EMPULSE Update #3 Adds ADS, a New Mech-Killer, and Custom Games
The third Early Access update is now available across all platforms with refreshed maps, new cosmetics, bot improvements, and weapon and mech balance changes.
EMPULSE Update #3 is now live across all platforms, giving 1047 Games’ arena shooter its largest content release since the start of Early Access. The update makes Aim Down Sights available by default on every weapon, adds the Crescendo lightning gun, refreshes Plaza and Harbor, and brings the first version of Custom Games.
The full changes were published in the official Steam announcement. The update also includes 39 new weapon camos, bot improvements for custom matches, performance work, and balance changes for several weapons and mechs.
ADS has moved out of the Experimental Playlist and into the standard game. Every weapon now supports the aiming option by default, with new red dot sights for Coda, Percussion, Echo, Modulator, Compressor, Oscillator, and Opus. 1047 Games also adjusted crosshair behavior, aiming sounds, weapon movement, and field-of-view changes.
The experimental rule that made weapons less accurate outside ADS did not carry over to the full release. Hip-fire remains part of the normal weapon handling, while the reduced weapon movement during ADS addresses feedback from the earlier test.
New weapon and Custom Games
The Crescendo is a secondary anti-mech beam weapon. Its damage increases while the beam stays locked on a target, then falls when the player misses. That gives crews another way to pressure a piloted mech, but maintaining accuracy will be key.
Custom Games Version 1 adds a refreshed lobby flow, cleaner map and mode selection, and revised Create Lobby, Find Lobby, and Join With Code screens. Hosts can set game options during lobby creation, allow tie-breaker rounds to inherit the base game’s settings, and enable infinite health by setting health to 0.
Plaza and Harbor keep their existing layouts and movement routes, but both maps now have refreshed visuals. Harbor adds moving ships and vehicles in the background, while Drainage receives a foliage pass. The update also includes optimization work across the two refreshed maps and at lower quality settings on several other maps.
Other changes include a new mech entry animation, no hold-time requirement when entering a mech, and bots that can pilot mechs. Bots can take idle mechs, use rocket and shield abilities, and carry a mech to capture in Mech CTF.
Here is the complete changelog for the update.
EMPULSE Early Access Update #3 Patch Notes
- Crescendo (Lightning Gun). A new anti-mech beam weapon. Damage ramps up as you chain hits on a target and drops back down when you miss.
- Aim Down Sights. ADS has graduated from the experimental playlist and is now on by default for every weapon.
- Improved crosshair behavior while aiming
- Added new sounds when aiming in and out
- Added red dot sights to Coda (SMG), Percussion (Explosive SMG), Echo (Shotgun), Modulator (Fast AR), Compressor (Heavy AR), Oscillator (LMG), and Opus (Heavy Pistol)
- Reduced weapon movement while aiming
- Improved FOV changing behavior on higher base FOV
- Weapons are no longer less accurate when not in ADS (this was part of the experimental ADS playlist ruleset)
- New weapon camos. Added 24 new Rare and 15 new Epic camos, available across all weapons.
- Custom Games. Custom Games has been redesigned, with a refreshed lobby setup, updated map and mode selection, and reworked Create Lobby, Find Lobby, and Join With Code screens.
- Game options can now be set when creating a lobby, without opening advanced settings.
- Tie breaker rounds can copy their settings from the base game options.
- Setting health to 0 turns on infinite health, which is useful for parties and socials.
- Fixed a number of issues in the Custom Games menus.
- Mech entry animation. Implemented a new mech entry animation and removed the hold-time requirement to enter a mech.
GENERAL
- Bots can now pilot mechs.
- Bots will grab idle mechs, use the rocket and shield abilities, and carry the mech to capture in Mech CTF.
- Idle bots give real players a reasonable chance to grab a mech first before making the trip themselves.
- Added new mech sounds, including entrance audio and a new melee impact sound.
- The mech rocket now uses team colors.
- The mech shown in the post-game winner circle now displays its rocket.
- Fixed an issue where other players’ first-person grappling hook models could be visible.
- Fixed an issue where spectators would see incorrect weapon visuals after the player they were watching respawned.
- Fixed an issue where charm thumbnails appeared much darker than the in-game item.
- Fixed an issue where a cosmetic thumbnail did not match its in-game preview.
- Fixed a rare crash related to weapon impact effects.
- Fixed an issue with the ball pickup sound in Upload.
- Fixed spelling errors in two map callouts.
PERFORMANCE
- General optimization pass across Plaza and Harbor.
- Additional optimization across multiple maps at lower quality settings.
MAPS
- Plaza has been updated to a new version of the map, with new graffiti, ceiling lights, set dressing, and lighting improvements.
- Harbor has been updated to its reworked version, including interior art updates.
- Ships and vehicles now move in Harbor’s background.
- Foliage polish pass on Drainage.
- Fixed a number of bot navigation issues across maps.
- Fixed a number of texture issues on props across multiple maps.
- Fixed a number of collision, clipping, and out-of-bounds issues on Plaza and Harbor.
- Updated loading screens and thumbnails for Plaza, Harbor, and the practice range.
PROGRESSION
- Speed Demon medal
- Required speed: 2000 → 1850cm/s
- This makes the medal and challenge easier to earn.
- Required speed: 2000 → 1850cm/s
- Close Call medal
- Low health <=15hp → <=20hp
- This makes the medal and challenge easier to earn.
- Low health <=15hp → <=20hp
BALANCE / WEAPONS
- Volta (Homing AR)
- Homing Acceleration: 40 → 50m/s²
- Homing Acquisition Angle: 5.13 → 6.28 degrees
- The Volta acquires targets more easily and corrects harder toward them.
- Percussion (Explosive SMG)
- Explosions no longer block view in first person when being shot.
- Requiem (Sniper)
- Time between shots: 0.8s → 0.95s
- Dropoff distances: 80m, 120m, 160m, 200m, 240m → 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 120m
- Damage drop-off takes effect at closer distances. The Sniper picked up a serious buff pass in Update #2 and started dominating matches at longer ranges than we wanted, so this adjustment brings it back in line with the rest of the arsenal.
- Finale (Hammer)
- Damage to mechs: 200 → 250
- Time between swings: 0.595 → 0.5s
BALANCE / MECHS
- All Mechs
- Health: 1500 → 2000
Update #3 gives EMPULSE players plenty to test, from ADS and the Crescendo to private match settings and tougher mechs. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Empulse
Developed by 1047 Games
Empulse is a fast-paced 6v6 movement shooter where movement is the weapon. Outmove and outgun your opponents across the post-utopian streets of Freehold, chain wall-runs into grapple swings into mid-air kills, and fight for Crews to control mechs for the ultimate power spike.
- Genre: Shooter
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Perspective: First person
- Modes: Multiplayer
- Release: 2026-06-24
- Publisher: 1047 Games
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Age Rating:
