r/cataclysmbn • u/NekoRobbie • Jan 16 '26

[Changelog] CBN Changelog: 2026-01-16. Bringing in the New Year!

30 Upvotes

Changelog for Cataclysm: Bright Nights.

Changes for: 2025-12-26/2026-01-16.

Bright Nights discord server link: https://discord.gg/XW7XhXuZ89
Bright Nights launcher/updater (also works for DDA!) by qrrk: https://github.com/qrrk/Catapult/releases
Bright Nights launcher/updater by 4nonch: https://github.com/4nonch/BN---Primitive-Launcher/releases
TheAwesomeBoophis' UDP revival project: https://discord.gg/mSATZeZmjz

Welcome to 2026 survivors! We hope your holidays have been happy, and we wish you luck in keeping to your New Year's Resolutions. We will now be returning to our regularly-scheduled changelog posts.

With thanks to

scarf with 60 contributions
WishDuck with 15 contributions
Neko Sippo with 11 contributions
shmakota with 10 contributions
NappingOcean with 6 contributions
0Monet with 5 contributions
thhoney08 with 5 contributions
RobbieNeko with 5 contributions
Chaosvolt with 4 contributions
Shtacks with 2 contributions
WarriorKingBob with 1 contributions
Zack Johnson with 1 contributions
Fentanylreactor with 1 contributions
Vsevolod-Shustov with 1 contributions
nocontribute with 1 contributions
George Kightly with 1 contributions
Jo with 1 contributions
Alec White Valentine with 1 contributions
Soadreqm with 1 contributions
Jarreth Weiler with 1 contributions
qrrk with 1 contributions
joveeater with 1 contributions
Grayson Chao with 1 contributions

And to all others who contributed to making these updates possible!

Featured Changes

Ice labs can spawn naturally again!
- Previously, they would only seem to spawn if you spawned in one yourself. Given that they're one of the few reasons to invest in insulation, it makes sense to keep them around for players to naturally discover as well.
Repair difficulty can now be manually specified!
- No more raging over your fancy hairpin being nearly impossible to repair just because it doesn't have a crafting recipe.
Mana is now always shown when below the cap, or when a mod enables it!
- Previously, it would only show up if you knew spells that used it, which could make things very awkward with item spells.
Bullet and thrown item sprites are customizable!
Niten Ichi Ryu can now use many more swords!
- The creator of the style IRL was all about adaptability, and nothing here really makes sense to require specifically Japanese swords to use.
- Now it's a hell of a lot better for characters that don't already have a forging setup and the right book(s), a 3D printer and enough carbon fiber filament, or incredible looting luck.

Changelog

Ci

#7805 ci: add PR title validation job by scarf.
#7874 ci: fix PR validation not working by scarf.
#7888 ci: generate lua docs on-demand by scarf.

Feat

#7265 feat: creature cloning & DNA by shmakota.
#7371 feat: Bionic fake item use actions can now be used by WishDuck.
#7631 feat: turret autoloader by scarf.
#7702 feat(port): relentless hulk, NEMESIS enemies, and scenario by shmakota.
#7709 feat(UI): add graphical tiles display to vehicle interaction screen by Grayson Chao.
#7711 feat(lua,mods): make players able to close tears in reality by scarf.
#7715 feat(balance): Allow for going beyond level 20 in STK, enable influencing XP curve by RobbieNeko.
#7717 feat(balance): Reduce bokken crafting difficulty by RobbieNeko.
#7719 feat(balance): Give Niten Ichi-Ryu more swords by RobbieNeko.
#7725 feat(lua): add bindings for known_magic by NappingOcean.
#7733 feat(mods/crazy_cataclysm): blimp gas sacs & bundle of balloons by shmakota.
#7734 feat: water tower sewer connection, small changes by shmakota.
#7753 feat(lua): add bindings for set_armor_xxx_bonus by NappingOcean.
#7754 feat(balance): Mustard and Mayo are not junk food by RobbieNeko.
#7755 feat(lua): add trailing commas to lua annotation by scarf.
#7756 feat(balance): double the range of chemical spray ammo to 8 by thhoney08.
#7757 feat: add easier recipe for nitric acid (Birkeland-Eyde) by scarf.
#7762 feat: prevent acetylene torch from making nitric acid by NappingOcean.
#7763 feat(port): "NEW!" notifications for crafting and nearby items by shmakota.
#7765 feat(UI): allow specifying overmap note sprites, mx sprites by shmakota.
#7768 feat(UI): visualize zone overlay by scarf.
#7769 feat(UI): add spells to overview and fix profession spell display by WishDuck.
#7771 feat: make flung items from explosions deal damage on impact by scarf.
#7774 feat: make explosions and smashing randomly flip tables by scarf.
#7777 feat(lua): add hooks when effect is removed from character and monster by NappingOcean.
#7779 feat(balance): remove junk from popcorn kernels by scarf.
#7780 feat: add pelletizing recipe for ammonium nitrate by scarf.
#7785 feat(balance): add minimum city size to necropolis by Chaosvolt.
#7787 feat(UI): vehicles page for look at/list nearby menu by shmakota.
#7789 feat(UI): make bullet and thrown item sprites customizable by scarf.
#7794 feat(UI): Always show mana if below cap or with external option by RobbieNeko.
#7795 feat(balance): make rotors consume less fuel if below max lift by WishDuck.
#7796 feat: add repair_difficulty field to items by WishDuck.
#7797 feat: add json defined item_vars by WishDuck.
#7799 feat(lua): add proper relative/absolute require support by scarf.
#7803 feat(UI): add option for vehicle spawn rate scaling by scarf.
#7807 feat: add universal rifle automatic conversion kits by scarf.
#7809 feat: add AR-10 sprite by scarf.
#7814 feat: add WINDOW flag to vehicle hatches by qrrk.
#7818 feat(UI): add zone overlay toggle to zones manager by scarf.
#7822 feat: add Saiga and sharktooth leiomano sprite by thhoney08.
#7823 feat(UI): Change road marking symbol to make them visible in the dark by Soadreqm.
#7828 feat(UI,mods/pride_flags): Make pride flags modname rainbow colored by WishDuck.
#7830 feat(lua): add boolean return value to hooks by shmakota.
#7847 feat(UI): append ISO date to version by scarf.
#7849 feat: mainline more content from MST Extra mod by Chaosvolt.
#7852 feat(lua): add bindings for time point of Sun and Moon, and for sheltered state by NappingOcean.
#7853 feat: wooden wing tiles by Shtacks.
#7857 feat(UI): Select Response with Arrows and Enter in NPC Talk Menu by Shtacks.
#7858 feat: Add aluminium boat hulls by thhoney08.
#7859 feat(lua): bindings for sight, hallucination, movement hook by shmakota.
#7862 feat(UI): mark v2 save format as current and v1 as legacy by scarf.
#7866 feat(lua): add weapon bonus for items and bindings for them in lua by NappingOcean.
#7873 feat: Add cargoship & nonsquare nested mapgen support by WishDuck.
#7875 feat(balance): add aluminum panels/boat hulls to some vehicles, sheets to relevant itemgroups by Chaosvolt.
#7883 feat(UI): colorized and facelifted NPC dialogue UI by Zack Johnson.
#7889 feat(mods/MagicalNights): add BELT_CLIP flag to Earthshaper cestus by Vsevolod-Shustov.
#7893 feat(balance): buff mininuke damage by 10x (300 -> 3000) by scarf.
#7894 feat: re-add some obsoleted gun mods in game by thhoney08.
#7895 feat(balance): change materials of some jackets/pants (plastic -> nylon) by WarriorKingBob.

Chore

#7758 chore: remove the roofs above the stairs on top of the water tower by 0Monet.
#7793 chore: water tower changes by 0Monet.
#7806 chore: update AGENTS.md and skills by scarf.
#7872 chore: fix misplaced nested mapgen on the mapgen pawn_pf_roof by 0Monet.
#7890 chore: Change tool quality Classing Pressing name to Ammunition Reloading by Fentanylreactor.
#7898 chore: fix nested mapgen that overlaps each other on the roof of the tire shop by 0Monet.

Fix

#7710 fix(UI): uncap debug bionic power menu limit of 2147 kJ by scarf.
#7738 fix: character preview works with included bionics by WishDuck.
#7739 fix: remove_bionic now reduces bionic power by WishDuck.
#7740 fix: can no longer put EXTENDABLE parts on occupied tiles by WishDuck.
#7750 fix(UI): preserve camera position when exiting vehicle interaction screen by scarf.
#7760 fix: Fix lockpicking crash by joveeater.
#7761 fix: prevent current power level from exceding max power level by WishDuck.
#7764 fix: remove upgraded bionic from bionic slot count by WishDuck.
#7773 fix: add turn cost to furniture transform action by scarf.
#7775 fix: include reactor power in battery charge time calculation by scarf.
#7776 fix: check favorited items in container contents for autonotes by scarf.
#7778 fix: allow mining upstairs from ore tiles by scarf.
#7781 fix(UI): prevent too many worlds from hiding entire menu by scarf.
#7782 fix(UI): remove visual glitch on holes after explosion by scarf.
#7813 fix(UI): disable zone overlay by default by scarf.
#7815 fix: Reallow Ice Labs to spawn by WishDuck.
#7816 fix: Prevent choosing locked bionics through scenario switching by WishDuck.
#7824 fix: replace redundant leiomano sprite, use array for saiga wield sprites by Chaosvolt.
#7825 fix: corrected a typo in the ebook lua mod by Alec White Valentine.
#7831 fix(UI): Prevent bionics with installed upgrades from being displayed as green by George Kightly.
#7835 fix(lua): apply locale-independent entry sorting by scarf.
#7851 fix(UI): preserve zoom level when reloading tileset by scarf.
#7863 fix(i18n): use untranslated mod names in game report by scarf.
#7876 fix: make flying robots hackable again by shmakota.
#7884 fix: temp item obtain cost causing divide by zero error by WishDuck.
#7891 fix: add some tilesets to veggy sausage and wrist computers by thhoney08.

Revert

#7887 revert: "style: use clang-format on subdirectories" by scarf.

Build

#7820 build: Add cmake presets for aarch64 cross compilation by Jo.
#7832 build(lua): make binding compile time faster by scarf.
#7855 build: fix warnings by scarf.

Test

#7860 test: mark avatar diving test as flaky by scarf.

Docs

#7696 docs(lua): update cookbook by scarf.
#7716 docs(i18n): sync documentation with in-game translation by Neko Sippo.
#7718 docs(i18n): add Japanese translation for developer guides (explanation) by Neko Sippo.
#7720 docs(i18n): add Japanese translation for developer guides (part 2) by Neko Sippo.
#7721 docs(i18n): add Japanese translation for developer reference guides (Part 3) by Neko Sippo.
#7726 docs(i18n): add Japanese translation for i18n translation guides by Neko Sippo.
#7728 docs(i18n): translate mod/json/explanation folder into Japanese (Part 1/9) by Neko Sippo.
#7729 docs(i18n): translate mod/json/guides folder into Japanese (Part 2/9) by Neko Sippo.
#7735 docs: update broken Otopack links in FAQ sections by scarf.
#7766 docs(i18n): translate mod/json/reference/creatures folder into Japanese (Part 3/9) by Neko Sippo.
#7772 docs(i18n): translate mod/json/reference/graphics folder into Japanese (Part 4/9) by Neko Sippo.
#7786 docs: fix minor typos and JSON syntax in item_creation.md by Neko Sippo.
#7788 docs(i18n): translate mod/json/reference/items folder into Japanese (Part 5/9) by Neko Sippo.
#7811 docs(lua): Update catalua_bindings_creature.cpp Documentation by Jarreth Weiler.
#7854 docs: bump lume and wiki version by scarf.
#7856 docs(lua): fix dead link by scarf.

Refactor

#7695 refactor: simplify mapgen of candy_shop by 0Monet.

How to help:

https://docs.cataclysmbn.org/contribute/contributing/

Translations! https://www.transifex.com/bn-team/cataclysm-bright-nights/
Contributing via code changes.
Contributing via JSON changes. Yes, we need modders and content makers help.
Contributing via rebalancing content.
Reporting bugs. Including ones inherited from DDA.
Identifying problems that aren't bugs. Misleading descriptions, values that are clearly off compared to similar cases, grammar mistakes, UI wonkiness that has an obvious solution.
Making useless things useful or putting them on a blacklist. Adding deconstruction recipes for things that should have them but don't, replacing completely redundant items with their generic versions (say, "tiny marked bottle" with just "tiny bottle") in spawn lists.
Tileset work. We're occasionally adding new objects, like the new electric grid elements, and they could use new tiles.
Balance analysis. Those should be rather in depth or "obviously correct". Obviously correct would be things like: "weapon x has strictly better stats than y, but y requires rarer components and has otherwise identical requirements".
Identifying performance bottlenecks with a profiler.
Code quality help.

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/NekoRobbie • Dec 25 '25

[Changelog] CBN Changelog: 2025-12-25. The Holiday Changelog!

34 Upvotes

CBN Changelog: 2025-12-25. The Holiday Changelog!

Changelog for Cataclysm: Bright Nights.

Changes for: 2025-11-15 to 2025-12-25.

Bright Nights discord server link: https://discord.gg/XW7XhXuZ89
Bright Nights launcher/updater (also works for DDA!) by qrrk: https://github.com/qrrk/Catapult/releases
Bright Nights launcher/updater by 4nonch: https://github.com/4nonch/BN---Primitive-Launcher/releases
TheAwesomeBoophis' UDP revival project: https://discord.gg/mSATZeZmjz

Happy Holidays survivors! It's certainly been an eventful year in the development of Cataclysm Bright Nights, with us getting a wide variety ofnew features as well as some missteps along the way. We hope this holiday season has been nice and cozy for you.

With thanks to

scarf with 71 contributions
WishDuck with 15 contributions
RobbieNeko with 14 contributions
Reisen Usagi with 11 contributions
NappingOcean with 10 contributions
shmakota with 7 contributions
Neko Sippo with 5 contributions
Vsevolod-Shustov with 4 contributions
Mikhail Krutov with 4 contributions
Chaosvolt with 3 contributions
Fentanylreactor with 3 contributions
Grayson Chao with 2 contributions
ushkinaz with 1 contributions
Edward with 1 contributions
RoyalFox with 1 contributions
Chorus System with 1 contributions
Vorpal Void with 1 contributions
kabby with 1 contributions
Gabe-Lincoln with 1 contributions
Pie-Pinkerton with 1 contributions
nheve with 1 contributions
oleg996 with 1 contributions

And to all others who contributed to making these updates possible!

Featured Changes

Mutation Threshold Tiering framework!
- This framework will allow multiple tiers of threshold to exist in a tree, and will allow us to put into action some of our plans regarding a mutations rework later
The ability to select bionics in Character Creation!
Start working towards using a Dynamic Atlas for loading tilesets
Complete the move into Exotic Ammo

Changelog

Feat

#7365 feat(lua)!: add more bindings by Reisen Usagi.
#7447 feat(port): billboards & water towers by shmakota.
#7470 feat(balance): prevent purifying mutations in your thresh category by RobbieNeko.
#7475 feat(UI): add two new health bar display modes by Reisen Usagi.
#7479 feat: add wooden plane parts by oleg996.
#7488 feat(mods/exotic_ammo)!: Fully move exotic ammo guns into exotic_ammo mod by RobbieNeko.
#7496 feat: autopriority for healing consumables by Mikhail Krutov.
#7503 feat: construct mounted foldable solar panels by nheve.
#7504 feat: add variable to track character thresh category by RobbieNeko.
#7510 feat(port): MGOAL_KILL_MONSTERS mission type (kill multiple named specific monsters) by Grayson Chao.
#7516 feat: stop autoeating potions by Mikhail Krutov.
#7518 feat(balance): aftershock bot ammo redjction by Fentanylreactor.
#7527 feat(port): inattentive trait by Mikhail Krutov.
#7539 feat(balance, mods/MagicalNights): rework golem magic missile by RobbieNeko.
#7545 feat(mods/MagicalNights,balance): buff wizard tower magic recipe book spawns by RobbieNeko.
#7552 feat: add Knight profession by Gabe-Lincoln.
#7560 feat(balance): make magazines actually craftable by Fentanylreactor.
#7562 feat(UI): prioritize reachable targets on aiming by scarf.
#7564 feat: add the NOFIELDS Vehicle Part flag by WishDuck.
#7565 feat: Add DIVIDE_DAMAGE spell flag by RobbieNeko.
#7566 feat: prospector profession, time travel scenario by shmakota.
#7568 feat(mods/crazy_cataclysm): allow crazycataclysm to be used again by shmakota.
#7573 feat: add dreams for rabbit mutation tree by scarf.
#7574 feat(mods/innawoods): add domestic animals to wilderness spawns by scarf.
#7575 feat: add ship air horn item and vehicle part by scarf.
#7577 feat: frontiersman and dogsledder professions by shmakota.
#7590 feat(UI): render bullets on Draw bullets as lines by scarf.
#7597 feat(UI): add multiple ways to control NPC followers by scarf.
#7600 feat(balance): prevent infinite bone skewer exploit via salvage/craft loop by scarf.
#7602 feat: add vehicle palettes by WishDuck.
#7609 feat: Un-Obsolete chickenbot, tripod, tankbot by scarf.
#7611 feat(lua): add hooks for creatures on the effect by NappingOcean.
#7616 feat: Mutation Threshold Tiering by RobbieNeko.
#7617 feat: extended mount movement options by shmakota.
#7618 feat: make wheels craftable by scarf.
#7622 feat: add airships, related professions and scenario by Vsevolod-Shustov.
#7624 feat: add VEH_GROUNDED profession flag by WishDuck.
#7627 feat: prevent friendly fire for adjacent allies by scarf.
#7629 feat: make NPC followers match player's movement speed by scarf.
#7632 feat(balance): add FOLDABLE to wooden plane and gyro parts by Chaosvolt.
#7633 feat: add item id support to mapgen items field by WishDuck.
#7635 feat(mods/crt_expansion): Add tiers to CRIT professions by WishDuck.
#7636 feat(balance, mods/MagicalNights): give MN classes crystalize mana spell by RobbieNeko.
#7637 feat(lua): add lua hooks for shooting and throwing by NappingOcean.
#7638 feat(lua): binding methods for pocket of monsters by NappingOcean.
#7639 feat(balance): magical nights Ring itemgroups adjustment by Fentanylreactor.
#7641 feat: make well-fed animals more productive by NappingOcean.
#7645 feat(UI): show whether monster is friendly in debug spawn menu by scarf.
#7647 feat: Add DROPPER Vehicle Part flag by WishDuck.
#7648 feat(mods): add the external option for Underground Dynamic Temperature by NappingOcean.
#7651 feat(UI): Allow selecting bionics on chargen for points by WishDuck.
#7652 feat(lua): add remaining bindings needed for Sky Island by Grayson Chao.
#7654 feat: Add bolted aluminum bat by NappingOcean.
#7657 feat(UI): add default hair for custom character generation by scarf.
#7660 feat: make NPCs fire guns at point-blank range by scarf.
#7662 feat(UI): add keybindings for message log copy/erase by scarf.
#7664 feat(balance): nerf bronze weapons by Vsevolod-Shustov.
#7665 feat(lua): add hooks for weather update/changes by NappingOcean.
#7669 feat(balance): expand on selectable bionics, assign point costs to all CBMs by Chaosvolt.
#7675 feat(lua): add bindings for item durability by NappingOcean.
#7676 feat(i18n): add Japanese translation for credits by Neko Sippo.
#7685 feat(i18n): add japanese MOTD by Neko Sippo.
#7688 feat(UI): add character preview to profession page by shmakota.
#7689 feat(UI): completely overhaul final chargen menu by WishDuck.
#7692 feat(UI): show wielded item to character preview by scarf.
#7693 feat(i18n): add japanese README.ja.md by Neko Sippo.
#7694 feat(i18n): Add missing japanese nickname and world names by Neko Sippo.
#7699 feat(mods/rpg_system): add recipe for lost system interfaces by RobbieNeko.

Fix

#7481 fix: Lamia mutation category ID uses consistent casing by Chaosvolt.
#7483 fix: do not lock user spawned / created vehicles by Reisen Usagi.
#7495 fix: make rope ladders boardable to fix board_vehicle error by WishDuck.
#7498 fix: stop NPCs from trying to bandage secondary bodyparts by Reisen Usagi.
#7509 fix: skip vehicle movement in sleep is now default off by WishDuck.
#7515 fix: only enable sleep perf options when sleeping/not driving by scarf.
#7521 fix: resolve #7412 merge conflicts by Reisen Usagi.
#7523 fix: set vehicle faction ownership on spawning, when applicable by Reisen Usagi.
#7528 fix(UI): Worn clothing conflicts to be displayed on all pages of + menu by Mikhail Krutov.
#7530 fix: ensure items are falling when dropped from roofs or flying vehicles by scarf.
#7531 fix(mods/rpg_system): skill display issues by scarf.
#7532 fix: e-ink tablet now uses 10 charges per book scanned by scarf.
#7534 fix: remove smoke effects from .44 smokeless paper rounds by scarf.
#7535 fix: make huge mana crystals mineable by scarf.
#7536 fix: allow xlframe as component for foldframe recipe by scarf.
#7540 fix: ankle sheath can now be used with hooves by WishDuck.
#7543 fix(i18n): translate unread book recipes by scarf.
#7547 fix: Smartwatch typo by Pie-Pinkerton.
#7570 fix: large space heater furniture uses correct sprite by scarf.
#7572 fix(UI): simplify passive CBM examination instructions by scarf.
#7576 fix(mods/MagicalNights): remove 9x18 from m47a1 ammo by RobbieNeko.
#7579 fix(i18n,lua): make lua i18n extraction work by scarf.
#7580 fix(mods/rpg_system,i18n): make mod translatable by scarf.
#7583 fix(UI): prevent ledge prompt & sinking when walking off a ladder by scarf.
#7585 fix: use explicit integer types for LUNA_DOC primitives by Reisen Usagi.
#7588 fix: temporal anomaly cost, profession changes by shmakota.
#7608 fix(mods/rpg_system): make RPG System mod strings translatable by scarf.
#7613 fix: resolve item_counter / countdown issues introduced in #7365 by Reisen Usagi.
#7619 fix: make onboard chemistry lab able to heat food by scarf.
#7628 fix(i18n): make pot extraction work again by scarf.
#7630 fix: remove traces of 4.6mm ammo from main game by Vsevolod-Shustov.
#7634 fix: add missing SPEARS weapon category to stone spear by NappingOcean.
#7656 fix: always spawn mission items by scarf.
#7659 fix: cancel activity before control swap by scarf.
#7670 fix(UI): fix bionics that require other bionics in chargen by WishDuck.
#7671 fix: actually check player energy for USE_PLAYER_ENERGY by RobbieNeko.
#7679 fix(UI): add selected bionics to character preview by WishDuck.
#7687 fix: remove 5.7mm ammo reference from bandolier by Vsevolod-Shustov.
#7701 fix: take account of cataclysmbnteam -> cataclysmbn org name changes by scarf.
#7704 fix: make microcentrifuges craftable by scarf.

Chore

#7480 chore(UI): do not show debugmsg prompts for disabled log levels by Reisen Usagi.
#7533 chore: migrate to AGENTS.md by scarf.
#7598 chore: foot-long -> 30cm-long on monomolecular blade by scarf.
#7698 chore: Add notice to /data/mods to not put 3rd party mods there by RobbieNeko.

Docs

#7386 docs(lua): Improve Lua documentation generation by Reisen Usagi.
#7497 docs: fix broken /en/ paths by scarf.
#7604 docs: Add First Day Guide by RobbieNeko.
#7607 docs(lua): more information for hooks by NappingOcean.
#7610 docs: Fix Ubuntu/Debian package version numbers in README by Vorpal Void.
#7623 docs: update help section for modern gameplay by Chorus System.
#7625 docs: Update Readme.md to include mod registry by RoyalFox.
#7640 docs: update links to BN Item Guide by Edward.
#7677 docs: corrected links to BN Guide by ushkinaz.
#7680 docs: add AI-translated pages by scarf.
#7683 docs: sync transifex language list with current status by Neko Sippo.

Build

#7621 build: enable non-finite math to support INFINITY by scarf.
#7666 build(lua): fix MSVC linker error by scarf.
#7678 build: share ccache cache across git worktrees by scarf.
#7684 build: revert Windows default config dir to current directory by scarf.
#7690 build: fix build warnings by scarf.

Ci

#7567 ci: track catalua*.{cpp,h} files for lua label by scarf.
#7599 ci(i18n): push templates when main is updated by scarf.
#7603 ci: reusable workflow & migrate linux distribution to cmake by scarf.
#7620 ci: fully migrate to cmake + ccache by scarf.
#7655 ci: properly load ccache on PR by scarf.

Refactor

#7571 refactor(lua): rename on_char_death to on_character_death by scarf.
#7626 refactor: simplify vehicle JSON parts by WishDuck.

Perf

#7412 perf!: Rework renderer to use dynamic atlas for sprite tiles by Reisen Usagi.
#7494 perf: options to stop some actions while the player is sleeping by WishDuck.
#7551 perf: fix excessive reset_encumbrance calls due to uncleared check_encumbrance flag by kabby.
#7561 perf(UI): add maximum rendered explosions per turn option by scarf.

How to help:

https://docs.cataclysmbn.org/contribute/contributing/

Translations! https://www.transifex.com/bn-team/cataclysm-bright-nights/
Contributing via code changes.
Contributing via JSON changes. Yes, we need modders and content makers help.
Contributing via rebalancing content.
Reporting bugs. Including ones inherited from DDA.
Identifying problems that aren't bugs. Misleading descriptions, values that are clearly off compared to similar cases, grammar mistakes, UI wonkiness that has an obvious solution.
Making useless things useful or putting them on a blacklist. Adding deconstruction recipes for things that should have them but don't, replacing completely redundant items with their generic versions (say, "tiny marked bottle" with just "tiny bottle") in spawn lists.
Tileset work. We're occasionally adding new objects, like the new electric grid elements, and they could use new tiles.
Balance analysis. Those should be rather in depth or "obviously correct". Obviously correct would be things like: "weapon x has strictly better stats than y, but y requires rarer components and has otherwise identical requirements".
Identifying performance bottlenecks with a profiler.
Code quality help.

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/dudemanlikedude • 22h ago

[Discussion] Visual: .50 BMG -> .300 Win Mag -> .308 Winchester -> 7.62 -> 5.56 -> .22

20 Upvotes

2 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Previous-Ad2465 • 1d ago

[Discussion] I feel like I've barely scratched the surface.

10 Upvotes

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN SHOOT DEATH LASERS.

THE MOST VEHICLE CRAFTING IVE DONE IS STICK AN FOOT CRANK IN A WHEEL BARROW.

8 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Dryym • 1d ago

[Discussion] Does anyone else feel the same way?

17 Upvotes

So, I want to preface this by saying that this is by no means a DDA better post. I decided to try out BN for my recent Cataclysm phase explicitly because of grievances with aspects of the direction that DDA has been taken in which can't really be modded away. Honestly, The reason it's taken so long for me to try BN out is unironically because of the features it has advertised *not* having. Pockets, Proficiencies, Etc. Which I will expand upon later.

To give a little bit of background, I am not even, Like, A super experienced Cataclysm player. I play the game for a while a couple times a year when I get the itch and my experience usually amounts to me just sorta doing a usual survival loop of finding a vehicle, Going and looting towns, And continuing with a fairly careful style of play. But I haven't really engaged with any serious endgame content before. My past experiences have been such that usually, Even having a gun with enough ammo for it to not be an emergency weapon of last resort is a luxury. And I've liked that gameplay loop. Even without having gone into the depths of bionics or mutations or whatever else.

So I go into BN, Default settings, Playing a fairly standard survival start character. Bumping strength, Dex, And int a bit, Taking nearsighted, And a few food allergies in order to get a few perks, Nothing really all *that* crazy.

I died a few times fairly early on because I still needed to get back into the groove of things and I made some dumb decisions. This *is* still Cataclysm after all. However the run I have been playing for the past few days started with an immediate drug deal that gave me an uzi with quite a bit of ammo. And as it continued, Within the first ingame week, I had gotten all my food needs settled (This is, Admittedly, Not BN's fault. I was playing with Magical Nights, And killed a bulette that attacked me by magdumping into it a few times and then smoked the meat. So this could have also happened in DDA.), Had set up a refrigerator because the evac shelter has a grid set up, And most importantly, I found a fully working cargo truck, APC, And *tank*.

Things sorta spiraled from there. I am not going to deny that this has been fun. Largely because rolling over hoards of zombies in a tank to clear the road in order for me to get diesel from the singular gas station I have seen on the map which happens to be across the street from the mi-go mom and pop shop set up next to the doctor's office and tire store is actually peak fun.

At the same time though, The game sorta just feels absurdly easy to me compared to what I am used to. I went and cleared a lab and was thinking to myself that I could have gotten a tenth of the loot within it and it would have still been worth it because I now have more guns, Ammo, Chemicals, High level skill books, Etc. than I know what to do with. And aside from the very last level, There wasn't really anything all that threatening. And the things that were threatening were only threatening because I ran out of battery on my laser rifle and had to retreat.

I fully understand that I can configure things in the world settings to be harder. But that's where we get into the other things that are leaving me conflicted.

So, As mentioned. I *actively* enjoy the pockets system. I like the organizational aspect of being able to set up self contained kits of things I will need and be able to easily swap out whole sets of items. I like the fact that in a pinch I can drop my backpack in order to free up encumbrance without it also spilling all my items onto the ground. I like the fact that I can just ration my pills so that I take a set amount with me on an excursion and have a good idea when to come back. Etc. Etc. I can understand why people aren't a fan of this gameplay, And I don't think lesser of those people in any way. I am just explaining why I personally actively enjoy it. Additionally, Proficiencies are also enjoyable to me because they give me things to practice in situations where I can't do much else because I am healing or just waiting to get tired and go to sleep or whatever else.

These are engine level things and so I can't exactly mod or config them back in like I can with the broader difficulty.

So at this point some people might be asking why not just move back to DDA? Well, For one, Again, There's aspects of DDA's direction that I am not really a huge fan of, And aspects of BN's that I really really enjoy. Being able to drive a vehicle and not get totaled by a bush, For example. But the bigger thing that draws me in is moddability. DDA's EOC system allows for a lot, Yes. It is quite flexible. But it is also a pain to work with IMO. BN has Lua and while it is missing some features which are fairly critical to mod projects I have worked on for DDA (My playable mi-go mod uses a feature which allows a trait to make you look like any arbitrary tile.), It overall has more capabilities on account of Lua just being capable of things that EOCs are not. Lua is unironically the part that has me so conflicted.

If you're still with me after all of this, Know that I think BN is fun, And do not think it's a bad game at all. I have enjoyed this, But I guess I am just wondering if I am alone in wishing I could have something closer to modern DDA without the questionable engine level changes and with Lua, And if there is any hope at all for me here?

33 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Unlikely-Vanilla-256 • 1d ago

[Discussion] Mutations

7 Upvotes

Well, how do they work? I know that it depends on the type of mutagen you take, but what determines which specific one you get, and whatever or not it is a bad mutation? And how mutating from contaminated food works as well?

5 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/spectrinum • 2d ago

[Help Wanted] Sailboat

8 Upvotes

Whilst conoeing about in a lake I found a sailboat. I want to commandeer it for myself however when i climb into the seat it prompts me to hotwire it (it only has a sail and no engine). when I do so the time passes as my character does so but when its finished i only get the line 'its always the redwire, isnt it?' without the ability to control it. like when i press the key to move forward my character just moves off the seat and when i climb back to the seat it just gives me the same prompt. What am I doing wrong? ;_;

The only mod I'm using is Arcana.

4 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Proxiehunter • 3d ago

[Discussion] A fungus amongus

7 Upvotes

Been ages since I had to deal with the Mycus but I started a new world yesterday and to my evac shelter's south west just on the edge of the map is a fungal tower. And fungaloids have already made it north of the evac shelter.

Last time I dealt with them was years ago I think and in DDA rather than Bright Nights if I recall so I don't know how much of what little I do remember is still relevant. I'm sure it hasn't changed that the answer to them is to either burn them out, move, or eat the delicious berries seeds and sap.

My main issue is remembering how to not get a fungal infection that will ruin my whole run. Is a gas mask enough or do I need full body environmental protection? How much environmental protection? With the addition of functional showers can I take a shower to help prevent infection if I've been dusted?

4 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Feliks_Mikovich • 4d ago

[Help Wanted] Do shields block ranged attacks?

8 Upvotes

So I imagine a huge ballistic shield would help with pushing bandits that are in defensive positions, but nowhere could I see any concrete stats. The ballistic shield offers 90% coverage for the arm it's strapped on... and "high blocking ability". Log messages about ranged attacks going right through the shield would suggest that they are indeed used to block them, but I wish to know how much shots this thing will actually block, and if it does that uniformly for all bodyparts.

4 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/runedeadthA • 5d ago

[Mod] My new mod PCBMs is released

27 Upvotes

The mod adds "Permanent CBMs" aka bionics that act like a mutation path, complete with a "threshold" upgrade. You can mix and match from a couple options at each step~

You can get it here: https://github.com/ohshidead/Permanent-CBM-mod

Note: Not exactly compatible with other mutation mods at the mo, but I'll try sort that out in the coming days. (The incompatibility will just either A. Let you have mutations on top of the mod ones you shouldn't B. Crash if you mutate in a certain way. Manageable if you are careful or dont mind being OP.)

0 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/The_Headless_Unicorn • 4d ago

[Help Wanted] cataclysm crashing... any solutions

0 Upvotes

Hi, new player here, I downloaded CBN via software manager flatpak on my linux mint machine of doom (patent pending) and this is the crash log:

The program has crashed.

See the log file for a stack trace.

CRASH LOG FILE: /home/me/.var/app/org.cataclysmbn.CataclysmBN/config/cataclysm-bn/crash.log

VERSION: e7b4976 (2011-11-11)

TYPE: Signal

MESSAGE: SIGABRT: Abnormal terminationError creating SDL message box:

STACK TRACE:

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x3abbf00) [0x5ca61b4adf00]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x3a8da73) [0x5ca61b47fa73]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x3a8d656) [0x5ca61b47f656]

/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6(+0x42770) [0x735566442770]

/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6(+0x9df3c) [0x73556649df3c]

/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6(gsignal+0x1e) [0x73556644264e]

/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6(abort+0x26) [0x7355664299f8]

/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6(+0xb9c00) [0x7355668b9c00]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x4a6d83a) [0x5ca61c45f83a]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x48311c6) [0x5ca61c2231c6]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x48313e5) [0x5ca61c2233e5]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x482cf09) [0x5ca61c21ef09]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x4816a85) [0x5ca61c208a85]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x4810be4) [0x5ca61c202be4]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x480d810) [0x5ca61c1ff810]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x480d4b4) [0x5ca61c1ff4b4]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x480da96) [0x5ca61c1ffa96]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x48cfbd5) [0x5ca61c2c1bd5]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x4b97d80) [0x5ca61c589d80]

cataclysm-bn-tiles(+0x3cab80c) [0x5ca61b69d80c]

Attempting to repeat stack trace using debug symbols…

sh: line 1: addr2line: command not found

backtrace: addr2line failed

Is there anything I can do to fix it? is it a known linux issue? ~~Is my toaster the cause of Cataclysm????~~

4 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Zuboskalik • 6d ago

[Mod] Looking for testers for the BN co-op mod

41 Upvotes

I found a similar multiplayer mod for the DDA version a while ago, but since I enjoy Cata BN a lot more, I decided to port it. Turns out the BN engine is quite different under the hood, so there is still a lot of refactoring and updating to do.

I'm currently testing solo by running two game instances, which gets pretty tedious. Any feedback would be a huge help if you and a friend want to try it out. Feel free to leave bug reports or thoughts in the comments here or on GitHub or mod ds channel if you want to.

There are still plenty of bugs and known issues (I've listed them in the patch notes).

Latest release atm (only windows-tiles-x64 version for now):
https://github.com/Zuboskalik/Cataclysm-BN-coop/releases

1 comment

r/cataclysmbn • u/Glad-Ad9708 • 6d ago

[Bug] Im trying to boot up a world with mods. But arcana doesn't work. It says nothing throws me back to main screen when i press custom character on a world with arcana. There are other mod compatibility issues too but i don't know how to start fixing it

3 Upvotes

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Feliks_Mikovich • 6d ago

[Help Wanted] Bulk seed production options?

8 Upvotes

5 minutes to craft one food item into seeds gets kinda insane when I try to run a huge farm. Nothing shows up in crafting menu, or on cbn guide, but maybe there is an option I'm not seeing? Surely there must be a seed separating implement somewhere.

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/charmingwolverine • 7d ago

[Mod] Innawood Basic Chemistry Set, without glass

9 Upvotes

Hey folks, I made a tiny mod to add clay jars as an option for crafting basic chemistry sets. I couldn't find any cabins or anything to break windows for glass shards, and the tool needs glass to craft it.

It needs MST and Cheesy's innawoods fixes but I assume if you're doing an innawood run you're also running those.

Get it here:
https://github.com/justricky21/Clay-Chemistry-Set-for-Bright-Nights/releases/tag/2026-10-08

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Chaosvolt • 9d ago

[Discussion] Pending Bright Nights update: remote vehicle controller will be able to view installed cameras, allowing for pilotable drones.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

82 Upvotes

Felt like sharing fun thing I was tinkering with.

Combine with the bomb bay and one can of course drop explosives on zeds remotely...

9 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/incessant-rattling • 9d ago

[Meme] How it Feels to Play Tae Kwon Do (sometimes)

gallery

31 Upvotes

5 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/LetOk8476 • 9d ago

[Story] I Butchered a Human Body and Now I'm Being Tormented by Visions of the Damned

gallery

15 Upvotes

Just started playing this game about a week ago, and am finally getting the hang of it. Though, In a moment of desperation far from base, I butchered a fresh human corpse I found, but when I was boiling their stomach over my camp stove, I was suddenly sat upon by a homunculus and other monsters I'd never seen before who would suddenly disappear in combat, and the status effect "being watched."

I didn't know hallucinations were even a thing in this game, so I drove back across the map utterly terrified, and have spent the hours since drinking and getting high in a desperate attempt to quell my guilty conscience.

2 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/XXxxxadisxxxXX • 9d ago

[Story] Survivor Notes Spoiler

35 Upvotes

I think someones been doing some work on the survivor notes. I don't remember seeing this one before. It's good to see folks adding to the lore. This one is more funny than a real lore thing, but still it's good to add in more.

I wish they would spawn in more relevant locals though. This one spawned in somebodies filing cabinet in just a normal house. It would be freaking awesome if the devs added some locals you can run across that relate to the notes and the notes spawn nearby. Environmental storytelling is usually good!

2 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Feliks_Mikovich • 9d ago

[Help Wanted] Catapult launcher not showing latest nightly?

5 Upvotes

This is the second time this happens, on some days catapult just won't display the latest nightly build to download. Well, in the log it says that launcher requested 9 releases, instead of usual 10, missing the newest one of course.
Anyone else ran into this? Anything can be done?

3 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Physical_Piano_9423 • 11d ago

[Story] BN is very fun

gallery

26 Upvotes

Ye that's it, but jesus Christ my characters have suffered a LOT.

0 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Stenchers • 11d ago

[Bug] A weird bug with mutagenic toxins

gallery

10 Upvotes

Hello. I started in the Mi-Go camp. Everything was fine for the first two weeks of survival, but then, for no apparent reason, mutagenic toxins started accumulating in my body, even though my radiation levels were always stable at zero. I tried removing the mutation effects directly through the debug menu and lowering the mutagenic toxins to zero, but it didn't help. The effect was only temporary, after which the toxins continued to accumulate. Using a purifier also only helps temporarily. This has been going on for almost two weeks now. Is this a bug, or am I missing something because I'm relatively new to the game? Can anyone help me with this? The game version is 0.13. I play through the Dabdoob launcher without mods (except those installed by default).

17 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Feliks_Mikovich • 11d ago

[Help Wanted] Improving vehicle turret accuracy?

6 Upvotes

So I'm not hitting humans from 30-40 tiles away with my mounted browning M2, manually operated from simple turret mount. Turret aiming is pretty weird, it's basically first time I'm doing it, there's no "steadiness bar" so I assume it's always maximum steady.... or not, I guess. So what can I do to improve accuracy? I attached a sniper scope to the machinegun, but it detached itself the moment I mounted it on the turret. Laser aiming module from a fighter plane says it's only working with remotely controlled turrets. My only guess so far is that I could switch simple turret mount for a normal one.

2 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Enoeraew33 • 13d ago

[Help Wanted] option to turn on corpse smashing?

5 Upvotes

Is there a way to turn the requirement to smash corpses back on?

10 comments

r/cataclysmbn • u/Lukelolman12 • 13d ago

[Discussion] I managed to run away from the city (almost got cornered) and found this water tower pretty far away from it. Should I make my base here? Also, it have TONS of water

gallery

18 Upvotes

7 comments

Subreddit

Cataclysm: Bright Nights

r/cataclysmbn

Cataclysm: Bright Nights is an open source fork of Cataclysm (and Dark Days Ahead); a post-apocalyptic survival rogue-like that tests players to eke a supplies to survive against an onslaught of undead, eldritch abominations and more. Bright Nights emphasizes game balance and interesting combat with heavier sci-fi aspects.

Members Active

4.3k

Sidebar

Cataclysm: Bright Nights, or C:BN, is an open source fork of Cataclysm (and Dark Days Ahead); a post-apocalyptic survival rogue-like that tests players to eke a supplies to survive against an onslaught of undead, eldritch abominations and more. Bright Nights emphasizes game balance and interesting combat with heavier sci-fi aspects.

Official Links

Useful Links

UDP-Tileset Discord
Game Launchers
- ^{^NEW} Catapult
- Linux
- Windows
References
- ^{^NEW} Hitchhiker's Guide
- Item Browser
- Item Finder
- Skill/Stat Code Breakdown

Other Projects

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

	Flair Filters
	Community
Announcement	Changelog	Discussion

	Creative
Idea	Meme	Mod

	Miscellaneous
Bug	Fixed	Help Wanted
	Solved

	Popular Addons
	Arcana