RmlUI framework is here!

RmlUI has arrived! This powerful GUI framework allows for the creation of widgets using familiar web technologies like HTML and CSS, making it easier for contributors to design and enhance the UI. With RmlUI, we can look forward to more integrated, responsive, and efficient HUD elements. This marks a significant step forward, laying the groundwork for the highly anticipated BAR UI transformation!

Graphical Improvements

Improved Terrain and Unit Visuals

• Enhanced handling of units on steep slope changes for better alignment with terrain. Units will now adjust their position against the terrain in a smoother fashion for a nicer feeling of inertia.
• Animated flipbook-style textures for weapon projectiles, enabling development of much better visual effects.
• Added SuperSampling (SSAA).
• Improved mipmap usage for particle effects, reducing graininess at a distance.
• Added a new water texture for improved water visuals.

User Interface and Debugging

• Added new debug tools for the game developers to use.
• Enhanced font fallback mechanisms to ensure consistent text rendering across devices.
• Added a splash screen for archive scanning and checksum calculation.

Bug Fixes and Stability

• Fixed crashes related to missing fonts and improper font handling potentially experienced by many Linux users.
• Addressed graphical issues with decal rendering and sky drawing order.

Gameplay Improvements

Unit Mechanics

• Enhanced radar and targeting mechanics.
• Improved handling of radar drift in unit tracing.
• Enhanced unit icon visibility and customisation.

Weapon and Projectile Mechanics

• Introduced windup delay for weapons, allowing more customization of firing delays.
• Enabled projectile lifespan manipulation.

Quality of Life Improvements

• Removed unnecessary restrictions on out-of-map commands (e.g., attacking or guarding out-of-map aircrafts).
• Improved camera systems, including DollyCam and smooth transitions between camera modes.

Customization and Modding

• Added Lua call-ins for specific events like unit construction decay.

Performance and Compatibility

• Optimized pathfinding stability and resource usage.
• Improved clarity and handling of engine version compatibility.
• Modernized backend systems, including better handling of OpenGL and removal of outdated code.

Check the full patchnotes here for the geek version.