Update v0.2.50 — GPU Heightmap Compression, Anti-Aliasing & MP Determinism

Global Protocol: New World Order · build 24540310 · published

On SteamNotes only · this build shipped before we watched the app

This update introduces 8x VRAM terrain heightmap compression, functioning Anti-Aliasing quality controls, and a complete multiplayer determinism overhaul. It also brings smoother country selection performance and resync recovery controls.

🖼️ Map Rendering Performance & Anti-Aliasing

  • 8x Heightmap VRAM Compression: Compressed the 16k terrain heightmap texture into BC4 format, reducing GPU VRAM bandwidth usage by 8x (shrinking the heightmap from 512MB down to 64MB) and significantly accelerating map zoom performance.

  • Functioning Anti-Aliasing Settings: Changed URP default rendering from 8x to 4x MSAA for faster frame rates, and connected the in-game AA dropdown menu directly to active pipeline settings for the first time.

  • Responsive Country Selection: Debounced search filtering typing in the country select menu and optimized military rank calculations, keeping national setup smooth and lag-free.

🌐 Multiplayer Lockstep Determinism & Resync Recovery

  • Zero-Desync Determinism: Eliminated country hash desyncs. Converted random seed generation across envoy operations, event evaluations, political drift, and missile defenses from local entity indices to deterministic country ISO3 hashing.

  • Canonical Resource Routing: Enforced canonical sorting (Buyer ISO3, Seller ISO3, Resource) on resource routing and reserve purchases to guarantee identical economic simulation states across all host and client machines.

  • Host Authoritative Snapshot Retries: Host snapshot retries now authoritatively re-push state snapshots to diverged followers, backed by a 10-second cooldown timer and clear status subtitles.

  • 30-Second Escape Hatch: Added a "Leave Game" button to the resync overlay after 30 seconds, ensuring players are never trapped on a stalled sync screen.