Noise

The noise system is a game mechanic.

Description

This system works in a simple manner - certain actions, mostly related to combat, such as firing weapons, grenade explosions, etc. emit a certain level of noise that travels through the map. This will cause silent weapons to have an edge over louder weapon types when doing a stealth assassination.

In addition to this, many NPCs will holler for help on their turn if they are not stunned or incapacitated, so it's important to dispose of them quickly and silently if you want to avoid fighting the whole camp.

NPCs react to noise by moving to investigate the source of the sound they heard. They will still have to detect the player visually. Certain NPCs do not react to noise.

Noise volume

The volume of noise caused by an action is not displayed anywhere in-game and there are no noise indicators other than what you hear, so it's all down to common sense.

Examples of very loud actions include mining with jackhammers, explosions (TNT charges, explosive grenades, mines) and gunfire, especially rifle fire.

Noiseless weapons include crossbows, silenced 5mm firearms and most melee weapons. Physical psi abilities make some noise, but mental effects do not.

Category	Source	Volume
Gun	Laser	12
Gun	Plasma	12
Gun	Phase Gun	12
Gun	Blob Gun	12
Gun	5mm Firearm	15
Gun	7.62mm Firearm	20
Gun	8.6mm Firearm	20
Gun	9mm Firearm	20
Gun	.44 Firearm	25
Gun	12.7mm Firearm	25
Gun	Shotgun	25
Melee	Sledgehammer Into Flesh	8
Melee	Sledgehammer Into Ice	10
Melee	Sledgehammer Into Rock	15
Melee	Sledgehammer Into Metal	20
Melee	Pneumatic Hammer	5
Melee	Energy Cut	6
Other	Electroshock	3
Combat Utility	Shoot Electrobolt	15
Combat Utility	Standard Grenade	35
Combat Utility	Plasma Grenade	25
Combat Utility	Flashbang	30
Combat Utility	Stingball Grenade	20
Combat Utility	EMP Grenade	15
Combat Utility	Molotov	15
Psi	Implosion	5
Psi	Launch Cryokinesis	5
Psi	Cryokinesis Hit	5
Psi	Cryokinetic Orb Smash	20
Psi	Shattering	15
Psi	Pyrokinesis	15
Psi	Telekinetic Punch	10
Psi	Temporal Distortion	10
Other	Backup Yell	20
Other	Force Ventilation Shaft	10
Other	Dreadnought Drill	15
Other	Shoot Rocket	15
Other	Explosive Hit	3
Other	Rock Mining	20
Other	TNT Explosion	100
Other	Fusion Explosion	15
Other	Split Gate	18
Other	Warehouse Gate	12
Other	Thrown Rock Impact	15
Other	Barrel Impact	15

Noise propagation

Noise travels through the map, with walls and other obstacles dampening their propagation. Certain thick walls do so drastically.

History

• 1.0.1.8 - Noise emission from weapons should work properly now
• 0.2.0.0 - Noise system introduced

See also

• Introduction of noise system in Dev Log #41