Aliens vs Predator Patch #3 – Report

The follwoing is a quick run down of what the third patch for Aliens vs Predator will offer: 

Game Client

New Features:
-   In multiplayer damage from the Predator’s Smart Disc has been reduced, unless it’s a headshot.
-   In multiplayer minor hits from the Predator’s Plasma Caster bolts will no longer knock down enemies.
-   When joining a dedicated server on which a round is in-progress you now have a limited time to choose your species/team and skin before entering the game, if the game mode and server settings allow this.

Bug Fixes:
-   Fixed clients not always being correctly notified that the game had ended.
-   Improvements to the networking code used in dedicated server games to increase stability and reduce pings.
-   DX11 optimisation when using tessellation
-   Fixed DX11 gamma controls on NVIDIA boards
-   Return to the server browsing screen instead of top-level menu when you fail to join a server
-   Fixed the lobby timer not always displaying correctly on clients.
-   Improved ‘SayTeam’ console command
-   Improvements to ranked matchmaking
-   Fixed occasional problems with peer-to-peer games after playing on a dedicated server
-   Fixed rare multiplayer bug where all players would be disconnected during level load if just one of them had a network problem during the load.
-   Fixed a cause of clients sometimes getting disconnected when pressing ALT+TAB or ALT+ENTER on the end-game scoreboard.
-   Fixed predators being able to cancel other players’ Plasma Caster Lock-on.

Dedicated server

New Features:
-   Dedicated server no longer needs the Steam client to be running.
-   Dedicated server can use DLC maps.
-   New console/config file commands for dedicated server for friendly fire, team balancing and species balancing options.
-   New console command to set a Message of the Day
-   When joining a dedicated server on which a round is in-progress you now have a limited time to choose your species/team and skin before entering the game, if the game mode and server settings allow this.
-   The dedicated server now installs to a standalone directory, and the install size is now ~2.2GB instead of 15GB
-   Improved feedback and output for various console commands
-   Improved server console output when players disconnect
-   Improved server console output when there are problems starting the server
-   Additional server console output about the Steam connection
-   The dedicated server will now also be available via the “HLDSupdate” tool. Please note that while we believe there should be no problems as both the Steam Client version and the HLDSupdate version are identical, we cannot test the HLDSupdate version without making it available to everybody. Server administrators are advised to install and use the HLDSupdate version using their discretion.

Bug Fixes:
-   Prevent “Adding Master Server” console output looking corrupted.
-   Fixed team selection not working for the first map hosted on a dedicated server
-   Made the ban list file have the server’s port number appended so multiple instances on the same hardware are independent
-   Improvements to the networking code used in dedicated server games to increase stability and reduce pings.
-   Fixed cause of clients thinking the host had disconnected at the end of a game which actually ended normally.
-   Fixed predators being able to cancel other players’ Plasma Caster Lock-on.
-   Fixed an issue where dedicated servers left idle for an extended period of time would result in the first match played having the clients “running around without their bodies attached”.
-   Setting the Autostarttime to “0″ now correctly turns this feature off, rather than attempting to instantly start the match upon players returning to the lobby and kicking all the clients.

The DLC Which was released included:

New Maps:

This new patch introduced 4 new mpas for people to use during online play. They consisted of “The Docks”, “Machine”, “Hive” and “Outpost”. The maps offer unique playing grounds for each faction.

The  Docks contain dangerous terrain and includes caustic alkali waters, located on BG-386. Machine was used to  process exotic ores found on the BG-386 Refinery. This facility also  provided electrical power to the colonists at Freya’s Prospect.

Two new maps were added to test Marine’s skill against hordes of oncoming Aliens, these include: “Outpost” and “Hive“. The Oupost served as Weyland Yutani’s original colony on BG-386, but wa slater abandoned and now has been reclaimed by the jungle surroundings. It ressembles more of a wasteland, or ancient grounds more than a colony. FInally, the Hive, as you could have guessed is deep within Freya’s Prospect Refinery and is home to the Xenomorph hive. Good luck getting out of there alive.

New Game Modes:

The new game modes for Aliens vs Predator’s game patch 3 include Deathmatch, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Species Deathmatch, Mixed Species Deathmatch and Domination. Fight as a team, or solo, against invisible killers, or hordes of bug-like Aliens. SEGA’s third patch for Aliens vs Predator is a great one. Aswell as these new game modes, Rebellion has toned down the damage the Predators can inflict unless it’s an automatic killing blow to ensure more balanced combat.

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