As a longtime fan of Starship Troopers: Extermination, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the full release. Now, with Update 1.0, the game is not only leaving Early Access but also making its debut on consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S), bringing a host of enhancements, content, and fixes. If you’re as excited as I am, you’ll be thrilled to dive into this latest patch, which drops today, October 10th, 2024, at 5:00 PM PDT.
In this article, I’ll break down the key features of Update 1.0, discuss what excites me the most, and share what I hope to see in the future as the game continues to evolve. You can join the community to discuss the update with fellow troopers on the official Starship Troopers: Extermination Community Discord.
Client and Map Performance Improvements
The team behind Extermination clearly put significant effort into performance optimizations, addressing everything from memory usage to graphical fidelity. The biggest takeaway here is how these improvements should make the game smoother and more stable, especially as the game transitions to consoles. Changes like the removal of railings artifacts from Nanite and optimizations in bug movement will be noticeable improvements for those who’ve faced persistent performance issues.
But what really stands out to me is the optimization for landscape textures and lighting across the various maps like Valaka and Agni Prime. These environments are already visually stunning, and these tweaks should give the game an even greater sense of scale and immersion. With performance upgrades also addressing audio and memory leaks, we’re looking at a far more polished experience overall.
Special Operations Group (S.O.G): Solo Play Tutorial
One of the most exciting additions in Update 1.0 is the new Special Operations Group (S.O.G) mode, which brings a solo play tutorial. If you’ve been thrown into the chaos of multiplayer battles without fully grasping the game’s mechanics, this will be a welcome addition. The tutorial is not just for beginners—it promises to provide more narrative depth for experienced troopers as well.
I’m especially eager to see how the narrative develops alongside General J Rico across the 25 missions in Chapter 1, with more chapters already in the works. Story-driven content will add a whole new layer to the game, which is something I’ve felt was missing in earlier versions.
Crossplay: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S
Crossplay functionality is finally here! This means troopers on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S can join forces to take down bugs together. However, there is no cross-save functionality, so if you’re switching platforms, be prepared to start fresh.
I’m excited to see how crossplay will impact the community. With players from different platforms able to team up, the pool for matchmaking expands significantly, which should mean quicker and more balanced matches. But I do wish the devs would implement cross-save in the future, as many of us like to switch between PC and console.
Companies and the Galactic Front
In Extermination, team play is key to success, and the new “Companies” feature formalizes that dynamic. You can now create your own group (think of them like your own version of Rico’s Roughnecks) and embark on missions as part of a larger campaign known as the Galactic Front. I love this addition because it rewards long-term cooperation and builds a sense of camaraderie between players.
The concept of Victory Points is intriguing, as it turns every mission into a contribution toward a bigger goal. Depending on how the community performs, different outcomes will affect the ongoing storyline. This interconnectedness is something I hope the developers build on in future updates, as it makes the galaxy-wide war feel alive and evolving.
The Deadly Tanker Bug
Perhaps the most adrenaline-pumping addition in Update 1.0 is the introduction of the Tanker Bug, a behemoth capable of devastating troopers with its high-pressure stream of flammable liquid. This new enemy is sure to become the bane of many troopers’ existence, requiring teamwork, strategy, and sheer firepower to take down.
I’m both excited and nervous to encounter the Tanker Bug. Its description makes it sound like the ultimate boss battle, and I can’t wait to see how players will adapt their strategies to handle such a powerful foe. Personally, I’d love to see future updates introduce more complex bug behaviors, making battles even more dynamic and unpredictable.
Quality-of-Life Improvements and Weapon Mastery
The Extermination team also included several quality-of-life improvements that should smooth out some of the game’s rougher edges. Features like the Trooper Multitool’s hold function for base building and repair, adjustments to the controller scheme, and updates to the After Action Report all aim to enhance the player experience.
Weapon Mastery has been reworked as well, with new unlocks for skins and armory items. Being able to track progression better is a small but meaningful change, and I’m looking forward to fully exploring this system as I level up my weapons.
Hopes for Future Updates
While Update 1.0 is packed with new content and fixes, there are a few areas I hope the devs will focus on in the future:
- Cross-save functionality: The lack of cross-platform progression is a bit of a bummer, especially for players who want to switch between platforms.
- More bug variety: The Tanker Bug is a fantastic addition, but more enemy types with unique abilities would keep combat fresh and challenging.
- Expanded narrative content: The S.O.G. solo play mode is a step in the right direction, and I hope we see more story-driven missions and events in future chapters.
Final Thoughts
Starship Troopers: Extermination Update 1.0 brings a wealth of new features, performance optimizations, and content that will make the game feel more polished and enjoyable for new and veteran players alike. The addition of crossplay, the Galactic Front, and the terrifying Tanker Bug all combine to create a richer and more dynamic battlefield experience.
As we continue to fight the bug menace, it’s clear that the developers are committed to improving the game with each update, and I’m excited to see what comes next. Now, time to lock and load, troopers!
For more detailed patch notes and to discuss with fellow players, be sure to check out the community Discord.
Happy bug hunting!