Summary
The engine upgrade coming toHunt: Showdownis the next big step for the game. The older Cry Engine has issues that drag the game down and take it back from its potential. The new engine will usher in a new age forHunt: Showdown, as it has many features set to be unveiled on Jul 12, 2025.
While the gameplay will still feel the same, many factors, such as graphics, lighting, UI, and net code, will change. Sadly, due to the engine upgrade, older consoles willno longer be supported. New system requirements may cause players to have performance issues.
1Improved Graphics & New Features
Hunt: Showdownhas a fabulous art style that encapsulates its unique personality. The game will receive a graphical fidelity upgrade that will also run better. The game will support HDR, DirectX12, and FSR 2.1.2 and use direct storage to speed up load times.
It’s no secret that the key ingredient to anyvisually appealing gameis stunning lighting. The new upgrade comes with reworked lighting, allowing light to interact realistically and make the game brighter. This will give ambient lighting a more immersive feel and help the beautiful art style stand out.
2Console Support
Main Change: New Generation Support
Expect better performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S alongside improved visuals. This comes at the cost ofPS4 & Xbox One losing support. Older console players can upgrade to newer consoles and retain all their player data free of charge post-release.
The game is currently playable on new consoles, but it uses the older generation versions, resulting in poor optimization and graphics. This can result in models looking flat due to rendering issues.
New-gen console players stand to gain the most from the engine upgrade, especially with the new UI change.
3UI Changes
Main Change: Fewer Buttons On Screen & Removal Of Trials
The UI overhaul will make navigating menus inHunt: Showdowna breeze for controller players as it can be entirely navigated using the d-pad. Agood UI in gamesis easy to learn and doesn’t require a long learning period for new players. The UI change vastly changes the look and feel of making everything simple and intuitive.
The old UI is intimidating for new players and a challenge to learn. Many gamers note that the new UI has aCODfeel and might not favor PC players. In the theme of minimalism, the game has sacrificed trials to reduce unnecessary buttons on the screen.
4New Biome & Map
Main Change: Possible Snow Map
The new engine upgrade allows the developers to reach new limits.Hunt: Showdowncurrently hasthree different maps, but they all share the same biome. The engine upgrade will pave the path forward for a much-needed biome change.
The developers have kept players in the dark regarding the new biome type, leaving fans to speculate. A snowy biome is the most popular theory among the fans. A snow map will be a welcome change of scenery from the swamps of Louisiana.
5Hunter & Prestiege Rework
Main Change: New Hunters & More Prestige Rewards
Nineteen new hunters have been added, ten are obtained from bloodline rewards, and nine from prestige rewards. Prestige is currently not recommended as the rewards are random and players lose all their hard-earned weapons and cash. Prestige rewards will be given automatically, so players should avoid holding off on prestige before the update. Trial rewards have been added to prestige rewards for better incentives.
The new hunters use common free-hunter models but will be given names and backstories. Coming at a later update, specific hunters may have a higher tier version available with different clothes, which is gained by player progression.
6Trait Changes
Main Change: Returning Trait & Necromancer Rework
The witness trait is coming back tothe trait rosterfor only five upgrade points. Burn and Scarce attributes will be added to powerful traits to play a role in balance. Scarce traits are only found within matches and Burn traits disappear upon use. Death Cheat has been limited to one instance per hunter, with no changes to other traits, such as Relentless.
Necromancer is a solo’s best friend and is receiving substantial rework. The trait will be a one-time use for solos, but it will fully restore all health bars. The cooldown for use has been slightly reduced to balance the trait. For teams, Necromancer will no longer sap health when reviving teammates.
7Gameplay & Gunplay Changes
Main Change: Faster Burn & Bullet Drop
To reduce stalemate scenarios, the developers aim to give more weight to downing enemy players. Hunters will burn faster and choke clouds will be reduced to one minute, from their current two-minute period.
Out of allcompetitive PvP FPS games,Hunt: Showdownhas a lowered crosshair that can be a barrier to entry for new players. The latest update will add the option to have a centered crosshair, which will be on by default for new players.
For the biggest change in gameplay with this update,Huntwill be adding bullet drop into the game. Bullet drop will depend on barrel length and bullet type. Headshots will be a one-hit kill at any range to balance this change.
