Memories of Mars
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 6 Info
Patch #6? Patch #6 it is! Small update this time. There aren't any new additions, only fixes and changes. Patch goes live in the next couple of hours.
List of changes:
FIXES
The following has been fixed:
• Whitelist/blacklist for private dedicated servers.
• Consumables healing broken body-parts when they weren’t intended too.
• Stretched loading screens in certain aspect ratios.
• Client crash when interacting with certain devices.
CHANGES
The following has been adjusted or change:
• Loading screen will now remain whilst buildings are loading to prevent players using this to see inside other players’ bases. This is just the first step regarding loading screen transitions.
• Improved sync between server and client states on wieldable objects.
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team
MEMORIES OF MARS - Integrating InstaLOD into Memories of Mars
Right from the beginning we knew we wanted Memories of Mars (MOM) to be an open world survival game without any in-game loading times which would break the immersion. Surviving on Mars should be a continuous experience. However the already high amount of assets needed to dress a believable open world was increased even further by players' possibility to add their own creations. Ultimately, high quality Level of Detail models (LODs) for assets as well as level proxy meshes (Level LODs) became a crucial requirement for us.
With a relatively small development team and even smaller art team, investing time into polishing, let alone creating LODs was simply not possible. There was a need for a reliable and preferably fast solution and InstaLOD proved to be the right option. What really sets InstaLOD apart is the integration into Maya and 3dsMax. The ability to integrate InstaLOD directly into our Art pipeline was quite a time saver. On top of that, it is just nice to author LODs inside the software you are most comfortable with.
I was quite amazed by the little time needed to reduce a rather highpoly asset and the pretty clean result you get. Quite often the differences between the first few LODs are hardly visible. InstaLOD does a good job of keeping the overall silhouette of an asset. With the right Screen Size setting in Unreal Engine 4 applied, the transition in-game is almost seamless:
Example of three LODs generated using InstaLOD for Maya
Speeding up the Art Pipeline:
The same can be said about the generating of LODs for skeletal meshes. It turned out to be a valuable feature for us. We have quite an arsenal of weapons and armour in MOM and all of them are skeletal meshes. Having the possibility to generate LODs for them on the fly without having to worry about skinning each LOD manually is a real time saver.
In the end we are able to provide more granular quality settings due to the large amount of LODs we created.
To increase production speed even more, batch-profiles (simple JSON files) can be set up in Maya or Max with pre-defined reduction settings. These batch profiles can easily be shared amongst the team. The combination of InstaLOD’s batch processing and our own packing tools turned creating, grouping and exporting assets to Unreal Engine 4 into a matter of just a few clicks. Most of the lower LODs even proved to be accurate enough to be used as player collisions straight away.
What applied to single assets quickly became the same need as for Level LODs. Viewing distances on the red planet are far, and large structures serve as crucial orientation landmarks for players. Therefore the overall silhouette and characteristics of in-game locations needed to be kept recognisable even from larger distances. This brought up the question how to best create LODs for entire levels. Being an Early Access title, MOM is still an evolving project. We keep iterating on levels almost daily. Exporting them from Unreal to Maya and reassigning all textures would have been painful. Luckily, InstaLOD released a new Unreal Engine 4 plugin. The new plugin includes nearly all features from the Maya or 3ds Max integration, so it includes all the tools needed to create LODs of entire scenes in the engine directly.
Level LOD generated in-engine using the InstaLOD plugin
Empowering the Team:
As a plus it empowers everyone on the team to create or update a level LOD themselves. This way our level designers can keep changing the structure of a level and generate the LOD directly afterwards without additional support from the art team.
We started to use the powerful polycount reduction for other areas of the asset pipeline as well. During the production of MOM we worked with several Outsourcing partners from across the world. InstaLOD allowed us to be less restrictive in terms of polycount requirements in the briefings and instead, let our Outsourcing partners focus on the artistic side of asset creation.
The same was true for in-house asset production. InstaLOD made it easy for us to merge several textures into one. This way we could create new assets out of already pre-existing assets or fully textured asset-kits without ending up with multiple material draw calls per newly created objects.
During all this time the InstaLOD team was very responsive. We worked closely with them and in turn we got some additional features tailored to our specific needs.
In the end, using InstaLOD proved to be the right decision for us. It became a central tool in our Art pipeline and will be in future game productions for sure.
Janrike Berger, Limbic Entertainment GmbH, 2018
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 5 Info
It's the weekly patch update time! Today Patch #5 has been deployed. On with the list of changes:
ADDITIONS
The following has been newly added to the game.
• You can now scrap unwanted schematics in the research center and get flops for them
FIXES
The following has been fixed.
• Fixed T3 chest rig spawn chance
• Fixes for weapon handling
• Fixes for bleeding/healing at the same time
• Fix for audio sources doing too many occlusion checks, which results in performance issues
• Client crash fix when pressing Alt+F4 when the stasis chamber confirmation dialog is open
• Fix for disappearing HESH grenades
• Fix for elevator blocking projectiles in mid-air
• Fixes for client crashes when using inventories
CHANGES
The following has been adjusted or changed.
• Better server browser query handling (server refresh bug is fixed)
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 4 Info
It's time for our fourth Season 3 patch. On with the changelog!
This patch will go live at 10:30 GMT / 11:30 CET
ADDITIONS
The following has been newly added to the game:
• Implemented "Continue" button in main menu to immediately join the last played-on server
• Implemented "Join LAN Game" button in main menu. LAN servers will also show in the server browser without port-forwarding from now on. This will make solo or local play much easier!
FIXES
The following has been fixed:
• Fix for issue with having old AI loot spawner in tutorial
• Fix for tooltip showing wrong items when damaged
• Fix for chest rig
• Fix for audio occlusion
• Fix for server crash
• Fixed ADS bug
• Fix for client crashes
• Fix for incorrect supply tracker positions + performance improvements
• client crash fix (stasis chamber)
• Player made buildings lights need access permission to be interacted with
CHANGES
The following has been adjusted or change:
• Denied player customization of others if they are not in the same alliance
• Implemented permission for base customization (you can now prevent players painting your base!)
• removed "ghost items" after leaving the tutorial to reduce confusion
• Deployables now show a hologram, so it's easier to know where the deployable will be placed
• Improved readability of main menu buttons
Known issues
These are issues found in testing that we are aware of and will be fixed in subsequent patches:
• Client side Performance issues
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team
MEMORIES OF MARS - Free Weekend for everyone!
Memories of Mars is free for everyone to play up until the end of the weekend (ends Sunday, 7th of October around 10:00 PDT/19:00 CEST). We decided to let everyone experience the harsh landscape of Mars and also help Martians that have already purchased the game bring some friends over for a better co-op experience!
If you are a new Martian clone - aka playing the game for the first time - and you liked what you've experienced then consider buying the game since there is a 50% discount on the game price which ends on the 9th of October.
See you all on Mars, old and new Martian clones!
Regards,
Mother (You MoM CM!)
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 3 Info
Time for patch #3 in Season 3.
On with the changelog:
FIXES
The following has been fixed.
• Losing random items when retrieving player backpack after death when reordering inventory.
• 2 sever crashes.
• Alliance members not showing correct location on the map in real time.
• Fix for client crash when other alliance member logs off
• Deployable items falling to the ground when placed above ground height in a player building.
• Fix for droppable items falling through structures on server restarts
• The ground elevator call button in the Ice area.
• SMG sounds travelling across the map.
• Workers Chestrig now correctly increases your total carry capacity.
• Fix for rubberbanding when carrying too much weight
• Weapon mod dupe fix
• Level Design fixes for floating ore and holes in landscape
• Fix for time capsule not available immediately in the new season
CHANGES
The following has been adjusted or changed.
• Injection printer, Storage vault and Industrial furnace have had their schematic requirements removed. This will remain that way.
• Players will now receive an icon above their head when in an alliance. Changed from the name for better visibility at longer distances.
• No build volume has been added to the long tunnel in the ice area.
• Drones will now switch target if current target become unconscious.
• Improved point finding and pathing of the Drone.
• All Ai can now shoot through unfinished building parts.
• Added "Not available on private server" message to Individualizer
• Improved headlight
• When placing structures, the building parts can now also be flipped via mouse wheel in addition to pressing E
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 2 Info
The second patch for Memories of Mars Season 3 contains only fixes:
FIXES
The following has been fixed:
• Drone sound not disappearing once the drone de-spawns/dies.
• Popup not closing when a player leaves an alliance whilst someone else is trying to promote that player.
• Materials changing colour after the mining tool display was customized.
• Pinned work orders not showing up when switching server.
• Tooltip UI sometimes not appearing when you highlight.
• Research centre UI adjustments.
• 1 Client crash
• 2 Server crashes.
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team.
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 - Patch 1 Info
We went into Season 3 of Memories of Mars yesterday. If you missed it, you can read all about Season 3 here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/644290/announcements/detail/1698310827791388510
And with Season 3 this is what's been added to the game in bullet point format:
ADDITIONS
The follow has been newly added to the game.
• New elite enemy – Drones
• New player device – Billboards.
• New weapon type – SMG.
• Added the Emergency protocol quest system.
• New equipment modifications – Helmet headlamp and chestrig.
FIXES
The following has been fixed.
• Exploit allowing players to get inside terrain using the stasis chamber.
• Mantis smoke staying on the server and causing performance to deteriorate over time
• Items and deployables will now drop to the ground when a structure is destroyed.
• Items and deployables now orientate correctly when moving on elevators.
• Ballistic shield weapon module now correctly absorbs incoming damage.
• Handling of flash light.
• Alliance related issues (messages, ownership, location on map etc.)
• Players will no longer own patterns from the individualizer when purchased by a member of their alliance. But not purchased by themselves.
CHANGES
The following has been adjusted or changed.
• Extended the world map to include an ice area.
• Improved game flow and localization text in the starting tutorial area.
• Players will only have to experience the tutorial 1 time per season. This also includes switching servers.
• Additional pattern added for Season 3
• Previous season patterns have had a price adjustment in-line for new patterns to take their spot.
Known issues
These are issues found in testing that we are aware of and will be fixed in subsequent patches.
• The sound of the drone may continue to play when destroyed or resetting its self.
o Log in/out as a workaround.
• Coming out of ADS can make your character walk at ADS speeds.
o Tap sprint key and your characters default moving speed will be reset.
• Map markers’ are not clearing from the compass even if you delete the marker off the map.
• LoD streaming distance has been altered and can cause FPS drops whilst an asset loads.
o Fixed internally, hotfix planned.
Regards,
The Limbic Dev Team
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3: Now Live & Thank You message!
Season 3 is upon us! We went live on Season 3 of Memories of Mars today at 8AM PCT, the 25th of September.
First and foremost we would like to thank all Martians, especially the clones that have been with us from Season 1. We listened to your feedback, wiped from the face of Mars all the bugs everyone spotted and we'll continue to do so on a day to day basis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gmSYamOvoU
Season 1 started off with the game being PVP only and with Season 2 we introduced PVE modes, the inclusion or Private servers, vehicles, the inclusion of a female clone, new weapons and various skins you could choose from.
Season 3 kicks off with more optimization to the game engine and a new map extension offering an additional setting for players to explore new facilities and points of interest scavenging for resources to survive. They will be able to discover hints on the events that lead to the abandonment of the Martian mining operations but will also face a new threat: Air drones. Always on watch, these top-security enforcers, will lock their spotlight over any player entering their surveillance areas and will unleash their full power over them.
Thankfully there are new additions to the player’s arsenal, as a fully customizable new DW-20 RIPPER submachine gun is available to 3D print. But this is not the only addition to player’s equipment’s. Following community requests built in headlights have been implemented to improve visibility on the darkest Martian nights. Also, alternative armour configurations are now available to offer advantages in weight management.
Other popular request of our clone community were additions to the base-building catalogue, and we are introducing a Gate and Holographic screens. All new items will have associated skills implemented on the skill tree.
A new tab in your inventory will display “Emergency protocols” from “Mother”, the ever-present AI running the system, small mini-quests with rewards that will help players get valuable resources while discovering new and hidden locations.
And lastly, “Mother” needs as many new clones as possible to test the new enhancements on the system! So MoM kickstarts its Season 3 on Steam on September 25th with a new SRP of $19,99 and a 50% discount on top!
Join us today for a new and exciting Memories of Mars season!
Thank you Martians, old and new!
505 Games & Limbic Entertainment
MEMORIES OF MARS - Season 3 Tease - The Drone
Season 3 will introduce a new enemy, a new nuisance for all of you to deal with, the drone. The drone can fly over any area and once it spot you it's almost impossible for it to lose track of you so be very weary.
The drone is equipped and armed with missiles and it's sole purpose of existence is making sure clones are blown to pieces!
Let us know your thoughts about this new addition, coming soon on the 25th of September 2018, 10AM PCT. When Season 3 kicks off!
Love,
Mother.