Dead Island console patch rolling out, raising level cap

Dead Island's harsh treatment of necrotic former vacationers isn't without limit -- which is why you'll be happy to learn that the game's level cap is being raised to 60 with a new patch rolling out to consoles today.

In addition to stability and interface adjustments, developer Techland promises the patch will add several features to the tropical death-trap: weapon crates now contain "improved rewards," kicking now expends stamina (realism!) and Purna can now lug around 50 percent more ammo (realism?). Enemy levels can also be adjusted for different co-op players independently, in case you get stuck with that idiot who always goes back for the dog. You'll find the full list of adjustments after the break.

Boy, it must be nice to have access to a break once in a while. The fierce hostility aimed at pale, shambling and barely communicative humanoids on an island resort is exactly why we never feel comfortable taking a holiday.

This patch includes the following fixes:

1) Gameplay improvements

• Level cap raised to 60
• New blueprints for weapon mods added
• Infected damage reduced
• Infected no longer interrupt player attacks
• A series of improvements to subsequent playthroughs implemented:
• quest XP rewards adjusted
• XP rewards for challenges adjusted
• in subsequent playthroughs XP is awarded for all quests completed in co-op
• Purna's ammo carrying capacity increased by 50%
• Character state from a save game can now be loaded when using the Start from Chapter option
• New balancing option added: enemy levels can now be adjusted independently for each co-op player
• Players respawn with more health
• Picklock skill level required to open a lock is now clearly indicated
• Improved rewards in weapon crates
• All weapon crates now contain rewards
• Kick ability balanced, now requires stamina
• Items can now be picked up instantly; this is reflected in adjusted animations

2) Fixes and interface improvements

• Fix: players are no longer left without a weapon after dropping the equipped item and healing with a medkit.
• Fix: equipped items no longer swap mysteriously after drinking an energy drink
• Tweak: healing with medkits from inventory works better, makes smarter choices of medkits
• Fix: loot from dead enemies is now always identical for all co-op players
• Fix: Purna no longer finishes her Fury with fists equipped
• Fix: map tracking after death
• Fix: zone info in the quarantine zone (City of Moresby)
• Tweak: respawn point selection is now smarter

3) General

• Improved stability and network performance in co-op
• Quest and reward fixes implemented