Update 2.2.0: Engine Upgrade, Iris Networking & New Bazaar Bundles
Unreal Engine 5.8.2 upgrade and the Iris networking system headline this update, alongside a new 'Enhanced' graphics setting and extensive performance optimizations.
Key Changes
- 1Upgraded game engine to Unreal Engine 5.8.2 for improved performance and future-proofing
- 2Enabled Iris networking system to reduce dedicated server performance bottlenecks
- 3Added new 'Enhanced' graphics quality setting for high-end systems
- 4Introduced Advanced Graphics menu with HDR and post-processing toggles
- 5Thralls can now sit on various thrones and use the Bathtub
- 6Fixed an exploit allowing unbounded actor spawning on servers
- 7Significantly improved game launch speeds when using large mod sets
- 8Fixed Disease debuff damage calculation for multiple stacks
- 9Temporarily removed Raytracing to address visual artifacts
- 10New Giant King themed bundles added to the Bazaar rotation
All Changes
⚙️Engine & Performance(4)
- newUnreal Engine: Upgraded game engine to Unreal Engine 5.8.2 for improved future-proofing and technical capabilities.
- newIris Networking: Enabled Iris replication system to improve dedicated server performance by optimizing game object evaluation.
- fixMods: Significantly reduced game launch times when using large mods or large sets of mods.
- fixMods: Optimized the calculation of mod validation values when connecting to servers.
🎨Graphics & Visuals(7)
- newGraphics Settings: Added 'Enhanced' graphics quality setting for high-end systems (12 GB VRAM recommended).
- newGraphics Settings: Added Advanced Graphics menu including HDR, RGB Color Modulation, Chromatic Aberration, Vignette, Tone Mapping, Film Grain, and Black and White options.
- removeRaytracing: Temporarily removed Raytracing due to visual artifacts; to be reintroduced in a future update.
- changeHDR: HDR now automatically applies based on monitor support and OS settings.
- buffLighting: Increased max instances for candles and torches across all quality levels.
- newAnimals: Added new shader-tech to M_Character for procedural animal markings.
- fixLumen: Prevented height fog from influencing Lumen traces to fix dungeon lighting issues.
⚔️Gameplay & Thralls(6)
- buffThralls: Thralls can now sit on the Lion Throne, Jhebbal Throne, Serpentmen Throne, and Ice Throne.
- buffBathtub: Players and thralls can now use the Bathtub placeable.
- fixMercenary Banner Captain: Improved placement performance for the Mercenary Banner Captain.
- fixThrown Orbs: Thrown Orbs no longer leave behind orb meshes upon impact.
- fixDisease: Disease debuff now correctly calculates damage when multiple stacks are applied.
- buffGhurnaki Saddle: Increased dye slots to 4 and adjusted dye channels for the Ghurnaki Saddle.
💰Bazaar & Cosmetics(5)
- newBazaar: Introduced The Living Shadow Bazaar bundle.
- newBazaar: Introduced Sentinel of the Triumverate Bazaar bundle.
- newBazaar: Introduced Breaker of Wills Bazaar bundle.
- newBazaar: Introduced Priestking’s Sacristy Bazaar bundle.
- newBazaar: Introduced Spyrian Trappings Bazaar bundle.
🐛Bug Fixes(9)
- fixServer Stability: Fixed an exploit that allowed spawning an unbounded number of actors on dedicated servers.
- fixCrashes: Fixed a crash occurring when buildings decay while the owner is logged in but far away.
- fixLoading Screen: Fixed an issue where players could get stuck on the loading screen.
- fixLumen: Fixed Lumen Surface Cache for more stable and clear reflections.
- fixKhitan Slaver: Fixed Khitan Slaver thralls having unintentionally large health pools.
- fixCombat: Fixed an issue where changing gear while swinging a weapon could accelerate the animation.
- fixIsle of Siptah: Fixed a seam running through the entirety of the Isle of Siptah map.
- fixArmor: Fixed various clipping issues with the Setite Mask, Vendhyan Mystic Loincloth, and Ferine Stalker Wraps.
- fixFeats: Fixed an issue where startup feats remained unlearned after using a Potion of Natural Learning.
Summary
Engine & Performance
Conan Exiles has been upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.8.2, a major technical milestone that future-proofs the game. This upgrade enables Iris, a new replication system designed to alleviate performance bottlenecks on dedicated servers by optimizing how hundreds of thousands of game objects are evaluated per frame. Additionally, modders will see significantly faster launch times when using large mod sets.
Graphics & Visuals
A new Enhanced graphics quality setting has been introduced for high-end systems, recommending at least 12 GB of VRAM. Players can now access an Advanced Graphics menu to toggle HDR, RGB Color Modulation, Chromatic Aberration, and more. Note that Raytracing has been temporarily removed to address visual artifacts.
Gameplay & Thralls
Thralls receive new social behaviors, allowing them to sit on various thrones (Lion, Jhebbal, Serpentmen, and Ice) and use the Bathtub alongside players. Combat and survival adjustments include a fix for the Disease debuff damage calculation and the removal of persistent meshes from thrown orbs.