What changed in Natural Selection 2 in 2018

Corrected color highlighting for Gorge ghost placement models by the default Alien Vision.

Lowered overall bandwidth consumption by reducing the size of server performance fields in the move packet.

Improvements include a binding legend, player focus by clicking, hitpoint values display, and health bars for dropped weapons.

Resolved an issue where clicking on unavailable servers in the history tab caused a script error.

Resolved an issue where users' server favorites were not saved correctly.

Corrected the dialogue for attempting to join full servers that mentioned reserved slots incorrectly.

Resolved issue where custom gamemode servers were incorrectly marked as ranked.

Corrected flipped text issue in the Eclipse menu.

Players can now block servers in the server browser and scoreboard, with visual indicators and management options.

New skins for all gorge structures including Hydras, Babbler Eggs, Babblers, Clogs, and Gorge Tunnels.

New selection masks added for ambient_sound and reverb entities in the map editor.

Addressed a rare server crash that occurred when the server was struggling.

Ongoing investigation into FMOD related crashes that occur upon launch or exit of the game.

Quick Play now lists the number of skipped servers and avoids reconnecting to recently disconnected servers.

Updated how the GBuffer stores normals and gloss data for improved rendering.

Reflections intensity has been adjusted back to normal levels.

Ping server browser filter was applied even when not visible at lower resolutions.

Resolved a stuck spot in a vent from Observation to Hangar Bay.

Resolved an issue where mods like NS2+ caused the main menu to not load after a consistency failure.

Corrected small visual issues in the menu backgrounds.

Machine Gun now unlocks with the Advanced Armory, weight reduced to 0.18, and base damage increased to 9.

Crash dumps now compressed and include an ID for easier issue reporting.

Fixed the build time of the Prototype Lab from 8 seconds to the intended 23 seconds.

Fixed input handling issues occurring at ~80 fps or lower, ensuring consistent user input.

All eggs and embryos now have a flat 350 hp and do not mature anymore; healing is now possible.

Fixed Alien regeneration sound not consistently playing when lifeforms or structures are healed.

Location caches for lights and props calculated at map load to prevent early game hitches.

Fixed hydras being able to shoot while completely inside a clog.

Removed several vents to prevent alien mobility and added new escape routes.

Improved stairs for Skulks, performance optimizations, and fixed misaligned textures.

Players and structures now have separate colors for better visibility during engagements.

Fixed flickering animation occurring while building structures from certain angles.

Fixed startup crash issue and memory leak in the prefab tool.

Fixed the Gorge belly slide sound cutting out and playing inconsistently.

Added Commander skins for Catalyst Pack owners and an animated Haunted Babbler shoulder patch for Halloween.

Increased the distance at which Aliens can hear Marine footsteps from 11 to 12.

Added unique building and idle sounds for the Gorge Tunnel to aid in detection.

Lowered build time for Gorge Tunnel to ~8.5 seconds from 12 seconds.

Added a new tool for precise placement and rotation of model props in the editor.

Fixed immediate crash when starting a server on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 or higher.

Babblers will now reattach when a player evolves or leaves the Hive.

Limited time DLC offering the largest skin pack ever released, including future custom skins and items.

Improved visual elements and occlusion geometry in various maps including Kodiak and Mineshaft.

Decreased the size of the Fade’s hitbox slightly to make it harder to hit for inaccurate shots.

Resolved issues where sound and visual effects were shown to enemy commanders without line of sight.

Fixed Commander droppables not snapping to target entities as intended.

Fixed issue where the server console could not be opened on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 or higher.

Webs can now hold Clogs, which can obstruct Marine movement and provide greater line of sight.

Fixed a hitch caused by firing a shotgun into infestation.

Increased resource cost to evolve into a Lerk to reduce early game dominance.

Introduced a new Shadow Onos model as part of the shadow skin collection.

Increased build time for Gorge tunnels to give Marines more time to react.

Significant changes to alien upgrades including reapplication of last used Skulk upgrades on spawn.

Introduced player skill tiers to help balance teams based on skill level.

New summer shoulder armor available until July 16, 2018.

Decreased damage bonus for Focus upgrade to reduce one-hit kills on unarmored Marines.

Added numeric ping values and improved server rating formula in the server browser.

Added new Forge skins for Shotgun and Flamethrower for existing Forge DLC owners.

Rebuilt art assets using newer tools to improve overall visuals and reduce artifacts.

Fixed targeting priority for the Welder to ensure it targets the closest object.

Moved Help Screen notification to a more visible area.

Replaced resource tower dots with actual structure icons for clarity.

Changed some popup messages to be console messages instead.

Marine commander action notifications below the minimap often did not display the correct location name.

Resolved an issue where servers could get stuck in an infinite loop while filling teams with bots.

Fixed the 'They Came From Behind!' achievement being granted under incorrect circumstances.

Resolved an issue where the wrong tech point would be visible during a concede sequence.

Fixed that the marine commander action notifications below the minimap often did not display the correct location name.

Resolved an issue where the build tool would be stuck if the player picked up a welder while building.

Added debug utility methods to simplify dealing with upvalues.

Dying in an Exosuit would cause players to lose their unused grenades.

Various text positioning/visibility bugs of the GUIChat were fixed.

Fixed an issue where a marine's welder and mines could be 'stolen' if they were inside an exosuit.

Added debug utility methods to simplify dealing with upvalues.

Gorges couldn’t recycle the second tunnel entrance they placed.

The build tool would be stuck building if the player picked up a welder while building a structure.

Deploying an ARC would prevent all future corrosion damage to the ARC.

A script error occurred if an Onos died while using stampede.

MACs could not be told to repair destroyed power nodes.

Some commander buttons would not work if multiple entities were selected.

The wrong tech point would be visible during a concede sequence.

Fixed various text positioning/visibility bugs of the GUIChat.

Metabolize is no longer a switchable weapon and can only be used via the MovementModifier key.

Fixed that gorges couldn’t recycle the second tunnel entrance they placed.

Servers could get stuck in an infinite loop while filling teams up with bots.

Reflections in the map ns2_veil were fixed.

Hydras do not block each other’s line of sight anymore.

The 'They Came From Behind!' achievement was granted in some incorrect circumstances.

Drifter Eggs can now be issued orders that will be executed by the drifter when it hatches.

Players could be stuck attacking during a concede sequence.

Resolved an issue where the lines connecting queued orders in the commander interface would be connected in the wrong order.

Fixed issue where some commander buttons would not work if multiple entities were selected.

Drifter Eggs can now be issued orders that will be executed by the drifter when it hatches.

ARCs would sometimes leave collision ghosts behind in PredictWorld.

Bots were not removed properly after they got kicked.

Fixed a script error occurring if an Onos died while using stampede.

Fixed a script error that occurred if a marine had no active weapon.

Resolved an issue where deploying an ARC would prevent future corrosion damage.

Bots were not removed properly after being kicked.

A marine's welder and mines could be 'stolen' from them at the map origin if inside an exosuit.

Hydras do not block each other’s line of sight anymore.

Clicking the 'refresh' button in the server browser would sometimes cause the game to crash.

Exposed antialiasing and ambient occlusion settings for the map Editor.

Resolved an issue where ARCs would sometimes leave collision ghosts behind in PredictWorld.

Exposed antialiasing and ambient occlusion settings for the map Editor.

Sentries now prioritize players over other targets and have improved targeting mechanics.

MACs would sometimes disregard their orders to move to some previous location.

Dying in an Exosuit no longer causes players to lose their unused grenades.

Fixed an issue where clicking the 'refresh' button in the server browser would cause the game to crash.

Metabolize is no longer a switchable weapon and can only be used via the MovementModifier key.

Lines connecting queued orders in the commander interface would sometimes be connected in the wrong order.

Fixed the reflections in the ns2_veil map.

Fixed an issue where players could be stuck attacking during a concede sequence.

Resolved an issue where MACs would sometimes disregard their orders to move.

A script error occurred if a marine had no active weapon.

Fixed an issue where MACs could not be told to repair destroyed power nodes.

Sentries now prioritize players over other targets and have improved targeting mechanics.

Increased Pres cost to 20 and decreased direct damage to 12.

Resolved issue where Marine waypoints remained on Alien lifeforms.

Corrected the damage type calculation for the Flamethrower.

Resolved issues causing duplicate calls for map lights updates.

Onos can now push Marines while charging, dealing 12 damage.

Resolved an error when spectators could see a ReadyRoom player with a health bar.

Increased Pres cost, decreased direct damage, and modified flame puddle mechanics.

Corrected the damage type calculation for the Flamethrower.

Addressed an issue where the concede sequence wouldn't play.

Resolved stuck spots on multiple maps including Mineshaft and Tram.

Weapons dropped near Armories will no longer expire if intentionally dropped.

Reduced lag time when phasing through phase gates.

Removed initial damage from flame puddles and adjusted burn duration.

Two new shoulder patches added to celebrate Subnautica's release.

Two new shoulder patches added to celebrate Subnautica's release.

Babbler Eggs can now be placed as mines that hatch on enemies.

Babbler Eggs can now be placed as mines that hatch on enemies.

Resolved issues causing script errors with Babblers targeting dead entities.

Resolved issues causing script errors when Babbler targets were not alive.

Resolved issue with Marine waypoints remaining on Alien lifeforms.

Resolved an issue causing game-freezing hitches when power node states changed.

Contextual action buttons for grouped entities now display appropriately.

Addressed stuck spots on various maps preventing movement.

Reduced lag when using phase gates and distress beacons.

Onos can now push Marines out of the way while charging, dealing 12 damage.