Optimisations:

• CPU load has been reduced and frame rates improved, particularly in the case of machines with low specs or slower single-core performance.
• Multiplayer performance has been optimised to allow lower-spec machines that were struggling in large games to now hold better frame rates and remain responsive for players.
• Work has been done to run more tasks in secondary processes to make better use of multiple CPU cores. Note that the loads on other cores are typically not high but they collectively remove substantial overhead from the main core.
• Improved game simulation speed throttling
• Reduced general simulation rates
• Reworked object tracking and spatial searching
• Improved line-of-sight checking
• Drastically reduced animation-driven event overhead
• Dynamic physics and rubble detail scaling
• Tuned model animation and level-of-detail maintenance overhead
• Amortized more simulation calculations across multiple frames
• Replaced some high-overhead middleware functions with custom code

Please note: Most machines will see a modest improvement in frame rates in large games, and many will see a large improvement.

This is the first in a series of optimisation updates, all due for release in 2015. In addition to numerous additional optimisations currently being worked on, which unfortunately did not make the cut-off point for this release, we plan to build on the work done thus far and address other areas of the game based on player feedback. As a sim and RTS, Crusader 2 simulates and tracks tens of thousands of objects and many game systems at any one time. We will continue work to reduce the high demand this puts on players’ CPUs, especially in multiplayer.

We have also released 6 new maps, including

• 4 new skirmish/multiplayer maps
  • The Trench (6)
  • Large Clover Leaf (4)
  • Barren Wastes (8)
  • Tick Tock (6)
• 2 new Sandbox maps
  • Confluences
  • Dangerous lands

Please note: This update should download automatically when you launch the Steam client. To confirm whether or not the download was successful, check the version number displayed in the bottom left corner of the main menu screen when launching Crusader 2. If the number displayed is not 1.0.21385 please restart Steam until the update downloads.