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UI update and Ending Operator Edition sales

Uncategorized

Things are moving along slowly but surely. We have been working hard to resolve some networking bugs that have been a thorn in our side for a while, and are very close to having everything resolved in that area. That should allow for much smoother online play and hopefully more public showings of actual gameplay.

We have a new contributor to the project that has been working on some UI concepts (He actually did the main GB logo as well 🙂 ). His name is Costa and goes by ‘Scopey’ (Used to be SAF_Night Scope) on the forum and has been doing a wonderful job coming up with the direction of the Ground Branch UI. The next release of the Operator Edition will include the start of moving to this new design.

Here are a few concept images showing the new direction

GB_UIconcept_v2_01-mainMenuGB_UIconcept_v2_05a-serverBrowserGB_UIconcept_v2_07a-gearKit

Since we are getting a lot closer to an Early Access release we have decided to stop selling the Ground Branch Operator Edition on November 15th. We have 45 Steam keys left in our initial run so lets get them all sold in the next week or so!

The reason we are cutting off sales is to make sure those that purchase the Operator Edition get their money worth. We want them to have time before the Early Access release to provide valuable feedback and to feel as though they have been an important part of the early development.

So lets get these last few Operator Editions sold!

Some new weapon renders

Customization, Weapons

We have been doing a lot of work on networking and AI lately and that stuff is kind of hard to show off until its done. Though Phil has been doing a good job of posting AI progress in the forums.  🙂

So why not show off some weapon work we have been doing!

The sniper rifle that will be in the Early Access is the M14 EBR and here is the current progress on the high poly version:

 

Mk14_EBR_01 Mk14_EBR_02 Mk14_EBR_03 Mk14_EBR_04

And for the Light Machine Gun in the Early Access we will be including a Mk46 MOD 1. Here is the in game asset rendered in engine:

GB_Mk46_01 GB_Mk46_02 GB_Mk46_03 GB_Mk46_04

The Mk46 will also make its debut in the official 1009 Operator Edition build coming soon. Thanks for all the support we have received to this point… it is GREATLY appreciated!

A quick peek

Level Design

About a month ago we showed off one of the early stages of the TankerShip map that is currently available in the Ground Branch Operator Edition. The map is massive and will allow us to actually utilize 3 unique playable spaces, each with various day/night/weather combinations making for a map that provides lots of replayability over various MP/Coop modes. The goal for Ground Branch is to get as much replayability out of our content as possible and this is a step in the right direction. Over the last few weeks, the engine room area of the map has gone through an initial art pass so we thought we’d share a few screenshots!

GB_EngineRoom_01 GB_EngineRoom_04 GB_EngineRoom_03 GB_EngineRoom_02

 

We are working hard to get us closer to Early Access, but while you wait why not pick up the Operator Edition and help support the project! www.groundbranch.com/store

Progress update

Gameplay, Level Design, Programming, Uncategorized

We have been pretty busy since launching our Tech Preview and opening the groundbranch.com store just over a month ago so its a good time to give an update on where things are at.

The biggest news is Ground Branch is playable with a simple multi-player deathmatch game mode(more modes coming soon) using a dedicated server, direct ip connect or over a LAN! We have implemented our first pass of the Server Browser using Steam for our online connectivity and we already have plenty of current Operator Edition users hopping on 24/7 dedicated servers and having a good time. Videos of play sessions are coming soon.

If you want to join in the fun and see  how Ground Branch is shaping up, all while helping to fund this awesome project, then hit the store and buy into the Operator Edition and get access right away!

www.groundbranch.com/store

Its still early and multiplayer is in its early days, but Operator Edition players are really enjoying themselves and fully embracing where Ground Branch is heading. Its a game where people find themselves just hanging out sometimes. Here are a couple forum comments that jumped out at us:

“We were just hanging in the ts, watching e3 coverage and walking on the map.
at some point we figured out we could launch each other by jumping into one another. so we worked on our technique for a while.
there were actually 8 and probably more people on the server at times.
again it was fun”  ~  MissVerstanden

“….. I had a blast. It is a bit like Arma, but smoother and less clunky and controls that make sense. The lean works better and more natural than I expected. You’ll see me leaning on every corner.” ~ Psychomorph

seperator

At BlackFoot Studios we pride ourselves in our community involvement and are getting valuable feedback from those that have downloaded the Tech Preview as well as those that purchased the Operator Edition. It’s always great to see players do things in the game that weren’t specifically thought of, but yet fully support and validate the core concept of what Ground Branch is all about………..

“so… i somehow killed myself by shooting my guy in the foot” ~ chicken_slayer

Something like shooting yourself in the foot doesn’t usually happen in games, but its a realistic side effect of how Ground Branch is built. You better keep muzzle awareness and trigger discipline or something bad might happen!

seperator

Now to show the Early Access map #2 from the Trello board… Its a giant tanker ship! Lots of area to cover and a design that poses some unique tactical challenges is sure to test your skills.

Tanker_WIP_01 Tanker_WIP_02 Tanker_WIP_03

It is currently in the “blocking out” stage to define the overall space and is getting some decent playtesting time by our Operator Edition users. One of my favorite quotes from the forums:

“That tanker ship! That’s exactly what we need for early access, good work. Looks wide and dense at the same time, can’t wait for the interior compartments. RS tanker ship pales in comparison to it.” ~ Psychomorph

So that’s it for now. Things are moving along nicely so why don’t you join in the Operator Edition fun!

-Team BFS

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This Steam Early Access game is currently not a finished game and may or may not change significantly over the course of development. To learn more about Steam Early Access, please visit http://store.steampowered.com/earlyaccessfaq/

GROUND BRANCH and the GROUND BRANCH logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of MicroProse Software Pty Ltd.
GROUND BRANCH uses Unreal Engine 4 © Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved. Unreal is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere.
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