Every GROUND BRANCH update since V1.0 (July 16, 2026): the launch build's new campaign, AI and armor systems, three hotfixes, and the post-launch roadmap.
Ground Branch Updates — V1.0, Hotfixes & 2026 Roadmap
GROUND BRANCH left eight years of Early Access behind on July 16, 2026 with V1.0 — then kept moving. Three hotfixes followed within two weeks, and the developers published a roadmap running through winter 2026/2027. This is the complete update log since launch: what V1.0 changed, what each hotfix fixed, and exactly what is coming next.
Here's what you'll learn:
- What the V1.0 launch build added (campaign Prologue, AI rework, armor, doors, Extraction)
- The three post-launch hotfixes (disk size, DX12 crash, VOIP fixes) and their patch notes
- The official roadmap: campaign chapters V1.1.0–V1.1.2 and the V1.2.0 Multiplayer Update
- Known issues still outstanding at launch and which hotfixes addressed them
Official resources: V1.0 release notes (Build #064) · Intel Report #032 — roadmap · Steam store page
GROUND BRANCH V1.0 (Build #064) — July 16, 2026
V1.0 ended the Early Access era (which began August 14, 2018 under the V1036 label) with the biggest build in the game's history. The headline features, straight from the official release notes:
Campaign — Operations and the Prologue. The campaign framework returns with a Prologue set in a new Northwest Pakistan hotspot, containing two playable operations: 01. Onyx Flame and 02. Gilded Arrow (unlocked by finishing the first). Both play in solo (lone wolf) or online co-op, with fully voiced briefings from characters John Hawk and handler "Forge." A new Ready Room at The Farm serves as the launch point for quick missions, online matches, and Prologue operations.
Enemy AI rework. Substantial behavior changes: AI now default to aiming at the pelvis (switching to the head when that is all they can see), maximum view distance doubled from 100 m to 200 m, suppression and damage response added (wounded AI flee and seek cover even without line of sight), "Defender" behavior tethers guards to their posts, morale drops when AI witness ally deaths, and retreat behavior scales with difficulty. Behavior tree nodes were migrated from Blueprint to C++.
Armor system. V1.0 introduces hard armor (ballistic plates) and soft armor (Kevlar-style). The Plate Carrier (MPC) holds 4 plates, the Plate Carrier (JPC) holds 2; each front/back plate adds 2.85 kg to your loadout and side plates add 1 kg. Helmets and the Body Armor vest stop a limited number of pistol rounds across most of their coverage. An optional Armor HUD shows plate status (white = intact, yellow = damaged, red = depleted).
Door overhaul and breaching. Locked doors can now be breached with explosive charges or by shooting out the handle. Doors got simulated physics, a reach-out interaction animation, and improved online replication — all feeding the CQB loop the game is built around.
Extraction (PvE). A new hostage-rescue style mode for solo or co-op: 2 captor AI guard a friendly hostage, their morale meter depletes when they witness or hear combat, and full depletion means execution. You interact via the Command Menu (default K) with Follow Me / Move To / Take Cover orders. Enemy count runs from 10 to 30 per map, and the mode is playable on Airbase, Compound, Hospital, Small Town, and Tanker.
Everything else in V1.0: a full locomotion overhaul (new motion capture), selectable moon phases (moonlight now casts shadows), new weapons (M500 and M500 Tactical shotguns, AK-74, AKS-74, RPK, RPK-74, and the integrally suppressed MK3 .22 LR pistol), the AN/PVS-17C MNS night scope, new maps (Border, Outpost, Airbase — a remake of 747 —, Hospital — a remake of Run Down —, plus a Creek overhaul), new character customization options, and a launch sale at 20% off.
Per the official Intel Report #032, "Hitting V1.0 does not mean the end of development… it opens the next chapter." The team committed to continued expansion through 2026 and into 2027.
V1.0 Hotfix 1 (Build #065) — July 23, 2026
The first post-launch patch focused on urgent issues:
- Disk size cut from ~100 GB to 39.4 GB — repackaging and texture work.
- DX12 launch prompt temporarily removed — DX12 mode was crashing the game. You can still force it with the
-dx12launch option, at your own risk. - New controller (gamepad) configuration implemented.
- Weapon sway reduced by ~30% (max value).
- Extremity damage tuned down — shots to non-vital body parts are less lethal.
- Kythera AI plugin crash fixed, plus AI accuracy/reaction adjustments and a fix so AI more reliably hit the torso (making body armor relevant).
- Map fixes across Outpost, Airbase, Hospital, Border, City, plus an out-of-bounds insertion fix and a broken Defuse bomb removal on Rig.
V1.0 Hotfix 2 (Build #066) — July 30, 2026
- New Dialogue volume slider (Settings > Audio) for radio calls from NPCs like Hawk and Forge.
- Door handle breaching made more forgiving (larger target zone for shooting it out).
- Soft armor rebalanced: rifle rounds penetrate Body Armor on first strike.
- Light/laser attachments now stay on when swapping inventory items (they can still be switched off).
- AI can hear each other's gunfire and alert each other to gunfire and proximity.
- Navmesh fixes on Arena and Creek, Hospital gunshot audio tails fixed, and the unreachable Defuse bomb removed from Rig.
- Fixed Team Elimination counting team kills toward score, plus a first pass on the VOIP crash and more Kythera AI crash fixes.
V1.0 Hotfix 2.5 (Build #067) — July 31, 2026
- Reverted a VOIP settings change that was causing audio to cut out.
- Fixed IR lasers/illuminators turning off on listen servers (Host Game) when the host toggles NVG.
- Fixed selector/magazine audio muting after checking your watch, and improved Check Watch / Fire Mode animation blending.
The developers noted this patch does not yet include the AI behavior tweaks promised in Hotfix 2 — those were still in the works.
Hotfix 2's notes specifically call out that some players saw improved performance (especially with PiP scopes) after verifying game files in Steam — the 100 GB → 39.4 GB repack means older installs can carry leftover or corrupted data. Right-click the game > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
The 2026 Roadmap — What Comes After V1.0
The post-launch plan, published June 30 in Intel Report #032 (dates tentative):
| Release | Content |
|---|---|
| V1.1.0 (Chapter 1) | New hotspot with 3–4 campaign missions; friendly AI reintroduced; dedicated themed Ready Room |
| V1.1.1 (Chapter 2) | Second campaign chapter, new hotspot + missions + features |
| V1.1.2 (Chapter 3) | Third campaign chapter, completing the campaign framework |
| V1.2.0 | Dedicated Multiplayer Update + Mod Kit (SDK) updates for maps and missions |
Each chapter brings a new hotspot with 3–4 new missions and its own themed Ready Room. The Mod Kit will not receive updates until V1.2.0 — the mods guide covers what that means for modders. Friendly AI teammates are the first chapter's marquee feature, which also matters for solo players: the Prologue currently supports lone wolf or human co-op only.
What's Still Being Worked On
The V1.0 notes listed known issues still being addressed: wrong success/defeat voice lines per team, Extraction hostages occasionally getting stuck on Tanker nav paths or slowing down, remaining weapon-handling animation issues, and an edge-case head-collision bug. The post-launch hotfix cadence (three patches in two weeks) suggests the team is actively mopping these up — check our review for how the launch build is actually holding up in the community, and our multiplayer FAQ for anything connection-related.
Steam's own patch notes: "Please use DX12 at your own discretion as it can cause the game to crash." If you crash at startup, remove the -dx12 launch option — DX11 is the stable default.
FAQ
What did the GROUND BRANCH 1.0 update add?
V1.0 (July 16, 2026) added the Operations campaign Prologue (Onyx Flame + Gilded Arrow), a major AI rework, a hard/soft armor system, locked-door breaching, the Extraction PvE mode, a locomotion overhaul, moon phases, new weapons (M500, AK-74, RPK, MK3) and maps (Border, Outpost, Airbase, Hospital), plus a new Ready Room hub.
How big is the GROUND BRANCH V1.0 download?
The original launch install was nearly 100 GB. Hotfix 1 (July 23, 2026) cut it to 39.4 GB via repackaging and texture work.
What did the GROUND BRANCH V1.0 hotfixes fix?
Hotfix 1: disk size cut to 39.4 GB, DX12 crash workaround, weapon sway -30%, extremity damage nerfs, new controller config. Hotfix 2: Dialogue slider, soft-armor penetration, AI hearing, navmesh fixes. Hotfix 2.5: VOIP audio cut-out revert, IR laser fixes.
What is the GROUND BRANCH 2026 roadmap?
Three campaign chapters (V1.1.0/V1.1.1/V1.1.2, summer 2026 → winter 2026/2027) each adding a hotspot, 3–4 missions and a Ready Room, then V1.2.0: a Multiplayer Update plus Mod Kit updates. Dates are tentative.
When is the next GROUND BRANCH update?
Chapter 1 (V1.1.0) is planned as the next major release after the hotfixes, bringing friendly AI and a new hotspot with 3–4 campaign missions. The developers also noted smaller patches between major releases are possible.
Related Guides
Last updated: August 14, 2026.
More GROUND BRANCH Guides
Ground Branch loadout guide: the loadout system, armor plates vs soft armor, encumbrance and weight, plus the best loadouts for every mission type in V1.0.
Ground Branch missions and modes: the Operations campaign Prologue, PvE quick missions, PvP modes, training areas, every map, and server mission setup.
Ground Branch has official mod support: Steam Workshop, the UE4 Mod Kit SDK, and hundreds of mods — weapons, missions, game modes. Install steps + top mods.
Ground Branch multiplayer guide: co-op and PvP modes, 16-player servers, the Ready Room, VOIP, server browser, hosting and dedicated servers with ports.
How GROUND BRANCH multiplayer works: 16-player servers, 8-player co-op, server browser (no matchmaking), joining friends, ping, and crossplay.
Ground Branch realism mechanics: no minimap, no HUD ammo, muzzle-origin ballistics, zeroing, limb damage, first aid, weapon positions and arm strength.
Ground Branch release date: V1.0 launched July 16, 2026 after 8 years of Early Access. Full EA timeline, platforms, price, and the 2026–2027 update roadmap.
Honest GROUND BRANCH review after V1.0: all-time Steam rating Very Positive (~84%), recent reviews Mostly Negative. Pros, cons, price, verdict.