v18.0 alpha release note (#19)

* v18.0 release note

Author: nullsystem

src/blog/2025-08-27/index.md

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+title: Alpha v18.0 Release Notes - NextBot bots, various improvements and fixes
+summary: Release notes for Neotokyo; Rebuild Alpha v18
+author(s): nullsystem
+
+
+# Alpha v18.0 Release Note - NextBot bots, various improvements and fixes
+2025-08-27 nullsystem
+
+* [Download v18.0-alpha build](https://github.com/NeotokyoRebuild/neo/releases/tag/v18.0-alpha)
+* [Install NT;RE (client)](/guide/install/)
+* [GitHub Issues (Bug reports and feature requests)](https://github.com/NeotokyoRebuild/neo/issues)
+
+## NextBot bots
+[NextBot](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/NextBot) bots are now ported over to NT;RE! 
+They are fairly basic now just going towards the ghost in CTG mode, but otherwise
+better to play against than the old bots.
+There are also additional features for the bots that have been added on top of the initial port:
+
+* Thermoptic and combat behaviors
+* Smoke blocks bots' line of sight
+* Running/sprinting
+* Aim when shooting
+* Automatic lean
+* Follows and assists the ghoster when near
+* Defend or attack the cap zones
+
+## Gameplay changes/fixes
+* Silent walking
+* Crosshair is now networked, you can see other players' crosshair
+* Improve handling of player sprays:
+    * Allow sprays during freezetime
+    * Prevent spray impulse if the client disabled sprays
+    * Delete custom downloaded sprays on both startup and shutdown
+* Ghost boundary - Brush entity to prevent the ghost from being unplayable, will teleport back where the player was last touching the ground
+* Changed `mp_forcecamera` default value to 0
+* Revert `MAX_PLAYERS` define from 101 to 33
+* Change `mp_mapcycle_empty_timeout_seconds` from 0 to 1800 seconds (30 minutes)
+* Class/team selection menu fixes
+* Fix immediate spawning (which prevents picking a class)
+* Make viewmodel not bump with invisible player clips
+* Recon super jump parity to OG:NT
+* Fix random objects being hot in thermal vision
+* Muzzle flash fixes/changes
+* Supa reload while sprinting
+* Fix weapons dropped appearing pitch black
+
+## HUD changes
+* HUD elements ignore texture size
+* New killer damage HUD, replacing the previous text-only menu
+* Linux - Fixed kill feed font
+* Don't draw smoke fog overlay when using spectator xray
+
+## Main menu UI changes
+* NeoUI - Added clipboard, selection, and free mouse cursor
+* NeoUI - Add right-alignment label/button text support
+* Main menu easing
+* Revert NeoUI mouse handling change, `-tools` will now instead load up legacy main menu
+* Fix UI binding bugs
+* Fix keybinds array being too short
+* NeoUI refactor and add vertical per row-cell layouting
+* Mouse rollover change
+* Fix crash in NeoUI root doing specific actions
+
+## New convars
+* Add `neo_restart_this` convar, instant version of `mp_restartgame`
+* Add `neo_ctg_ghost_beacons_when_inactive` convar, show ghost beacons when ghost isn't the active weapon
+
+## General fixes/changes
+* MP3 player
+* Removed `autoexec.cfg` and revert `snd_async_fullyasync` to 0
+* Spawn players on joining game team or make them spectate
+* Source code cleanups
+* Keybind support for `neo_message`
+* Fix missing sounds the console warns about
+* Fix leech sounds playing when they shouldn't
+* Fix ammo UI buffer overrun which was causing a crash
+* Show hints available in settings menu
+
+## Mapping
+* Add `neo_type_converter` entity, lets you convert between parameter types
+* `ent_fire player refillammo` to refill a player's clip for mapping/debugging purposes
+
+## Documentation
+* Fixed incorrect container paths in README documentation
+* Document Linux filename font issue
+