While we're working on some new features we made a couple of tweaks to the bots within Axiom Labs to make them a little friendlier towards new players.
We also fixed an issue with the inner wall's refraction which caused the ball to disappear on impact from certain angles.
Version 2.33 is now available!
What's New in Version 2.33...
Axiom Labs: Weapon Bloom
Weapon what now? For those unfamiliar with the concept, weapon bloom is the term used to describe the method of simulating the effects of a weapon's recoil and the player's movement on a weapon's accuracy when fired, visualised by the expansion of the crosshair on screen.
In this version we're only taking into consideration the weapon's recoil as a modifier on the weapon's accuracy and not the player movement, though we have added sights to each weapon which will increase accuracy when used.
So how does it work?
When you fire a weapon, you'll notice the crosshair will expand briefly before contracting again. The longer or faster you fire, the wider the crosshair will get, and the less accurate your shots will become. Stop firing, and your crosshair will contract, returning your accuracy to full.
Why's it there?
We tried adding in 'true' recoil, where each shot moves the cursor up or down, but while this method is used by games like CS, it's maybe a bit more hardcore than what we're looking for. Bloom allows us to control the intensity of player fire without throwing your aim all over the place.
Axiom Labs: Environment Updates
We've tidied up a few surfaces and replaced the energy field with something a little less refractive as it was causing halo effects round the player and the ball. We've also updated the ball to be a little more visible against the white floor.
Version 2.32 is Now Available!
What's New in Version 2.32...
Axiom Labs: Zone 3
Thinking outside the box
What if... you could fly outside the walls?
Our thinking was this might allow the player more control of the ball and a greater sense of spatial awareness by allowing them to get behind the ball when it's at the edge, while also gaining a strategic view of your teammates positions before taking a shot.
So in Zone 3, we've done just that!
In place of the walls, we've created a transparent, rippling energy field. When the ball collides with the wall it bounces off it as normal. But, when the drone collides with the wall, it will pass straight through, allowing the player to turn and fire on the ball from outside the pitch.
We've also expanded on our physical Armory idea from 2.31 and created an area just outside the pitch on either side where you can alter your loadout mid match once inside.
To access Axiom Labs, simply...
Download the latest update
Select 'Play Online'
Select 'Create Match'
Select 'Axiom Labs' from the Arena options.
Hit 'Create Match'
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Version 2.31 is now available!
What's new in Version 2.31...
Axiom Labs: Weapon Loadouts
SMG and a Pistol? Shotgun and an Assault Rifle? Whatever your preference, we've added the ability to easily swap out your primary and secondary weapons to customise your own loadout. Loadouts can be changed at any time during a match by entering the Armory zone and hitting 'B' on the keyboard. There are currently 6 guns to choose from, but our aim is to try playing soccer with as many weapon types as possible, so get those suggestions in!
Known Issues
The player cannot interact with the Weapon Loadout screen until they have clicked once to bring it to focus.
The previous version of the default weapon crosshair will be shown until the player switches weapon.
Version 2.30 is now available!
What's New in v2.30...
AI Weapon Updates
In a terrifying move towards a Skynet inspired dystopian future, the bots can now use the new hitscan weapons and ammo pick ups.
We've also added more behaviours to help them pull the ball away from the walls and out of the corners. Their accuracy is still a little OP, but we're looking to add bloom accuracy modifiers to the player weapons which should allow us to control the bot accuracy more effectively than their original system.
Version 2.29 is now available!
What's Changed in Version 2.29...
Tweaks & Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue which allowed players to visibly pick up ammo when their ammo was full.
Added a "Max Ammo" message when trying to pick up ammo when full
Fixed an issue causing accuracy to show as 0% for hitscan weapons
Added Reload [R] and Weapon slot 3 [3] to options menu
Added auto reload when picking up ammo when empty
Version 2.28 is now available!
What's New in Version 2.28...
Axiom Labs: A New Hope Weapon System
Over the last couple of weeks Neal has been putting together a new weapon system in Axiom Labs that allows us to more easily create and modify new weapon types for us to experiment with.
Until today the game has only fired projectiles at the ball - whereby the drone fires a physical object which has to travel through the air and physically collide with the ball. This method is trickier as the player has to account for the speed, distance and trajectory of the ball, the speed of the projectile and their own movement and speed when going to fire.
So we wanted to see what the game was like if we were to play using hitscan weapons, the method used by most shooters. Hitscan provides an instant hit wherever you aim your crosshair, so should in theory make it easier to hit and control the ball.
For this release, we've replaced both the primary and secondary weapons within Axiom Labs with 3 new hitscan variants - a single shot Rifle [1], an automatic SMG [2] and a Shotgun [3]. For controller you can cycle using Y or Triangle.
Ammo and Ammo Pick Ups
As part of our weapon system we also wanted to try adding expendable ammo alongside the ability to reload [R] / [X/Circle] using ammo pickups. There are currently 4 ammo spawn points on the pitch.
Accessing Axiom Labs
To access Axiom Labs, simply...
Hit Play
Select "Create Match"
Switch the arena to "Axiom Labs"
Hit "Create"
Front End Music
Although we've not been focusing on the front end experience just yet, we got an amazing surprise during the week when the incredibly talented KXYLI created us a track to replace the outdated number we've been listening to for a while.
Check out KXYLI's stunning track 'Doctor' on Spotify and give her a follow to hear her upcoming releases!
Known Issues
There's still a couple of bugs and improvements we need to sort with this release, but let us know if you spot anything else...
Players can still pick up ammo boxes when at maximum capacity.
Some players are unable to Reload using 'R' or change weapon using '3'. If this happens, you can fix it by opening up the Control Options and clicking "Reset to Default".
The match stats show 0% for accuracy
The control Options need to updated to include 'R' for Reload
That's all for now! We'll be trying out some new weapon types and ball physics in the coming weeks, so check back soon for more updates!
Have a great weekend!
Malcolm. Neal, Eilidh and Peter
Version 2.27 is now available!
What's New in Version 2.27...
Axiom Lab Tweaks
While we're busy working on a new weapon system and redefining the laws of physics, we've made a few tweaks to the new Axiom Lab arena this week. The ball material has been updated to respond to player hits with an orange or blue glow, and changed the skin itself to read a little better. We've also bathed the arena in neon and removed the spotlight effect which was a bit too distracting.
Bot Improvements
We continue to improve our bots' ability to offer a competitive experience with new logic to make use of Dash and strafe to better position themselves behind the ball.
Version 2.26 is now available!
What's new in version 2.26...
Axiom Labs
Axiom Labs is a new map created to test new features and changes that we're making to the game. It's designed to be a bit of a holo-deck blank canvas so that we can quickly and easily make changes to things like the pitch, dimensions, obstacles, game modes, vehicles etc. without having to spend months updating models and textures.
In this version we're specifically testing changes to the pitch size - it's now double the width and length of the original. We're interested in whether increasing the space around the player creates more opportunities for the player to dribble and pass the ball, or if you just spend all your time feeling like things are too far away.
We've kept everything else the same - so your drone speed, shot range and ball physics are all as they were, just in a bigger space.
How do I find Axiom Labs?
Launch Axiom Soccer
Select Play
Select Create Match
Change Arena to Axiom Labs
Hit Create!
AI Behaviours
The bots are now able to orbit around the ball and use their shield to defend the goal, allowing them to chase down the ball headed for their goal and make a save. What tended to happen before was they would chase the ball, then shoot it into their own goal.
Version 2.25 is now available!
What's changed in Version 2.25...
AI Behaviours
The bots hadn't seen much love in a while, so we've started updating them to make better use of our recent changes. This allows them to use the vertical space on the pitch (previously they couldn't fly), respect their teammates (they would happily shoot the ball from beneath your feet), stop scoring own goals (yeah... ) and generally be an all round better opponent!
We've still got more work to do on them, with the shield and dash behaviours being added for our next release, followed by a greater focus on adding more dynamic plays to their behaviours.
