/godot-version-migration

Migration notes: godot-genre-horror

Incremental upgrade for topics this skill covers. Apply one hop, stabilize/test, then next. Never skip hops.

If the project is < 4.0, follow godot-version-migration era bridges (legacy → 3→4) until 4.0, then these hops. Official 3→4: Upgrading from Godot 3 to Godot 4.

4.0 → 4.1

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.1

• RenderingServer.global_shader_parameter_get_list / RD shader version lists return Array[StringName].
• RenderingDevice.draw_list_begin storage_textures typed as Array[RID].

4.1 → 4.2

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.2

• Mesh format upgrade — use Project → Tools → Upgrade Mesh Surfaces; Restart & Upgrade prevents downgrade.
• ImporterMesh/MeshDataTool/SurfaceTool compression flag widths → uint64.
• RenderingDevice BarrierMask enum values changed.

4.2 → 4.3

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.3

• If the genre uses TileMap, migrate to TileMapLayer nodes before relying on layer APIs.
• If the genre ships multiplayer, upgrade all peers to 4.3 together (SceneMultiplayer protocol).
• Reverse Z depth — update custom horror shaders (fog volumes, flashlight cones, post stacks).
• Decal modulate converted sRGB→linear — blood decals and grime overlays may look darker.
• AudioStreamPlaybackPolyphonic.play_stream gains playback_type and bus optionals.
• RenderingDevice barrier/draw_list API simplified (post_barrier params removed).

4.3 → 4.4

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.4

• RenderingDevice.draw_list_begin signature overhauled (params removed + breadcrumb).
• Shader default texture parameter types use Texture / TextureLayered.
• VisualShaderNodeVec4Constant input type → Vector4 — recreate constants in flashlight/flicker graphs.

4.4 → 4.5

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.5

• RenderingServer.instance_reset_physics_interpolation / instance_set_interpolated removed — retune camera/light flicker that relied on manual interpolation resets.

4.5 → 4.6

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.6

• Retune Environment glow/fog if the genre leans on bloom-heavy looks.
• Glow default blend Screen (brighter) — retune Environment glow; Mobile glow rewrite looks different.
• Volumetric fog blending brighter — reduce density/energy in haunted corridors.
• New Windows projects default D3D12 driver.
• Sky reflection roughness_layers default 7 (was 8).

4.6 → 4.7

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.7

• Confirm project stretch mode and AudioStreamPlayer.area_mask after opening in 4.7.
• AudioStreamPlayer.area_mask default is 0 (disabled), was layer 1 — set mask explicitly for zone-attached ambience and stingers.
• AudioEffectSpectrumAnalyzer.tap_back_pos removed — migrate tension visualizers tied to spectrum analysis.
• Prefer AreaLight3D for flickering panels, TV glow, and rectangular soft shadows without GI hacks.
• Texture2D.get_format() unified on base class — use when tuning compressed horror texture pipelines.
• LinearToSRGB visual shader no longer clamps [0,1] on Mobile/Forward+ — recheck crushed shadow grades.