Update v0.9.5 - The One That Optimized The Boom

Commanders!
You may have noticed a flurry of updates lately—and no, I definitely didn't forget to write patch notes (I’m just reading my git pushes retroactively, alright?). Here’s a tidy recap of the recent patches, fixes, and quality-of-life changes deployed over the past few updates. Thanks for your patience and all the amazing feedback—keep it coming! ❤️

🧰 Fixes

• Fixed: Briefing on Operation Dune Bastion was always skipped—now it plays as intended.
• Fixed: Enemy units now freeze instantly when the game is paused, rather than slowly decelerating.
• Fixed: Game no longer freezes for a moment when a new music track plays mid-game—songs now preload more gracefully.
• Fixed: Steam Cloud sync now works—turns out I may have forgotten to uncheck a little beta testing box 🙃
• Fixed: Infantry units with max HP/armor no longer act like invincible raid bosses. They now go down as expected.
• Fixed: No UI mode now properly hides everything it should: kills, points, level counters, XP bar, subtitles, etc.
• Fixed: Modifier sliders (including weapon count) now retain their values after missions.
• Fixed: Endless mode now correctly grants currency post-sortie.
• Fixed: Leveling up twice at once now shows both upgrade screens correctly, with the cursor present.
• Fixed: 30mm weapon upgrade stats (projectile count, max ammo) now apply correctly after prestiging.
• Fixed: Enemies no longer randomly stop spawning mid-sortie—spawner had been taking an unauthorized nap 💤

🧪 Known Issues (Still under investigation)

• Weapons may get stuck in reload in No UI mode.
• The Decryption effect occasionally gets stuck—yes, we know, it’s becoming a meme. Fix soon™.

⚙️ Quality of Life Improvements

• QoL Feature: Added a full upgrade overview menu—accessible in the pause menu and post-mission screen.
• QoL Feature: Multiple new ways to zoom for better aim: W/S, mouse scroll, right click, or controller left stick.
• QoL Feature: Added a Reset Progress button—for fresh starts, challenge runs, or just reliving the chaos from zero.

🚀 Performance

• Performance: Major optimization pass—especially around helicopters, rockets, ragdolls, and high-intensity moments. Up to 80% smoother, even on Steam Deck.

💡 Note: Still improving performance further; firing 20+ projectiles at once may still cause some lag, but overall things should feel noticeably smoother now.

🎴 Steam Trading Cards Are Live!

You can now earn Metal Thunder Steam Trading Cards just by playing. Collect them to unlock:

• Badges
• Profile emoticons
• Gorgeous gunship backgrounds

Show off your battlefield cred on your Steam profile!

💬 Final Notes

Thanks to everyone who's been testing, reporting bugs, and offering suggestions. The game is shaping up better than ever because of your support—and yes, I'm still watching that economy rework 👀

Stay frosty, Commanders.
— Tolga 🔧✨