Hotfix Fixes Squad Joining and Spawn Counts, and Raises Distinguished Service Rewards

The hotfix fixes squad joining, spawn counts and cosmetic issues, and temporarily raises Distinguished Service rewards ahead of further changes planned for the next major update.

What changed

• Base Retirement XP: 250 to 300.
• Rescue Beacon bonus: 250 to 300.
• Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals: 10 to 15, 25 to 40, and 50 to 60.
• Expert Perk bonus: 10 to 15.

Networking and Squads

• Fixed various cases where players could not join squads, including being instantly kicked from a friend's squad.
• The fix involved moving to a new system for handling player squads, and the developers ask players to report any new issues.

Gameplay and Maps

• Fixed certain infinite spawning scenarios spawning fewer zombies than intended, which made some experiences easier than intended.
• Fixed zombies turning invisible after taking nonlethal explosive damage.
• Fixed missing head gore and textures on runner zombies after death.
• Fixed players being able to respawn after extraction on Lewiston.
• Fixed unintended items spawning on Lewiston.

Social Menu and UI

• Fixed players getting stuck in the social menu in a private lobby.
• Fixed non-friends not being viewable in the recently played tab of the social menu.
• Fixed the Responder menu following players into other areas of the UI.

Cosmetics

• Fixed the Scarecrow Hood and Mask not being wearable together.
• Fixed the neck gaiter cosmetic clipping into male Responder faces.
• Fixed the bowler hat and neck gaiter not allowing their II variations to be used.
• Fixed various issues preventing certain mask and hat combinations from being applied.

Distinguished Service Progression

• Base Retirement XP rose from 250 to 300, and the Rescue Beacon bonus rose from 250 to 300.
• Bronze Medal rose from 10 to 15, Silver Medal from 25 to 40, and Gold Medal from 50 to 60.
• Expert Perk bonus rose from 10 to 15.
• The developers describe the changes as a temporary boost while additional ways to contribute to Distinguished Service are worked on for the next major update.
• More insights on Retirement and Dedicated Service are planned for a future blogpost.

Prior Live Fixes

• Added a repeat map protection system that lowers the odds of getting the same map several times in a row.
• Fixed lost cosmetic adjustments when an outfit used Light Utility Pants variation II.