Ersatz
ERSATZ v1.62 (Win + Linux)
This update focuses on correcting a bunch of unseen errors that popped up when the game was ported into the later versions of GameMaker from GameMaker Studio 1.4.
This fixes Steam functionality, a bunch of crashes, strange draw order issues with some backgrounds, controller and keyboard swapping in the opening language selection working more consistently, and a number of other small bits such unintended behaviour with the screen distortion effects.
Please note that I haven't made any significant changes to the underlying game or how it handles things, and whilst I played through it several times to try and fix everything, it's possible you might encounter things I've not seen. If you see a bug that makes progression impossible or impedes your ability to play then please let me know.
Optional Windows Update Adds Russian Language & Bootup Fix
I've been hard at work on my next project the last couple of years and the engine I use has gone through some major updates meaning working on ERSATZ was largely a lot of effort for very little personal gain.
However, spurred by an odd error a windows user was having and upcoming plans for Steam with my next game, I've added a new Beta branch to ERSATZ which hopefully fixes this issue and also adds Russian language translations a friend did for me a while back.
Some things to note:
This Beta branch is only available in Windows. I no longer have access to a Mac that runs on late enough software and my Linux partition has been lost to time. Both of these platforms account for a very small chunk of my user base I'm afraid so to update these and possibly not fix anything is very low on my priorities. I'm very sorry!
The Russian language should be well translated from a fluid speaker and a native speaker. But I haven't yet formatted the text to visually fit in all menus, so you will likely come across issues of text overlapping or going off screen. If this is impacting you, please do not hesitate to post in the forums and let me know and I'll bump up fixing it in my priorities!
If you wish to try out this build either for a fix or the Russian Language, then in your Steam library, right click the game and select properties. From there select "BETA" on the left and in the drop down select the only available beta. There is no passcode. The game should begin redownloading in your download queue. Any issues, please let me know!
Translations Incoming!
I've finished setting the game up to take the translations and have collated all the game's text. It's now just a matter of waiting for translators to finish their work :D
At the moment of writing this, I officially have translators for Spanish, Italian, Russian & Japanese, with definite plans for French & German, and possibly future ones for Polish, Korean & Chinese.
I'll be adding languages as and when they are ready, so you might be seeing them added to the game one by one over the next few months.
I'm looking forward to making the game more accessible to more people just by eliminating some language barriers, and that might include some other exciting news in the future ;)
Stay well everyone, and I hope 2019 is a good year for us all,
Paris
ALL iN
ERSATZ v 1.47
I've fixed a bug that caused freezing. This would trigger if pressed up against certain walls and trying to dash slide away from them.
Thanks to JayJay for posting about a potential issue and Klianc09 for helping me discover the specifics of this bug!
Paris
ALL iN
ERSATZ World Record Holder LIVE at speedrunning event! [08/10/2018]
Watch Austrian World Record holder for ERSATZ, Klianc09, speedrun the game at German speedrunning event Germench today at:
14:20 gmt / 15:20 cet / 06:00 pst / 08:00 est
The whole event will be watchable here: https://www.twitch.tv/germenchrestream
I'll be sure to support him in spirit on my second monitor whilst working today!
I hope some of you might do the same to see what high level ERSATZ play looks like :D
Paris
ALL iN
ERSATZ v1.46
It's been a while since I updated ERSATZ as I've mostly been hard at work on a new project. However, the ever impressive Klianc09 has found a few key bugs I wanted to fix before he plays the game LIVE at a speedrunning event in Germany on the 8th October 2018:
Zocktoberfest-Marathon, ZFM for short, is organised by Germench.
They have an organisation twitter over at https://twitter.com/germenchtweets
(more details to follow soon).
I also took a moment to update most of the promo images that steam uses about the place to something a bit more colourful, which probably represents the game a bit better than the old black and white ones huh?
I'm getting closer and closer to revealing what I'm working on next, so keep your ears to the ground and your eyes open for future news too!
ERSATZ v1.46 Patch Notes
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-JOURNEY MODE-
-Journeyman Achievement for beating Journey Mode deathless should now finally work
-Best time string for Journey Mode Type Gamma now displays correctly. Game will auto fix your save file for it if you already have a time
-A very small amount of time is no longer accidentally being added between pressing continue at the end of a level and the room changing to the loading screen
-Time difference of best time vs current time between levels now displays correctly
-Fixed issue where restarting Journey Mode from Game Over or Pause menus would, in some instances, not correctly load/remove colour palettes, vfx & sfx
-Animation for ERSATZ on loading screen slowed down as was in double speed
-SYNTH RUSH-
-Fixed problem with times turning negative under certain circumstances and removed the one leaderboard entry that had this, needs further testing
50% Off Summer Sale! + Update
I'm back from Japan and getting ready to move job & house, but the weather is warm and it's the Steam Summer Sale!
50% off ERSATZ with the complete Soundtrack!
OR
33% off ERSATZ on its own!
I've also just uploaded an update to Windows & Linux that reinstates the last one and fixes the bug that forced the rollback. I also did two very minor specific instance crash fixes for restarts during two bosses, but am keeping the version number.
Hope you're all having a great summer already, and that you play some great games!
Much love,
Paris
ALL iN
Temporary Rollback + Holiday
A bug introduced with the last update (v1.45) that caused crashes on the first level was raised to me by a player last night. However, I am currently away for 2 weeks in the land of the Rising Sun, so I have temporarily rolled back the last update until I am back to fix it properly.
Massive apologies for any inconvenience this causes.
Not long after getting back I'll be able to move into my new place and normal game dev will finally resume.
Much love,
Paris
ERSATZ v1.45 (Win, Mac & Linux) + The Hidden Chest Video Review
YouTuber The Hidden Chest uploaded a fantastic video about ERSATZ a few days ago. You can check it out HERE
In other news, a small update before things kick off again busy wise back in IRL land. This update also finally brings the Mac OSX version up to the same number. So sorry for the delay for the few Mac players.
ERSATZ v1.45 Patch Notes
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MESSAGES
-Added descriptions of how to unlock each of the unlockable Messages in the 'MESSAGES' menu
SYNTH RUSH
-Restarting at the end of Central Assembly Computer boss fight in Synth Rush now correctly starts the same boss
MISC
-Fixed issue where the screen shakes could cause crashes under very specific instances
-Fixed spawn placement of some specific boss explosions
ERSATZ Price Cut!
It's time ERSATZ had a price cut me thinks, so the game is now down to $6.99 / €5.49 / £4.99!!
It's been a while hasn't it? Well I must apologise for the lack of news on any front from me. Life's been very busy, working extra hours, visiting my girlfriend's parents in Ireland, currently in the process of moving house, and I've even got a trip to Japan to see some very close friends just around the corner. Phew!
Be assured that I'm still very much around, and a little birdy told me that there's another YouTuber preparing a video about ERSATZ. Very exciting!
I'll be trying my best to stay in touch over the coming month, but there's a good chance game development and updates won't become regular again until early July.
Much love from me,
Paris
ALL iN