Thanks for all the awesome bug reporting you all have been doing. We're logging and prioritizing all of them, and have already fixed several.
Unfortunately there will not be an updated build today. We want to bring you weekly content updates and bug fixes, but our highest priority right now is bringing you all Online Multiplayer as soon as possible. We've been working hard on that, and are making great strides. The features should be ready soon, but we're still dealing with some interface issues and pesky desyncs.
Here are a few things we've been working on other than Online Multiplayer that you will be glad to know are fixed or added to the game. (Remember, no new build yet, but soon!)
Upcoming fixes coming soon!
Animated Loading Screen with Tips
More UI issues fixed at different aspect ratios
More buttons clickable with mouse on STORE UI
Explosion improvements
New Weapon: Extreme Ultraviolence Light
Application Framerate Locked at 30fps for players with 144hz monitors (was getting up to 72fps due to vsync settings)
New Alien: Healing fliers bolster swarms and bosses!
Hover Utility: Faster acceleration for more maneuverability
New Relic Rooms: One new relic room layout per environment.
Lots and lots of Online Multiplayer bug fixes.
Thank you for continuing to play the game and give us your feedback! We really can't wait to get Online Multiplayer fixed up and in your hands. We look forward to jumping hives with you very soon!
<3 the Hive Jump team.
P.S. If you haven't yet, please consider giving us a positive review on Steam. It helps with visibility, and in turn helps grow the community and fund the rest of development on the game. To those who already have reviewed, THANK YOU!
Update Version: 0.41.1516
JUMPERS!
Launching on Steam this week has been fantastic! It's exciting to get the game in its current form into the hands of our Kickstarter Backers and our new recruits from the Steam Community!
Immediate Development Priorities
Release online multiplayer feature
Fix critical bugs and continue adding content
Release early access builds for Mac
These are our immediate priorities for development. We're hoping to achieve these as soon as possible, meaning within the next week or two.
How you can help!
We've already fixed a number of bugs reported by players, as is shown by the patch notes below. Keep playing the game and reporting bugs with the F1 bug reporter prompt.
More importantly! If you've played some Hive Jump and enjoyed yourself, please leave us a positive review on Steam! The more reviews we have, the better our visibility on the Steam store, and the more buddies you'll have to jump with when Online Multiplayer arrives!
Patch Notes: 0.041.1516 (Lots of Bug Fixes)
Dying while paused will no longer cause player to lose control of their Jumper.
Pause menu buttons are now clickable in loadout screen.
Fixed some Jumper torso animations while jumping.
Added a back button to the play sub-menu on the title screen.
Added "Coming Soon" tags to various menu options.
Added some more instructions to certain items that use other keys to activate (such as Remote Detonator).
Fixed visibility issues with dialogue advancing prompts not appearing on certain resolutions.
Adjusted certain loadout item tooltips for clarity.
Fixed some NPC dialogue typos and item spawns.
Fixed some instances of the Backpack appearing on the front of the Jumpers.
Added some more keyboard and controller button functionality to menus.
Fixed some issues involving going into doors at the same time your Jumper or Backpack would die.
Fixed an issue that didn't allow players to advance through the Mission Over screen if they got a game-over while paused.
Fixed an issue involving deleting many profiles in a row.
Adjusted Title Screen animations when logging in and out of profiles.
Adjusting resolutions will no longer compound their effects on the previous resolution selected. (For best results, we recommend rebooting the game after choosing a new resolution)
Ensured backpack is un-killable while users are exploring relic rooms.
Adjusted some SFX volume levels (cluster bombs, hive threat, and more.)
Adjusted various hazard hitboxes to favor the player more.
Backpack warning beeping no longer persists into menus.
ITS LIVE!
WE ARE LIVE! We are so excited and grateful to our supporters and are working to spread the word about this game.
We'd love all of you to helps us grow the JUMP CORPS by sharing the game with your friends, streaming, posting and playing on launch day!
LIKE THE GAME?! Leave a REVIEW and let us know what is awesome about it!
We're trying to catch the eye of these fine folk - want to give them a shout and tell them about Hive Jump?! We would be most grateful!
This is us right now - killin' bugs in preparation for tomorrows Early Access Debut at 8AM PT / 10AM CT!!!!
Just a quick note to say how stoked we are to bring Hive Jump to Early Access tomorrow!!! Our team has been working round the clock to polish, tweak, improve and impress!
LET'S MAKE AN IMPACT TOMORROW!
We'd love all of you to helps us grow the JUMP CORPS by sharing the game with your friends, streaming, posting and playing on launch day!
LIKE THE GAME?! Leave a REVIEW and let us know what is awesome about it!
Want to help even more!? Share with your favorite news outlet so they can spread the word, too! Teamwork!
YOU LIKE YOUR CONTENT IN WRITTEN FORM?! MAY WE SUGGEST SOME TWEETS TO THESE FINE SITES!
Thanks for being awesome and for your support of indie game-dev! We're getting back to squarshin' bugs and such!
Catch ya tomorrow!
New Boss! What to Expect from Early Access!
A new BOSS!
Caretaker Boss Preview
Incoming transmission from the H.S.A…
The footage you’re about to see is highly classified. A reconnaissance jump team has identified a new elite Ordovician lifeform. The troopers are calling it “The Caretaker.”
This large crab-like alien moves slowly and methodically over icy terrain and harvests water in the form of ice. The caretaker's limbs cause protrusions from the far walls of the hives, giving our teams close platforms for direct assault.
Its weak spot can change so Jumpers must change their formation to do the most damage to this massive Ordovician.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR EARLY ACCESS: DAY ONE
Hive Jump for Early Access focuses on an awesome Arcade experience: action packed run-and-gun gameplay inspired by classics like contra with rouglike touches inspired by industry staples like Spelunky.
You will assume the role of a JUMPER – a soldier bred for the sole purpose of jumping into alien hives to exterminate the viscous hordes who have overtaken these far away planets. You will customize your JUMPER color (9 total), icon (40 total) and even select from available jumper skins (4 total!
The levels or “Hives” of Hive Jump are all procedurally generated – meaning each new mission will be a fresh challenge for you. Each Hive has 4 different regions which you will face including the Crystal Caverns and Mushroom Forests as well as Volcanic and Ice themed locations. Each of these regions is fiercely guarded by a major “boss” alien which the player must defeat to progress.
Earn bonus buffs that improve your "run"! Throughout the mission the player will come across special areas of the hive called “Relic Rooms” which are predesigned challenge rooms that yield player-boosting relics when completed. Players may collect a relic which increases their movement speed, or adds additional armor to their character among other buffs. These items can be discovered throughout the Hive so the player must explore and discover these treasures to give the best chance for survival!
Meet and rescue NPCs to earn valuable resources! As you work through Relic Rooms be on the look-out for NPCs who share lore and also resources such as goo, grenades and health! You never know, some may even be visiting from other amazing indie titles!
You will be able to unlock and upgrade 11 different weapons! Pulverize aliens with pulse rifles, flamethrowers, gamma rays and more – each with 3 upgrade levels that will supply greater function and power!
Unlock and Equip from a collection of 9 GRENADES to deliver maximum damage to the alien menace. Grenade types include sticky casing, trip wires, and even cluster bombs which do damage to a wider area.
Unlock and equip from 8 UTILITY items to support your mission! These Utility items range from protective shields and teleportation tools to healing items which can all mean the difference between success and a gruesome failure.
The Early Access release will feature three different game modes as well. Players can play an ARCADE mode which drops 1-4 players (local, with online play coming soon - more details listed above in case you missed it) into an alien hive comprised from 3 of the 4 environments. Our fastest runs through this mode have lasted between 30 and 40 minutes making it a perfect “jump in and play” experience!
We’ve also added Daily and Weekly Challenges which will load a pre-determined level each day or week, respectively. This will give the “speed run” player something they can practice and improve upon, in order to post scores and times on our leaderboards (which are coming soon, but won’t be available day one).
This is all set to a great soundtrack from Big Giant Circles (Mass Effect 2, Borderlands 2) with sound design from FatBard (Crashlands)!
We've worked our tails off to ensure full controller support, so enjoy that twin-stick excellence as you roast enemies with the comfort of a controller!
A note about STEAM Online Multiplayer:
This one is coming down to the wire. We're confidant we have the right people for the job and that we will have you jumping Hives online with Steam matchmaking soon, but as of today this feature is not complete. Users can access an online lobby, and can search for their friends. They can invite and accept, as well as kick friends from the lobby. Host can start the match and can use chat functions to communicate with their team. Once in a match, however, dis-synchronization of data causes the game to become unplayable. The factors that contribute to this are systems such as the physics system (which we've fixed), but also many others such as random events that can show up in a hive, and also our complex AI (all of which, we are working to fix as quickly as possible).
Any game developer will tell you that networked multiplayer is among the most taxing and time-consuming challenges to add to a game. It’s been our biggest stress with the entire production. We are still devoted to this feature and rest assured we will have it up and running asap, keeping you informed every step of the way.
New Level Building Stream, Weapon, Utility, NPCs & Relics!
New Level Building Stream, Jumper Skin, Weapon, Utility, NPCs & Relics!
Less than a month till our STEAM EARLY ACCESS DATE (JULY 20!!!) Don't forget to wish list the game on Steam and share it with your friends! Let's grow the JUMP CORPS!
Here's another micro-update to get you psyched:
Level Building Stream
New Weapon: Rail Gun
New Utility: Sonar Pulse
New NPCs
New Relics
Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/295670
Watch Matt Donatelli Design Hives!
In case you missed the stream - we've uploaded the capture to youtube so you don't have to miss a thing! Check it out!
The Rail Gun is a skillshot weapon. It has a slower rate of fire but is 100% accurate and the blast is lightning-quick to meet its target. The beam-like nature of the weapon allows it to pass through enemies damaging all foes in a direct line of fire. We'll be sharing more next week as we get closer to release.
Sonar Utility
The Sonar Utility is a great addition to any Jump Corp arsenal. Activate it to release a sonar ping in the hive. This will reveal "offscreen indicators" for the locations of any relic entrance doors, level exit doors, or loot crates hidden among the hives. We'll be sharing more next week as we get closer to release.
New Rescues located!
We've got a new batch of NPCs to reveal this week! As you explore the various regions of the hive, your jump squad may encounter NPCs who have been long lost as they await rescue.
Each NPC will offer both information and some sort of perk which will aid you in your mission. The best part, is that many of the NPCs found in Hive Jump were designed by our backers! We'll be sharing more next week as we get closer to release.
New Relics located within the Hive...
Mysterious Mushroom - Hive mushrooms serve as a food source for Ordovician aliens. However, this one emits a strange type of radiation. Could mysterious mushrooms such as this one contribute to the unique bioelectric physiology of the bugs? The H.S.A. has begun studying these unique mushrooms and has revealed a slightly regenerative field emanating from them.
Necronomicon Ex Mortis - A strange and disquieting book that appears to contain the blood scribed writings of a mad man. Superstitious and unscientific civilizations of the past used to give such grimoires great awe and reverence, but it is doubtful that any of the gibberish written within will aid in the war effort. However, an eerie darkness does seem to permeate from this relic.
Would you like to know more?
As always, please feel free to add questions or comments below! Your feedback is important to the team!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter – and tell your friends about the game!
Gameplay Sneak Peek, NPCs, New Relics, Indy Pop Con!
We're inching ever closer to our STEAM EARLY ACCESS DATE (JULY 20!!!) Here's another micro-update to get you psyched:
Gameplay Sneak Peeks
Online Backer Wall
New NPCs
New Relics
Level building
INDY POP CON
GAMEPLAY SNEAK PEAK!
The fellers over at Gooperative Gaming posted their second video of their Let's Play session from a few weeks back! This video shows the Harvester as well as the Scorcher which we debuted at Indy Pop Con this past weekend. Check our their video above!
OUR BACKERS IMMORTALIZED!
Hive Jump is a kickstarted game. The following is a list of noble and valiant jumpers who voiced their support for the Jump Corps mission to liberate the outer planets from the alien infestations. They are the Hive Jump backers and without them, our mission would not be possible……
If you are a backer and don't see your name listed among the heroic jumpers on this page please let us know! Send an email to info@hivejump.com.
Thank You!
New Rescues located within the Hive...
Throughout your exploration of each hive, your jump squad may encounter NPCs who have been long lost as they await rescue.
Each NPC will offer both information and some sort of perk which will aid you in your mission. The best part, is that many of the NPCs found in Hive Jump were designed by our backers!
We've loved getting to collaborate with each of you as we craft the story and lore behind your characters as well as the visual style and animations too! We've posted three of the NPCs you'll find in the game and will share more with each upcoming update!
New Relics located within the Hive...
Rabbit Ears - This oddly shaped relic appears to be antennae for receiving wireless signals. Before the advent of quantum-entanglement based communications, various wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum were manipulated in order to transmit data. Inexplicably, exposure to the bio-electric fields within the hive has caused these antennae to cut through atmospheric disturbance and decrease the time for reinforcements to arrive in the hive.
Valorous Shield - A makeshift shield reminiscent of those wielded by knights in the days of antiquity. This shield was assembled in great haste by a Tech Officer named Tien from scraps of armor collected from fallen Jumpers after an Ordovician ambush. Tien fought his way out of the hive using nothing but this shield and a handful of scavenged grenades. Tech Officer Tien was awarded a medal for Valorous conduct in delivering data critical to the war effort against all odds. The tools of war may change, but the spirit of valor within human beings remains the same as in the days of the knightly orders of the past.This shield serves as a symbol of valor and protection of human life.
Relic rooms appear randomly with in the hives so a smart jump team will take time to search them out. We've been revealing new relics with each update and we've got two more for you - these were both designed in collaboration with our backers!
More Level Modules, Hazards, and Content!
We continue to crank out new level modules and relic rooms to populate the hives with variety and fun! The system allows our lead designer Matt Donatelli (@mattdonatelli) to work quickly and test quickly too! The source is tile based, but we can then see the rendered version too - which looks pretty swanky!
These ice caverns are especially treacherous as there are lots of razor sharp crystals that can harm even the most careful of jumpers! Check out some animations from our resident pixel-wizard Ben Severs (follow @bsevers18)!
We're very excited to jump into these hives with you on July 20th!
Hive Jump and Indy Pop Con!
What can we say about our visit to Indy Pop Con last weekend? It was truly amazing, flattering, and encouraging! Hive Jump EP Matt Raithel (@raitheoshow) and Lead Designer Matt Donatelli (@mattdonatelli) made a road trip to Indianapolis to share the new Lava Environment and Scorcher boss with over 35,000 fans at the con. Little did we know that we would end the weekend with not one, but two rewards for Hive Jump!
Oh, yeah, we were also shocked to be brought up on stage and given the grand prize as well! That's designer Matt Donatelli accepting the Skateboard Trophy and a few clams to help get us over the finish line as well!
Would you like to know more?
As always, please feel free to add questions or comments below! Your feedback is important to the team!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter – and tell your friends about the game!
Gameplay Sneak Peek, FAQ Update, Level Building, More Relics, Indy POP CON!
Attention Jumpers!
We're getting closer to our STEAM EARLY ACCESS DATE (JULY 20!!!) So the updates are going to come a bit more frequently and be a bit lighter. Here's what you have to look forward to in this update:
Gameplay Sneak Peeks
FAQ Update
Level building
New Relics Located
Indy POP CON
GAMEPLAY SNEAK PEAK!
The fellers over at Gooperative Gaming dropped in to check out the state of the game and do a little raid on the Crusher boss! Check our their video!
New Levels, New Modules, New Hazards, Oh My!
One of the game features we've been very proud of since the beginning is our procedural level generation system and level builder tool. This system allows us to build out all of the different stitch-able pieces that make up a playable hive.
We've been working to build more variety into each of our core environments and that means lots and lots of level design for our lead designer Matt Donatelli (@mattdonatelli)!
We're very excited to jump into these hives with you on July 20th!
New Relics located within the Hive...
Harvester Tail - The tail of a Harvester is heavily armored but has a nub at the end that is soft, pink, and bulbous. This nub is a sensitive weak spot and has a sphincter that opens up to excrete waste and other substances within the Harvester’s body at extreme velocities. These excretions are often covered with the Harvester’s extremely acidic stomach bile. By studying collected Harvester tails, the H.S.A. is developing protective coatings for Jumper armor that resist the extreme acidity of hazards within Ordovician hives.
Jar of Spores - This jar full of hive mushroom spores seems to be the result of experiments by an amateur scientist. The seal on the jar is intact, and the spores within are contained effectively. H.S.A. research has shown that prolonged exposure to non-fatal levels of spores seem to have negative effects on human mental health. In heavy concentrations these spores will cause death by asphyxiation. H.S.A. scientists are hard at work developing filters for Jumper suits and every sample helps.
FAQ Update!
Thanks to everyone who has been mailing,tweeting and messaging questions! We've tried to get answers back to you asap. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions posed to us since the last update.
(Don't forget you can check out and post on the new steam community hub too!)
Steam only shows support for PC, what about Mac and Linux?
Right now we’re only launching Early Access with a PC build, but we will be staggering Mac and Linux releases throughout the Early Access period in order to address any platform-specific concerns. We anticipate that all platforms will be ready for the final launch at the same time, and that there will be cross-platform multiplayer (although this has yet to be tested and verified).
I may not play a lot of multi-player. Would you say Hive Jump is still enjoyable as a single-player experience?
Most definitely! We've made great strides in developing the single player experience! In addition to normal difficulty scaling features like health / enemy quantity scaling, we’ve also solved other balance issues for one player. For instance, in single-player mode the backpack enters a hover-mode when the player dies, allowing them to re-position the backpack to avoid hazards or enemy fire while waiting to re-spawn. This solved a big issue with player-agency we were having in single-player mode. We're confident single player will be a good experience, and can only get better with the feedback of players who are participating in our Daily "Lone Wolf" Challenges.
Indy PopCon was founded to celebrate all aspects of pop culture, rather than just hyper focusing on a specific genre. We are stoked to be invited to share Hive Jump at the convention alongside tons of other indie developers, pop culture icons, and other amazing peeps!
Check out the latest demo of Hive Jump on the show floor: Booth #446! Or catch us on the Let's Play stage Friday at 6:00PM!
Would you like to know more?
As always, please feel free to add questions or comments below! Your feedback is important to the team!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter – and tell your friends about the game!
We're excited to announce that Hive Jump is coming to Steam Early Access on July 20th! As development team members, we're looking forward to jumping hives with all of you and collecting feedback to help make this game the best possible version of itself.
Please see the Store page for in-depth answers to questions like "Why Early Access" and "How will EA be different than the full game?"
We're happy to answer questions here as well. Thanks for your interest and support!
