Version Patch Notes – Bleedout Mechanics, In-Game Voice Chat & QoL Improvements

Hey everyone!

It’s been a little longer than usual since our last update—after a well-deserved summer break, the team took some time to recharge our batteries. But now we’re back at full force!

We’re excited to bring you a major update focused on improving multiplayer dynamics, team communication, and gamepad usability!

New Feature: Bleedout System (High Risk, High Reward)

To reduce downtime when playing with friends, you will no longer die instantly upon reaching zero health in multiplayer. Instead, players enter a Bleedout State.

The Mechanics: Downed players have a 15-second bleedout timer. Teammates can save them using a Bandage item, which takes 5 seconds to apply.

Finding Bandages: Bandages can now be found as rare loot in treasure chests and are placed near starting weapons in multiplayer sessions.

Difficulty Scaling:

Merciful: Starting the bandaging process pauses the bleedout timer.

Normal: Bleedout timer continues running while bandaging. Plan your timing carefully!

Hardcore: Bleedout timer continues running, AND attempting to bandage consumes the item immediately (even if interrupted).

Combat Risks: You can still take damage or get stunned while healing a teammate. Pick your moment wisely—and don't start too late!

New Achievements: New achievements tied to reviving teammates have been added to the game.

New Feature: Native Voice Chat

Say goodbye to typing mid-combat or relying on third-party apps like Discord! Varthos now features built-in Voice Chat, designed with console and controller players in mind.

Automatic Activation: Voice chat enables automatically as soon as you form a group in the lobby.

Custom Control: Adjust your experience with dedicated Input & Output volume sliders in the settings menu, or disable voice chat entirely if preferred.

Gamepad & Inventory Quality-of-Life Fixes

Focus Fix on Launch: Fixed a bug where gamepad input wasn’t registered at launch until clicking inside the game window with a mouse.

Controller Hints: Dynamic control hints now properly display gamepad/controller glyphs regardless of your active control scheme settings.

Stash Interaction Improvements:

Stashes can now be selected and focused with a controller even when empty.

Fixed an issue preventing items in the stash from being stacked when using a controller.

Fixed an inventory crash caused by switching tabs to the stash while dragging an item with a gamepad.

UI Labeling: Improved gamepad input labels across all inventory screens.

General Bug Fixes & Improvements

Stamina & Death Bug: Fixed an edge case where dying at 0 stamina (e.g., while sprinting away or performing a final block) permanently prevented blocking and sprinting after respawning.

Character Preview: Fixed an issue where the character preview window displayed "Unknown" instead of your actual character name.

Difficulty Selection: The difficulty selection menu now opens automatically the very first time you enter map selection as a solo player or lobby host.