The next Homefront PC patch and dedicated server tool has entered the final phase of testing and we expect to release it within several days.  Once again, player feedback has driven many of the features contained in this patch including new game server settings, vote functionality,  weapon balancing, and new RCON functionality.

New Server Options

• Increase Weapon Damage: Increases weapon damage for head and torso shots with all weapons.
• Increased Weapon Recoil: 15% recoil increase across all weapons.
• Reduce UI Elements Shown: Disables UI elements such as ammo count for all players.
• Only Squad Members on Map: This restricts the player position information shown on the mini-map to only include squad members and players that have been spotted.
• Only Show Ally Names: Player nameplates for enemies will not show up.
• Require Manual Weapon Reload: Disables auto-reload for all players on the server.
• Disable Death Follow Cam: Disables the follow cam that is ordinarily shown when players die.
• Force First Person Cockpits: Third person view is not permitted for drones or vehicles when this option is enabled.
• Reduce Ability Effectiveness: Limited duration for thermal goggles and personal UAV.
• Force Ace Helicopters: Enforces ace as the difficulty setting for all helicopters.
• NOTE: To disable specials and vehicles, scale the battlepoint earnings to 0% and set the initial BP to 0

Dedicated Server Tool

• Improvements to the dedicated server tool UI.
• Added new dedicated server settings to the tool:
  • Initial BP
  • BP earning scaling
  • Respawn delay timer
  • Idle kick time
• Voting parameters:
  • Enable voting
  • Minimum players in a server before player voting is active
  • Vote pass %
  • Vote cooldown time (per user)
  • Vote duration
• The autobalance status label will now display information on remaining swaps.

Balance Improvements

• M4:
  • Increased damage vs. infantry head to be less effective at long range (compared to that of the ACR).
• ACR:
  • Increased damage vs. infantry head, chest and abdomen to be more effective at long range.
• SV45 SMG:
  • Increased damage values vs. infantry to be more effective at range.
  • Slightly increased infantry default material damage to be more effective at short range.
• Diablo SMG:
  • Increased damage vs. infantry be slightly more effective at range.
• M200 Sniper Rifle:
  • Increased damage values vs. infantry to account for enemy health regeneration.
  • Adjusted damage range to be more lethal at short/medium range.
• Cluster:
  • Increased Battle Points to 1600.
• Hellfire:
  • Increased Battle Points to 1300.
• Phosphorus:
  • Increased Battle Points to 1600.
• AntiTank Drone Dumb fire Missile:
  • Damage increased vs. infantry.
• M1A3 Abrams:
  • Increased damage resistance from the front of the tank.
• LAV Rocket (Seat 1):
  • Increased damage vs. M1A3 Abrams
  • Decreased damage vs. LAV
  • Adjusted over armor effectiveness to compensate for damage changes.
• LAV 30mm Cannon:
  • Increased damage vs. M1A3 Abrams
  • Decreased damage vs. LAV
  • Adjusted over armor effectiveness of the Tanks to compensate for changes.
• Proximity Launcher:
  • Decreased damage vs. M1A3 Abrams.
• Rocket Launcher:
  • Increased damage vs. M1A3 Abrams, and adjusted over armor to compensate for this damage change.
• MD600 Mini Gun:
  • Adjusted damage values vs. Scout Heli and Apache Heli. Prior to this change, a proficient Scout pilot could take out an Apache with one extended burst. It now requires at least one cool down to kill.

Anti-cheat Support

• Cheat detection improved
• Global banlist:
  • Each time a server boots, the entire global banlist will be pulled down from the URL specified in the playlist file.
  • On each round change an incremental download is done based on sequence number.

Private Messages

• Added “Private Message” functionality: pm playername message

Voting

• All voting information is sent to RCON tools (start information, result and individual votes).
• Voting related UI (see pause menu).
• Implemented match restart.
• Supported vote types:
• Kick player.
• KickBan player.
• Next map.
• Restart level.

Server Splash Screen Added

• We now display the server name, Message of the Day (MOTD), and a list of server options active at the start of the game when applicable (settings are located in the dedicated server tool’s checkbox game settings/options).

RCON Changes (for RCON Tool Developers)

• Pm/bigsay/say (when used via RCON) have been changed to:
  • Adminpm steamID/playerName: Private messages players with the specified steamID/playerName.
  • Adminbigsay message: Broadcasts a bigsay message.
  • Adminsay message: Broadcasts a say message.

Homefront is set ten years after the economic collapse of the United States and follows the American Civilian Resistance as they fight to reclaim their homeland from an oppressive North Korean occupation. Featuring a personal, story-driven single player campaign and a full suite of multiplayer options.

The year is 2027. The world has suffered a decade-long energy crisis, and economies have crumbled. Reduced to a mere shadow of the super power it once was, the United States became the target of a North Korean takeover. American malls, suburbs and city streets are now battlegrounds as the civilian resistance fights for freedom. Featuring a compelling single player story crafted by John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Red Dawn), Homefront immerses gamers in an interactive and cinematic FPS experience where they will assume an infantry role or take command of a wide variety of aerial and ground vehicles. In addition to the single-player experience, Homefront will deliver a robust multiplayer experience. In a land stripped of freedom, the brave will fight for their home.

Digital Extremes and KAOS are happy to announce our first major update for the PC version of the game. This patch will update the client to version 1.0.3 and is currently undergoing internal testing and is scheduled for release early next week!  The complete list of changes can be found below in the story.