- Update b34 nears the end! - 29 August 2026
Version beta 34 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b34_8.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord!ContentC4 Power: Combines the power of all four MEGA powerups. Rarely spawns in place of a standard MEGA powerup, with a notification.The Powered Minigun is now the Powered Miniguns.Splitscreen mode is now officially supported for FFA gamemodes.BalanceAir control has been increased substantially.You will find air strafing creates a lot more speed than the "none" it made before.Replaced Precision-style weapon Plus-Power with "+Crit Chance".Nerfed the Handgun and Dual Pistols.Increased shots-to-kill by 1 for each.ArenaBot hitboxes have been changed.Arm hitboxes have made their long awaited return.Head hitbox has shrunk slightly.Upper torso no longer counts as a crit hitbox.Shotgun-style weapons no…
- Update b33 feels lucky! - 9 May 2026
Version beta 33 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b33_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord!BalanceAdded "Random Crits" to all weapons.Critical Hits have no falloff and always headshot (if applicable).Critical Hits deal 3x damage, or 2x if the weapon can headshot.Base Crit Chance increases as you deal damage. Resets on death, slowly decays over time.Weapons either check for crit once per projectile, or once per 1s, depending on archetype.Added a match rule to disable Random Crits.Critical Hits play unique fx for weapon firing, impacts, and projectile tracers.Melee weapons have a naturally higher base Crit Chance.Removed headshot multipliers from the following weapons:MinigunAkimbo SMGsAssault RifleFeaturesUpdated damage number UI elements to accumulate per target.This replaces the dama…
- Update b32 approaches release! - 18 April 2026
Version beta 32 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b32_3.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord!ContentNew weapon: Compound Bow!New weapon: Drill Cannon!New weapon: Flak Artillery!The Item list has been refreshed. I'll just put the complete list here.Armor ShardAmmo Box (he's back!)Grapple HookExo BootsSteel TrapSpray CanInk RocketVersus SensorMEGA SensorUnstable CoreBoomboxBurst BubbleWeather MachinePhase WatchHeavy GearSeeker SwarmBalancePlayer movement code has been completely replaced. It is now much more faithful to iD Tech and (g)old Source.Added a speedometer under player name to the UI. Disable it in Settings.Most weapons have had a TTK/damage adjustment.Player visibility and highlighting has been reworked.Removed overhead "hostile triangle".Added "barrel flares" to hostile players…
- Authentic Movement, finally! - 8 January 2026
Happy new year!While the C4 news feed has been quiet, we have been hard at work finishing up game content before release. But it wouldn't be a real indie development story without something radical being changed right before we ship it out to you. Which is why we completely replaced the movement code!We did not miss the feedback that C4 felt like it lacked a certain something in the character movement. Early attempts to amend this included the jump buffer and jump velocity boost, but that clearly wasn't enough. So today I'm quite happy to announce that, working from the public base kindly provided by Project Borealis, we have replaced ArenaBot's squeaky servos with a CPMA-style movement system that includes authentic air control, strafe jumping and ramp boosting - and a little bit of slide-hopping if that's your thing. There's even a speedometer right on screen, so you can easily experi…
- Feedback is heard in b31! - 6 December 2025
Version beta 31 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b31_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentTwo old items, the Foam Grenade and Ink Rocket, have been re-enabled.BalanceItem Boxes can now be shot and destroyed at range, releasing an Item SpiritThe spirit will be inert for a short time, and then fly towards the player who broke the box.The spirit will fly for a limited time before "popping". If this happens, you receive an Item.The spirit can be shot by the player who broke the box. If this happens, you receive an Item and an Armor Stack.Current behavior of picking up Item Boxes manually is unchanged, granting an Item and an Armor Stack.Multiple items have had their use time normalizedFor example, Auto-Missiles no longer "sit" in your item slot whi…
- Content updates return with b30! - 29 November 2025
Version beta 30 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b30_2.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentWeapon: Tactical Pistol! Semi-automatic with a high potential rate of fire. Mind the inaccuracy bloom to keep your shots on target.Weapon: Crossbow! Launches fast projectiles with gravity. Headshots deal bonus damage!Weapon: Modulator Pistol! Contains AC and DC firing modes. Deal damage with one mode to temporarily power up the other.Weapon: Pressure Vessel! This shotgun fires a wide, uncontrollable spread. Charge-fire to reduce spread and increase range.Weapon: Deconstructor! Charge and release the devastating Evisceration Beam.Greybox map: Armistice, featuring a rather large anti-gravity map region!FeaturesGambling! Added playtime drops of loot crates an…
- Weapons, Maps + Modes in update b29! - 25 October 2025
Version beta 29 is now available for testers! It will appear as "b29_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!Note: These patch notes contain some changes already present in the Demo update. Sorry for any confusion!ContentWeapon: Assault Rifle! Alt-fire to lob a grenade that deals increased damage after stopping.Weapon: Frag Magnet! Alt-fire to launch or retract a magnet that sticks to targets and the environment. Primary fire projectiles track towards the magnet's location.Weapon: Energy Glaive! Fires a horizontal spread of ricocheting, piercing hitscan projectiles.Weapon: Missile System! Fires a barrage of guided missiles. Hold alt-fire to lock up to 4 targets.Weapon: Blade Launcher! Revs up to fire bouncing saw blades. Alt-fire to charge a horizontal saw that sticks i…
- Thank you for an awesome Next Fest! - 20 October 2025
Thank you to everyone who commented on the trailers and posts, played the Demo, or joined the Discord! Without your feedback, C4 would never become the best version of itself. Secret Handshake team members met and interacted with players who were more passionate about our vision for C4 than we could have imagined! Please know your enthusiasm for the game is what gets the team to put in the long hours that carry us to release.The C4 Multiplayer Demo has been updated to a static version with a fixed set of game content and limited multiplayer features. It will remain in this state up to Q4 release and beyond. We wish we could have left Quickplay and the Server Browser on, but maintaining one online game is already a huge workload for three people.What's next?The team is barreling towards release later this year! We are wrapping up the last bits of game content, polishing features, and squ…
- Performance Fixes, New Weapons + Modes in the C4 Multiplayer Demo v2.0! - 16 October 2025
The C4 Multiplayer Demo has been updated to version b28_2.0! This update includes new trial weapons, a game mode, multiple Modifiers, performance fixes, and general game improvements.ContentWeapon: Burst RifleThis Bullet weapon demands precision with it's three-round burst and high headshot multiplier, but can deal large amounts of damage if kept on target.Weapon: IncineratorThis flamethrower-type weapon burns Shell ammo to unleash a barrage of short range fire blasts. What this weapon lacks in range it makes up for with high damage and a powerful alt-fire mode that can blast targets back.Weapon: Ray GunThis lightweight Voltage weapon fires projectiles that take skill to land with precision, but reward accuracy with high damage.Weapon: MortarThis Explosive weapon lobs fast-moving projectiles with high gravity in an arc. Projectiles increase in impact damage as they travel and deal incre…
- Internal version b28 released - 11 October 2025
Version beta 28 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b28_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!BalanceReworked the Versus Sensor itemNow applies it's reveal effect to the player closest to you in proximity, not score.Reworked the Remote C4 itemIs now called the "Sticky Bomb". ("C4" will return in another form.)No longer has a manual detonation function.Can now be shot with any weapon to detonate.The Boombox item now grants Armor over time if you dance in it's area of effect, in addition to its previous effects.Reworked the MEGA SensorNo longer targets you if used in first place, instead targeting the player in second place.Placement indicator is now hidden for the first 30 seconds of a matchSurprise! You're in last!FeaturesAdded occlusion-based so…
- Internal version b27 released - 5 October 2025
Version beta 27 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b27_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!FeaturesAdded the Awards Ceremony to the end of Contest Mode.Multiple damage sources from the same weapon produced within a single frame now combine into one number, if they are precision hitsThis almost exclusively impacts hitscan shotguns, which now pack all precision damage numbers into one big one for better readabilityImproved the death camera to reduce disorientationImproved the tracking consistency of world tracker widgets like wallhack trackers and player name plate overheadsAdded some user flow features to direct players through adding bots to an empty LobbyImproved the UI theming of the Match Config and Main MenuReplaced the tiny shrunk SH logo…
- Play the C4 Multiplayer Demo during Steam Next Fest! - 2 October 2025
During the October 2025 Steam Next Fest, Classical Caliber Combat Contest's free demo version will be regularly updated and expanded with new game content. These additions are building upon the second major demo version, after the initial public release all the way back in May '25. This new iteration of C4 boasts improved visual fidelity, refined gameplay, and entirely new features like the Announcer.This new version of the Demo will also include a short series of quest missions players can complete to unlock permanent access to another weapon within the demo, which we believe is rather... super.The demo will be updated over the course of the Next Fest with the following schedule:October 13th: Event BeginsWeapon Series 1, 2 and 3Three Maps: Playhouse, Surveillance, ExcavationGame Mode: DeathmatchModifiers: Egomania, Vampirism, All You Can Eat, Backpacks, Sticky FingersCharacter Bots: Au…
- Internal version b26 released - 27 September 2025
Version beta 26 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b26_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentNew modifier: Infection!New modifier: Floor is Lava!BalanceLaunchers (bounce + boost pads) now apply a temporary effect that enables wall jumping and increases air control.Split Contest modifier card packs into mobility and combat types for more determinism around what you will getFeaturesNew types of item animations have been addedImproved visual and audio feedback for air/wall jumpsAdded a setting to restrict the horizontal space the UI takes up (useful for ultrawide)\\Added a separate setting for gamepad horizontal sensitivityFilled out the main menu with all 51 ArenaBots, even though some of them don't have their weapons yetImproved spectator…
- The C4 demo will return... - 24 September 2025
Thank you to everyone who played our original demo version. It was a look at the game that is now quite outdated, and as such we have removed it in preparation for a new, updated demo that will be a permanent fixture on the C4 store page. This new demo version will contain a curated selection of full game content, including multiple maps, game modes, weapons, modifiers - and Contest mode! Also included is a swath of visual upgrades and our updated multiplayer features, which you may have read about in a previous post.Secret Handshake Interactive is brought to you by players like you.Thank you.
- Internal version b25 released - 20 September 2025
Version beta 25 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b25_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentNew Gold Event: Gold BossThe Gold Boss will attack a few times during the match.Damage them to score Gold, and drive them away.Balance(Most) Hitscan weapon projectiles now have infinite "virtual" rangeThis means they can deal their minimum damage from a long way awayThe Bio-Blower's sticky projectiles now connect to each other with tripwiresMost projectiles have had their minimum falloff damage raisedMini-Missiles now fire in bursts of fourWeapon recoil now varies more horizontally shot per shot and has a more reliable bias over timeCertain active items are now temporarily or permanently disabled if you are hacked while they are activeFeaturesCont…
- Internal version b24 released - 13 September 2025
Version beta 24 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b24_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentNew modifier: JuggernautThe Juggernaut Gear spawns where a double item box would spawn.Command the might of the Juggernaut until it's timer runs out, or you die.Death with enough time left on the Juggernaut suit will drop it again as a pickupThe Powered Minigun (juggernaut weapon) inherits it's Plus-Power level from the Modifierthe Powered Minigun is classified as a Basic weapon, including the ability plus-powerBalanceAn Armor Stack is now also removed for your first kill in a lifeThis is an expansion of the killstreak-based stack removal to include your first killThe healing granted by "consuming" Armor Stacks has been reduced in effectivenessPer…
- Internal version b23 released - 6 September 2025
Version beta 23 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b23_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!BalanceAdjusted Capture the FlagAdded a floor graphic for return progressThe flag now telefrags enemy players standing on it's platform when it returnsThe flag now gains a temporary invulnerability shield that bounces players when it returnsAdded a flag compass and state popups to the UI (these were supposed to be in last week :( )Reworked the HandgunIs now a hitscan (was a fast projectile)Players can now drop the Handgun on death if it is their only weapon.Picking up a Handgun while you have one equipped replaces it with the Dual Pistols.Reworked the Dual PistolsIs now a hitscan (was a fast projectile)Now shares a damage profile with the HandgunNow fire…
- Internal version b22 released - 30 August 2025
Version beta 22 is now available for internal testers! It will appear as "b22_1.0". If you are just keeping up with development from the outside. thank you for your support. Make sure to join the Discord to be a part of the conversation!ContentNew game mode: Capture the Flag!Note: CTF is not currently supported by the announcer or bots. Check back next week.New weapon: Tactical Shotgun, close-range 2-burstNew weapon: Static Cannon, charges a projectile that changes modeNew weapon: Heavy-Auto Rifle, fires heavy hitscans that load an alt-fire rocketNew testing map: ConsumerismBalanceEvery weapon now has recoil of some kind.Added soft target tracking to the Bullet plus-power "mini bomb" to make it more consistentExplosive plus-power vortex no longer affects it's instigatorDeparture greybox has been tweakedFeaturesCreated a new "split hitbox" projectile type for particularly large ballistic…
- Beta 21 patch note archive - 30 August 2025
Steamworks developer pages were acting funky when we published Beta 21, so this post was created two weeks later.Content Prototype Map: Departure,New Weapon: MEGA Shotgun, Balance Reworked all 4 MEGA powerups,MEGA Health now grants a regeneration effect for it's duration,MEGA Damage is now 3x damage (was 2x),MEGA Armor grants knockback resist + infinite armor,MEGA Agility also grants swap speed + non-precision damage resistance,MEGAs now all spawn at the same time,Each map layout now only has one spawner per MEGA type,Picking up a new mega powerup while you already have one active will copy the duration to the new effect, Features Accepting a Steam invite to play now properly launches the game and joins the session.,Enabled SteamSockets for anonymous P2P connection,Multiplayer features have been reworked significantly.,Removed Game Codes and Station IDs,Added a public server browser,Add…
- An update to our stance on matchmaking. - 12 August 2025
In response to community feedback regarding our previously communicated plans (or lack thereof) regarding public matchmaking, we are changing strategies.If you viewed our Steam page before August 12th 2025, you might have noticed a disclaimer message titled "Netcode and Matchmaking". It explained that Secret Handshake Interactive is a very small team, and we simply don't have the resources to keep up with the war for fair play that modern online games create. It continued to state that C4 would not provide any open public matchmaking settings, and instead would prioritize facilitating play between friends and small communities.However, we quickly received community feedback that this wasn't adequate. No matter how frictionless we made private games, or how much content we provided for solo play, battling against other real players in the Arena is an irreplaceable experience and would be…
