Update for A.I. Wingman Beta
Author: Jimmy Arcade,
published 1 year ago,
Finally got the update built and working!! This one has been a bit of challenge due to hitting a 4Gb file size limit in Unity which comes with no warning and continues to work correctly in the editor - it just breaks your game when building!
Anyway, I have now implemented a much better way of managing large volumes of data by using asset bundles and it has been on my Radar to upgrade for a while - I just wasn't expecting to have to do it right now!
Essentially the new system allows me to store assets into neat external files and then load what I need from those files rather than embedding them into the scenes directly. This allows me to control exactly when things are loaded and, more importantly, allows me to dumb the information out of RAM when no longer needed.
This is most evident on the Norway map that used to consume nearly 8Gb RAM now, once assets are dumped, only uses about 5Gb. This is most important for Steam Deck users who have just 16Gb of shared RAM/VRAM and might allow them to push detail settings higher - although I haven't yet tested this or ensured that the dumping of information happens at the right point to prevent the memory crash on Norway.
[u]UPDATES[/u]
1. Implemented new storage system for assets.
2. Added visible IR models/textures to all helicopters, weapons and weapon racks. You can now see your wingman in the IR camera view making night missions much easier.
3. Fixed a bug where opening the mission planning map after the mission had started would cause your wingman to be reset back to their starting point and strip all their weapons.
4. Fixed the wingman's gun turret so it no longer walks rounds onto target. It now fires at the target straight away.
5. Added in LOD levels for pilot and co-pilot models
6. Added in LOD levels for weapon racks
7. Optimised main rotor and tail rotor blur effects to be more performant.
These updates modify a number of core systems and while I've tested as much as possible there is a very high chance of ground breaking bugs. Please feedback anything you spot ːsteamhappyː
[u]NEXT UPDATE[/u]
There are a few outstanding things from the failed update that I need to re-introduce. One of those is the modifications to the IR camera so that the sky appears much darker than it does currently.
I will also be implementing a few minor tweaks to the Wingman's A.I. so that they launch missiles more accurately. At the moment, if they are moving quickly, they tend to waste the 1st missile. This occurs more often with the TOWs as they launch them towards the ground with not enough time to recover.
Next week I will be focusing on the Wingman's ability to attack multiple targets, use the Sidearm missile and have configurable speed modes which will allow them to fly NOE (Nap of the Earth) when moving more slowly.