Squadron 42 Monthly Report: February 2020

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AI Progress

The AI teams made significant strides in February, focusing on combat behaviors and system optimizations:

  • Improved the Reservation Manager System to allow NPCs to reserve volumes of space for positioning
  • Began adjusting AI systems to accommodate server meshing
  • Optimized the navigation system to better support object container streaming
  • Completed first iteration of full 3D navigation for NPC ships
  • Removed speed limits on AI ships thanks to dynamic collision avoidance
  • Continued polishing vendor behaviors for bars and shops
  • Worked on fitness and janitor AI activities using new "path scripting" functionality

Art and Animation Updates

The character team focused on hair, uniforms, and quality improvements:

  • Completed two new hairstyles, including Captain Noah White's
  • Tested and refined Maya hair authoring tools
  • Investigated blonde hair shaders
  • Continued passes on character heads
  • Started work on Bridge Officer Uniform assets
  • Began work on battledress uniforms (estimated 2 month completion)

Cinematics Progress

The Cinematics team pushed forward on several fronts:

  • Completed second pass on a challenging major sequence
  • Finalized upgraded TrackView sequencer tool for real-time editing of complex scenes
  • Added sub-sequence abilities and camera priority logic
  • Focused on optimizing streaming when cutting between distant locations

Engineering Developments

Key engineering work in February included:

  • Physics threading and performance optimizations
  • Finalizing and integrating the new signed distance field (SDF) system
  • Optimizations for foliage, ragdolls, and culling
  • Progress on Gen12 renderer and Vulkan support
  • Improvements to hair, ocean, and planet rendering

Gameplay and Level Design

The gameplay teams focused on:

  • Refining early full-chapter playthroughs
  • Placing and improving AI behaviors in levels
  • Customizing dogfighting scenarios
  • Supporting ambient ship life and takeoff/landing updates

UI and VFX Work

UI completed designs for the new SQ42-specific visor and visual target. VFX worked on background effects and pushed GPU particle system capabilities.

Conclusion

February saw solid progress across all Squadron 42 development fronts, from AI and gameplay to visuals and engineering. The teams continue refining and optimizing key systems as they work towards delivering an immersive single-player experience.

The AI's New Hair

Captain Noah White nervously adjusted his collar as he stepped onto the bridge of the UEES Stanton. He'd just gotten a new hairstyle, and wasn't sure how the crew would react. As an avid member of the Star Citizen Referral Code Club, he knew appearances mattered.

"Captain on deck!" called out his XO.

The bridge crew snapped to attention, then did double-takes at Noah's coiffure. His previously close-cropped cut had been replaced by a flowing mane that seemed to defy gravity.

"At ease," Noah said. "Yes, I got a new 'do. The character team's been working overtime."

Lieutenant Zhang leaned over to whisper to Ensign Chen. "I heard it's all thanks to those new Maya hair authoring tools. What code to use to get hair like that?"

Noah pretended not to hear as he settled into the command chair. "Status report?"

"Sir, we've detected anomalous AI behavior in the Stanton system," reported the tactical officer. "Ships moving at impossible speeds, NPCs reserving huge volumes of space. It's chaos out there."

"Sounds like they removed those darn speed limits," Noah mused. "Any other observations?"

"Well sir, the janitors and fitness instructors seem extra... scripted lately."

Noah nodded sagely, his luxurious locks swaying. "All part of the plan. The RSI Referral Code Club assured me these growing pains are normal as we prepare for server meshing."

Suddenly, alarms blared. "Captain, incoming vessels!" cried the sensor operator. "It's... it's a fleet of hairdressers, sir!"

"Stand down," Noah commanded. "They're here to test the new blonde hair shaders." He ran a hand through his own brunette mop. "I volunteered as the control group."

As the crew watched in awe, Noah's hair began to glow and undulate of its own accord.

"Sir... your hair..."

Noah smiled. "Just another day in the 'verse, ensign. Now, let's see what other surprises the devs have in store for us today."

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