as you probably already know we have been working on combat system and quests for some time and we have done huge progress in those areas, but before we can make those features public the game needs to run as good as possible, because nobody is going to enjoy combat if there are frame drops. That's why we are now releasing update which is primarily focused on improving the overall performance.
Optimisation is in the game development usually the last step before the game is released, because by that time everything is already finished and no changes are allowed. However our game is in early access, which means that every day we are making changes, so it is extremely difficult to make the game run smooth when everything is changed all the time. Nevertheless we are trying to do our best and with this update the performance has increased significantly. It is still not perfect, especially in the night, but it is far better then ever before. With this update we advice you to try different quality settings in the menu to find out what is the best performance/quality ratio based on your hardware.
In fact during the optimisation we were able to also improve the overall visuals. There are now lots of new buildings and other objects with increased quality as of result of more polygons. All the objects are having now much better and more natural looking reflections. Global illumination with indirect lighting was improved. Reflections are dynamic and based on current time of the day including the weather. Also there are now lots of new lights in the night.
Enjoy the new update and let us know what do you think!
Perun Creative
Update 0.30
Hi everyone,
we have just released a new update!
Until this update the game was running on engine Unity 5.6 which is more than 1 and a half year old. To speed up the development and to use the latest features we decided to upgrade to version 2017.4. This upgrade broke lots of stuff and it wasn't easy to fix it, but it is now done and we can now fully leverage the new features in the engine to improve the game.
As you probably now, we are working heavily on combat and quests. Since the last update we have finished our internal tool for writing conversations and quests. So we are now able to easily write and implement quests to the game. The background story is finished and we are working on individual quests. Regarding combat, we are currently reworking player controls to make everything more smooth. Even though we have done big progress with those features, they are still not available in the current update. However both of them are going to be added in the next update. In the meantime we will be publishing multiple videos of the combat and quest system so stay tuned!
The update which we are releasing is primarily focused on visual improvements and bug fixing. Other features which we are currently working on are not yet ready for the public release.
Graphics
Tube lights were added across the city. Thanks to this the game looks much better and believable during night.
With this update we have been working on improving reflections. There are already multiple buildings across the city with much better looking reflections as you can see in the image below.
We have also improved quality of multiple buildings across the whole map, so the overall visuals are now much better and we will continue to do the same improvements for all models in the upcoming updates.
Other changes & Bug fixes
Fixed issues with generating of blue fields in the minigame
Fixed capacity issues when playing as an oldster character
Repaired NPC navigation problems around Prior area
Fixed rare issues with highlighting in the building mode
Improved terrain performance
Added missing props across the city
Fixed issues with switching music before other song ended
Fixed problems with exiting inside buildings on the client
Repaired minigame randomizer
Fixed notifications
Repaired glass artifacts on bus stops
Improved props performance
Expanded initial lines of NPCs
Fixed issues with seasons points, when steam cloud was deactivated
Transition from .Net 3.5 to .Net 4.6
Improved normals on 3D models
Updated textures
Background icons for rare items
Night music
Auto re-synchronization system in coop
Fixed issues with spawn in coop
Fixed multiple synchronisation problems
Repaired oldster reputation
Fixed loading of automatic backups
Updated item database
Polished volume of sound effects
Fixed issues with rest places in hideout
Fixed issue of disappearing hideout
Fixed hideout saving
Fixed option selecting in conversations
Fixed translation collisions in minigames
Enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative
Update 0.23
Hi everyone,
it's finally here! Brand new update ːsteamhappyː
It was quite some time since the last update so here is what we have been working since the last update and what was added/changed.
AI
One of the main reason why there was such a huge time gap between the last update and this one, was because we were doing big internal changes in the AI system. Those changes were necessary for the upcoming features, which are yet in the development like fight system, begging on the street, playing on the instruments etc.
Thanks to those changes there are now much more people on the streets and "no life" areas (e.g., Zizkov) have been populated.
Another plus from those changes is that we are now able to make the AI more alive and diverse. We have already implemented that NPCs can go smoking and Hobo characters are starting to have some basic day/night cycle (keep himself warm, have a beer, just chill or go to sleep). The NPCs are also detecting your presence and they are looking at you if you are near. Adding more behaviours is now quite easy and we will be adding new behaviours in the following updates.
Seasons & Characters
One of the biggest highlights of this update are definitely seasons. Each season last 30 days and than you can move on to the next season. However if you don't want to immediately start the next season, you can carry on in the current one and start the new season later.
Each season is more deadlier then the previous one, because of dangerous weather calamities. These calamities are extreme storms with a freezing wind and deep fog. During those storms even NPCs are rather staying inside, so be careful.
However if you will survive the season you will earn coins, which you can use in the brand new character system, where you can unlock or upgrade your characters. There are currently 4 archetypes which you can get (Common Hobo is the standard character which was used until now). Each character has its own specific gameplay style.
Every playable character has already its own 2D visualisation (in the HUD and in the inventory). However currently they all have the same 3D model, but we are already working on a specific model for each character. Hear is sneak peek of Smelly Jack, which is now in progress.
Quests
We have also been working on implementing core of the quest system. First glimpse of it can already be seen in the game, because ending of the season is made as a simple quest.
But before we can start adding proper and more complex quests we need to first finish our internal writing tool for the quest system. This tool is also used for other texts in the game like conversations.
Addictions
You can now became addicted on alcohol, drugs and ciggaretes if you are using one of those items too many times during small amount of time. Once you are addicted using those items will give you benefits, but if you aren't consuming items which are you addicted to, then you have to deal with withdrawal symptoms. Only way to get rid of those addictions is to survive long enough without consuming those items.
Music
Our music composer Ondřej Morcinek created a lot of new unique music. The length of in-game soundtrack has expanded from 7 minutes to almost 35 minutes.
The music is now more zone based rather then random. Tracks are played in different locations, based on mood of the song and mood of the place in which the player currently is. In the future the music will be also affected with other things like actual weather, current state of the player (if he is alive, ill,...) etc.
Languages
The game is now fully translated to chinese except of few texts, which were changed few days before release, but those few texts should be translated as well soon, so don't worry.
Graphics & Optimisation
Since the last update we have been working really hard on optimisation and graphics visuals. We have finished all our tasks regarding graphics optimisation and we can now move more on improving the visuals. However adding those changes to the public version of the game would take us another week of time, so we decided to release now this content update and the optimisation update with already improved visuals on certain places week later.
Other changes & Bug fixes
Fixed non disappearance of warnings in the bin on the Client
Fixed issues with creating the game, when playing offline
GUI optimisation
Fixed issues on rare monitor setups
Improved crashing in rare situations
Fixed problems with initialisation of Volumetric Lights after rare dll corruptions
Day changes are now visible in lobby for other players
Fixed opening of help screen
GI optimisation
Faster and more optimised NPC streaming
Fixed indirect lighting around Zizkov
Fade in/out of players that are inside
Fixed using character on client from deleted world in different world if they have the same name
NPC are now present even during nights
Collider improvements and optimisation
Dynamic resolution temporarily removed due to performance issues.
Fixed issues with text bundles
Added vending machine sound
Added freezing sound
Added poop sound
Enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative
Development update
Hello everyone,
it is slightly over a month since the last update and we would like to give you some news about what we have been working on.
We have done lots of internal changes in the AI system, which were necessary for the upcoming features like fight system, begging on the street, playing on the instruments etc. Also thanks to those changes there are now more people on the streets and "no life" areas (e.g., Zizkov) have been populated.
We have added seasons with weather calamities. We have unlocked the profile system, which will give you the possibility to choose from different characters with specific attributes/perks resulting in unique gameplay styles. We have started implementing core of the quest system and we are also working heavily on the optimisation together with improving the overall visuals of the game.
The length of in-game soundtrack have expanded from 7 minutes to almost 35 minutes, so there is a lot of new unique music.
Update with all of those new features (and more!) is not out yet, because we just simply need time on polishing and balancing those new features.
Best regards
-Perun Creative
Update 0.18
Hello everyone,
New year is here and we are back with a brand new update!
Features and changes
Gameplay: Overall balancing of the game
Gameplay: Possibility to repair gear from NPC for money
Gameplay: Changed difficulty of minigames with street NPCs
Gameplay: Hints while sleeping
Graphics: Volumetric lighting:
Sun
Moon
Fire places
Volumetric effects on other light sources will be added in the future.
Graphics: Snow accumulation on hideout components is affected with surrounding (roofs structure etc.)
GUI: Added controller support in the menu
GUI: Settings are now divided in to categories (New settings options for example in graphics like resolution, gamma, etc will be added soon)
Multiplayer: Faster connecting to other players.
Other: If your character is stuck you can respawn your character to the nearest safe location using respawn button in the in-game menu. (There is a cool down)
Bug fixes
Fixed issues with character parameters (negative values etc.)
Fixed lobby selection
Fixed displaying of notifications
Faster and improved system for detection of falling through textures/geometry. Respawn after this glitch is now to the nearest safe location instead of to the beginning like in the previous versions
Fixed issues with freezed building GUI
Fixed GUI alignment in menu
Fixed Furgrim reputation
Enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative
Update 0.17
Hello everyone,
we have just released a new update! ːsteamhappyː
Features and changes
Gameplay: Charity can give you some free stuff now.
Gameplay: Increased density of remarkable stuff in bins, but the number of rubbish was increased too.
Gameplay: Increased density of remarkable stuff for stealing.
Gameplay: Hints are displayed during sleeping.
New clothes durability mechanic is available. You can damage your clothes, which could loose some stats.
You can repair your damaged clothing at crafting tables, which can be found on multiple locations in the game
GUI: New icons for submenu categories.
GUI: Added buffs detection in the HUD
Language: As promised we are working on the Chinese translation. In this update we have already translated around 50% of all texts. This includes the whole GUI, items and some conversations. The remaining translation will be added soon.
Language: All the fonts in the game supports chinese characters. So you can now use those characters in chat, in the world name etc.
Bug fixes
Fixed generating items in stealing
Fixed issues with recipes in master
Fixed issues with stealing from NPC
Repair of rest places, so that they give only shelter buff
Enjoy the new update and merry Christmas!
- Perun Creative
Update 0.16
Hi everyone, It's update time!! ːsteamhappyː
Features and changes
Items: Flashlight and laser pointer are now usable.
Gameplay: Various global gameplay improvements.
Gameplay: Reputation system introduced for persistent NPCs.
You can improve your reputation with certain characters by talking to them and use opportunities for building rapport.
Gameplay: CHARISMA attribute has been implemented into the game. From now on, not every passer-by will be willing to engage in a conversation with you. The higher the Charisma, the higher the chance of starting a conversation. This chance is also influenced by the current level of stink of the player character.
Gameplay: New begging opportunities in conversations with pedestrians. You can spend more trust points to get greater sums of money.
Gameplay: Added crafting recipes for Strange fabric and Remarkable fabric.
Gameplay: Trading with Anatolij has been reworked (in the anticipation of the reputation system). Now it is possible to sell only a small selection of items at Anatolij’s Pawnshop, but with no risk and prerequisites. Anatolij offers less money than pedestrians on the street, but selling items at his pawnshop increases reputation with him.
Gameplay: Structure of the indoor NPCs Resident and Working man has been changed to improve the flow of the interaction. Structure of the option “It’s freezing outside” has been improved.
Gameplay: Spawn tables for stealable items have been reworked.
Gameplay: After you die, you can buy back your items from lost-and-found category from some merchants
Gameplay: Major changes to the roles of some hobo NPCs. Named hobo NPCs can now teach player character various skills and recipes previously available at the Hobo Master. Hobo Master now does not teach skills and recipes associated with the named hobo NPCs.
Master Hobo no longer teaches the following:
- Promotions: Dumpster Diving, Trading, Crafting, Thief, Lockpicking
- Perks: Street Vendor
- Recipes: All reconditioning, All hideout structures, Useful junk, Picklock
Some training opportunities need to be discovered through interaction with the particular hobo NPC first.
Performance: Another round of optimisations. On our test computers we are getting more then 20 FPS improvement in some areas compared to the previous versions, but locations like train station, main street are still performance heavy, but even there you should see performance improvement.
Bug fixes
Fixed issues with patience points of merchants after disconnecting and connecting
Repaired English conversations, where was ' instead of '
Fixed issues with duplicated items
Enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative
Update 0.15
Hello everyone,
another major update is here!
Features and changes
Graphics: Realtime global illumination, which improves the overall visuals of the game
Graphics: First version of night lighting (finally! ːsteamhappyː)
Performance: Lots of internal changes and optimisations, which leads to overall better performance.
Items: Find rate of building components in bins was lowered
Items: Added new items (healing tea, white rum, herbs)
Items: Crafting poncho items is harder now, but they have better parameters
Hideout: More than 20 new building models
Hideout: Decorable components can have bonus attributes
Hideout: Some decorables are upgradable
Gameplay: There is a new type of consumable items, which can strengthen your character attribute values (Absint, Vodka, Whiskey, White rum)
Gameplay: Modified descending of some values (energy, food, morale)
Bug fixes
Fixed desynchronization of built components on the clients
Fixed issues when building on the edge of the shelter
Fixed synchronization of restplaces and interactable icons in shelter
Fixed issues when moving restplace which was occupied by another player
Fixed GUI freezing when building behind the store
Fixed GUI freezing when playing a minigame in bins
Fixed of selling items to hobo called Monty
Fixed crashes caused by multi-threading rendering
Updated colliders
Enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative
Update 0.14.019!
Hi everyone,
update is finally here!!! ːsteamhappyː And this one is by far the biggest since the release.
Features and changes
Gameplay: We have implemented quickslots to the game. You can equip 5 quickslots with consumable items, 2 with usable items and 1 with weapon. Weapons are not available in this current version and usable items (flashlight, sleeping bag, etc.) are not fully implemented yet. When using mouse and keyboard you can use items in the quickslots with keys 1,2,3,4.
Gameplay: Added new hobo characters. You can sell them specific items or buy something from them. You can also learn some knowledge by chatting with them. In order to do that you need friendly relationship with them. Here you can see few of them:
Gameplay: Added new poop feature. Now you can drop a load on a new outdoor spots to relieve your character.
Crafting: New blueprints and the current one were changed
Crafting: Added new important raw material for crafting - Useful junk
Looting: More sophisticated spawn in bins, lockers and doors
Looting: Locked bins always have better basic loot
Items: Changed bag parameters
Items: System of crafted food was modified. There are 3 types of goodies now. The Better ones provide you warming bonuses
Indoor npcs have new strategic options (You can get also food now)
Character: Changed weight system in inventory. The weight is no longer determined by the number of occupied slots, but it is calculated based on weight of every item
Gameplay: Environment is more brutal then before. Changed the strategy of playing the game
Gameplay: It is more difficult to find a lucrative items
Level design: Added few new locations. Train station area was improved
Performance: First map parts were heavily optimized. Currently the result is not very noticeable, but in the upcoming updates this should be more and more noticeable on your performance)
AI: Improved avoidance
Networking: Increased tick rate from 20 updates per second to 30
Networking: Improved animation synchronization
Updated colliders
Bug fixes
Fixed issues in coop when choosing hideout bonus
Improved object placing in hideout
Fixed color issues when relocating in hideout
Fixed missing models on some hideout items
Fixed issues with building animation
Reworked hideout synchronisation in coop -> fixed synchronisation problems in hideout
Reworked stash synchronisation in coop -> fixed synchronisation problems with stash
Sound settings works already before loading the game
Fixed disappearing slots in fireplace
Fixed incorrect item categories on client
Repaired master skill
Fixed duplicated item when building
Update 0.12.035
It's update time!
Sorry that it took us sooo long to release a new update, but that was because we were on gamescom and things which we were working on took us a bit more time then we expected.
Gamescom 2017
It was a very challenging and exciting event at the same time. We have met a lot of new awesome people and the feedback from them was great! ːsteamhappyː
Here is our stand 5 minutes before gates opening:
Our stand in action:
Enough about gamescom and now to the patch notes!
Features and changes
Improved post processing colorization
Inflammable items in fireplace are now displayed as semi transparent
Improved notification system - the oldest notifications are rewritten when there is no more space on the screen
Help icons are now interactable and you can click on them
Superfreezing - when you are freezing and the temperature is below 0 C° (32 F°) you will receive a status Superfreezing, which is much more deadlier then normal freezing
Escape button now works in all conversation situations and you can exit the conversation with it whenever you want.
Increased maximum length of chat messages
Slots in inventory are no longer unlimited. Every item has maximum stock count
Added sell category in shops, where you can see what you can sell from your inventory (Things you can sell are based on the NPC type)
Improved game balancing
Improved fire visibility in coop
Stamina - maximum amount of stamina is based how fresh (tired) is you character. Stamina is decreased while running.
Bug fixes
Fixed renewing of patience points (#)
Fixed joining issues - if you were facing issues regarding connecting, then you don't have to do connecting twice anymore
Polished saving system of shelters
Updated engine to the latest version - this should solve crashing on some computers
Repaired rare lockpicking issues
Fixed stuck notifications after switching worlds
Repaired scroll in building
Fixed capacity after reloading world
Fixed possibility to loot hidden items in bin when quickly switching slots
Fixed unlimited vending machines
Repaired rest interaction problems
Repaired problems with near interactions after switching worlds
Fixed duplicated items in shops
Fixed addictions
Repaired lighting issues in rare situations when going back to menu
Fixed blood screen when in coma
Repaired wrong character rotation while sleeping
Fixed rare issues with texture streaming after another player is connected
Fixed multi-threading issues with the connection message
Fixed lockpicking synchronisation
Fixed drag and drop issues in fireplace on client
Fixed disappearing items in bin on client
Repaired shrapnel issues
Improved occlusion culling
Weather optimisation
Fixed cloud issues after switching worlds
Fixed slots unlocking in bins
Repaired possibility to interact with surrounding in coma
Fixed extreme thumb stick sensitivity when using controller
