LETTER FROM THE SQUAD LEADER

Hello Squaddies,

As July draws to a close, I’m excited to share both a SITREP and a Battlefield Briefing. We have a lot to cover, and I look forward to expanding these updates in the future.

SQ-SITREP:

Following feedback from the final Unreal Engine 5 playtest for version 9.0, I made some adjustments to the release timelines. In this Letter from the Squad Leader (LFTSL), I’ll provide you with an update on the revised plan.

Originally, we had planned 4+ releases for the year, including v9.0, but only one hotfix has been released so far. With July nearly over, it’s time to reassess the release schedule. After merging smaller updates post-v9.0, we now have two major releases left: v9.0 and v10.0. Both releases will feature significant content, new features, and improvements. This new plan focuses on these two solid releases, with room for a hotfix between v9.0 and v10.0.

This change gives us more opportunities for Public Tests with Unreal Engine 5 to refine the updates. Expect more details on the updated timeline in the next LFTSL in August.

SQ-BATTLEFIELD BRIEFING:

In the previous letter, I mentioned that we’d discuss developments outside of Unreal Engine 5 and v9.0. We’ve reviewed several public-facing roadmaps, and we’re now considering a new approach with some important changes.

External factors, like the v9.0 release, can influence these roadmaps. Instead of sticking to a fixed roadmap with strict dates, we will introduce a “Development Showcase” (credit to Discord member IBIS for the idea). This new format will consist of three key sections:

• Next Update: Here, we’ll detail what’s definitely coming in the next update.

• In Progress: This will cover ongoing work with no specific release dates yet.

• Planning: Long-term plans in the early stages.

We’ll continue to provide periodic updates and discussions as things progress or evolve.