I released a small update to the testing branch which fixed a bug were in split-screen coop, if one ship dies, the other looses it's player controls and assumes the controls of the ship that just died.
Upcoming features
I plan on adding more features soon, one of which was suggested by a player!
Make sure to follow Galactic Lander to be notified by Steam when new updates come out.
[Testing Branch] New Features Being Tested!
Hello!
For this update, there are plenty of new features being added to the testing branch of Galactic Lander, lets go over them:
Ship Explosions!
Ships now explode! If you fly too recklessly and hit your ship into something too fast, it will erupt into two pieces and explode in a fiery of spaceship-gasses and other scientific stuff!
In addition, I have added a 3.5 seconds delay to the death prompt after the player has actually died so that the player could watch his ship for a bit after it has crashed.
Now when a player crashes his ship and looses, at least he can watch it go down hitting the level and maybe exploding before being prompted with the 'you died' menu.
Both the ship explosion and the death prompt delay will hopefully make the experience of loosing and having to restart a little more entertaining.
Victory Menu Adjustments
The victory menu will now pull the best time and score result from the zerobyter.net website API and display it as a challenge to the player to beat the best time and score completed for the specific level.
I have considered the possibility of players potentially cheating to set ridiculously fast times and scores for levels, and I have prepared a few counter-measures to combat that behavior if and when it will happen.
That's all for this update! Have fun!
[Testing Branch] New Death Menu!
Hello!
I have been hard at work on a new death menu since I thought the old death menu was a little boring and too plain to look at.
A few texts on the death menu's buttons have also been changed to be a little more engaging.
Check it out for yourself on the [testing] branch! If you encounter any bugs, or find something that you think should be changed, feel free to mention so on our forums!
Obviously, anything on the testing branch is liable to change in the future before it becomes 'official content', but I am quite happy with how the death menu has improved so far, and could potentially improve even further in the near future.
Stay tuned for more exciting improvements coming to Galactic Lander soon!
New Testing Branch
Hello!
I have opened a new testing branch, and over the coming weeks I plan to add new features and update the testing branch accordingly.
How to change branches?
Changing branches back and fourth is very easy and straight-forward:
In your Steam library, right click on Galactic Lander and click on "Properties"
Click on the BETAS tab
Change the drop down to "experimental"
The first new improvement
The first new feature I have added to the testing branch is a custom, in-game file browser for selecting a 'custom preview image' instead of the default one when uploading a level to the workshop.
At first I tried using the default Windows file selecting dialogue, but that didn't work out because of Unity's IL2CPP.
Then I added a workaround fix, which I finally got around to fixing in the new testing branch.
Feedback
I want to emphasize that the testing branch isn't just for me to show off things before they go live on the default branch.
If you decide to play with the testing branch and encounter a bug or something that you think should change, I encourage you to take the initiave and provide your feedback here on the Steam forums.
I am looking forward to hearing back from you, the players about the new testing features which will eventually make it to the default branch!
- ZeroByter
Future Plans For Galactic Lander.
Hello everyone!
For the past few months I have been unable/pre-occupied with other projects and things to work on Galactic Lander, but I came up with a few ideas for improving Galactic Lander.
GUI overhaul
I will try experimenting with redesigning the GUI of the game to make it look more polished and interactable. If I can't come up with any designs which really draw my attention, than I will leave the current GUi as-is.
Ship explosions
I also think it would be cool if, after the player's ship has sustained enough damage and once more hit a wall with enough force, the entire ship would explode in half and send debris everywhere.
I believe this would add more action and fun to the game, and perhaps make loosing your ship a little more entertaining.
More levels
Of course, adding more official levels to the game for players to complete is always something pretty satisfying and fun to do.
It also gives more stuff for players to look forward to in the game.
I believe I will have something substantial to show in a week or two, perhaps more.
If you have any ideas or suggestions you think I haven't thought of, as always I am happy and willing to listen to your thoughts, and maybe even your idea will make it to the game!
Bugs Hotfix
Hello!
Today's small update fixes a few bugs, the most important of which was the 'Community Member' achievement not being activated properly.
Now, upon entering the main menu, the achievement will automatically be updated.
Thanks for reading and have fun!
Level Completion Statistics
Hello!
Statistics
Now, on the Galactic Lander website, a new page has been created which displays some minor statistics about players' experiences in completing game-provided levels.
Of course, the statistics are anonymous. If these graphs prove useful, I will probably add more useful statistics to be shown off on the website, such as minimum, maximum, and average FPS per game session, and other stats.
That's all for this short announcement! Let me know what you think about those statistics!
Thanks for reading, and happy gaming! ːsteamhappyː
- ZeroByter.
PS. I have never been this more excited about bar graphs.
Coop Game Start Fix
Hello!
The Fix
Recently I have heard feedback and requests from players to fix a bug in coop mode where upon start of the game some ships would sometimes glitch out.
This was also mentioned in some reviews of Galactic Lander. Not every review specifically mentioned what kind of bug was encountered, but I believe the bug that was reported by a majority of players was the bug this update has just fixed.
Although there is still a slight graphical glitch which happens for an instant at the start, it shouldn't be very noticeable; if at all, and I don't expect it to ruin the player's overall experience of the game.
Random Spawn Positions
Spawn positions are now random. Before this update, on each map the lobby owner would always spawn on one specific launch pad and the non-owner would spawn on the other remaining launch pad.
This has been changed, and now each play of a map will yield random spawn positions for all players.
Your Feedback Matters
I feel it's important that Galactic Lander's player-base does not feel as if their voice is not being heard, or as if no improvements are being made for Galactic Lander (and for that matter, any game I release).
If a player complains about a bug or an issue with the game that I can reproduce and easily say "yes, this shouldn't be in the game" then I will deal with it, and I hope this update proves that.
Thank you for reading this announcement, for playing Galactic Lander, and for being awesome!
- ZeroByter.
You The Players & Controls Rebinding
Hello, everyone!
It's been a while since I rolled out an update for Galactic Lander, but do not fear, I have not forgotten about Galactic Lander, and I am here to talk about a few things.
Control Rebinds
This update's major change is replacing the 'invert controls' button with a much more flexible rebind system. You can now bind your ship's controls to anything, even your mouse buttons!
Achievements Bug
While working on the update itself, I encountered a small, off-by-one bug which enabled achievements and stats while in the main menu, and this has been fixed.
The Amazing Playerbase, You Guys
My first game on Steam, Space Fighters, wasn't an overwhelming success. No reviews, empty player base, and just another long-forgotten indie game.
Galactic Lander, however, is for me an all-around success. More than a month after it's release and I am proud of the fact people are still playing and enjoying Galactic Lander. Still today, each day sees around a total of 3-6 players playing Galactic Lander, which some people may say isn't a lot; but for me as an indie developer that is an outstanding achievement.
Galactic Lander also keeps on getting a steady stream of reviews, and that is also something I am very happy to see and read.
Not all reviews are good ones, and while I obviously would prefer people to enjoy my games; I remember that criticism is good, and I understand Galactic Lander and I aren't perfect.
So, thank you everyone, for giving my game a go, for reading this announcement, and for giving back feedback about my game, which I love to see and read.
Good luck, and happy gaming!
- ZeroByter. ːsteamhappyː
Coop Vote Optimization, Bug Fix, And More!
Hello!
Today's patch helped optimize the co-op playing expierence, as well as fix a small off-by-one error in the co-op level selection menu.
Vote Optimization
Now, when one player has started for vote, let's say for restarting the level, the other people may also just tap 'R' and the vote will succeed.
Essentially, if you call for a vote that is already in progress, that vote will automatically count as passed.
Bug Fix
I also fixed a small, off-by-one error in the co-op level selection menu where the level progress text would not show up, it now does as expected.
In order to help promote Galactic Lander and it's co-op mode, I will be hosting an event at the 11th of November, 7:30 PM where all of us who enjoy playing Galactic Lander will get a chance to discuss the game and complete levels together.
I have also prepared a new voice-channel in the Galactic Lander community chat for us to use during the event.
Finally, if enough people show up to the event, it will be broadcasted live on Galactic Lander's store page.
Don't delay, tell your friends and lets all have fun during this upcoming event!
