New versions of the beta dedicated server and client are now available for testing: 1.5.1c (build 10)

The dedicated server now features an Auto Updater for both Linux and Windows, and it will require extensive testing by server owners. Due to the nature of Linux systems, it may not work under certain circumstances (I am referring to folder and file permissions).

Read the full article for the download links and more details.

Soldat Beta 1.5.1!

Here we are, I am proud to present to you the next version of Soldat!
After months in development, I can happily say “It’s ready”…. to be tested.

*drumroll*……………. The Changelog! (Download links after)

- Fixed player names being invisible on F1 list
- Fixed custom maps not downloading Textures or Edges from server
- Fixed Computer Time in F1 menu being frozen
- Fixed lobby frequently stopping while retrieving server list
- Fixed splash screen will now display in the center of primary desktop when using
 multiple monitors (Instead of middle of both monitors)
- Fixed graphics freeze caused by the Vista/Win7 logon screen (ctrl+alt+del) or UAC
- Fixed Jetpack sparks appearing in Realistic mode when the enemy player is
 not visible
- Fixed lobby list items 'Yes' & 'No' not reading from translation file
- Fixed Tab ordering in the Join Game menu
- Fixed LAN lobby server scan. Will not work for servers on the same computer
- Fixed online bots flying up into the air when spawning with a Parachute
- Fixed a bunch of corrupt network packets, resulting in them being dropped or
 doing funky things
- Fixed reg star appearing for bots and players who aren't actually registered
- Fixed Change Team menu randomly appearing and other weird things happening
 for no reason
- Fixed Access Violations and Corrupt Data occuring when recording/playing demo's
 recorded with Soldat 1.5.0
- Fixed names with a trailing space character resetting to 'Major'
- Fixed Players with Predator being visible to new players that join after
 they obtained the Bonus
- Fixed Weapon Bink not resetting correctly after reloading weapon and not
 releasing the Fire button
- Fixed Registration Star on F1 menu not appearing while using default
 jet flame colour
- Fixed Bot Team frame not appearing when exiting a single player game
- Fixed 'Too many bots' message counting Charlie/Delta Bot Count when
 Teammatch is not selected
- Fixed Soldat Installer will set correct file write permissions under
 Windows Vista / 7
- Fixed editing a maps background colours and not getting kicked
 for wrong map version.
- Fixed the Auto Update feature corrupting Soldat.exe when downloading other updated
 files that already exist
- Fixed background music not stopping when Intro demo has finished playing
- Fixed server timeleft countdown not pausing on map change/restart (via Commands
 or reaching score limit)
- Fixed Spas12 reloading while firing no longer allows infinite shots

- Added Soldat's Account System, Soldat Portal.
- Added warning message for players usinsg Windows 95/98/ME that try to join
 BattlEye protected servers
- Added ability to paste IP:Port/Pass formatted strings into the IP field of the
 Join Game tab. soldat:// URL's are also supported
- Added 8 new Polygon types: Only (Team Colour) collide Polygons, and Only
 (Team Colour) + Enemy Team Bullets collide Polygons. Carrying a flag will
 disallow the player passing through any of these Polygon types
- Added Polygon type: Exploding Polygon. Touching an Exploding Polygon will
 instantly blow up the player and throw their limbs around like confetti
- Added Polygon type: Hurt Flaggers. Touching this kind of Polygon while holding
 a flag will periodically do damage (double 'hurt' poly damage)
- Added Polygon type: Only flaggers collide. Anyone carrying a flag will be unable
 to pass through this type of Polygon
- Added 'End of round...' text will display to Spectators in Survival Mode. Appears
 above 'Following <Player>' text
- Added ingame Weapon Statistics for Registered players
 (Press F2 while in the F1 menu)
- Added Player Names can be "Protected" via Soldat Portal for Registered players
- Added Protected Names of Registered players will now have a shield appear next to
 their name. (Soldat Portal)
- Added "Offline/LAN Mode" for playing Soldat multiplayer with no connection to the
 Internet. To join a server in Offline/LAN mode, the server must
 have "Connection=LAN" set in its soldat.ini, or started with the -lan parameter
- Added Score Board (F1) will now display the current Server Name at
 the top left corner
- Added Score Board (F1) will now display the "Server Info" message
 under the server name

- Modified changing mouse sensitivy ingame now increases/decreases by 1% per
 button press rather than 5%
- Modified players can no longer grab the flag when a round of Survival has already
 ended. You can still capture or return
- Modified Spectators can only use Team Chat in Survival Mode while a round is
 active. Only applies to Spectator team
- Modified Dead/Spectator players in Realistic mode can only see enemies the player
 they are following can see
- Modifier players can not see enemy team chat in Realistic mode if the enemy
 player is not visible
- Modified Setup, Config, and Soldat executables to use higher quality icons with
 alpha transparency
- Modified Big Text message (DrawText) on-screen limit is now 3 instead of 1
- Modified Team Bink is now reduced by 50% when Friendly Fire is disabled.
 You will get no Team Bink at all if you are not moving
- Modified Score Board (F1) has been redesigned for team-based game modes
- Modified Score Board (F1) can now be scrolled up/down (only if required) by
 using the Page Up/Down keys. An arrow will appear on the right-center side
 of the board if scrolling is available
- Modified Weapons Menu will now only display non-default values (on Mouse Over)
 if joining a Weapon Mod server

To report bugs in this version, please use the bug tracker at http://bugs.soldat.pl – Make sure you select ‘Soldat 1.5.1 BETA’ when reporting an issue, and include as much information as possible!

If you get an error about “Trial Expired” or “File Corrupt”, please download the installer again.

* New Polygon Types *
There are 11 new Polygon types in 1.5.1, and here is a list of each for map devs.
20 “Hurt Flaggers” – This polygon type will do damage to anyone holding a flag.
(Double the damage done by Hurt polygon)
19 “Explosive” – Touching this Polygon will create an explosion, followed by death.
18 “Only Flaggers Collide” – Any players carrying a flag will collide with this polygon.
17 “Green Player Collide” – Players on Delta team will be unable to walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
16 ” Green Player & Bulltes Collide” – Players on Delta team will be unable to shoot or walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
15 “Yellow Player Collide” – Players on Charlie team will be unable to walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
14 ” Yellow Player & Bulltes Collide” – Players on Charlie team will be unable to shoot or walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
13 “Blue Player Collide” – Players on Bravo team will be unable to walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
12 ” Blue Player & Bulltes Collide” – Players on Bravo team will be unable to shoot or walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
11 “Red Player Collide” – Players on Alpha team will be unable to walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!
10 ” Red Player & Bulltes Collide” – Players on Alpha team will be unable to shoot or walk through this polygon. Everyone else can!

* Ingame Weapon Statistics *
Originally intended for the ScriptCore, I decided to make this a standard feature for registered users. While playing, open the Score Board (F1) and then press F2 to activate your weapon stats. You will be able to see stats for the current map, of each weapon you have used. Works in single player and online!

* Redesigned / Improved Score Board *
The Score Board (F1) has been redesigned for all Team-Based game modes, such as CTF/INF. It is now sorted by team, and looks much sexier than before. It will now also display the current server name, as well as its “Server Info” message, which normally only appears in the http lobby interface. I won’t post a screen shot, download the beta and check it out!
Oh, you can also scroll the score board using Page Up/Down, if necessary.

* Survival/Realistic Mode Fixes *
The Survival/Realistic scene has grown very popular, so this has been a long time coming. Players can no longer grab the flag when a round has ended, dead/spectator players can only see what the person they are following can see, spectators can’t talk while a round is active, and the chat-above-head text can’t be seen by your enemy if they can’t already see you.

… and last, but not least, the most important new feature….

* Soldat Portal – The Account System! *
Yup, Soldat now has an online account system and login server. Every player is required to have an account to play online, and you will be able to access the ‘Soldat Portal’. The Portal will allow you to interact with every other Soldat player around the world, find players, send messages, and features a Friends List! You will be able to see what server your friends are playing in, and join them with ease. The Portal also features nickname protection, similar to my past “NR-Service” project. The statistics/awards part of the Portal is still being developed, no ETA on when(or if) it will appear.
Every aspect of the Portal is subject to change and development, nothing is final until 1.5.1 is fully released. Remember, this is a beta!
For a full technical review of the new Account system, visit my other post – About the Soldat Portal. Server admins and script developers should read it before asking questions.

So, that’s all for now. What are you waiting for, download Soldat Beta 1.5.1 now!

Soldat 1.5.1 Public Beta release date:
Saturday, 14th November @ 07:00:00 CET (GMT+1) (Convert to your timezone)