Escalation 2.1 Update

from AshesoftheSingularity Forums

*** RELEASED ***

Change Log

Features

  • Single Player Observer Mode- Ever wondered if the AI was better as the Substrate or the PHC? Or if a dozen normal AI's can beat an Insane AI? Setup your own games and watch the AI battle against itself with whatever maps and settings you want.
  • Supply Lines Game Option- Disable this when starting your game to remove the requirement that Regions have to be connected to your Nexus to provide resources. There are now over 4.7 million configurations of map options to play a game with (and that doesn't even count all the possible maps or player settings).
  • Unranked Match- Allows you to play a 1 versus 1 multiplayer game that is automatically matched, but your results don't effect your ranking. Good for practicing new tactics or playing a more casual multiplayer game.
  • Espana- New Medium Arctic map available for skirmish, multiplayer and ranked games.
  • Rus- New Small Desert map available for skirmish, multiplayer and ranked games.
  • Italia- New Terran Medium map available for skirmish, multiplayer and ranked games.

Balance

  • Cygnus victory points reduced form 1500 to 750
  • Deneb victory points reduced from 1500 to 750
  • Europa victory points reduced from 1500 to 1000
  • Maurn victoyr points reduced from 1500 to 750
  • Proxima victory points reduced from 2000 to 600
  • Pulaski victory points reduced from 2000 to 1000
  • Pyn victory points reduced from 1500 to 600
  • Spica victory points reduced from the 1500 to 600
  • Thuban victiry points reduced from 750 to 600
  • Tortuga victory points reduced from 1500 to 750
  • Vega victory points reduced from 2500 to 600
  • Canopus map update: 
    • Created additional routes between each peninsula to allow for more strategic diversity and flanking routes
    • Reduced the size of the impassable terrain in the middle
    • Added a metal relay in the middle of the outer pathways
  • Ceres map update:
    • Added two metal deposits to one of the nearby empty relays
  • Deneb map update:
    • Reworked the terrain layout in order to be more symmetrical
    • Symmetrized the resource layout to be fair and balanced for both sides
    • Replaced the side Turinium Generators with Radioactives
    • Centralised Turinium generators to make Turinium acquisition more viable
  • Knife Fight map update:
    • Equalised the travel time from starting locations to first two resource points
    • Opened up an additional pathway on the sides of the map
    • Opened up an additional pathway on the top and bottom of the map
    • Connected the resources points on the sides of the map
  • Monaco map update:
    • Moved player starting locations to map corners
    • Reshuffled some of the resource layout to replicate a more standard starting location
    • Created a wide Pathway in the centre of the map
    • Centralised all the Turinium Generators to make acquiring Turinium more viable
  • Regulus map update:
    • Created a pathway at the top and bottom of the map with an empty relay
    • Moved the starting locations to map corners to account for additional pathways
  • Ulrich map update:
    • Created a pathway between the centre of the map
    • The middle now only has a single centered Turinium Generator
    • Added Metal Deposits onto one of the empty relays near the starting locations

Fixes

  • Fixed visibility related to elevation changes on some maps
  • Crash fixes
  • Fixed an issue where Oblivion and Eliminator Turrets weren't showing up under light fog of war
  • Fixed connection issues when starting a matchmaker game

UI

  • Main Menu rescaled to look better and be more clear
74,718 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Good patch.

"Single Player Observer Mode" I wasn't able to start a game with someone but in the MP lobby the host can also make himself an observer too, which if it works will be good for tournaments and people trying to help/coach people.

Supply Lines Game Option Wasn't expecting to see this yet but great to see. I have a friend who was put off the game because it had to be linked, hopefully can get them to join in with the group now. People can play more like Supcom now if that is their wish, should mix up custom games nicely.

Unranked Match Again nice, I've wanted a more relaxed 1v1 every now and then, and also have sometimes wanted to go do more ranked but have been rusty on 1v1 play so put me off a bit. Hopefully this doesn't reduce ranked players but encourages more people to try it. I can see that you are probably using it as a testing ground to see how 2v2 might go in the future.  

All the fixes good to see of course, especially crashes, and nice to see the matchmaker connection issue fixed now.

Good stuff. Will the map balance and unit balance submitted by Callum also be going into this update?

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Reply #4 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top


Supply Lines Game Option- Disable this when starting your game to remove the requirement that Regions have to be connected to your Nexus to provide resources.

Does the AI play know about/play appropriately differently with this option selected? 

Reply #5 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Quoting Ticktoc, reply 1

Good patch.

"Single Player Observer Mode" I wasn't able to start a game with someone but in the MP lobby the host can also make himself an observer too, which if it works will be good for tournaments and people trying to help/coach people.

Supply Lines Game Option Wasn't expecting to see this yet but great to see. I have a friend who was put off the game because it had to be linked, hopefully can get them to join in with the group now. People can play more like Supcom now if that is their wish, should mix up custom games nicely.

Unranked Match Again nice, I've wanted a more relaxed 1v1 every now and then, and also have sometimes wanted to go do more ranked but have been rusty on 1v1 play so put me off a bit. Hopefully this doesn't reduce ranked players but encourages more people to try it. I can see that you are probably using it as a testing ground to see how 2v2 might go in the future.  

All the fixes good to see of course, especially crashes, and nice to see the matchmaker connection issue fixed now.

Good stuff. Will the map balance and unit balance submitted by Callum also be going into this update?

Glad you like it.

The matchmaker fix is a big one, we are happy to have that behind us.

We are updating the opt-in today with Callum's map updates. The changelog has been updated to reflect that.

We are testing Callum's balance changes, they are significant and they impact the AI so we are holding them until the next patch to make sure the AI is adjusted appropriately.

Reply #6 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Is the 1v1 automatch pool split between ranked and unranked with this patch or are they both searching the same pool?

Reply #7 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Quoting Derek, reply 5

Glad you like it.

The matchmaker fix is a big one, we are happy to have that behind us.

We are updating the opt-in today with Callum's map updates. The changelog has been updated to reflect that.

We are testing Callum's balance changes, they are significant and they impact the AI so we are holding them until the next patch to make sure the AI is adjusted appropriately.

Makes sense, thanks for the reply.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Quesocito, reply 8

is this patch live?

It's still an opt-in as of today.

 

Reply #10 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

thanks!

yarlen told me the 22MB update on steam was the C++ redistributable

Reply #11 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Dumb question time.

Will Steam achievements still trigger using this beta?  Also, in a campaign or a saved scenario can I go back and forth between the beta and vanilla version or will it mess things up?  Also, maybe I didn't read things right, but is the AI in the current beta able to understand non-contiguous points are viable and can make use of it?  Or will it currently play as normal and non-contiguous points are just an option for players?

Reply #12 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

The v2.10 update is now live on Steam.  To answer jpinard - achievements will trigger in beta builds; not sure on the save games - probably depends on if we changed something specific to the mission.

Reply #14 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Thanks for the patch guys. Will try observer mode later tonight.

 

I take it that the unit balance patch is still coming ?

Reply #15 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

yeah thanks! the new maps are looking great! really prefer the new knife fight! as well as the other maps

Reply #16 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Thanks very much for all the updates and refinements!  Especially Observer mode, a feature I've been wanting.  It's great to see development continuing.

Reply #17 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

it woulde have been wonderfull if we coulde get the balance changes from ggthemachine before 4 march due to 2 vs 2 tournement happening. (any info you coulde give us regarding that since it makes the game lot better to play when you are facing the top ladder.

Reply #18 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Quoting Archcreature, reply 17

it woulde have been wonderfull if we coulde get the balance changes from ggthemachine before 4 march due to 2 vs 2 tournement happening. (any info you coulde give us regarding that since it makes the game lot better to play when you are facing the top ladder.

Yeah it would totally help stop these air rush tactics. As well as give SS a better chance in the tourney. Not that I'm taking part either..