Hey everyone,

We’ve just released a new update with a strong focus on optimization, along with many bug fixes, quality-of-life changes, and new features based on your feedback.

• 🚀 Major Optimization: Zombie unloading & performance spikes
  We’ve fixed a critical issue where zombies were never unloaded from memory, causing major performance drops as you explored.
  We’ve also reduced some lag spikes — they’re not gone yet, but much better.
  🧠 Next step: VRAM optimization to fix blurry visuals on long sessions and reduce micro-freezes even further.
  
  
• 💾 Fixed: Missing saves due to special characters
  If your Steam name contains special characters like _, the game couldn’t read your save.
  From now on, save names default to the seed only.
  To recover old saves, go to:
  AppData/Local/DriveBeyondHorizons/Saved/SaveGames/
  Find the file with your name + seed, remove the special character from the filename, and it should appear again.
  Need help? Ask on Discord!
  
  
• 🛢️ New: Universal siphoning + direction control
  You can now siphon fuel with any container, and reverse flow direction using the mouse wheel.
  
  
• 🎲 Temporary fix: Item spawn now always random (no seed)
  Until we rework the seed system, items now spawn with full randomness to prevent missing spawns tied to specific seeds.
  
  
• 📦 Optimization: Loot meshes (LODs & collision)
  Improved performance by adding proper LODs and simplified collision to lootable objects.
  
  
• 🐢 Added: Fred the Turtle
  Yes. 🐢
  
  
• 🚙 Towing: Better detachment logic
  Vehicles now automatically detach from tows if angular velocity becomes excessive, preventing buggy explosions.
  
  
• 🚗 Chameleon gas station updates
  
  Fixed garage door interaction
  
  Optimized meshes & simplified collision
  
  Fixed sticking issues while crouched
  
  
• 🎵 Adjusted: Main menu music volume
  Lowered music volume, based on feedback.
  
  
• 🔄 UI Fix: Mouse wheel interaction UI
  Rotating UI elements no longer reappear when entering/exiting vehicles.
  
  
• 🧼 Brush fix: Save state properly
  Brushes no longer show bristles after being emptied and reloaded.
  
  
• 🚽 Peeing now works even with thirst disabled
  Yup. All functional now, even in god mode 😅
  
  
• 🔊 Adjusted: Teddy bear sound balancing
  All bear sounds are now easier to hear and more consistent.
  
  
• 🧢 Improved: Shark Hat visuals
  Updated materials and textures for a fresh new look.
  
  
• 📝 Added: Save name validation
  We now check for invalid characters when creating a save to prevent future issues.
  
  
• 🎮 Improved: Return-to-menu positioning
  When backing out of certain menus, you’ll now return to the correct in-game location.
  
  
• ⛽ Fixed: Fuel interaction text translations
  Fuel-related messages now localize properly.
  
  
• 💥 Fixed: Mine explosion sounds not replicating in multiplayer
  Explosions now correctly play sound effects for all players.
  
  
• 🔊 Audio fixes
  Large audio attenuations have been fixed, and certain sounds that previously lacked spatialization now have proper spatial effects.
  
  
• 🔧 Fixed: Car parts snapping issues
  Certain car parts that didn’t attach properly to others now connect correctly.
  Note: This fix doesn’t cover all snapping issues yet — we’re still actively investigating the remaining cases to improve attachment reliability across the board.
  
  

Thanks again for your incredible support — especially for your detailed bug reports.
We’re making steady progress on performance and stability, and you can expect even more improvements in upcoming updates!

— The Drive Beyond Horizons Team