Development Blog #29 – Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We are continuing to bring more species in the form of Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus. Custom map editor has got a lot of updates since the start of testing period which we’ll introduce here. And the Pachycephalosaurus rework is nearing completion.
Thank you for your support! We are grateful for the feedback we’ve gotten during the custom map editor testing phase as it has provided valuable information regarding the improvements needs. We are still continuing to work on it and other aspects of the game and any feedback is welcome! ːsteamhappyː
Check out more in the dev highlights video below:
Pachycephalosaurus rework
Pachycephalosaurus rework is almost complete with new model, textures and animations.
New species: Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus will be coming to the game and the model is currently being worked on.
New species: Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus is another addition to the species. The model and animations are being created.
Custom map editor updates
Custom map editor beta is available in public_test branch, please have a look at these instructions how you can try out the newest version https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/752900/view/6273023611545311969?l=english
Since the start of the testing period we have done the following improvements to the editor you can already see in the public_test branch:
In the terrain menu you can find new option "Generate base terrain". This will generate you a base terrain with customizable parameters: Height scale, noise scale, island size factor and elevation curve type.
Fixed edit interaction with some objects
Added notifications for generation operations which didn't have any
Road can be regenerated (Select road and press again generate road)
Objects not saved, terrain not saved & gameplay not generated statuses were added to some operations where it was missing like edit
Road, area and grass generation is now multi-threaded
Added redwood trees
Added radio tower
Blocked contracts from dinos that are not on the map
Fix for workshop sometimes loading the wrong map when joining the game
Added many new tree and bush models
Dinosaur pathfinding has been improved. To get benefit of this improvement you need to regenerate gameplay for your custom map
Fix for contracts causing errors when no suitable dinosaur found on custom map
Custom map performance improvement
Terrain brushes have a new option: Brush falloff. It creates smoother edges to your brush. It works with Raise, Lower, Paint and Flatten functions.
When using base terrain generation with Flatmap the edges won't have water anymore
Water lootboxes are generated to map
Game freeze fix when loading custom map with missing files
Fix for when first playing a custom map and then the normal map it would go a bit crazy
Fix for equipment sometimes not showing on other players' hands
Fix if player tries to edit a map before creating any maps
Map marker can no longer be put outside of map
Fix for missions which locations are not in custom map
Added a new palm object
Improved dropdown scroll speed
In addition to the points above we are working on custom object support so you could bring your own models to your maps.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Testing of new custom map editor!
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We invite you to participate in testing of the new custom map editor! You can help us by trying out the test version as we want to hear your feedback on the current set of features. Check out instructions in this post and video user guide.
Here is a user guide video of the custom map editor which showcases it’s main features:
The current features of the custom map editor are:
Terrain creation tool: Alter terrain height, textures and grass with help of automatic generation
Create mountains: Place mountain stamps to speed up terrain creation
Area creation tool: Create different areas and biomes to different areas
Road tool: Create roads that follow environment shapes
Create objects: Place single objects on the map
Create special locations
Testing menu with possibility to walk in the map, change time of day and place posing players
Define which dinosaurs will spawn on the map
Automatic generation of gameplay elements
Publish to Steam Workshop and play in multiplayer workshop map
Things to take into account before starting testing
The testing version of the game utilizes different server. You won’t be using the same player in the test version but start from zero with a fresh player (if you didn’t participate in development testing before). Once you move back to the main server you will continue progress with your existing account and lose any progress made in the test server.
Before you start transferring your game into the open testing mode please make a backup of your player.txt file. It can be found in %steamlibrary_folder%/Prehistoric Hunt/Prehistoric_Hunt_Data/player.txt . The file contains your trophy lodge setup and it will be overwritten if you don’t take a backup. Once you move back from the test version to the actual game you can copy this backup file back to it’s original location.
Please note that when you have the test build active you cannot launch the actual game. When you want to switch back to it in the Betas-menu you will need to choose ‘None’ to get back. You can freely switch between the versions.
Instructions how to get the test version
Right click the game name in Steam library list view and choose ‘Properties’. Then choose tab ‘Betas’. From the dropdown choose “public_test”. Steam will now download the test version and you’ll see in your library view instead of “Prehistoric Hunt” name “Prehistoric Hunt [public_test].
Testing the custom map editor
Watch the video in the beginning of this post to learn the main features.
Please note that some generation operations might freeze the game for a few seconds while they are running. It’s advisable to wait for them to complete without clicking anywhere.
You will find the custom map editor in the main menu by going to PLAY – MAP EDITOR. When starting your first map choose CREATE NEW MAP and when you come back to edit it choose EDIT MAP.
Created maps are stored in %steamlibrary_folder%/Prehistoric Hunt/Prehistoric_Hunt_Data/maps/ with own folder for each map. We recommend you to backup this folder regularly so you can revert unwanted changes!
We will summarize feedback on our Discord about the tool.
Thank you for your support! ːsteamhappyː
Development Blog #28 – Hunting bow and custom map editor
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We are working on a new bow and a map editor among other things. Reworked Compsognathus is almost ready. Read on to find out our progress.
Thank you for all your suggestions and feedback! We really appreciate it ːsteamhappyː
Check the dev highlights video below!
Hunting bow
The second bow is in progress! It is called Hunting bow and it is the game’s first compound bow. It will be able to deal more damage than the tribal bow and like it it’s nearly silent to operate so you won’t spook your prey. It has a built in sight. With it you’ll need to use new arrow type called carbon arrows.
Custom map editor
We are continuing work on our custom map editor. The idea is players could use it to create new worlds to play in and these maps could also be played in multiplayer. So far you’re able to alter the terrain and place trees/foliage on it.
Compsognathus rework
Our reworked Compsognathus is almost ready with a new model, skins and animations!
Pachycephalosaurus rework
Work is ongoing with another dinosaur rework: Pachycephalosaurus. The model is being finalized and then the skin work will begin!
Prioritized dinosaur interaction
Another highly requested feature is making it’s way to the next update: Prioritized dinosaur interaction. It means the dinosaur carcasses take priority over blood pools and foot prints on the ground when pressing interact. This will help tremendously when interacting with Compsognathus carcasses.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hotfix #2 for Third Anniversary Update
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We’ve published another hotfix related to Third Anniversary Update. Here you can find included content:
Big thanks to NQ as Prehistoric Hunt is now also translated to German!
Fix for following Steam achievements: Gold/Diamond Spinosaurus and Thalassodromeus and also Gold/Diamond Master.
Steam achievements with progress will show how near you are achieving them.
Fixed rounding issue when selling ammo. It was causing no notification and the value between client and server be off by 1 after each sell.
Fix for doing quick join causes environment to not load.
Fix for story dialogs playing when story was not active. (Player returned to main menu during story)
When receiving weekly challenge reward, currency and xp value is updated on game client too.
Finding new notes and locations also now directly update currency & xp value in game client.
Master volume setting is now applied on boot. (previously only when entering a match)
Audio volume slider values now show correct values when opening the menu.
If server connecting had issues, do not try to spawn player if not in a game room.
Fixed tracking device dot direction.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hotfix for Third Anniversary Update
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We’ve published a hotfix related to Third Anniversary Update. It provides various improvements related to the update. Thank you again for your feedback! Here’s a list of included content:
Improved performance of new grass.
Fixed bugs in culling and improved accuracy.
Fixed issue where player was unable to create a solo game using new Gun range -map.
Fixed revolver missing cartridges in cylinder.
Fixed grass render distance setting in game options.
Added option to hide magnifying glass icons from footprints.
Added music volume slider to main menu.
Added option to invert weapon/item scroll direction.
Fix for challenge result notification position being off by 1.
Weekly challenge will tell player if current game mode is not compatible with challenge.
Added missing sounds to some menu buttons.
Improved French translation (Thanks MagSouille!).
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Third Anniversary Update is here!
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
Time to celebrate our third anniversary with a fresh update! A few weeks late but it’s finally here! It features a new tutorial mode, reworked dinosaurs, weekly challenges and grass. Read on to find what’s included.
It’s been a great journey and we want to thank our great community for your support! ːsteamhappyː Your continued feedback and ideas help us keep going! We are looking forward to the next year with you!
Check out the patch video here:
Tutorial mode
New players start the game with new tutorial mode before being able to go to the actual game map. Tutorial is voice and text narrated and it goes through the basics of the game. Tutorial is played in a new map.
Gun range
Players can now practice their shooting skills on a gun range (without the need to go to it through the tutorial). It is a separate map that’s completely safe and absent of any dinos. You can shoot with any weapons you currently own. Bullets are free at the gun range so you don’t use any of your own ammunition while in the gun range (infinite mark is shown in bullet amount). The gun range has five shooting places each with their own targets. The targets are at distances of 30m, 50m, 150m, 300m, 500m and 1000m.
Gun range can be used in multiplayer too so you can have a shooting competition! In the top right corner you will see the last hit on a target along with total and average hit score. You can reset your score with the machine at the shooting place.
Weekly challenge
We are introducing weekly challenges where players competed against each other in different kind of challenges. Normal and hard mode have their own weekly challenges. Top three players will be rewarded with gold, silver and bronze cups. These you can then put on display in your lodge. When you inspect the cup it’ll show you details of the challenge where you won it. Top 10 players also get coins and experience points.
Grass rework
The environment has completely new grass. The grass is overall lower and smaller and scattered more in the environment. There are multiple different types of grass. This also fixes the flashlight beam cut issue the older grass had. This grass also reacts to dinosaurs and players: It will bend when interacted with. New grass provides better visibility for players as it isn’t as tall as the old grass and will bend beneath player drastically improving visibility while crouched.
Utahraptor rework
Utahraptor has been reworked with completely new model, animations and textures.
Gallimimus rework
The old Gallimimus model has been replaced with a new model along with new animations and textures. They will now eat from bushes.
Other improvements
Updated French translation (Thanks MagSouille!)
Client player can see own arrows in dinosaurs.
Multiplayer server list shows chosen map and difficulty.
Added in game clock which is visible in menus.
Optimized contract data storage on server.
When selecting "use" on gun in inventory, the gun will be put in hand if it is put to the active equipment slot.
Special location markers are now smaller further away.
Improved basic rifle texture.
Improved some furniture colliders in lodge.
New footstep sounds for concrete.
Better matched grass footstep sounds for different materials.
New contracts for Pachycephalosaurus, Gallimimus, Utahraptor, Spinosaurus and Thalassodromeus.
Full binomial names for all species have been added to stats info page.
Improved culling: Less things disappear which are in view and more efficiency at hiding nonvisible things.
Improved secondary first-person animations.
Improved performance of large bushes.
Bug fixes
Fixed dropped items no longer going through the ruins at Ruins special location.
Fixed ruins stone material displacement issues
Fixed dropped items being put inside rocks, etc. when standing on them.
Improved handling of Steam authentication failure.
Client players no longer have higher spread in shots than host.
Fixed high contract submit count causing issues with not registering and not getting credits.
Null error fixes in player, client player, spawn, player manager, spawncontroller, anim transitions and tracking data disposal.
Fixed Scotch character’s nail material.
Fixed small table lod in lodge.
When dying or taking trophy shot with utility item in hand it no longer breaks weapon animations.
Hand animation fixed when spawning without any items equipped.
Fix for dino territory generation when not enough reference points.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Development Blog #27 – New tutorial mode and dinosaur models/species!
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
Work is ongoing for multiple improvements: Several dinosaurs are reworked and a tutorial mode is being created to help new players get onboard. And a new species is being developed!
Thank you for all your suggestions and feedback! We really appreciate it ːsteamhappyː
Check the dev highlights summary video below!
Tutorial mode
We are developing a tutorial mode for new players. Narration will guide players through basic gameplay knowledge in a safe location.
Gallimimus rework
New Gallimimus model with completely new animations and skins is nearing completion.
Compsognathus rework
New Compsognathus model is being built with new animations.
New dinosaur species: Sinornithosaurus
We are working on a new dinosaur species: Sinornithosaurus. It’s a small carnivorous dinosaur. It will be the first species that will have the possibility to stay on tree branches. It can also glide so you’ll need to be careful with these!
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Development Blog #26 – New grass, environment and a gun range!
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We are continuing improvements on the game and this time we are focusing on the environment. New grass, environment and gun range are under development! Read this blog to find out more!
Check the video below to see how they look currently! And tell us your opinion, what do you think?
Grass rework
We are working on reworking the grass. It will have a lot more variance than the old grass. It will bend beneath the player and dinosaurs.
New environment testing
We have been creating a new environment with the aim of diversifying the biome and making more lively environments. Right now we are testing more dense forests, new tree models and terrain.
The tools that have been created for building the new environments will most likely help bring custom maps more easily into the game. We will be sharing more about them in the future.
Gun range
A gun range is in progress! This is a separate map where you will be able to try out your shooting skills and learn the features of your weapons in a safe environment. You will see where you hit in the targets in the UI.
Utahraptor rework
Utahraptor is being reworked with new model, textures and animations.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Small Autumn Patch is here!
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We’ve published a small Autumn Patch with numerous bug fixes (mostly related to Predator Update) and a night vision scope! Read on to find all content.
Night vision scope
The first night vision scope is now available! It can be used by all the rifles that accept scopes. It’s available in the shop and if you’re lucky you might find one in the loot boxes!
Mosasaurus improvements
Updated Mosasaurus navigation and hunting target logic
Mosasaurus is now synced better for clients
Bug fixes
Fix hard mode in client players. Leaderboard should also work with client players
Fix error in multiplayer when using binoculars
Improved overall sync of dinosaurs for clients
Fix error when selecting a leaderboard and closing the menu before the leaderboard loads
Fixed issue with item unlocks in trophy lodge where new unlocks would be missing when resetting the lodge until lodge re-entry
Fixed missing Thalassodromeus textures
Fixed ambience fog transitions
Modding improvements
Fix for null check in mod meshes
dinosaurs.json multiple skins in common supported
Created ability to update published mod instead of always creating new one
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hotfix for Predator Update
Greetings dinosaur hunters!
We’ve published a hotfix related to Predator Update. It addresses various issues with the update. Thank you for your feedback, it helped us hunt these down! Here’s a list of included content:
Fixed bullet speed of all weapons. It was accidentally returned to older slower speed configuration
Fixed error with contract generation
Fixed missing .338 Heavy Rifle proper gun bonus for different dinosaurs
Improved .338 Heavy Rifle accuracy value
Fixed various multiplayer and special case errors
Bullet drop amount was reduced for all weapons. This means the bullet drop is now a bit less than it was before Predator Update.
Fixed error with hiding weapon while running
Adjusted bow aim to match configuration before Predator Update
Improved gun sway
Improved smoothness of first person
Possible fix for tracking device dot irregularity while moving up and down
Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
