April - Summers Coming Back Right? (Patreon)

Hard-Life Mod Update

A new Hard-Life update is being prepared, and this one leans heavily into both stability and experimental systems that are starting to take shape.

FMOD Audio Fixes (All Versions)

The biggest fix in this update targets FMOD audio across every version of Hard-Life.

There was an issue where music would fail to play after loading a save. This was traced back to an audio speed value not being saved correctly. After a save/load, the speed could become 0, which effectively froze or prevented tracks from playing.

That issue has now been fixed.

This fix is being pushed to all builds, including the public version. Stability like this is important across the board. That said, Patreon builds will continue to be where new systems, experimental features, early changes, and future content are introduced first. Public releases keep things playable. Patreon builds are where things evolve first.

Built-in Server Browser (Major Addition)

This update introduces a built-in server browser, which is a major step forward for multiplayer.

Players can now more easily discover and join games without relying on manual IP connections or external coordination. This lays the groundwork for smoother multiplayer testing, better accessibility, and a stronger active player base.

As more multiplayer systems are added, this feature becomes increasingly important.

Ping System (Beta)

A new ping system has been added and is currently in beta.

Players can ping locations in the world, marking points of interest. Followers are able to detect these pings, look toward them, and react accordingly.

This is more than just a visual marker. It is the beginning of a communication system between the player and AI followers. The goal is to move toward more responsive and aware companion behavior.

It still needs testing and refinement, but the foundation is there.

Rope System (env_rope)

The rope system is now being implemented, and env_rope is part of that same system.

This means both the underlying rope behavior and the entity itself are tied together. What you are seeing now is the first working version of that system.

• It is functional but still bugged

• Physics and behavior need further refinement

• Some edge cases may not behave correctly yet

For now, it is recommended mainly for single-player missions, where behavior is easier to control and test.

This system touches a lot of areas like physics, collision, and movement, so it will continue to be improved over time.

Healthkit Changes (Work in Progress)

Healthkit behavior has been modified.

This system is still being worked on and may need additional adjustments after testing. Since it directly affects gameplay balance and survival pacing, it is being handled carefully.

Expect possible tweaks in future updates.

Summary

This update includes:

• FMOD audio fixes for save/load issues across all builds

• Fix for songs not playing due to audio speed resetting to 0

• Built-in server browser (major addition)

• New ping system (beta)

• Followers can look at and react to pings

• Rope system implementation (via env_rope)

• env_rope now usable as part of the same rope system

• Healthkit code changes (in progress)

This update is a mix of repair work and early-stage systems that will grow into larger features later on. Some parts are still rough, but they are now in motion.

More to come soon.