more. These settings are shareable via Steam Workshop using a streamlined mod tool that supports JSON-based presets. Players can upload and download challenge modes, tweak gameplay on the fly, and save/load preferred configurations. The system is future-proofed for doctrine integration, and plans are in motion to balance logistics around vehicle fuel and ammo costs through MRS (Mobile Resupply Systems).Other highlights include:Operator shooting range added to the main menu for weapon testing19+ weapons being reintroduced by end of yearNew infected visuals and shader work underwayPreparations for weather, moon cycles, and eventual upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.6 or 5.7Fixes for turret line-of-sight issues, dancing tree VFX bugs, and infected noise replicationPlanned rework of the save/load system targeted for mid-DecemberMap designer “Cre” returns with a new coastal town map and early landscapable price balancingCommunity Q&A covering FOB buildings, operator deconstruction tools, and netcode optimization for ambient soundsThe team reiterates their end-of-year goals: polish Ajax, finish ground vehicle features, implement doctrines, operator improvements, and get the game into a strong position for the holiday sale and the January rebuild anniversary. Players are encouraged to test aggressively, report issues, and experiment with the new tools.

Episode summaryThis episode is a deep development check-in focused on restoring legacy maps while pushing core systems forward. The team details ongoing work on Treasure Island—collision fixes, navigation cleanup, removable objects, and visual polish—while setting expectations for Calypso’s return in the coming days. Calypso’s remaining work centers on zone borders, helicopter navigation, tree replacements, and asset cleanup, with all hands soon shifting toward unlocking the larger northern region once island-hopping AI is ready.A major highlight is the first live version of custom game options, letting hosts directly tune infected behavior: health, damage, movement (walk vs. run), and special-unit toggles. The goal is full sandbox control, with plans to expand presets, workshop sharing, and deeper pandemic-mode configuration once the faction manager is fully integrated.On the gameplay side, the episode showcases big AI and combat updates. Dismemberment has been reworked to allow dynamic limb loss without heavy performance costs. Boss AI receives substantial tuning: the juggernaut now properly targets helicopters, predicts movement more naturally, and behaves less erratically, while Chelsea’s AI is being overhauled to stop easy kiting, reduce excessive stun-locking, and better punish careless players.System stability and quality-of-life improvements round out the update. Save/load functionality is progressing for structures and world state, co-op crash handling now redistributes resources fairly, operators properly relink after reconnects, and infected conversions behave correctly. Operator mode gets reduced visual clutter, engineers scale repair speed with level, road navigation is live for vehicles and infantry, and community mapping is being actively tested through a dense horde-style prototype built in the SDK.The episode closes with a clear roadmap: finalize custom games, finish Calypso, begin vehicle implementation with the Ajax as the foundation, then move rapidly into broader vehicle support, doctrines, and eventually civilian systems—marking steady progress toward making the rebuild the default experience.

Robert delivers a dense, no-nonsense progress update covering two weeks of rapid development, bug triage, and content rollout. Treasure Island is now fully playable, serving as the foundation for the larger Bay Area world, while Alcatraz continues to receive structural and visual polish. Calypso—a fan-favorite legacy map—is being ported back in as a compact, corridor-driven scenario, giving players a third playable map in the near term and more variety while larger regions come online.A major focus of the episode is system stability. The fog-of-war and line-of-sight systems were partially rewritten to eliminate long-standing multiplayer crashes and desyncs, with scouting now required to reveal infection structures. AI navigation, builder pathing, and structure destruction were heavily tuned to reduce exploits, prevent network freezes, and improve overall RTS reliability. Visual clutter was cut back in operator mode, run mode returned, and clearer cooldown indicators were added across the UI.On the gameplay side, Robert previews ongoing work on save/load functionality, including world state, unit health, inventory, patrols, and shared economy rules for co-op sessions. Weapon balance continues to evolve with separate air and ground engagement ranges, bullet penetration returning for high-caliber weapons, and early prototypes of dismemberment and limb damage now live. New infected variants are in development, with nighttime “lurker” concepts aimed at making after-dark excursions far more dangerous.The episode closes with a roadmap update: short-term goals include finishing save/load, custom game options, and bringing ground vehicles back starting with the Ajax. Longer-term plans point toward doctrines, deeper operator polish, civilian evacuation, and eventually broader faction expansion once the rebuild fully replaces the legacy branch.

Episode summary:Robert and Michael walk through a packed week of development focused on making combat feel fairer, clearer, and more satisfying—especially under pressure. Michael breaks down a new “kill cone” concept that rewards aggressive play by boosting damage at close range, then shares a full weapon range pass (shotguns through snipers) designed to make each class feel distinct instead of “stormtrooper” inaccurate at distance. Spitters get major tuning too, including separate ground/air engagement ranges and a miss chance to reduce oppressive damage stacking, plus builder units gain a cooldown to curb blueprint spam.On the content side, Robert previews two returning maps being ported into the new mode—Treasure Island (a limited initial play area expanding over time) and Calypso (a vertical city map built for different base locations and tactics). He also demos quality-of-life upgrades like validated helicopter landing placement and the return of run mode, while flagging remaining issues around placement/rotation UX.A big chunk of the episode is dedicated to AI improvements and the ongoing fight against janky pathing: new cohesion and “squad” logic aims to stop infected from endlessly ping-ponging between entrances, prioritize damaged structures, and share threat memory more efficiently—though Robert openly shows cases that still fail and need more work. The team also adds admin accountability tools like an activity log to discourage griefing in public co-op.Finally, Robert shows an early version of in-game radio music playback using deterministic track IDs (currently via console commands, with a UI player planned), shares tweaks that slow early infection expansion for breathing room, and teases future additions like stronger boss behaviors, new nighttime “lurker” variants, more vehicle work, and a long-term push toward saves and deeper customization options.

🎙️ Episode Summary:This week’s update is a no-holds-barred breakdown of Pandemic mode’s evolution, centered around the rebuild of Treasure Island and a total systems overhaul. Robert walks through the new layered rollout strategy for map expansion, beginning with a playable slice of Treasure Island set to launch around Halloween. With Unreal Engine 5’s precision fixes, the team can finally realize their original vision for a scalable, destructible, and immersive RTS battlefield.Level design gets serious upgrades, including foliage placement, bridge logic, and terrain verticality—while the devs debate whether to support multi-tiered underpasses for gameplay. On the AI side, huge strides are made in how infected evaluate targets, spread, and adapt to player fortifications. Pathfinding gets tighter, blowup enemies are rebalanced, and new debug systems give devs visibility into AI logic mid-match.Operators get more integration with RTS elements—riding helicopters, building structures, and coordinating in full co-op squads. Helicopter physics and weapon balance receive a full pass, alongside early work on ground vehicle deployment starting with the Ajax. Meanwhile, discussions begin on evolving infected variants and bringing dynamic civilian factions back with better AI direction systems.Chelsea’s overhaul is still coming. Juggernaut and Builder units continue to be tested. And yes, feedback from Discord and Steam is actively shaping next steps.🔥 Highlights:Treasure Island rebuild set for Halloween rollout with layered map expansionFully revamped AI threat logic, pathfinding, and zone targetingDebate over under-bridge traversal and visibility in RTS gameplayHelicopter balancing complete: physics, flight feel, and weapon tuningOperators now ride, build, and interact deeply with RTS mechanicsJuggernaut and Builder infected updated with smarter behaviorsUpcoming work on vehicle AI, bridge destruction, and custom doctrinesNew debug tools help devs analyze AI decisions during playFeedback-driven dev cycle with live balance adjustmentsCommunity Q&A covers everything from faction AI to turtling tactics🛠️ Patch Preview:Expect nerfs to blowup units, tweaks to helicopter refueling, and tighter threat evaluation logic. The Ajax vehicle rollout begins soon, and feedback is requested for bridge logic, underpass use, and unit camera control. It's shaping up fast—get ready to test hard and break things.

This week’s deep dive delivers a massive progress update on the overhaul of the Pandemic mode, featuring an all-out push to bring full replayability back online. Robert and Michael walk through newly added helicopters—including the Apache, VTOL, Merlin, and Osprey—complete with functional weapons, revised helipad mechanics, and incoming fixes to air-to-ground UI and landing validation. The team shows off early AI behaviors, pathfinding improvements, and newly implemented features like the activity and build logs to combat co-op chaos and resource confusion.Combat takes center stage with the first public test of the revamped Juggernaut, now capable of throwing cars and pulling off AOE slams with increasing aggression. A new “Builder” infected enemy joins the battlefield, adding strategic depth as it constructs pods and gas towers. The episode also teases Chelsea’s major rework, aiming to elevate her from a static boss into a dynamic, phase-based threat with self-preservation instincts and map-traversing AI.Footstep systems are back, voice barks are live for better immersion, and the team is fine-tuning threat evaluation and helicopter pathfinding. Michael breaks down evolving unit balance, while the devs give a brutally honest look at the game’s current difficulty and why this weekend’s builds are not for the faint of heart.As the team gears up for adding ground vehicles and save/load systems, they're clear: bugs are expected, feedback is welcome, and no, this is not final balance—yet.🔥 Highlights:New helicopters fully integrated with weapons, sounds, and visualsJuggernaut overhaul: car throws, ground slams, and rage phasesActivity & build logs help curb co-op trollingFirst glimpse at the infected “Builder” unitEarly talk on Chelsea’s rework: roaming, evolving boss AIHelicopter landing logic, visual bugs, and upcoming UI fixesOperator camera work, 2D/3D ability barks, and immersion tweaksHonest dev commentary on crunch, bugs, and upcoming patchesTeased features: doctrines, save/load system, custom game rules🛠️ Patch Preview:Expect increased helicopter counters, juggernaut fixes, and additional tuning in the next 48 hours. Playtesters: watch for bugs, share feedback, and prepare for a fight—Pandemic just got meaner.

Episode Summary:This week’s episode is a deep dive into the latest updates for Pandemic mode, focused on the evolving map rollout, AI behavior, and helicopter mechanics. The team walks through the layered reintroduction of major locations like Treasure Island, Angel Island, and Alcatraz, emphasizing a staggered approach to avoid overwhelming both devs and players. There's a detailed breakdown of visual and gameplay changes, including shader updates, verticality challenges, and the use of “weenies” (key visual landmarks) to anchor navigation.Midway, the episode shifts to a co-op session that stress-tests new features like AI gas towers, helicopter combat with Hydra rockets and miniguns, and the reintroduced oxygen/infection system. We see the infected adapting in real-time, spawning investigation waves and escalating with day-based unlocks, creating mounting pressure on the player base. Key systems like ambient audio, faction-based AI logic, and squad coordination are showcased in action.The devs also talk through their roadmap, prioritizing bug fixes, refining enemy threat analysis, and prepping upcoming features like ground vehicles and custom game options. Q&A wraps the show, answering community questions about special infected toggles, destruction visuals, and plans for bridges and infection growth.It’s a brutally honest, feature-packed look at where the game stands—and where it's going next.

Episode Summary:This week’s deep-dive walks through major updates to helicopter systems and the expanding pandemic mode. Robert, the project director, demonstrates new helicopter features like garrisoning, virtual interiors, unit rappelling, and multiplayer syncing—all while grappling with quirky bugs, AI edge cases, and polish work. The team also previews operator integration, showcasing players riding in vehicles and issuing commands mid-flight.On the pandemic side, the devs highlight big progress: aggressive AI expansions, new build orders, balancing tweaks, and evolving strategies during co-op playtests. You’ll hear how the infected respond dynamically to player actions, how real-time investigations and attack waves unfold, and what still needs work—including landing behavior, targeting bugs, and visual clutter in operator UI.The episode wraps with roadmap insights: vehicles are taking priority next month over civilian systems. Expect tracked armor, artillery, and wheeled transports to enter testing soon, laying the groundwork for more refined battlefield mechanics and greater tactical depth.

Summary:This week’s update dives deep into the return of Pandemic mode and the intensive push to make it co-op-ready by next week. Robert walks through key development milestones, from redesigned infection systems and new AI logic to hands-on live playtesting with players. The team showcases progress on rebuilding San Francisco North, transforming Treasure Island with real-world accuracy, and deploying the new Little Bird helicopters with functional garrisons. Meanwhile, Michael previews mutated infected variants, and playtesters share live reactions to balance, strategy, and bugs. It’s a technical and tactical overhaul, aiming for refined gameplay, smarter AI, and deeper co-op dynamics—all while hunting bugs, refining features, and prepping the next public build.Highlights:Pandemic mode returns, reworked from the ground up with modular systems and smarter AI.Treasure Island is being redesigned to match its real-world layout, including a revamped mountain, bridges, and tunnel.Little Bird helicopters are now fully operational, with player garrisoning and early recon functionality.Dimitry adds fine detail to the Alcatraz hub, prepping it as both staging area and future in-game location.New infected variants and modular RTS systems coming soon.Real-time co-op gameplay shows off improvements and bugs the dev team is actively tackling.Targeted release for Pandemic co-op build: as early as Wednesday, pending final fixes.Takeaway:A jam-packed progress update with real dev momentum—Pandemic mode is almost ready for primetime. The rebuilt Bay Area map, tactical

Episode Summary: This week's CERC HQ dives deep into the latest overhaul of the helicopter AI and the foundational work on the Pandemic game mode. The dev team details how helicopters now dynamically form protective bubbles around infantry, throttle to match formation speed, and navigate urban environments with improved object avoidance—all while still ironing out bugs like formation desync and jittering. Upcoming features include fast-roping, garrison animations, and weapon integration.On the Pandemic front, Chelseys AI has been reworked with a centralized manager system that governs infection spread, pod creation, and zone control logic. The team walks through the replication of legacy systems with vast improvements, including the planned behaviors for workers, expansion routines, and combat resilience against early-game bullying. They also preview new strategic AI tools such as infected launching pods across bridges and early concepts for future subway systems.Progress on the massive Bay Area open-world map continues with asset migration, navigation mesh verification, and improved collision systems, all aiming to replace the older, more limited maps in the future. Additional topics include implementing the save systems for Pandemic next week, unit seating for operators, and community Q&A touching on bridge-blocking strategies, infected countermeasures, and long-term gameplay goals.If you want to know how formations are evolving, why Chelsey no longer a pushover, or what to expect from pandemic-scale RTS gameplay in the coming weeks, this episode is for you.Key Highlights:Helicopter AI forms protective formations, throttles to match infantry speedMajor Pandemic AI rework: centralized manager, smarter zone logicPlans to counter bridge-blocking with infected pods, beach landings, and tunnels(potentially)Bay Area map updates: real-world terrain integration and collision fixesFuture additions: unit seating for operators, save system revamp, doctrine tweaks in phase 3Clear roadmap priorities with transparency on limitations and delays

Episode Summary:This week’s update covers major progress across three core fronts: Legacy triage, the ongoing Rebuild, and the fast-approaching launch of Pandemic mode.Legacy Triage:Work is wrapping up on the legacy version, which remains on the default branch for now. The devs focused on fixing a final batch of high-impact bugs, including issues with civilian evacuation, vehicle behavior, group reliability (especially in larger units like the Atlas), and turret visuals. Dynamic civilian groups have also been tweaked to avoid awkward or game-breaking spawn locations. Legacy triage is expected to conclude within days, at which point attention fully shifts to the rebuild.Rebuild Progress:On the rebuild side, major strides have been made with helicopter AI. Pathfinding has been overhauled to better navigate 3D space—helicopters now intelligently maintain elevation, avoid obstacles, and handle formation movement more reliably. Velocity and deceleration issues from previous builds have also been addressed, laying the groundwork for improved transport and combat behavior. These changes also establish a foundation for future ground vehicle AI.Localization has been added to the rebuild, with full language support now available for Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The team is actively seeking community feedback to fine-tune these translations. Additionally, a long-standing bug with power calculation—surfaced by the community—was corrected.A major UI update also landed: the entire main menu has been reskinned for clarity and polish, with quick access to keybinds, graphics settings, language selection, and RTS operator customization.Pandemic Mode Development:Pandemic mode is entering a focused sprint aimed at delivering a playable version in early September. This first iteration will include baseline features: Chelsea’s villa, infected spawning, infection spread, pods, gas towers, and a working custom game settings system. The devs emphasize player freedom, allowing users to enable or disable specific infected archetypes and tweak gameplay parameters like spread speed and melee damage.A new brute infected archetype is also now live—designed to add more variation to moment-to-moment gameplay. Additional variants like the juggernaut, leviathan, and spitter will roll out in future waves, especially impacting Pandemic difficulty scaling.Importantly, the team is experimenting with actual loss conditions in Pandemic. In this new system, placing your HQ down means committing to that spot. If it’s destroyed—or if the carrier is lost—the game ends. This change aims to introduce real tension and tactical planning, something the current game lacks due to overly forgiving loss conditions.Map & Hub Overhaul:Finally, the devs shared progress on porting the full-scale Bay Area open world into Unreal 5, using new double-precision support to eliminate previous limitations. Treasure Island is being restructured for accuracy, and Alcatraz is being rebuilt as both a campaign hub and RTS-friendly map, complete with detailed interiors. The goal is to have this hub polished and ready by the Halloween sale window.The update closes with a look at the evolving format for these dev briefings—future HQs will be shorter, more focused, and feature pre-recorded developer highlights followed by live Q&A.

After a week off, the team speed-runs a big progress dump—starting with a community poll that overwhelmingly pushed pandemic mode to the top of the priority list. The roadmap gets reshuffled accordingly, and work shifts into porting/staging pandemic maps while keeping the current build playable.The main showcase is a new hub-style UI: a redesigned main menu with switchable CCTV camera feeds across the island, plus a clearer separation between host vs. client menus. Hosts get the extra controls to start sessions (horde/pandemic/campaign), clients can wait in the hub—or jump in as an operator to explore—while everyone transitions into matches via a smoother co-op flow.A bunch of quality-of-life work lands alongside it: a proper loading screen for seamless transitions, long-overdue working keybind remapping, expanded audio/video/control settings, and more readable graphics options with performance tooltips (CPU/GPU cost) plus plans for screenshot-based setting previews later. RTS UI also gets polish: hover details, zoom-based icon behavior, operator lists, ROE/visual toggles (range indicators, targeting lines, borders/text), and an immersion option to hide drones.On the gameplay side, they add clearer zone-loss dialogue so players understand contagion damage, and they discuss tuning the grace period. Pandemic development continues with an “incubator” map setup (zones, clickable buildings, civilian evacuation foundations), while the larger open-world replacement map is being ported—along with fixes for missing assets from the migration.The team also touches on new infected work (including a brute-style special infected concept), class identity/balance goals (reducing “assault + engineer solves everything”), and a bigger design discussion: making pandemic harder by shifting the loss condition away from a too-safe mobile base and toward a vulnerable, relocatable CDC-style tent, while keeping robust custom game options for different playstyles. Finally, there’s an update on legacy build triage, with ongoing bug-hunting focused on high-impact issues before jumping back to forward development (helicopters, pandemic systems, and crash fixes).

This episode is a deep dive into the team’s full-court press on UI improvements as they wrap up Phase One. From modernizing legacy features to implementing completely new systems, the devs walk through key updates like skinned icons, enhanced targeting lines, customizable visual options, and range indicators. They show off updated loading screens, new ROE behavior, unit selection improvements, and the long-awaited idle engineer functionality.The discussion also explores future plans and player feedback shaping the upcoming Pandemic mode. From dynamic civilian systems to evolving bridge mechanics and long-range infected mobility, the team outlines how they’re streamlining features without cutting depth. There’s a glimpse at custom game settings, modular UI systems, and an evolving RTS/operator hub flow that lets players engage how they want. It’s a dense and technical update, but one that shows clear momentum toward a much more polished and playable build.

This update is all about getting Phase One over the finish line: a major UI rebuild, gameplay usability fixes, and a clear pivot back to the main mode based on community voting.The team spent most of the week redrawing and implementing the new RTS interface—reframing the layout, centralizing information into a details panel (instead of world popups), improving group controls, adding night vision, and polishing multi-unit selection so key info is readable at a glance. They also highlight ongoing UI bugs still being hunted (LOD rendering issues, selection count not updating, group display quirks) and a co-op quality-of-life fix so everyone hears time-dilation/slow-mo changes.On the gameplay side, there’s a retooled building placement/reachability system designed to stop units from making bizarre routing choices (especially around walls) and reduce unit clipping/stacking, plus a new approach to bulk weapon purchasing via unit ammo boxes instead of floating head widgets. Infection UI elements (like unit infection bars) are starting to land in new builds.Level design progress focuses on adding climb-enabled verticality with more polished rooftop access—doors, hatches, and routes that make rooftops viable for defensive setups, evac scenarios, and future map variants.The hub/main menu area is also being fleshed out to match a real-world reference, and the team addresses confusion about spawning as an operator: they’re considering an XCOM-style “preset camera” option so players can choose a more traditional RTS feel while still keeping operator mode as an optional layer for co-op and immersion.Finally, the big roadmap shift: after a poll overwhelmingly favored it, development is pivoting away from more horde work and back toward the main outbreak mode. The plan is to finish RTS UI, then bring helicopters back (Little Bird, VTOL, Blackhawk, Apache, scout drone with weapon packages) with garrison/turret system updates, then move into the infection foundation and highly requested custom game options—potentially even adjustable live during a session. The month’s goals include an alternate start scenario (no key story bosses/lieutenants), plus AI work and a save system specifically for the outbreak mode. The episode closes with Q&A on riot shields, vehicles, faction plans, difficulty scaling, shared money controls, and longer-term ideas like special buildings and static defenses.

This week’s deep-dive centers on finalizing operator functionality and polishing key systems ahead of Phase 2. The team details major operator upgrades including dynamic ability loadouts, construction and healing tools, and early tests of multi-tiered progression. Recoil systems and UI elements got refined, while feedback from rapid-fire playtests led to a major XP rebalance.The RTS/TPS hybrid gameplay sees a surge in flexibility—operators can now build, repair, and act as combat medics depending on player choices. Work also ramped up on the new RTS UI and stress-tested dynamic XP boosts and passive modifiers.Alcatraz’s hub layout received detailed interior passes, while Half Moon Bay is evolving into a dense testbed for verticality, urban combat, and eventual vehicle integration. The team also teases smaller scenario-based maps inspired by RTS mods and zombie defense games.Closing out the episode, there’s discussion on upcoming doctrines, operator pricing based on combat effectiveness, the roadmap for vehicles and airstrikes, and a renewed focus on game-breaking bugs and performance issues. It’s a dense episode full of design philosophy, community-driven adjustments, and a clear push toward a fully integrated, highly modular gameplay ecosystem.

This episode dives deep into a massive weekly update, spotlighting the evolution of the Operator system and a brutal new horde mode overhaul. The team showcases Alcatraz hub progress, the growing arsenal of weapon attachments, and how Operator customization now ties directly into RTS and TPS gameplay. We hear firsthand feedback from playtesters on new abilities, squad loadouts, and the changing meta—including turrets, tower defense, and the increasing challenge of survival.There's a strong focus on player roles, operator leveling, and long-term plans for integrating squad-based tactics and immersive UI improvements. The team also discusses how they're balancing Operator additions with core RTS gameplay and previews the next development phase, including vehicles, airstrikes, and UI streamlining.Multiple co-op play sessions put new spawn rates and difficulty tuning to the test—resulting in some hilariously brutal failures. Finally, the devs take Q&A from the community and talk future priorities like clearer objective feedback, Operator ability polish, and whether the game’s genre identity is still intact. (Spoiler: It is.)Key Topics:Operator ability system, progression, and customizationWeapon attachment system & recoil tuningAlcatraz hub development and asset updatesHorde mode rework with escalating difficultyReal-time balance adjustments based on player feedbackUI overhaul plans and RTS accessibility improvementsCo-op chaos: live testing with dev commentaryCommunity Q&A on pacing, controls, and future updatesListeners get an unfiltered look at the game’s evolving systems—and how feedback is shaping every phase.

This episode dives deep into the latest co-op build update following the public Steam release, highlighting player feedback and major development milestones. The team unveils a fully functioning server browser with admin tools, a kick/ban system, and password-protected lobbies. A revamped operator progression system lets players build custom heroes with distinct loadouts, level them up, and assign them specialized roles like SMG or long-range support. The crew showcases backend updates enabling multiple operator profiles, a UI overhaul in progress, and early work on future attribute and ability systems.Also featured:A walkthrough of the new Half Moon Bay map, designed with strategic fallback zones and dynamic base clearingPlanned operator specialization by weapon categoryThe upcoming implementation of operator abilities, stat customization, and passive bonusesUI reworks to streamline on-screen information and improve RTS/TPS coordinationSneak peeks at incoming attachments, operator cosmetics, and the operator weapon rosterDesign insights into map verticality, zone control, and future airstrike mechanicsFinally, the Q&A covers player ideas on zone retaking, operator perks, and a long-term vision for modding support post-campaign.Whether you're an RTS strategist or a ground-level operator fan, this episode gives a comprehensive look at the evolving systems and the roadmap ahead.Ask ChatGPT

The team goes deep on the rollout of the new co-op test build, highlighting the extensive customization coming to operators—including visual presets, weapon mods, XP-based progression, and squad management systems. They explain how these player-created commanders function as both third-person shooters (TPS) and RTS heroes, persistent across game modes. The episode also outlines next week's goals: polishing the operator system, finalizing weapon leveling, and improving the UI/UX across the board.Other major updates include the revamped server browser, squad tracking, and the current roadmap for map development—particularly Half Moon Bay as the flagship co-op map. Questions from the community touch on features like voice chat, unit formation control, cosmetic customization, and upcoming airstrike tools. The devs also hint at future content like standalone horde missions, event-driven XP bonuses, and more operator variants. This is a dense one packed with real-time progress and transparent discussion on the rebuild and what's coming in phases two and three.

This episode dives deep into the final push for Phase One as the team locks in core systems and prepares for public testing. Major progress has been made across the board, with a focus on fleshing out the Operator role—including revamped hipfire, parachuting, third-person camera, and a new melee combat system inspired by World War Z. The ability system now supports flashbangs, XP-boost passives, and damage-over-time effects with early balance work underway.The team also addresses shotgun bugs, shotgun damage balancing, and gate responsiveness, while preparing a new UI overhaul and squad system to improve RTS–TPS coordination. On the map side, work continues on Monterey Bay’s layered wave-defense design, while pandemic-scale territory control maps are teased as the long-term goal.Expect big improvements to co-op fluidity, more weapons and animations for Operators, and early integration of the RTS squad registry—all leading to a more seamless and strategic experience in both single-player and multiplayer.

This week’s update dives into sweeping changes across development, from network optimization to major environment redesigns. Robert and Efron walk us through progress on the Alcatraz hub—intended as the game’s central mission launch zone—and an ambitious new Monterey Bay map built to replace the current horde layout. Efron details his intricate work on city blocks, enemy spawn zones, and environmental detail, while Robert outlines a new infection-control gameplay loop that shifts the frontlines dynamically based on player success.The team also breaks down crucial bug fixes, improved operator abilities, better healing logic, revamped UI plans, and an upcoming overhaul of the entire operator progression system. With performance tuning underway and the ability system almost complete, the team is gearing up for a deeper, more tactical co-op experience. Add in evolving network stress test data, player feedback on session control, and discussions about long-term goals like mod support and infected PvP, and you’ve got an episode packed with granular insight and future-shaping decisions.Listeners will also hear from playtest regulars about the changing feel of combat, AI responsiveness, and the ever-growing possibilities for emergent co-op strategy.

In this densely packed developer podcast, the team walks through a sweeping set of updates aimed at transforming co-op and horde gameplay into a dynamic, scalable experience. Efrain reveals his shift from polishing Alcatraz to leading development on a new horde map set in a reimagined Half Moon Bay—designed for verticality, multiple infiltration paths, and high replay value. He outlines design decisions behind the map’s objective points, terrain flow, and defensive challenges that avoid static play.Meanwhile, Robert deep-dives into system-level changes: persistent leveling for operators and units, revamped class abilities, combat balance tuning, and significant AI and UX upgrades. Expect improved spawn logic, smarter pathfinding, and fixes for legacy pain points like targeting quirks and gate behavior. The episode also includes a real-time co-op demo showcasing snipers, heavies, flamethrowers, new UI improvements, and gate mechanics—revealing how it all plays out under stress.The Q&A tackles questions on drone design, campaign plans, vehicle and helicopter timelines, multiplayer matchmaking, emblem customization, and long-term content like future DLCs or a potential dinosaur game. This episode marks a significant milestone in pushing towards the Phase One rebuild and sets the stage for the robust gameplay foundation of Phase Two and beyond.

This developer podcast dives into the latest playtest of the revamped horde mode map and systems. Efron kicks things off with an update on Alcatraz, highlighting UV mapping progress, set dressing, and a versatile new procedural stairway tool in Blender. As the map nears completion, attention shifts to a major breakthrough: a reimagined gate system designed to finally fix long-standing pathfinding and unit navigation issues.Michael shares animation polish work and new operator features, including terrain-aware leg IK and an overhauled Glock model. Gameplay balance gets a brutal makeover: enemies are deadlier, damage types are in full effect, and the days of cheesing spitters with sandbags and barbed wire are over. Blowup enemies now deal serious structural damage, forcing players to rethink defensive strategies.The core of the episode is a live co-op playtest stress-testing these changes. The infected’s new verticality—climbing walls and ambushing from rooftops—introduces chaos, as players scramble to defend choke points and adapt to smarter AI. Developers analyze player behavior and discuss AI roles: spitters as snipers, blowup guys as siege units, and the concept of fallback defenses.The session is packed with emergent moments, exploit discoveries, and bug fixes in real-time. New features like color-coded operator lights and upcoming systems like grenade throwing and an ability system are teased. The Q&A wraps with community questions on single-player balancing, dynamic difficulty, night vision, and player-requested features like automated flare towers and synchronized music via in-game speakers.This episode shows a project in flux—refining, breaking, and rebuilding its systems in front of a live audience. It's messy, insightful, and a testament to iterative design under fire.

In this milestone-packed dev update, the team hits a major co-op breakthrough: players can now independently host and play sessions without developer hand-holding. With a new Discord channel guiding structured feedback and an engaged Patreon community stress-testing the builds, development enters a new phase of collaborative iteration.The episode dives deep into recent technical accomplishments, including the implementation of seamless level transitions, custom color assignments for player roles, a strobe ID system for improved team awareness, and new full-screen tactical maps. Developers walk through fixes and features in real-time—from horde AI replication and operator possession systems to the newly reworked gate mechanics and turret behavior.This week also marks one of the most stable, fun, and feature-rich playtests yet, highlighted by intense matches with multiple operators and RTS players coordinating live. Despite bugs like jittery spawns and overpowered blow-up units, the excitement is palpable as the team edges closer to completing Phase One.Future goals include finalizing the operator ability system, expanding playable classes, refining visual UI, and eventually rolling into Phase Two with airstrikes, doctrines, and vehicle systems. The team opens the floor to community Q&A, addressing everything from bounty systems and localization to long-term expansion plans like major city map packs.This episode is a celebration of community-powered development, real-time debugging, and the chaotic joy of losing—together.

This episode dives deep into the latest playtest for the upcoming co-op rebuild, focusing on mechanical overhauls, balance tuning, and the roadmap to Phase Two. The team discusses recent improvements in playtest stability, including crash reductions and operator weapon balancing, especially recoil refinements that radically improve gameplay feel. Michael explains the legacy baggage around attachment systems and how those issues are being resolved.They also unpack how AI behavior is evolving—from better flanking logic to adaptive pathing—and how small tweaks have made the Horde mode more brutal and immersive. There’s a detailed walkthrough of Trello bug tracking, ongoing development priorities, and the strategy for phasing in legacy systems while keeping gameplay fresh.Additionally, the crew discusses future map scaling, design choices for objective revamps, modular asset creation, and vertical slice strategies that preview Phase Two content like vehicles and helicopters. Players are encouraged to provide feedback during playtests, with the team emphasizing responsiveness and transparency through Discord and Patreon.

In this special episode, the team dives deep into the first hands-on multiplayer test of the upcoming co-op mode. After a long wait, the crew finally explores dynamic gameplay systems that fuse RTS and operator-based action. They walk through the Alcatraz test map, reliving a moment that brought an Australian dev to tears and explaining how synchronized command and combat are taking shape. Real-time debugging, crash recoveries, and hilarious friendly-fire incidents are all part of the chaos. Listeners get an inside look at the new formation AI, operator customization via console commands, the dynamic build system, and the long-term vision for pandemic scenarios and tactical squad play. Amid laughter, crashes, and teamwork, the episode showcases how much has evolved—and how much still needs to be fixed—before full co-op hits the public.

In this unscripted, bug-squashing marathon, the dev team pulls back the curtain on the gritty process of real-time game development. With the game’s building system under scrutiny and multiplayer scaling pushed to its limits, they dive deep into player feedback, crash logs, and moment-to-moment patchwork during chaotic co-op sessions. From latency challenges for international players to implementing client-side prediction and UI refinements, the team dissects what’s working and what’s breaking in their live builds. Discussions include future plans for dynamic operator customization, a squad-based UI system, RTS-operator synergy, and possible logistics mechanics. Expect raw insights, honest tech hurdles, and lots of improv fixes as development meets reality—live on mic.

In this episode, the team dives deep into the development of the Alcatraz map, now nearly complete with detailed structures and custom collisions tailored for future RTS gameplay. Efrain walks through the meticulous process of refining textures, adding guard towers, and implementing high-precision UCX collisions to prevent navigation glitches and enable features like shooting through windows. The team also explores recent advancements in the game’s tactical systems—showcasing improvements to patrol and attack-move behaviors that now emphasize group cohesion and responsiveness.Dimitry finalized turret textures and improvements to target acquisition are highlighted, along with the dynamic zone detection system for power management and AI engagement. Later, the podcast shifts to the evolving minimap—now supporting client-side drawing, filters, and real-time tactical overlays inspired by Arma. The developers stress-test the system with over 4,000 icons running at 120fps and share upcoming plans to introduce customizable tactical layers, pinging, and patrol logic based on player feedback.The conversation wraps up with future roadmap insights, including the implementation of rally points on moving units, modding support, pandemic mode refinements, and the strategic role of Chelsea and her lieutenants in the infection system. As always, the crew shares honest, in-editor progress and unfiltered discussions, showcasing a transparent and community-driven approach to development.

In this content-rich developer podcast, Chris announces the completion of his latest novel—an intense, survivalist follow-up to Pierce’s narrative that shifts focus to Natalie, an ex-military character navigating the outbreak in a crumbling world. The team dives into how these novels lay the narrative foundation for the campaign mode, providing nuanced perspectives that deepen player immersion.Robert walks through massive strides in the game’s development, including reworked turrets, dynamic zone-based power systems, real-time lighting feedback, and an evolving mini-map system inspired by Halo Wars. The devs also preview future functionality, such as destructible environments, adaptive clutter generation, and meaningful environmental storytelling that reflects player impact.They also tease deeper AI behavior for Lieutenants like Chelsea—drawing inspiration from Prototype—and outline upcoming changes like patrol/attack-move systems, co-op enhancements, and a visual weather overhaul. Meanwhile, long-term fans will appreciate discussion on player feedback integration, a detailed Q&A on design philosophy, and the candid, chaotic banter that keeps it all human.Whether you're here for the tech deep dives, storytelling reveals, or pure zombie chaos, this episode is packed with progress and personality.

This week's update dives deep into the evolving tech and art driving the Alcatraz map and RTS systems. Efron continues refining the 3D environment with intricate details like stairways, storm drains, and the iconic water tower—painstakingly modeled and remade multiple times to match its real-world counterpart. He also tackled modular assets like doors, figurines, and even the island bookstore, working toward a highly immersive and navigable space.Meanwhile, on the programming front, massive progress was made on the turret foundation and AI squad management systems. A new turret base platform has been implemented to support modular SAMs, MGs, and anti-armor cannons, with real-time tests on tracking, firing, and multiplayer compatibility. The AI systems now incorporate smarter zone recognition, dynamic base targeting, and sector-based power tracking—laying the groundwork for larger maps and more tactical infected behavior. Debug lines, visual markers, and gameplay loops were showcased in depth, illustrating the complexity and modularity being built into the framework.The episode also teases major future gameplay elements: rooftops as buildable zones, dynamic procedural infection growth, and more immersive campaign interactions. Rounding out the episode, Chris shares progress on his novel’s latest chapters—expanding Nie’s character with nuanced moral conflict and survival themes—while the team discusses playtest timing, weapon customization via Patreon, and the tech roadmap ahead.

This episode is packed with major progress updates across the board. The team unveils overhauled turret designs with distinct combat roles, a fully reworked active denial system, and upgrades to the RTS-TPS hybrid gameplay—letting players seamlessly jump between top-down command and boots-on-the-ground action. They also showcase improvements to weapon customization, operator switching, day-night syncing, and guard tower functionality, all built with co-op in mind.Plus, there’s a look at the upcoming doctrine tree, modular abilities, and smarter unit behavior as everything moves toward a more polished playtest build. From tactical gadgets to AI fixes, it’s a rapid-fire deep dive into systems coming online fast.

AI combat has improved significantly since last week’s podcast. Units now react faster, fire in controlled bursts, and use suppressive fire more effectively, eliminating hesitation in engagements. SOCs (Strategic Offensive Constructs) have also been refined, with upgrades now functioning more smoothly. Plus, updates on multiplayer replication, UI improvements, and the final steps before playtesting begins.

This week, the team digs into the nitty-gritty of getting co-op and horde mode running smoothly. They tackle multiplayer bugs, AI quirks, and synchronization issues while stress-testing early playtest maps. The Alcatraz environment gets a major facelift with new structures, textures, and foliage, bringing it closer to completion. Turret redesigns move forward, focusing on making them deployable engineer tools rather than overpowered base defenses. Plus, a deep dive into upcoming civilian weapons, RTS improvements, and how lighting systems might evolve. With internal playtests ramping up, the goal is clear—fine-tune the foundation before handing it off for player testing.

This episode dives into major development updates, covering UI improvements, base building mechanics, and co-op multiplayer progress. The team showcases a revamped build system with snapping structures, buildable gates, and AI-assisted construction, allowing for creative and strategic base setups. UI refinements bring streamlined controls and customizable options for players. Multiplayer replication, automated unit pathfinding, and future plans for faction abilities and balance tweaks are also discussed. Plus, insights into Alcatraz map development and the roadmap toward co-op playtesting

This episode dives into the major improvements to the wall-building system, focusing on AI-driven enhancements that make base construction smoother and more intuitive. Engineers now intelligently detect nearby structures in progress, automatically assisting with walls, gates, and defensive placements based on a dynamic task-scanning system. A new logic system prevents units from getting stuck on the wrong side of a build, while pathfinding fixes address navigation failures around tight spaces. The team also discusses the transition from Blueprint to C++ for better performance, the introduction of new wall variations, and upcoming playtests.

In this episode, the team dives into major improvements to AI movement and base-building mechanics. They discuss refining formation logic to minimize erratic behavior, optimizing fallback positions, and preventing units from breaking apart under pressure. The conversation also covers updates to the building system, including a more dynamic construction queue, smarter engineer pathfinding, and upcoming enhancements to wall placement. Finally, they explore plans for co-op play, potential new tactical formations, and the long-term vision for making the game more immersive and strategic.