Updates

Details

Written by: Jared Petersen

Published: 13 March 2024

Map Changes

• Several remixes were re-done in order to perfect them. This includes fixing bad textures, missing sound effects, broken bot pathing, and in some cases, select missing decorations. A number of these maps have new paint jobs, so check them out! Old versions are available in the archive as usual. The list is as follows: CTF-BarancoRemix, CTF-LokiRemix, PM-BarricadeRemix, PM-ColdHeartRemix, PM-DistinctiveRemix, PM-ElsinoreRemix, PM-FacesofPharaohsRemix, PM-GatewayRemix, PM-GothicRemix, PM-GrinderRemix, PM-HealPod][Remix, PM-HiSpeedRemix, PM-HyperBlastRemix, PM-JadedRemix, PM-LeadworksRemix, PM-LiandriRemix, PM-NovemberRemix, PM-Observatory)(Remix, PM-OracleRemix, PM-RealWorldGoneBadRemix, PM-RustyIncRemix, PM-SionRemix, PM-StarDockRemix, PM-TalathRemix, PM-VoacRemix, PM-WindyRemix, and TT-LokiRemix.
• BSP issues were found and fixed on a few maps. CTF-PirateShips, PM-1on1-Ancient, PM-BathroomRemix, and PM-PirateShips were affected.
• The screenshot for PM-AlcatrazRemix has apparently been missing for some time. I have restored it.
• Three additional Target Tag maps were given bug-fixes related to the Target Tag gamemode bug-fixes discussed below. Note that currently, only these three and TT-LokiRemix are working examples of the Target Tag gamemode. The other maps need additional fixes as well, and will be worked on in the following updates.

System Changes

• The Target Tag gamemode had two major bug-fixes applied which were subsequently applied to the Target Tag maps listed above. Note that not all Target Tag maps are currently working as they are being worked on as I go through all the maps. Bug number one was regarding being able to shoot enemy targets. This bug was also responsible for prompting me to discover the bug in the weapon changes section below. The second bug fixed was in regards to team targets that are used in maps as "helper targets". These targets are not worth points, but the gamemode was still assigning them point values by mistake. For now, targets with 0 as their point value are ignored by this code, but other targets with point values are equalized to the game-mode specific configurable scoring amount.
• A bug was fixed where some audio tutorials in the tutorial maps could repeat even after they were supposed to be shut off. NerfPlayer135 on our discord discovered this bug, so thanks for helping improve the game!
• TarPointTriggers are special triggers used in some community maps to give players points for doing certain tasks (like shooting the Tie Fighter in TieBayRemix). There was a small bug with them where they could not be on by default, and had to be triggered on. This is now fixed.
• Since the Bonus Points update added new ways to score bonus points, a number of small issues have been found and fixed. This time, a bug was discovered where if a bot tried to shoot at a point target that no longer existed, under certain circumstances the game could crash. This code has been adjusted to hopefully prevent most if not all cases where this can happen.
• Mega Jumps (and most other powerups) have special code whenever you pick up an inventory item to make sure it cannot be combined with an existing version of the pickup in your inventory. Mega Jumps were not doing this check correctly due to a typo which has now been fixed.

Weapon Changes

• A bug was fixed where the Secret Shot and SHBallGun were not reporting the owner of the projectiles they were firing. This caused some inconsistencies within code that relied on these properties to award points or otherwise know the owner of a weapon that shot it.

Details

Written by: Jared Petersen

Published: 15 September 2023

Just a short update catchup for now since a few versions have passed. The patch notes for this particular catchup are contained in just one post located here.

Map Changes

• Minor renovations to maps: PM-LavaRun, and PM-RocketRun1.
• Major renovations to CTF-PirateShips, PM-PirateShips, PM-LavaCenter, and PM-Sk8'sBedroom. These are some of my favorite renovations recently, so check them out!
• Added fall damage reduction to the remaining "shrunken player" maps including PM-Sk8'sBedroom, PM-BreakfastRemix, CTF-Bedrooms][Remix, and PM-Bedrooms][Remix.
• An old community favorite PM-OutcastFacility receives some quality of life updates including item placement, some additional cover in open areas, an extra route to the second floor, and triggers for the doors to make them more reliable and intuitive.
• While not the most playable maps, CTF-FloatingIslandExtremeRemix and PM-FloatingIslandExtremeRemix are an interesting piece of community mapping history. These maps contained some of the first conceived customized weapons. Though they tend to be simplistic, they have now been updated to be functional after updates years ago broke them with changes to weapon functionality.
• CTF-CivilWarRemix and PM-CivilWarRemix received some standard updates, but also functional cannons for the forts!
• And for the first time in a very long time, a new map was submitted by Grafik, PM-GFK-Renovatio.

System Changes

• The Greed gamemode has received some much-needed quality of life updates. The scoring system has been redone to reward scorers with bonus points for scoring large amounts of points at once, encouraging stockpiling and rushing. The more points you carry, the more bonus points you can potentially net! The bonus points are even shown on the HUD! Also, improvements were made to bot AI in this mode, though the work in this respect is not yet finished. Lastly, players who are knocked out can drop more than one point if they were on a spree, adding more variation into the scoring potential and encouraging you to hunt down that sniper for all his accumulated bounty.
• Two improvements were made to the menu system. For one, work was continued on the loading system code for the Setup Botmatch screen when it comes to loading map information (screenshots and descriptions). These updates have once again improved the loading speed of this potentially long list. Secondly, a bug was fixed that caused issues reading in the map description info for gamemodes other than PointBlast. Sometimes, under certain circumstances, the reading of description files could fail, resulting in several maps reporting to have "no description" when indeed they did have descriptions. This has been fixed.

Weapon Changes

• The RocketsNAB mod received some slight tuning to bring the weapon out of "overpowered territory".

Details

Written by: Jared Petersen

Published: 11 April 2023

Part of the charm and what separates Nerf ArenaBlast from its cohorts on the same engine is its arcade-approach to the idea of a traditional first-person-shooter. Points are awarded not for a knockout, but for a variety of point-scoring maneuvers. From dropped point pickups to accuracy bonuses to point targets, Nerf ArenaBlast has always had a number of ways to get points besides the main objectives. But for a number of years, many of the community maps have lacked the map-based bonus point opportunities. No longer! I have begun the process of adding point targets to community-made maps where appropriate, and other bonus points where they're not the best fit. The hope would be to one day give almost every map some form of attainable bonus points, and begin rewarding players for style and skill. While this small step is the first in that regard, I am already researching other fun ways to make the gameplay more rewarding and varied. And don't worry, bonus targets can be toggled off with a mutator if desired. For now, the most important changes follow:

General Changes

• Added support for clicking https links in the news window. Previously, only http links were supported.
• Smite can't be used before the game starts.
• Cleaned up bot-adding code.
• Fixed some issues with spectating.
• Added console messages for leaving fly and ghost and invisible.
• Fixed issues with using walk command in water.
• KillAll command can no longer kill the class you are or players.
• Summon now takes into account the size of the item being summoned.
• TarPointTrigger now has the option to specify a texture for the points.
• Bug-fixed the WarheadSpawner class so the person triggering it now appropriately gains credit for any knockouts resulting from its use (such as in PM-Trenches or PM-FithRemix).
• Point targets can now be attached to movers.
• Added a new bot-compatible jump pad class for experimentation. Check out PM-Breach and PM-RedPsi to see it in action and expect it to get added to other maps eventually.
• Bugfixes for CloudZones.

Map Changes

• Added standard point targets to several maps: PM-1on1-BigBrother, PM-1on1-Noob, PM-Anoxia, PM-Baboos, PM-BigBo, PM-Breach, PM-BreakfastRemix, PM-Chroma, PM-CinderCanyon, PM-Cirrus, PM-Colosseum, PM-CDTraining, PM-Darkside, PM-DreamM, PM-FloatingBridge, PM-FoamFactory, PM-Fun, PM-GladiatorRemix, PM-Lunar, PM-NABCommunityMap, PM-NerfFunnel, PM-Probe, PM-Quickie, PM-Ringo, Pm-RomanArena, PM-ShortCircuit, PM-Sniper'sAlley, PM-SolitaryDuel, PM-SpaceScraper, PM-Static, PM-TootieFruity, PM-TopsyTurvy, PM-TrainingArena, PM-Twister, PM-Vortex, PMX3-Luna.
• Added special bonus point targets to PM-AirRage, PM-BathroomRemix, PM-BluePsi, PM-Convoy, PM-DrStrangeLove, PM-KringleRemix, PM-Slam'sHauntedHomestead, and PM-TantricRemix.
• Shooting the core in PM-FithRemix now awards 100 bonus points per hit.
• Environmental destruction in PM-Dragon'sEnd awards bonus points.
• Snowman heads in PM-Containment can now be shot for bonus points.
• Killing the birds in PM-Bedrooms][Remix now awards bonus points.
• Renovated the map PM-GFK-Cityscape.
• Mini-renovation of PM-Khufu.
• Re-remixed PM-SesmarRemix and added a CTF version of the map.
• Re-remixed PM-GladiatorRemix, PM-StalwartXLRemix, PM-TechnoTourneyRemix, PM-TempestRemix, and PM-UndergroundRemix.
• Added two doorways to the conference room and a vent shaft to PM-SpaceScraper to alleviate some dead ends.

As always, see the patch notes forums for full details and more minor changes.

Details

Written by: Jared Petersen

Published: 05 April 2023

Today's patch features a number of map updates and a few engine bugfixes. Notable changes follow:

• Added a map missing from the CP for several years: CTF-BarancoRemix. Please note that this map requires updates before it will be fully functional.
• Renovated and expanded PM-GFK-Cityscape. Check out this awesome new map under the name "Cityscape".
• Redone remixes of the following maps: PM-GladiatorRemix, PM-SesmarRemix (also added CTF version), PM-StalwartXLRemix, PM-TechnoTourneyRemix, PM-TempestRemix, and PM-UndergroundRemix.
• PM-Khufu received a slight expansion to add more variety of pickups and weapons, and fill in some very blank areas.
• Added support for opening https links in the in-game news menu.
• Added console messages for leaving fly and ghost and invisible states.
• KillAll command can no longer kill the class you are or players. This prevents a terrible crash that could occur in these circumstances.
• Smite command can no longer be used before the game starts, preventing some issues where bots and players dying before the game starts could end up in bad states.
• Cleaned up bot-adding code in vanilla gametypes. Teams should be much more reliably balanced now. Custom gametypes might still need some tweaking.

See the full patch notes here.