Gamepires has released Development Update #127 for SCUM, highlighting significant progress across multiple development teams as they prepare for the game's upcoming 1.0 release. The update, published on Monday, April 29, 2024, reveals exciting new features in development including armed NPCs, enhanced rain effects, and tractor implementation, while also addressing key community concerns about optimization and gameplay mechanics.
Armed NPCs and Sentries Coming to SCUM
The programming team is making significant strides with the implementation of armed NPCs and sentries, which promises to add a new dimension of challenge to the prison island survival experience. Players can expect more dynamic encounters as these AI-controlled opponents will likely patrol areas and defend territories, creating additional obstacles beyond the current puppet enemies.
Additionally, programmers are enhancing the game's atmospheric elements with improved rain effects, which should contribute to both the visual immersion and potentially affect gameplay mechanics in the harsh survival environment of SCUM.
Vehicle and Animation Improvements Underway
The animation team is currently polishing weapon animations and working on tractor implementation, suggesting that players will soon have access to this agricultural vehicle. This addition could significantly impact how survivors navigate and potentially cultivate resources on the island.
Meanwhile, the 2D team is addressing tractor icon issues and improving the server browser interface, which should enhance the overall user experience when finding and joining multiplayer sessions.
What's New with DEENA and the Codex?
The sound team is focusing on voiceovers for DEENA, the game's AI assistant, which suggests expanded interaction with this virtual guide. Complementing this, the game design department is polishing existing codex entries and creating new ones while expanding the onboarding process, which should help both new and returning players better understand the complex survival mechanics of SCUM.
Developers Address Community Concerns
A significant portion of the update was dedicated to answering pressing community questions, providing insight into the development team's priorities as they approach the 1.0 release:
Gun Jamming and Weapon Reliability
Players concerned about weapons jamming at 100% condition received confirmation that this is a known issue being fixed for the full release. The developers clarified that magazine and ammunition condition also affect jamming probability, suggesting a complex weapon reliability system. They're also considering optional server settings for this feature post-1.0 release.
Performance Optimization and Vehicle Desync
Optimization remains a top priority for the development team as they prepare for the 1.0 release. They acknowledged that vehicle desync issues occur primarily due to performance differences between players' systems and should improve with further optimization. As a temporary workaround, they suggest letting players with better system setups take the wheel.
Post-1.0 Content Plans
While cooking features won't make it into the initial 1.0 release, the developers indicated that base building will be expanded in the future, potentially including features like stone ovens. The team is still finalizing their post-1.0 roadmap and promised to share details once plans are concrete.
For now, all development efforts are focused on optimization and bug fixes to ensure a smooth, stable experience when the game officially exits Early Access. The extensive bug extermination efforts mentioned across multiple departments underscores this commitment to quality.
With armed NPCs, enhanced weather effects, and vehicle improvements on the horizon, the prison island of SCUM continues to evolve into an increasingly complex and challenging survival environment. As the game approaches its 1.0 milestone, players can look forward to a more polished and feature-rich experience in this unforgiving survival simulator.