Roman Smirnov Demonstrates Improved Destruction System in The Finals Ahead of Major Update

Changes have also been made to the way smoke mechanics work.

Many players know Embark Studios for the buzzy extraction project Arc Raiders, but the studio also operates the free-to-play online session shooter The Finals. The developers recently released a new developer diary showcasing an upgraded environmental destruction system.

Gameplay programmer Roman Smirnov and senior game designer Tim Overvliet detailed the new features. The Embark Studios team plans to release this major destruction system update on October 20.

Roman explained that the destruction system is a physical simulation calculated on the servers of The Finals:

The current version consists of two levels: a building integrity level called Strain and general physics responsible for falling building debris. Thus, a part of a building can either be stationary and solid or completely detached and falling.

In this update, Roman stated, the developers improved both levels and added a third intermediate level of gradual destruction:

As soon as Strain destroys a part of a building, gradual destruction comes into play, creating a weak connection between the detached elements. This connection is dynamic: it allows parts of the building to bend, sway, rotate, and deform, forming interconnected chains and networks. Due to this, destruction no longer happens instantly and entirely. In addition, new dynamic play spaces appear inside the building where intense combat is taking place. You will see leaning floors, warped corridors, deformed rooms, and sagging level sections that are still trying to hold together. Suspended structures are also managed by the new level of the system, so they will be able to sway and eventually collapse inside the building.

In addition, the developers will update smoke behavior and toxic gas mechanics: “Now, smoke and gas clouds will interact with the changing environment and will no longer affect you through walls.” Players will also be able to temporarily disperse smoke using an explosion.

Image source: Embark Studios

The Finals store page is available on Steam, and the game is also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

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