1) We noticed a lot of FPS sudden drops that were caused by the air inside of the base.
As you can se we reproduced the air with those spheres that take in consideration physics when hitting something but they also try to escape using an AI system for navigation.
We made two modifies because they were updating overlaps and this was causing FPS sudden drops but they also are heavy because they are like small characters so we managed to reduce the impact of this feature to less than half as it was.
Clearly, if you build a large base this could hit the performances but gradually and without causing low fps spikes. To completely get rid of this we are also considering to change this system with something lighter but we would like to hear your opinion too.
This graph is to show what was happening before the update and after.
Basically when red lines are at a peak it means the game (not the graphics) are doing something heavy so FPS will drop and then restart normally. The overall work is not changed (reducing this is harder) but the spikes are gone. (The test was made using almost the same conditions in a small base with two ventilated foundations)
2) We fixed the repair for build parts that was bugged and was not sending messages. Now it should be clear if you need more resources to repair that part or if you repaired it successfully. Anyway repairing with a button is not that fun so we are also thinking how to make the repair process more fun to use.
3) Other fixes and changes.
Version 9.6: Hotfix for long loading times
We Fixed a bug with the navigation system that was processing too many data when opening a map due to a bug.
This was causing the game to stuck for minutes before opening a map and other problems.
The error was introduced with the engine version upgrade and we are very sorry to have solved it only now.
Anyway loading times are now more reasonable on a traditional HDD drive 5400 rpm:
https://youtu.be/NpaLePfBqQw
1:45 minutes from start to the largest map loaded on a common hard disc drive
And, For comparison, on a Samsung SSD 850 EVO drive:
We are continuing the process of fixing the "core" of the game until it will be easier to use and nice to see but we are also working on new features that will require more than a day to be completed.
So, half of the work we are doing is on new content that is not still ready to be uploaded in this updated and another half is on fixing old things that can be updated immediately:
1) Vehicle hud has been updated, there were wrong tooltips for suspensions and we changed a bit the graphic:
2) Inspect panel (the one for inspecting a base) was reworked and rechecked to be clearer and also some bugs have been fixed:
3) Build mode panel was updated with a progress bar to quickly see if you have an item or not:
4) Also changed the stats bars of the Live mode:
Version 9.4: Bugfixing
1) We have almost fixed destructible meshes ("almost" because there are still some strange physics with exploding resources) but we solved the crash problem so we re-enabled it by default (Anyway you can still disable it if you want or if you experience problems)
2) Added a short-cut for Game Settings panel in the main radial menu.
3) Fixed the character movement speed multiplier (under game settings) that was no longer working
4) Fixed some texts appearing out of the screen
5) Made the portable laser drill hud moveable so it can be positioned where you need
6) We started to change many progress bar (we still have to complete this process) that were very ugly to see with a more modern system
7) Added Steam controller support and we are also adding Steam communication plugin to be able to use steam achievements and other features but it's still work in progress
8) Minor fixes
Version 9.3: Bugfixing
1) Changed the spotlight to be directionable with character aim and also increased intensity.
2) Fixed selfie mode that was taking bad pictures
3) Added achievement close button (achievements are still under development)
4) Added Destructible meshes for resources or base parts. Because it's experimental you will have to enable this feature underl HELP > GAME SETTINGS > USE DESTRUCTIBLE MESHES. (at the moment this preference is not saved so you will have to re-enable it if you quit the game).
If everythings works we will add this as default like it was in earlier game versions.
5) Fixed the double mouse cursor that was displayed. If we use a better cursor than the window one it lags and it's less accurate. Hardware cursor is ugly but for now it works better.
6) Fixed some tooltip appearing partially out of the screen
7) Fixed the interaction system that now is more responsive (it's the system to inspect items / vehicles, / build parts,/ resources)
8) Other Fixes
Since next week we will re-start working full time on the project so we will try to make some bigger update because we have a lot of major things to be added that are waiting since a while.
Version 9.2: Small HotFix
1) We fixed the bug with weapon saying that couldn't be used in live mode.
2) Also stabilized the aiming with weapon when not moving and therefore also the head movement is reduced...
2) We changed the character that now, when using weapon, will recenter the aim when running instead than pressing F or gamepad right thumbstick button.
3) Updated Engine Version to 4.20.2 that is the latest one.
Version 9.1: Update
1) Jupiter's Moon Io is back with new textures:
2) Skeleton effect on hit is back:
3) Fixed a problem with weapon that wasn't returning to the previous selected camera after going into "scope" mode
4) Fixed a problem with moons or planets appearing in the sky with a background in 9.0
5) Fixed the possibility to enter a vehicle with a weapon or to use build mode when using weapon to avoid problems
6) Changed character creation a bit
7) We are trying to reduce head movement that was too accentuated so we modified the animation speed when not moving (no weapon idle only at the moment) but it's just experimental, if it's ok for our users we will extend this to weapon aiming in a very short time.
If you have an NVIDIA SUPPORTED GPU you can take 360° screenshots, position the camera etc by pressing ALT+F2 and ESC for closing the menu.
9) Changed vehicles hud and added a button to exit vehicle instead than pressing a key (the key to exit vehicle is still working)
10) other minor fixes.
Concerning loading times we noticed that the first time a map is opened requires more time to load and due to the fact that the engine doesn't support anything to work when loading a level you could experience a few minutes of black screen. Anyway, if you wait, it loads the level and next time you go there it will take less time to load.
We suggest to use the game on SSD drive if you want really quick loading, anyway we will check for some way to speed up the loading of open world maps because, at the moment, all levels are loaded at the beginning of the game and this is taking some time with a common Hard disc drive.
Version 9.0: Hotfixes
We have made a modify to the compression of the game because Steam already compress data to reduce download time and, with an already compressed game like it was users will need longer downloads for updates.
The downside is that this patch will be heavier.:
We have also added an achievement system that will work with Steam Achievements but due to the complexity we will need another couple of day to make it fully functional.
As you may have noticed if you played the game before 8.9, due to the upgrade to the new unreal engine version we had to remove all destructible meshes (the parts that go into pieces when triggered) because they provoked crashes of the Unreal Engine.
We still don't understand why it happens so we decided to use another system to represent base parts or rocks destruction that is stable and that is temporary.
As soon we find out a solution we will restore the old system.
Finally we made some fixes in menu, starting map, the Earth that was with a blank material due to an error in the material etc. Also fixed the standard initial post processing settings that were exagerated and the starting map because the character was blurred due to texture streaming.
Version 9.1 will be live in a few days to complete achievements and to add some new features we are working on.
Thank you for your patience and support
Version 8.9: Hotfix for the destructible meshes bug
Due to a crash happening with destructible meshes (rocks, build parts etc) we needed to temporary disable any destructible mesh.
We will work on a solution to restore also this feature but at the moment we decided to upload a stable version even if the feature is missing.
We also added a couple of modifies requested by users.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this bug.
Version 8.8: New Engine Version, Better Save for parameters, First person weapon fixes
We have updated the game engine (Unreal Engine 4.19) to the latest version available (Unreal Engine 4.21) that have a lot of improvements:
So we can work with some new tools to improve game performances etc.
The downside is that:
1) We disabled the skeleton effect on hit because it's still not compatible with ue4 version 4.20
2) We disabled also the voxel terrain used for asteroids with caves in it for the same reason
3) We removed Io map because was causing issues.
For Io map, your savegames will remain but you can't play it for a while. Anyway we think that wasn't at Mars level and we will try to remake textures and lava before re enabling it in the game.
For the other two features we hope to re-implement it as soon as the developers that made those plugins will upload an updated version.
About the fixes:
1) We made the save system to also store settings (for each user created) for blur amount, bloom, music volume and other parameters like the character speed multiplier and the base parts working speed.
2) We changed the first person camera because it wasn't correctly following the weapon and now seems better but we will keep working on it.
3) We disable the notifier on the item removed or added on storage inventories (that are the inventories on vehicles or build parts). there were too many informations and due to the system base Central Unit works it's better to try some different system.
4) We replaced the old bug report system that was using a form with the official discord channel where you can report all bugs, screenshot or ask for tips. It's very easy to use and we see the messages almost immediately.
5) We increased wind turbine power output that was too low.
6) Reworked the inspect panel for the single part mini-widget that displays part status, health etc. that now can be used to repair distant parts.
7) Fixed inventory to duplicate equipment slots when opened
