Cepheus Protocol

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Dev Update

Patch Notes – 2025.07.21.3

We are nearing the completion of Phase 1- We have a few days of final work for the Operator then we’ll be shifting to UI + Bug fixes & performance improvements before we officially enter stage 2.

We thank our community for their continued support and patience! Playing the game with you guys on Discord has been an absolute honor! We will be hosting public discord play sessions almost daily as we work to hunt down bugs and finish phase 1. So consider joining our discord!

Currently we have to port over the remaining abilities to the Operator going into Tuesdayish.

  1. Medic Healing

  2. Engineer Repair/Building

  3. Throw Grenade Flash/HE

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Key Notes:

Press Tab to cycle right through Operator abilities

Press Z or X or cycle left or right

Press G to enable the currently selected ability

Last CERC HQ 7.19.25

https://youtu.be/ZWzgHWIN9d0

🛠️ How to Opt In

  1. Right-click Cepheus Protocol Experimental Branch (Granted when you buy the base game) in your Steam Library

  2. Click Properties > Betas

  3. Choose cerc-hq-public from the dropdown

  4. Let Steam update the build and launch the game


    Patch Notes

    Infection Gas Towers & Zone Control Overhaul

    • Introduced Infection Gas Towers that automatically appear when a zone is lost in Horde Mode.

      • These towers emit toxic gas that punishes lingering forces and visually reinforce the spread of infection.

      • Includes new VFX and materials such as fog, blood drops, and gas particle effects.

    • Zones now progress through a new “Yellow” warning phase before full infection, giving players clearer visual feedback on imminent collapse.

    • LCAC (Landing Craft Barracks) now:

      • Spawns Engineers, Operators, and will issue Ammo Resupplies.

      • Is destroyed when the first zone is lost, increasing the tension and pacing of early engagements.

      • No longer requires power, allowing faster deployment at game start.

    Gameplay & Navigation Improvements

    • Zone collapse timer increased from 20s to 60s, giving players a fairer window to evacuate.

    • Trees and vegetation no longer block mouse clicks, making unit control smoother across forested terrain.

    • Zones now dynamically render as Red (Infected), Yellow (Collapsing), or White (Safe) to reflect infection status more clearly.

    • Power indicators are hidden in infected zones to reduce UI clutter and confusion.

    • Added blocking volumes to map edges to prevent units and the camera from exiting play areas.

    • Zone border visuals and mesh alignments polished across multiple Half Moon Bay sectors for improved immersion.

    • Continued polish on animations, muzzle attachments, and UI elements, including updates to crouch behavior and sprint handling with underbarrel weapons.

    • Inaccessible areas no longer allow CERC to attempt to pathfind through them greatly improving cross zone movement

💬 Known Issues

  • Opening the Pause Menu breaks the Quartermaster mouse

  • Half Moon Bay is about 85% ready for full playtests. We’re still refining a few areas to make sure the experience is smooth.

New UI Mockup

We have had Winters who has far more experience with UX/UI work with our concept artist while ive been working to wrap up phase 1 from a structural/Gameplay standpoint. Here is the latest “Draft” let us know what you think of the UI. The Operator and all menus will be getting a pass next from a design standpoint once this UI is approved by myself.

Half Moon Bay Updates

More at this week’s CERC HQ!

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Operator Gunsmith Updates

https://youtu.be/ZifUT_qzSkE

Cepheus Protocol Roadmap

We’re thrilled to share our vision for the future of Cepheus Protocol! With your continued support, we’re working tirelessly to refine the game and introduce exciting new features that elevate the experience.

🚧 What’s in Active Development?

  • Experimental SP/Co-op Horde Mode Now live via the cerc-hq-public branch — up to 16 players in hybrid RTS/TPS.

  • Operator System (Hero Units) Possess and control elite units in RTS/TPS mode with leveling, perks, and loadouts.

  • Add more Operator weapons and equipment.; Michael is working through a backlog of 20 Operator weapons and more Operators/Skin variants atm.

  • RPG Progression System
    Operators gain experience, unlock skills, and equip customizable weapons.

  • UI Overhaul A new interface to support RTS/ Operators & Menu’s

  • Monterey Bay Horde Map
    Large-scale co-op testing with new wave mechanics and future extraction goals.

  • Tracking down Desyncs, bugs & crashes!

🧠 What’s Coming Next?

  • Finalize and polish Phase 1 by mid-July

  • Launch Phase 2: Expanded DNA Research + Doctrine gameplay

  • Prepare Phase 3: Pandemic Return

💬 Want to See the Full Timeline?

Check our stickied Roadmap post on the Steam forums

💡How You Can Help

  • Play the experimental SP/co-op mode!

  • Try Operator mode using the in-game console command: PossessFirstOperator

  • Report bugs, give feedback, and wishlist new content

  • Join our Discord to engage with the team and community

Thank you for continuing to support the game — this is just the beginning. 🛠️

Join the Discussion!

Head over to our Discord Server or Steam Discussions to connect with other players and the development team. Together, we’re building something truly special. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

We also hosted a Playtest on Discord last week with 10 people check it out here!

https://youtu.be/JGQjU-UWl5Q

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