- Important - 5 July 2026
July 15th will be PunjiVR's 4th birthday, which means that I have been working on it for nearly five years now. Version 1 had 15 major updates until it was replaced by Version 2 last year, which has nearly 9 major updates out. In other words... I've spent a lot of time on this project. Since day one, this has been a purely passion-driven game. I've spent literally thousands of hours on it solely because it's been something that I enjoy doing, and it's a game that I wanted to see in the world. Unfortunately, I have been getting burnt out from it for the past few months, and that passion + joy that I used to get from working on it is no longer there. For my sake, I cannot continue to develop PunjiVR at the scale that I have planned, nor with the intensity I have expressed in the past. That's the short of it. -- I've removed the Early Access label from PunjiVR, I've lowered the price, and…
- Update 8.5 - 19 June 2026
New Map (Preview Only): Operation Red Forest will be the first Medium-Scale mission for PunjiVR. Check out the previous announcement HERE for details on the mission. The map is 'preview only', meaning there are no bots or mission objectives yet (they will be added next update). The map itself is complete, though (minus some polishing and minor bug fixes, which will be included with Update 9, too), so feel free to explore it and get a feel for how gameplay will work when the mission is released. Custom loadouts are enabled for it, too. --- Other Changes/Fixes: Optimized bullet impact effects Added bullet impacts to plants and foliage Made menu easier to see on dark maps Reworked + optimized lighting on Firefight Fixed lighting + transparency issues on firefight (smoke effects, menu, etc. work properly) Fixed mosin forward-hand grab point being awkward Fixed bug where you could collect mo…
- Progress and Plans for Update 9 - 9 May 2026
Territories Gamemode: Territories is based off the classic attack/defend gamemode seen in games like Rising Storm 2 and the Battlefield series, where one team tries to capture a sector while the other team works to defend it. The attacker team has limited time and reinforcements to take each point, and they lose the match if either runs out (when you are on the attacking team, reinforcements/tickets only affect your lives, not your allied bots). After each objective capture, the attacker spawn moves up one sector, and the defender spawn moves back one sector. This is a team vs. team mission, similar to Firefight but at a slightly larger scale and with actual mission objectives. Bots will be getting several large improvements/changes to make them better fit this type of mission, but a complete bot-remake is planned for the near future. You'll be able to choose which team you play on, the…
- Update 8 - 8 April 2026
Highlights: Added chest inventory offset adjustment Adjust how the chest inventory is positioned and rotated on your character. Added alternative chest inventory layouts Layout 1: Default Layout 2: Mirrored Default Layout 3: Centered (Dump pouch on bottom-center, socket pouches on sides) Added new settings: Easier reloading (makes it easier to load magazines into guns) Easier grenade throwing (reduces the force needed to throw grenades; useful for players with small VR playspaces) Specific audio adjustment (adjust volume of specific fields (i.e., voices, environment, gunshots, footsteps...)) Grip-grab (white grab) options for gun bolts and loaded magazines --- Major Changes/Fixes: Fixed grab offsets and poses on items that needed it (Grab points that were held wrong or held in a way that made reloading/handling difficult. (Forward grip on mosin, handguns, small magazines, and more)) Mad…
- Test Build 1 for Update 8 - 5 April 2026
Check out the next iteration of PunjiVR early and provide feedback to help make it the best it can be! HIGHLIGHTS: Added chest inventory offset adjustment Adjust how the chest inventory is positioned and rotated on your character. Added alternative chest inventory layouts Layout 1: Default Layout 2: Mirrored Default Layout 3: Centered (Dump pouch on bottom-center, socket pouches on sides) Added new settings: Easier reloading (makes it easier to load magazines into guns) Easier grenade throwing (reduces the force needed to throw grenades; useful for players with small VR playspaces) Specific audio adjustment (adjust volume of specific fields (i.e., voices, environment, gunshots, footsteps...)) Grip-grab options for gun bolts and loaded magazines -- MAJOR CHANGES/FIXES: Fixed grab offsets and poses on items that needed it (Grab points that were held wrong or held in a way that made reload…
- Feedback Survey - 10 March 2026
Provide feedback on the current state of PunjiVR. Your feedback will be used for Update 8, which will focus on polishing and improving the base experience of the game. The next main goal after Update 8 will be to improve the AI/Bots. --- Survey Link (Alternative link to copy/paste: https://forms.gle/FbBxBhnJLWpvxWcp7 )
- Update 7 - 4 March 2026
Highlights: DP 28 Suppressed PPK TT-33 Item Spawner --- Major Changes/Fixes: Made all guns easier to reload while still making them require some precision New level selector Bots are less talkative A lot of fixes to custom loadouts (they should work properly now!) Other Changes/Fixes: Fixed collider and physics issues with rampart props Revised faction system for easier future additions Added new uniform accessories to Northern bots Updated models for 7.62x25 round and casing Fixed foliage meshes not rendering properly on Port and Last Stand Added more invisible walls on Port to stop player from accidentally going out of bounds Fixed collision sounds not playing sometimes Fixed issue with rucksack not loading custom loadouts Fixed issues with custom loadouts loading items from previous saved loadouts Fixed M79 not being able to be stored in rucksack Fixed custom inventory breaking from…
- Roadmap and Campaign Plans - 16 February 2026
The campaign will focus on the Battle of Huế, and it will be split into two parts: The PAVN-VC capture of the city The counterattacks and eventual recapture of the city by US Marines and ARVN The campaign will be based on real engagements and events of the battle, and it will offer a good variety of gameplay and scenarios. The first part will include sapper operations, like the attack of the Chanh Tay gate where PAVN sappers snuck into the Citadel dressed as ARVN soldiers to kill the guards and open the gate for a larger force to enter. It will also include 'louder' missions like ambushes and night-time assaults lit by flares. The second part will include 'heavier' missions and engagements, featuring things like recoiless rifles and tanks. There'll be house-to-house combat with traps and dug-in enemies, sniper nests, machine gunners, and overall intense urban fighting. Allied bots will…
- R & R - 4 February 2026
I've been having a lot of trouble maintaining enthusiasm and discipline with Punji over the past two months due to burnout and having to balance a lot of personal and other work stuff with it. To ensure the train keeps on chugging, I'll be taking the next week or two off from development. I'll still be active on Discord and in the forums, noting down any suggestions and bug reports, but actual development won't be happening throughout my break. - Since the last update at the start of the year, I've been working on the game fairly regularly, but I haven't made much progress at all, and I'm not too satisfied with the progress that has been made, but what's worse is that the content I've been working on is not heading in the right direction. The original plan was to dedicate the next update to creating the first campaign, but somewhere along the way, I ended up swerving into making an "ope…
- Update 6 - 7 January 2026
Major Changes: New Bot Animations Added new M79 variant If a bot in combat sees an enemy within 50m, they will be more likely to stop moving and to attack If a bot is suppressed, they can now choose to stay and attack their target rather than immediately fleeing Many small tweaks to bots' decision making and behaviors Added option to disable bot voices Added 'Item' category to settings Added option to change grab settings (Toggle or Hold) --- Changes/Fixes: Increased bot accuracy and aiming speed on Port Increased run speed of bots going to cover Bots' attacks are now only interrupted when they're damaged if it was a critical hit Increased bots' base health Polished bots' aiming animations and aiming IK Fixed issue where turning would be re-enabled after going prone Fixed various minor ballistic calculation errors Added additional checks for Vive controller grabbing Revised shooting ran…
- Installation Folder Fix - 30 December 2025
Thanks to NULLRAD on the PunjiVR Discord for alerting me of the issue! -- One of the recent updates changed the installation folder for PunjiVR to a generic/placeholder 'content' name. I'm not sure what caused it, but it's fixed now. Other games you install on Steam might also use 'content' for their installation folder, so to prevent any file conflicts, make sure to uninstall then reinstall PunjiVR to ensure the change goes into effect. -- The next update is still in progress and should be ready for release sometime next month. It includes a lot of bug fixes, quality of life improvements, and a new weapon variant. If you find any bugs or have any suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know by reaching out in the comments of this post, through the Steam forums, or in the Discord at the start of this announcement. That's all for now. Thank you all for your continued support!
- Update 5 - 6 December 2025
Highlights: New Mission: Search and Destroy (Port) Eliminate all enemies on the map. (This is the first Viet Cong mission!) Added Gun Haptics Controller vibration when shooting, reloading, etc. Can turn off in the settings --- Changes/Fixes: Rucksack dumping now requires you to grab and shake the ruck with both hands Fixed M79 shells sometimes falling out when loaded Fixed mesh glitch inside M16 & M16-S chambers Fixed minor grabbing/releasing issues with multiple weapons' forward grab points Fixed issue with Mosin Obrez and 1911 not having recoil sometimes Optimized reverb zone calculation Fixed wrong textures on AKM bullets Removed UI from trying to store non-back items into the back slot (to reduce clutter) Adjusted physics weight on multiple items Fixed issue with charging handle and bolt on M16 platform weapons not closing if released halfway Fixed audio bugs with M79 Decreased expl…
- Update 4 - 22 October 2025
Highlights: M16-S A suppressed M16 with a 3x scope (the video uses a much higher magnified scope, but it has been changed to a 3x since then). XM21 High powered marksman rifle with a bipod and 8x scope Mosin PU Mosin Nagant with a 4x scope M79 Grenade Launcher Thump! --- Changes/Fixes: Fixed grabbing calculation issues Fixed gunshot audio playing the wrong reverb on some distances Fixed math error for weapons that don't use tracers Minor optimizations to shooting range Removed custom inventory duplication on shooting range Adjusted multiple guns' recoils Adjusted multiple guns' jam rates Edited brass casing sounds for multiple weapons Decreased enemy combat range on Last Stand --- Closing: This was a smaller update to fill the space as I gear up for the first true major content addition to PunjiVR in Update 6, which will add the first medium-scale mission to the game. Update 5 will be a…
- Patch for Update 3 - 6 October 2025
Changes/Fixes: Gun Run: Huey is now playable! Added option to always have your chest inventory open Fixed issue with weapons not storing in shoulder slots when moving Updated Unity editor Adjusted colliders on most weapons Fixed issues with loadout buttons on Menu Fixed bug that prevented saving a loadout with an empty pouch Adjusted multiple guns' recoil Adjusted socketed positions of a few items when stored in quick pouches (will fix positions on all items in next update) Fixed issue with intel falling through the map --- Closing: This was intended for Update 4 (along with a few other major additions/changes), but there was a security vulnerability detected on the Unity Editor version PunjiVR was running on, so I had to download their fix and get it out sooner than planned. The door gunner mission is playable and works well, although there are still a few annoying bugs (like some item…
- Update 3 - 27 September 2025
Highlights: Weapon Sway Guns now sway when moving based on various factors. Each weapon has a different sway modifier and is affected by the gun's length, weight, and whether it has a stock (extending/unfolding stocks decreases sway), bayonet, or open bipod. Movement speed affects the base sway amount, and your current inventory weight affects how much the weapons bob when swaying. Improved Chest Inventory Rearranged chest inventory by replacing two of the existing pouches with 4 socket pouches. The socket pouches work like most other VR inventory slots and are much easier to access. --- Major Changes/Fixes: Made stored pouch items MUCH easier to grab Revised mission selection Added option to change grab icon: (default (G + T), simple (white/red dot), or none) Added inventory tutorial level Temporarily Removed Gun Truck: It was too buggy and outdated to fix/maintain, so I'll be creating…
- Test Build 1 for Update 3 - 15 September 2025
Check out the next iteration of PunjiVR early and provide feedback to help make it the best it can be! ---------- Highlights: Weapon Sway Guns now sway based on various factors. Each weapon has a different sway modifier and is affected by the gun's length, weight, and whether it has a stock (extending/unfolding stocks decreases sway), bayonet, or open bipod. Movement speed affects the base sway amount, and your current inventory weight affects how much the weapons bob when swaying. Improved Chest Inventory Rearranged chest inventory by replacing two of the existing pouches with 4 socket pouches. The socket pouches work like most other VR inventory slots and are much easier to access. Make sure to recreate your custom loadout before starting a new mission! ---------- Major Changes/Fixes: Made stored pouch items easier to grab (you can now grab an item from your chest pouches if the pouch…
- Going Forward... - 8 September 2025
Current State: Update 3 is over 60% completed and should be ready for release in about two weeks. The main features for it include the long-awaited door gunner mission, weapon swaying, improved chest inventory (featuring easier grabbing/storing, and a set of fixed slot pouches alongside the current open-ended pouch), and an updated mission selector. Revised Chest Inventory, featuring 4 socket pouches and 1 dump pouch The pouches will be rearranged for release to a more realistic and historically accurate setup After this release, PunjiVR should have a decent amount of content for the time Version 2 has been out, so I want to start transitioning to the next stage of development that focuses on larger and more complex missions. Offensive: The next focus for PunjiVR will be on its first medium-scale gamemode called Offensive, where one team attacks an objective and the other team defends i…
- Update 2 - 24 August 2025
Highlights: Last Stand Remake A complete remake of the existing mission, Last Stand. The map is more Vietnam-like and a lot denser. Collect intel off of dead enemies to call in supply crates that include things like ammo, new weapons, ally revives, and artillery call-ins. Artillery Support Added a smoke grenade that calls in an artillery barrage on its position. --- Major Changes/Fixes: Ammo crates now have limited supplies available per crate. The amount taken when resupplying is based on the magazine's individual bullet weight (for example, there can be ~100 rounds of 9mm, but only ~40 rounds of 7.62 NATO per crate) Bots now have a chance to drop a small ammo crate on death Made player movement more responsive and less 'slidey'/slippery OtherChanges/Fixes: Movement speed is now affected by your current stance Made bots less talkative when not in combat Fixed issue where your stance ch…
- Survey! - 31 July 2025
Click Here To Take It Alternative link: https://forms.gle/GJFJ7c3BRVR3avoa7 -- I look forward to your responses, thanks!
- Update 1 - 19 July 2025
Highlights: -New Mission: Extraction Find and extract the downed pilot and his gear. -Weapon Jamming Added 'failure to feed' and 'failure to eject' malfunctions that are cleared by cycling the bolt again. Jam chance is based on the weapon and magazine, so some magazines jam more frequently than others for the same weapon. Additional malfunctions with more advanced clearing procedures are planned for the future. -New Chest inventory Hold 'Trigger' over your chest pouches to open them (with an empty hand or when holding an item that you want to store). If a held item is within the pouch's bounds and it's not intersecting with another stored item, then you can store it. Items can be positioned and rotated however you want within your pouches as long as there is room. Stored items also effect your character's speed and agility, so be aware that more doesn't always equal better! --- Major Ch…
