Glad to tell you that next Wednesday 9/9/2020 the game will be fully released here on steam, and at the same time will be released on the Xbox one store. A month later (or so) the game will be released on the Nintendo Switch eshop.
What does this mean for you as steam user?
The final game build will be release in that mentioned day, an update will be required at your side, which contains more new levels, almost zero bugs & indeed a ton of fun. Achievements, Steam chat presence, a ton of hidden Easter eggs, finalized Fair/Unfair mode, and many many more..
Many things been added since the last update, and thanks to the console port, it helped in adding those things/features & optimizations and helped in boosting the overall quality of the game. The tests been made by Microsoft teams and Nintendo teams, for sure did benefit the steam version as well, which is amazing!!! The game after-all using the same code/logic for all platforms except for minor per platform specific features, and Microsoft & Nintendo was running full testing on the game, which means many of the aspects you've in the steam build ran into a testing similar to the AAA games already!!
The game price will be changed (effective from this week) which means only the Early access users were able to get the game in the downsized price (1/2 the final price) which is fair for you/them, you did help the game & played it while it was broken, and it was fair to not ask you for a full price. That price change is not a new news, and was part of the early access description already.
There is now a DEMO!! Yes, i know you loved Chickens Madness, but i also want everyone who might not be able to buy the game or worried about putting their money in the game, to have a fair chance of trying some parties of the main game!
Does this mean the end of the Chickens?
No, no, and Of course not! Chickens as you might have noticed been my friends for the past 7-8 years, thinking about them every second and working in them every single day. There are a billion thing that i wanted to add in the game, and you asked to have, but the time & resources didn't allow me to put everything in Chickens Madness.
It is great to take a break from the Chickens world (which I've already done between pre-release and the final game build secure time) and explore new grounds, but it is hard to leave my dear chickens behind. So be tuned for some chickens news/announcements in the following days of the full release. Your emails, comments and ideas that you shared with me during the early access phase (here, twitter, Facebook and Reddit) had a huge impact on me in changing my priorities 180 degree for my upcoming project...
V.
Final release & XBox One + NSwitch release!
It's been a while, and been long time since i took the decision to put the game in your hands in order to help me in making it a better game. Today i wanted to share some updates with you, without any content. I know you got used to get announcements/updates with a new game patch, but forgive me that time.
While i was planning long time ago to make it a last minute announcement _for no specific reason_ but after many considerations, i did realize that you are the people who made this game stand still till this moment. May be it was developed here, at this tiny office, but your input, you messages, your nice videos on YouTube, your great comments, and your outstanding feedback is what made this game survive that long.
Few years ago when the decision came to put the game in early access, it was already in development for 4-5 years, which is long enough to lose the passion for an indie game, but your support is what kept it running for even more years (couple of year or so). The game had a lot of changes, but fortunately still fun, hilarious and silly game to spend good time playing it with friends. And while there been content released frequently with the fixes, there are other content that was kept for the final release, and i can't wait to give this to you!
I always kept going back and forth for the online topic, everyone said this game will succeed more and more when it utilize the online multiplayer mode (and i some how agree), but i never felt that this is the perfect fit. Chickens Madness was built around the feeling of playing with family and friends on a sofa, may be the PC is not the best platform for that, but it was the only available platform for such a tiny developer. And from day one, the menu never used "play now" or "let's party", but used the term "On Couch", in order to make it clear where the game came from...From the old gaming generation of playing on a golden age console with the family!
Today, I'm glad to say that after being in development since ~2013, "Chickens Madness" finally going to be fully released this year!!! 🐣 🐥 🐔 🍗 🥚 And to triple the surprise, it is been in development for months for the powerful XboxOne & the cute NintendoSwitch!!!! Where this type of game really belongs, and will really shine... The game already running on those platforms, with nice performance, and fantastic quality that is fitting the top class engine used! But it need sometime to be unforgettable, and i'll make sure it takes all the needed care, to keep the game we built as fun as it is right now.
All what i wanted to say in this post that: "Without you, this game would have never reach this level of polish, I would have never reach this line, you and the people who supported the development of the game, are the best in that world!" All the chickens and chicks in the game, loves you!
And defiantly, there are even more great things happening right now, but all in time :)
Last but not least, i had managed to make a 2.2a version, but decided not to release, as at that time there were a lot of stuff been stripped from the game code in order to work on some of the console release parts, and I'm afraid that 2.2a might end up with many broken features due to the heavy changes been made in the game during the past months. And for that, i did skip the 2.2a, and delayed the 2.1a to the time it was announced last month
V.
Update #16 -- Build[2.1a-MoreChickensAreComing]
Back again...
There been a period of silence for quite sometime regarding the updates for Chickens Madness, but that was for a very strong reasons..There are a ton happening right now behind the screens for Chickens Madness, and for Vikong in general, and will discuss that on time. But here is the good thing,... finally managed to put together a once more a major update for the game.
What you expect after getting this update?
Well, not much,....But a lot in fact!
Content
The entire game content been reworked, not remade, but reworked and re-organized, and optimized in a better way. So while this mean there isn't any new content been added to the game, but...Well,...a more tiny game size...Yup!! that is happening once more..If you can recall an old update (Update #3 -- Build[1.5a-SmallerChickenBox]) the game managed to make it after a lot of hard work, from over 2 GB to almost half that size. But during the following updates in the past year, the game started to grow again few hundreds of megabytes due to the new content and parties. But that never been a satisfying note to take as a developer. So I did put in mind to take a pause, and re-consider a lot of things within Chickens Madness as a game project that has thousands of files, and that was mostly the core task for this update.
The original goal was to take the game again back to the same size we ended up with during the update #3, but not long time since I started in that task, and my hopes changed to totally go beyond that goal, and now the orientation is to take the game to the smallest package size possible at the meantime! And try as much as possible to make it as small as possible for such a game that has a wide range of models, animations,...etc with high quality console/HD ready-assest. That will be super useful in load time, and in a smoother experience for the less capable computers.
The outcome for that epic reworking task of the entire project files, was a total of near 850 MB zipped game file (the one uploaded to steam, and the one you download before it get unzipped to your common folder) instead of 1.4 GB from the last update (or instead of 1.2 GB from update #3)
Experience
There been as always some performance optimization tricks to implement in the game, where most of it won't affect you if you running on a beast PC, but that will be super useful for other players who have complains from using less powerful cards. The most important one to mention, is the running/racing party, this party for a long time been using a very naive method to render all the players into a single screen, which was a huge cause for a very noticeable low framerate during this party among the entire game parties. This implementation been re-worked, TOTALLY from scratch, and the game now having a very optimized way that can grantee a solid and stable high framerate while playing this racing party.
This previous screenshot is from the previous implementation that you were able to experience till the last update. You can see the "pixelation" at some areas of the screen, the very wide camera angle & the super dense-like green fog, all those technique was there to minimize the framerate issues in the method used to render the final composed splitscreen, and was not even enough to get good fps...
This is a screenshot form this update, you will notice a very clean quality that match the rest of the game. No dense thick fog and no pixelation at tires round edges, and overall super nice and sharp edges with a good color blend in the background that match the rest of the game...And after all that, a good framerate without a single drop!
V.
Update #15 -- Build[2.0a-ALuckyChicken]
With A Lucky Chicken, there are few bug fixes and enhancements, but the most important element in that update, is a brand new party in hands. This new party was carefully crafted as well, to balance between the core 3 elements I care about in the game (Fun, Mastery of Controls, and the Idea).
Egged Out
In Egged out, you've to be the last one to survive. The only ability available in that new party is the egg dropping, besides the jump of course. Dropping eggs however in that new party is being handled as shooting, each egg will be strong enough to kick other players out of the playground. You'll really need to try hard to master the ability of shooting eggs with a chicken butt in order to be the true king of that party!
Below is a short video, with only one active player vs 3 none-connected players. Just to show how aiming works and how it can be a challenge even against static opponents. But with some dedication, it can be mastered! Don't hesitate to put that party in a "A Party of Choice" mode, and give it ago for enough time to get the grasp of it.
[previewyoutube="tdka6-EmJxU;full"]
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Update #14 -- Build[1.9.3a-Chickensoween]
Well! Did you think it will be a Halloween without some Spooky Chickens!!! Enjoy the event, have fun & get your treat!!!
Yet another major Update! With 1.9a Vikong Fried Chickens Update, there were a lot of performance optimizations, more bugs been fixed, and some sort of new content! Let's dive in and see what's new in this package!
Parties
The Playground The playground isn't actually a party, but it is a party! This seems like a puzzle, but let's explain it!
Within the main menu, you probably used to see the button called "Know The Buttons" which always show a hint of the game inputs when you hover it with the mouse or controller (you can't press this button yet). If you don't know this already, then congrats!!! You knew something new about the game!
Now here is the deal, for long time this button used to work as button, which means it can be pressed, but only for the developer builds, and never been shipped. Within this new update, the decision came to clean up the "Playground" map, which is what that button lead to, and ship it with the game!!!!
So what is the playground? The playground is kind of a sandbox level, where you can do pretty much every thing the game can offer, all mechanics (almost all of them to be more accurate) are available in this map, some still not exist, while others been taken out from shipping to you in 1.9a, as they were either broken or work in specific hacky way. It was meant to be the place where mechanics gets tested, and also to make sure that a mechanic can work on multiple scenarios; like, can the bomb kill a chick? If I can kick a chicken, can I kick a chick? Perhaps kick an egg?...etc.
Single player, two players or even more can join in the same map, enjoy the chaos and different scenarios the game can offer. This map is a place that was meant first place for testing mechanics, but also as a safe environment where you can get more familiar with the controller system with an infinite time, and infinite amount of re-spawning. And because there, you can really master the controller, its the reason it used to be hidden under the "Know The Buttons" menu section.
You will notice that this map have extra custom inputs, which is explained on the map floor, and once more here:
(A) For Spawning or Re-Spawning.
(Y) To change the type of drop items .
for longer version of the video, to know more about how it looks or feels, you can watch here:
https://youtu.be/GlGp4_8vUUs
Fixes
While there were multiple fixes in this version, but the most annoying ones that been fixed were:
The issue where the game audio never play, until you go to the option menu and re-apply audio setting.
The issue where in 4 players, the 3rd and 4th players are randomly losing control until the entire game closed, and re-launched through steam again.
Content
Since the game went live into the early access, majority of the BGM(Background music) was placeholders to testify with the gameplay feel and the overall rhythm, and you probably used to hear some annoying type of watermark within the music every few seconds. This is not the case anymore, within this version, all been sorted, and the game got all the rights for the music, which means there is no more noisy watermark sounds across the experience!
V.
Update #12 -- Build[1.8a-AChickenOnTrack]
Back again, with one of those updates that holds many changes, but unfortunately they are mostly under the hood!
Fixes
Multiple fixes been made within this version, in order to take the game to a better and better state. The most common issues that been fixed within A Chicken On Track includes:
Escape button now functioning in all the menus, you won't have the scenario of being stuck in a menu without being able to go back!
The party video display within parties menus, now working fine. Previously most of the time was stretched and look odd, and sometimes covering the text, that was annoying bug specially to see in YouTube videos.
Players can't fall to an infinite dimension if go outside of the boundaries in the Basketball party.
Mouse cursors not showing anymore as long as there is no active menu or input that requires it. It was annoying to see some people on YouTube making fun of the cursor still on screen while they are playing, personally don't see any problem in that, but have to respect their willing, so now it never shows unless you need it. Just like a Batman!!!!
Features
Fair Mode That was the HUGE work that took quite sometime for this version. A lot of you been complaining about the game being unfair in terms of the score and balancing, and while this was not an issue at all, or in another word, that was made in purpose, and the game was meant to be harsh and unfair, to drive the winners to ego and the less scoring people to insanity, but finally started to edit the score balancing and patch it with the game builds. With that said, I didn't want to lose all the old work, there are many people still love the way the game punishing, so that new mode been wrapped into an entire new game mode called the "Fair Mode" which is enabled by default. For new comers & returning players, the game will always make sure to notify you with that at first!
And you'll be always able to turn that mode On/Off from within the gameplay menu!
Cursor This isn't a huge improvement, but it means a lot to me and to every one who was playing games since the early 90th! A good game always have it's own mouse cursor[s] that reflects it's identity, we all know that!
Core
The game engine been updated to the most recent version, all the SDKs that are used with the game been updated accordingly to the most recent version, which means a bit boost in the performance at all aspects, better visuals, less crashing situations on lower end computers, and much more!
V.
Update #11 -- Build[1.7a-AReturningChicken]
Yes Yes, its a major update! This update contains new content, features, fixes and whatnot! Make sure to enjoy it, and report any bugs. Comments, requests and feedback are welcomed as always!
Parties
Stage of Decay
Aaaand YUP!!!! a new party is here. Stage of Decay is another new party that is as well based on a new idea that was not presented yet in any of the previous Chickens Madness parties. The level is decaying, and obstacles are there, the decay is fast, and you can get a super-chicken-kick from your opponents, what could be more stressful!
Fixes
There are several fixes been made within the series of 1.6a, and while this update was mainly targeting a new feature or parties, still within this new update there are some fixes, in order to make sure the experience getting more solid. The major annoying issues that been fixed within this build are:
Rework most of the graphics options within the options screen. Now the game will be sure to not only correctly apply those settings, but every single option will be synced to your account in order to save your preferred setup.
Fix the UI issue with all the sliders in the game, previously hovering a slider will show a square image, this been fixed, and the behavior of the sliders is consistent across the entire game UI
Features
There are two main features been added to this build, as listed below:
VSync VSync is very important for PC players, it have always been one of my targeted settings changes I personally apply in any game before playing it. So decided to take the time and put it within our game option screen.
https://youtu.be/9Ij3NZAWiPo
Preview Parties When you try (yet) to choose a party from the selection screen to play it, you get into that long list of text, if you are not familir with the party names, you might get hard time in recoginizing the party you wanna play. And while the game already have the tutorial screen runs before each party, and contain a previw of the current party, decided to make a use of those nice fast-forwarded previews and display them at the main menu while picking a party to play!
https://youtu.be/rgBPEuBSiYs
Core
The game engine have been upated to the most stable version available at this moment (while writing this worddddd), in order to make sure we get the win of the most recent optimizations and features.
V.
Update #10 -- Build[1.6.5a-AChickenInBalance]
Once more; an update within the 1.6 series. Still adding more to the overall package optimizations, and this could be the last iteration within the 1.6 branch!
Also updated to the most recent engine version for better stability across all the available hardware and graphic cards.
V.
Update #9 -- Build[1.6.4a-AChickenInBalance]
Yet another minor patch for the 1.6a version (Yup! the fourth one).
There were few bugs been fixed for the build, but most of the effort were going to some progress (can't be tested now at your end) on Mac & Linux compatibility (mostly shader changes for now to make sure visuals will be consistent at all systems) Which means, YES the game will support Mac and Linux at some point.
Also made a Credits screen for my HUGE team of me!
