Stratus Patch update! Further Bridge erosion fixes

Stratus Testing Build Patch Update

Following extensive review and multiplayer playtesting over the past several days, we successfully identified and resolved the remaining bridge erosion replication issues affecting the current testing build.

After narrowing down the root cause, we have now deployed a new patch that fully addresses bridge erosion synchronization across the network.

Patch Fixes

1. Bridge Erosion Timers Reworked

Bridge erosion timing has been moved from a shared global timer to individual timers on each bridge segment.

The issue stemmed from an early Unreal Engine implementation dating back to the project's initial single-player prototyping phase. Because all bridge segments were referencing the same timer, constructing a new bridge could inadvertently reset the erosion timer for other bridges already in play. Each bridge segment now maintains its own independent erosion timer, ensuring erosion behavior functions correctly in multiplayer.

2. Cracking Visuals Now Replicate Correctly

Bridge segments now correctly display their cracking and deterioration textures for both hosts and clients, providing clear visual feedback as structures approach collapse.

3. Bridge Erosion Synchronization Fixed

Bridge meshes now erode and collapse at the correct time for all connected players, ensuring consistent gameplay and eliminating desynchronization issues between hosts and clients.

What's Next

With bridge erosion now functioning correctly and replicating as intended, we are moving on to the final remaining bridge-system tasks:

• Preventing players from extending bridges from bridge segments they do not own.

• Restricting bridge construction to islands that are under a player's control.

These final adjustments will bring the bridging system much closer to its intended gameplay state and pave the way for the next major development milestone: final multiplayer combat debugging and network synchronization improvements.

Available Now

The latest patch is live on the Stratus testing branch and is available to all current owners who wish to help test the latest development build.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in testing and provided feedback. Your reports continue to play a vital role in helping us improve Stratus as development progresses.