Zero Hour | Operation Thunderbolt Details

Zero Hour's Operation Thunderbolt is here with exciting additions and significant optimizations that enhance your gaming experience. Prepare to trudge through a new map, engage with an AI squad, and wield the game's first non-lethal weapon. We've also fine-tuned shooting mechanics, improved door interactions, and enhanced audio functionality for smoother and more immersive gameplay.

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Main Features:

New Map: Show Time

In a stunning display of sheer brutality, terrorists have unleashed a devastating strike aimed at the heart of Dhacca, targetting the iconic Nagar cinema hall. With motives much darker, their plan is to seize innocent lives as hostages and rig the entire hall with a ticking time bomb. Their demands are simple yet horrifying: the release of 13 notorious members of their terrorist faction, once captured by the MS unit. If the demands are not met within the next 5 hours, the hostages will suffer a devastating fate and the very soul of Dhaka will be torn apart by a catastrophic explosion. The stakes are high and the clock is ticking.

Squad AI

The wait is almost over! To answer the prayers of players worldwide, the highly anticipated Squad AI feature has been added. Fuelled with an undying passion for immersive gameplay, this initial iteration of the Squad AI system will set the stage for future enhancements.

The Squad AI introduces an ensemble of commandable companions that seamlessly integrate into the game's environment, enhancing solo gameplay. With a range of basic commands such as "stack up," "breach," "fall in," and "hold position," etc., players can direct their AI squad mates strategically, forming a new level of coordinated attacks.

One notable aspect of the Squad AI system is its modular design. We essentially create a new instance of the player, and that new player is controlled by an AI entity. This enables seamless synchronization of the squad with the main player. Any upgrades, abilities, or equipment acquired by the player will be automatically transferred to the AI squad mates.

*This also implies that we may soon be able to offer offline PvP options, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. *

Besides executing commands, the AI squad members will sometimes engage in spontaneous conversations. These interactions will not only create an immersive atmosphere but also make the AI companions appear more lifelike, creating a deeper connection between players and their digital allies.

To accommodate different play styles, players have the freedom to form a team of up to 9 members or go solo for each mission. This will allow players to tailor their experience according to their preference, whether they crave a lone wolf strategy or the companionship of a full squad.

The Squad AI system features a unique Squad Career system, designed to give each AI squad member a distinct personality and skill set. While players cannot customize the loadout of their AI companions, this limitation is compensated by preset loadouts tailored to individual personalities. This feature encourages players to experiment and strategize in diverse ways, utilizing each squad member’s unique abilities.

Taser

Get ready to wield a new weapon in your arsenal: the Taser. It represents the first non-lethal weapon introduced in the game. The Taser is designed to immobilize and incapacitate targets without causing any lethal harm. Emitting a strong electrical charge, it delivers a shock that stuns targets within its short-range reach. This non-lethal option provides players with a tactical alternative when facing suspects, creating an opportunity for more nuanced and strategic gameplay.

The Taser is exclusive to the co-op gameplay. It is equipped with limited ammunition, thus, players must consider when and how to best utilize this during gameplay. By using the Taser, players can accelerate the process of making NPCs compliant and persuade suspects to surrender, adding dimension to the mission strategy. Furthermore, squad AI members also have the ability to use the Taser.

While the Taser is designed to be non-lethal, in rare cases, players or suspects with low health may give in to the electrical charge, resulting in unintended fatalities. This calls for calculated decision-making and precise target selection when using the Taser.

More Features

Squad Career System

Prepare for an emotionally charged and immersive gaming experience with the new squad career system. To make the gameplay more realistic, we are introducing the concept of perma-death for the AI squad mates. Every mission is a high-stakes endeavor, where the lives of your digital companions hang on the line. If they fall in the line of duty during a mission, they will meet a permanent end—unless the player chooses to reset their career.

To ensure that the loss of a fallen comrade does not impede your progress, players have the option to hire new squad AI teammates from the hiring menu. Here, the players can assess potential recruits' skills, preferred load-outs, and unique attributes before making the selection.

To add more depth, the Squad Career system also introduces a dynamic skill progression for the AI squad mates. Through regular missions and successful completions, your squad members will gain experience, polishing their abilities and growing more proficient over time. Additionally, with future updates, we plan to infuse squad AI teammates with unique personality traits which will further differentiate each member.

It is important to note that the Squad Career system is still a work in progress. Only a limited number of squad AIs can be hired at the time of the release of the update, however, we are looking forward to adding more soon.

It should also be noted that although we intend to include this feature in the upcoming update, unforeseen challenges may arise that could delay its release.

Improved Animations

Say goodbye to robotic movements and hello to fluid motion with the introduction of improved locomotion animation. Through careful refinement, we have tried to create a more seamless and realistic representation of how characters traverse their environments. By injecting a sense of inertia, we have ensured that each step taken by players feels grounded and believable, enhancing the overall realism of the game.

To further refine the animation experience, we have separated inertia animations between the first-person and third-person perspectives. This ensures that players in first-person view experience reduced head shake movement, minimizing any potential discomfort. However, the proper look and feel of the animations will be present when viewed in third person. This will retain visual accuracy and authenticity in the third-person view.

We have also added various new animations to further enrich the movement and actions of both suspects and players. These additional animations add depth to character interactions, heightening the realism and enhancing the overall visual appeal of the game.

NPC Character

To introduce a new layer of immersion and narrative depth, we have added story-related NPCs into the game. Now, players will encounter intriguing characters that breathe life into each mission. For instance, the wife of a serial killer or the pharmacist who works in the very building you infiltrate. These NPCs are intended to add an extra level of realism and story to each mission. As we continue to enhance the game, more NPCs will be introduced in upcoming updates.

Subtitles System

Recognizing the importance of effective communication between players and suspects/NPCs, we have added subtitles to our game. This is to ensure that language barriers do not hinder gameplay experiences. Now, when suspects and NPCs speak in Bangla, players will have access to subtitles in English, enabling them to comprehend the dialogue and react accordingly.

Further Optimization

We are pleased to announce notable optimizations in a number of areas of our game as part of our ongoing effort to offer the best gaming experience possible. With a focus on shooting mechanics, door interactions, and audio functionality, we have resolved key performance-related issues, ensuring reduced FPS spike and smoother gameplay.

Through thorough analysis, we identified a critical issue regarding weapon firing that was causing unnoticed garbage collection, leading to the accumulation of unnecessary resources over time. We have implemented fixes to prevent this issue from occurring. Additionally, we resolved internal engine log-related problems that were causing excessive CPU usage, resulting in a more efficient gameplay experience.

To further maximize efficiency, we have optimized the interaction system for doors to ensure less CPU usage. Recognizing that doors function as physical objects that require movement, we have implemented strategies to minimize the number of doors undergoing movement at one time whenever possible. We have also invested time and effort into optimizing suspect AI. By addressing issues that caused frame rate spikes, we intend to create a smoother and more consistent experience.

We understand that lighting plays an important role in creating immersive environments. However, it is also true that excessive GPU usage caused by active lights can impact overall performance. To create a balance between performance and visual quality, we have implemented advanced techniques to reduce the number of active lights at a time when they are not in the player's line of sight.

Development Log Video

We have also prepared a short video showcasing some of these changes.

Conclusion:

*The planned release date for this update is on 21st June 2023. Stay tuned as we will provide more news and updates for Operation Thunderbolt in detail soon. The highly anticipated attack dog feature is still in the works and will be released with our next update. The slight delay is due to our commitment to creating a natural-looking dog. We really appreciate and thank the community for the unconditional support and love for the game.

Make sure you have not missed out on any of the new features that we have added with our recent patches. You will be able to check them out using the links below.* Patch News #1 Patch News #2 Patch News #3

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