'Friday the 13th' uploads a new patch that changes online gameplay

Promotional photo from the "Friday the 13th" Steam page Steam

Online multiplayer horror game "Friday the 13th" recently made some changes to its online gameplay.

On Jan. 30, the developers released a brand-new patch for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The patch made some significant changes to the core game, adding a new map location for counselors to run around in, a new Jason for players to play as and run away from, and several other in-game mechanics that aim to help balance competitive play between Jason and the camp counsellors.

According to the patch notes on Steam, here are the changes that were applied to the game on Jan. 30.

Pocket knives and medical sprays will now spawn less often, making it more difficult for camp counsellors to find and equip these items. While this change will make them more vulnerable to Jason's attacks, it will also ensure that players use carefully what items they do manage to find.

Aside from making items harder to find, Jason is also given a few tweaks. While the counsellors will receive fewer knives, Jason will start out with two extra throwing knives, and the range of his grabs and hits is also expanded. Aside from that, Jason now moves faster.

Bugs involving the game's environment are also fixed.

According to the patch notes, the developers also tweaked some of the map locations that they felt players are exploiting in-game. The developers also shuffled the items around so the fuse box and phone never spawn in the same room, making it more difficult for players to call for help or leave Camp Crystal Lake.

The online multiplayer adaptation of the "Friday the 13th" franchise was released in May of 2017. Developed by IIIFonic and published by Gun Media, the game received mostly positive reviews from video game distribution website Steam. However, since its release, there have been some complaints about cheaters and unbalanced gameplay, but for the most part, people have been enjoying the Camp Crystal Lake experience.

News
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

The 78-year-old Catholic and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper was convicted in December on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious articles.

Archbishop Mullally uses maiden presidential address to re-commit to better safeguarding standards
Archbishop Mullally uses maiden presidential address to re-commit to better safeguarding standards

Dame Sarah Mullally has used her maiden presidential address to Synod as Archbishop of Canterbury to lament the Church of England's past failings on safeguarding and double down on raising standards. 

Cuban bishops warn oil sanctions could deepen hardship and unrest
Cuban bishops warn oil sanctions could deepen hardship and unrest

The message, read in Catholic parishes nationwide, warned that further pressure on fuel access would fall most heavily on vulnerable families already struggling to survive.

Turkey taken to task over Christians banned from the country
Turkey taken to task over Christians banned from the country

Foreign pastors are often labelled "national security" threats.