Patch 8

Hello, Contestants! Patch 8 is now available, introducing new features and bug fixes. Check out all the details below!

New features

New match type - Touchdown

• Compete for control of our new, most dangerous companion, BOMB.BO, and deliver them to the goal to score points in an explosive fashion!
• Alternatively, throw it at the goal! A thrown goal will still score points, albeit less than if you deliver it by hand.
• Use the Goalkeeper spectator interaction to protect your goal even in death, preventing players from reaching it, while delivering a nasty shock. Shocked players are slowed, can't shoot, and will drop the BOMB.BO if they were holding it.
• Lastly, no one likes a ball hog. Don't let BOMB.BO count down to zero, or there will be consequences!
• For now, bots will function in this mode the same as with Spotlight. Bots will attempt to attack or defend the orb holder, but will not carry the orb themselves. You need at least 2 human players to begin a Touchdown match, one per team.

Voice Chat

• Players will be able to chat with anyone in the squad lobby if you are joining together ahead of gameplay.
• In game, who you can chat to depends on the situation…
• While alive, you can talk to your team directly with V, or by selecting the Team channel using Dpad down on a controller.
• You can also talk in proximity chat to those physically around you, using Alt or selecting the Proximity channel using Dpad down on a controller.
• Involved in a takedown? Killer and victim have a few seconds of direct open mic chat immediately after the takedown occurs.
• During spectator mode, you can talk freely with all other spectators, regardless of team.
• During all other gameplay elements (Map showcase, end of round, winners showcase), voice chat is open to everyone!
• Of course, you can mute yourself, individuals and even everyone in the match easily if you want to opt out of the feature.

XP and Progression system

• Completing games earns you experience towards your Player Profile Rank, and at specific levels you can unlock new goodies!
• Winning, scoring takedowns, scoring multi-kills... everything you do will add small amounts of experience to your total at the end of the match.
• The only situation in which you don't get experience is if you leave a match before the match completes. So stay in the game, and fight to the bitter end!
• We have included several new cosmetic skin sets, weapon skins and masks, as well as new skin tones, and even newer Tracer and Charm cosmetic types.
• There might be something special at the end for those who make it all the way!

Armoury

• This is a new menu that lives inside the squad lobby, next to the Locker.
• The Armoury contains everything regarding weapon customisation, including the new Tracer and Charm cosmetics.
• Charms are attached to your weapon and add a little personal flair!
• Tracers affect the colour of your gunfire!
• The arrival of the Armoury also spells a change in how we handle which weapons you use in a match.
• We now have a loadout system! Each round will designate the weapon type to be used, but the specific variant you equip is based on your selection in the armoury menu.
• This means you can now go head-to-head with a Scarab user whilst wielding your trusty Mantis.
• Please note that weapon skins have been moved from the Locker to the Armoury!
• We intend to add more options to this menu… soon 🙂

Improvements

• We have implemented a new system for queuing into gameplay. Quickplay and Custom remain the same. Instead of Solo and Squad, we now have The Crucible and War Games. The Crucible restricts your search to Bodycount and Team Bodycount only. War Games includes all match types apart from Bodycount and Team Bodycount.
• New controller options have been added! In particular, much requested input acceleration and deadzone manipulation options should now be present and functional.
• A new Announcer and ABI assistant voice over has been added!
• A new post-match screen has been added where you can see your performance in the prior game.
• The options available in Custom Matches have been expanded! Expect to see more options appearing in later updates, too.

Bug Fixes

• Slow Reload should no longer become disabled over time.
• Name plates should appear as normal again, although they are now positional, and will hide where players are obstructed.
• Losing internet connection should once again return you to the title screen.

Known Issues

• If you start firing directly after sprinting, the animation will look like you are firing upwards (although any bullets will be fired in the correct direction)
• The button prompt for quick respawn may not update in game if you change it from its default
• On Abyssal Ascent, bots spawning on a specific spawn point may become unable to move from the point.
• When killed by bots, the game will occasionally tell you you were killed by KillerName, instead of the name of the bot that killed you.
• Very rarely, after picking up the BOMB.BO you will be unable to throw it correctly.