Patch to be installed on Saturday at 9 a.m. Moscow time
Dear Friends,
One of the goals of Closed Beta Tests is searching for errors, bugs and other not-so-nice moments. And don't we just love it when we can fix stuff even before the end of the test!
Tomorrow morning we shall install a patch that will fix a number of problems discovered during the test:
1) improved the work of the matchmaker, so matches are made faster;
2) fixed the bug with the Phantom's Cloaking blocked at the base;
3) the shop now works correctly;
4) fixed the matches history screen;
5) fixed the post-match achievements screen;
6) fixed "error 12" in the lobby;
7) changed the news screen design;
8) fixed miscellaneous minor errors and bugs.
Maintenance will start at 9 a.m. and last until 9.30 on Saturday, March 31.
Have a great game!
Final Closed Beta started!
The FINAL closed Beta Test of CityBattle: Virtual Earth has started!
What's new?
1. Following your multiple requests, we have modified the Warmup, which now works in the Free-For-All mode! Unlike the previous test, the Warmup will now take place on both maps, which will be altered to suit this mode: no turrets, no generators, no doors at respawn points etc. Just the hardcore drive!
2. The ranking system was enriched with LEAGUES. Now by gaining personal ranking points, players will move through six Leagues, from the Starting League to the Great Pilots League.
3. CityManagement is arriving! At this stage, no additional in-game functions will be available for the Government. However, we shall introduce external technical media, such as Discord channels where we shall discuss the development and goals of the project, give out special quests, disclose insider information and ask for your opinion on which direction the project should go. In future, the Republican government will manage their territories, fill the Youtube channels of their republics with contents and recruit new citizens. As of now, this function is only available for Russia and former USSR.
4. Optimization is a cornerstone of all patch notes. What exactly did we do?
- The textures now require much less video memory, especially at low graph settings, normally used by the owners of weaker computers.
- GPU optimization: Lighting reworked, effects optimized for low- and middle-end video cards. LODs added for many objects (this means at larger distances we reduce the number of polygons in objects, which reduces the workload on the computer without affecting the game visuals.
- CPU: general optimization of the game logic.
The expected performance growth on weak computers, especially on weaker video cards, shall be 30-80%; for better machines – 20-50%. Generally, FPS will be more even.
5. The sounds have become more informative: we have significantly reworked the sound positioning, added sounds of hits on your robot and enemy robots. Renewed the sounds of shots and reloading for various types of weapons, as well as sounds of class abilities.
6. We rewrote the AI for the new destroyers: they now fly around the generator, without standing still, like it was with the old models.
The test will last until the end of day on April 1st.
Final Closed Beta is here!
People of Virtual Earth!
We are proud to announce the FINAL CLOSED BETA TEST where we shall make a final check of the game as well as the combat servers configuratios, before we approach the OPEN BETA.
THE FINAL CLOSED BETA SHALL START ON THURSDAY, MARCH 29, AT 8 P.M. MOSCOW TIME, AND LAST UNTIL END OF DAY ON SUNDAY APRIL 1.
The map available for residence during closed beta will be limited to Russia and former USSR. The rest of the world will be added as the game progresses.
What will players see at the beta?
Following your multiple requests, we have modified the Warmup, which now works in the Free-For-All mode! Unlike the previous test, the Warmup will now take place on both maps, which will be altered to suit this mode: no turrets, no generators, no doors at respawn points etc. Just the hardcore drive!
The ranking system was enriched with LEAGUES. Now by gaining personal ranking points, players will move through six Leagues, from the Starting League to the Great Pilots League.
CityManagement is arriving! At this stage, no additional in-game functions will be available for the Government. However, we shall introduce external technical media, such as Discord channels where we shall discuss the development and goals of the project, give out special quests, disclose insider information and ask for your opinion on which direction the project should go. In future, the Republican government will manage their territories, fill the Youtube channels of their republics with contents and recruit new citizens. As of now, this function is only available for Russia and former USSR.
Optimization is a cornerstone of all patch notes. What exactly did we do?
The textures now require much less video memory, especially at low graph settings, normally used by the owners of weaker computers.
GPU optimization: Lighting reworked, effects optimized for low- and middle-end video cards. LODs added for many objects (this means at larger distances we reduce the number of polygons in objects, which reduces the workload on the computer without affecting the game visuals.
CPU: general optimization of the game logic.
The expected performance growth on weak computers, especially on weaker video cards, shall be 30-80%; for better machines – 20-50%. Generally, FPS will be more even.
The sounds have become more informative: we have significantly reworked the sound positioning, added sounds of hits on your robot and enemy robots. Renewed the sounds of shots and reloading for various types of weapons, as well as sounds of class abilities.
We rewrote the AI for the new destroyers: they now fly around the generator, without standing still, like it was with the old models.
After the end of the test, we shall need some time to wipe the stats (except, of course, for the achievements for the previous test) and fix the bug (which we hope will be very few!) – and within two weeks after the Closed Beta, we shall start the Open Beta!
To take part in the Closed Beta, you have to download the game using a key. If you have no key, you have to register on our web site and the key will be mailed to you 1-2 days before the test. If the game is already in your Steam Library, you won’t need another key.
New skins for robots
Remember we said that we shall have lots of visual upgrades in game? Time to show some concepts! Here are the Phantom posing as a Roman soldier and Tech dressed up like an Egyptian princess. Enjoy!
The skins will be available for purchase for both real money and for in-game currency.
Queue problem almost resolved
Dear Friends,
We have identified the cause of match waiting disruptions. We keep on working and hope to fully fix it by midday Saturday. Until then, please relaunch the game as a quick fix for too long waiting.
We thank all those who came for the CBT, for your patience and understanding.
We shall keep you posted.
CityBattle developers team
Queue problem
We are aware of the problem with queues while waiting for a match. Servers shall be restarted which we hope will fix the problem. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The Phantom Fragmovie
The Phantom. An ideal killing machine. The only class that can do "one shot - one kill". And a work of art in skilled hands.
Enjoy the most epic moments of the closed playtest this Monday and brace yourself for the Closed Beta.
Register for Closed Beta virtualearthonline.net/register/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CTGiT-T_m0
CLOSED BETA STARTING THIS WEEK!
The new combat level is waiting for the heavy steps of the iron soldiers.
The shiny new details and chips are ready for installation.
The quiet hum of the deadly “flowers” of the destroyers are fully prepared for battle.
And the Invite to Group button is glowing in the interface.
That means we are inviting everyone for the next round of Closed Beta Test, which will start this Friday, on February 9th, at 5 p.m. Moscow time, and last until 11 p.m. on Sunday, February 11th.
The new map and combat mode
The new map called Communication Center is a symmetrical large sized map. On both sides of it, at equal distances from each team, data carriers spawn. Pick up and hold these data carriers to gain points and stay close to the center of the map to earn double points! The first team to earn 500 points wins. Communication Center is intended for intense PvP battles, with less spots to hide away.
Other improvements
For the first time, the players will level their abilities and weapons using details, improve the basic characteristics using chips and save the results. Such loadouts allow for maximum adaptability to combat tasks, given that you can change classes and loadouts right in the middle of a match.
Playing in groups is now available. You can invite your friends from Steam to join your groups and fight together.
The new Profile displays the following info:
Current progress, ranking, residence;
Achievements and awards;
Combat history (map, results, timing etc.)
Statistics: deaths vs. kills, damage, win rate etc., with class filter to be added later on.
New animations for the Assault class. Now this robot moves, runs and aims more naturally, increasing your “presence effect”.
Based on the results of the previous tests, we adjusted some parameters for certain classes:
The Guard’s Shockwave requiring lots of skill and timing now pays off with more damage. The visual effect now shows the effective radius more precisely.
The Guard’s Second Chance: visuals now reflect the current Power level and the Guard’s invulnerability after the skill activation.
The Tech’s Shotgun now has more scatter. Visual effects were added for repairing rays.
The Assault’s Avalanche: the primary mode damage increased.
and much more…
We fully updated voice announcements and partially integrated the new sound system focused on sounds of enemy actions, the main source of danger for the player.
New combat interface. Now players see icons of allies and enemies, contours of robots and places of allies’ deaths.
New system of damage indication now clearly shows the damage dealt and received. A special arrow now shows where the damage came from.
Match results screen is updated, now showing robots and combat statistics.
New destroyer models will appear after control points capture at Power Station.
New animations for first-person shooting and impacts on enemy robots will make the combat picture more believable.
All the participants of the previous tests will notice better optimization; expect 10 to 20 FPS increase!
You can register for closed beta at our official web site.
All participants of the previous tests on Steam will get access automatically – just be sure to update the game!
Thank you for visiting the Closed Beta!
Stay tuned for the events and development news!
See you at the next test!
