⚡ Unreal 5.7 & Performance
This month, a major milestone was reached as the project migrated to Unreal Engine version 5.7 (previously 5.4). This strategic choice enables us to leverage the latest engine features, especially for integrated rigging tools, streamlining and speeding up our workflow.
We also switched our rendering to Forward Shading. This new method delivers a significant performance boost: thanks to MSAA anti-aliasing, visuals are much sharper compared to the previous TAA solution. Most importantly, this change greatly improves compatibility for lower-end PCs and the Steam Deck!
🧨 Power-ups
This month, the game’s power-ups were thoroughly reviewed to enhance the user experience and address community feedback.
A key change, frequently suggested by players, now allows replacing one item with another directly in the inventory, even when it’s full. This eliminates frustrations from limited slot management and streamlines gameplay.
We also noticed that environmental interactive elements, such as destructible walls that unlock secondary paths, were often overlooked. To address this, these interactable actors sensitive to the currently held item are now highlighted, better guiding exploration.
Finally, the feedback related to power-ups has been improved, with new spatialized sound effects for greater immersion. In addition, a dedicated animation now plays when the player uses a consumable power-up on themselves, for example when eating haricourt, eating pimiento, or equipping the helmet.
🌵 Cactus
We also adjusted the cactus backward movement speed to provide better handling, especially for gamepad users.
A new feedback system was added to make the position of the nearest spotlight clearer to the player. This visual cue has three distinct states:
- Normal
- Spotlight nearby
- Instant pose mode
🐎 Horse Cart
To increase suspense at the end of each match, the score is now validated when the cart departs, rather than when it reaches the halfway point. This means scores can change right up to the final second, making unexpected comebacks!
🚂 Events
Speaking of score changes, a new type of event is introduced: the monetary event! Its goal is to balance scores and allow players who are behind to catch up.
To introduce this new event type, the first one will be the classic Wanted: a random player is chosen, and their head is put on a bounty. During this event, two rewards are displayed: one for the player who successfully kills or stuns the target, and another if the target manages to survive. The value of these bounties depends on each player’s progress in the match: if the target is far ahead, their survival reward will be low, while the reward for eliminating them will be higher.
Another event, Pouleto’s Fury, has been revamped. Previously, the activation logic involved finding hidden chickens on the map and shooting them with the Tomato Gun. Now, the chickens come to life and roam freely around the map. You can deal damage to them in various ways. After a certain number of chickens have been killed, the boss arrives… adding an unexpected and much more dynamic element to the event.
The Pouleto’s rigging has also been overhauled, and new animations have been added to enhance its immersion.
⭐ Larry "El Sherifo" Preston
We have also started overhauling the sheriff’s rigging, thanks to the new Unreal Engine 5.7 version. This new rig gives us greater freedom to create animations and content directly within the engine, which was absolutely essential for the next steps of production. The animation improvements in UE 5.7 make the workflow smoother and allow for faster, more native creation of new character animations.
🧱 Destructible wall
Finally, we’ve changed the logic for destroying destructible walls to improve consistency with the bank vault. Now, players must interact directly with the wall to place dynamite, rather than simply throwing one nearby.
🎯 What's next
With the demo as our main goal, no new features will be added. We’ll now focus on stability and game balance, and several test sessions are scheduled for the coming weeks. We will keep you informed about the progress and results of these tests through our various social networks so you are always aware of the next steps.
Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to add the game to your wishlist 🌵
