New Structure In Development
We're working on some new map changes based on early gameplay testing. One of our designers has been working on a new structure for some internal tests in the new year. Heavily work in progress!
Robocraft 2
New Mars Structure In Development
We're working on some new map changes based on early gameplay testing. One of our designers has been working on a new structure for some internal tests in the new year. Heavily work in progress!
Robocraft 2 - First Trailer Is Now Live
We have just released the very first trailer for Robocraft 2! These were recorded with a select number of the community via a closed multiplayer alpha. Every single block is simulated server-side for truly incredible physics interactions between players! This technology allows us to achieve some very unique things that were not possible in the original Robocraft and we as a team are excited to explore them further!
Please enjoy the trailer below!
Online Multiplayer Internal Testing
We wanted to share a clip from our internal multiplayer alpha testing. Check out a robot design with multiple seats and footage of out-of-robot use of the Quantum Machine Gun.
The Quantum Machine Gun
The QMG will be the first handheld weapon for player characters while on foot. It is nowhere near as powerful as a traditional weapon on a machine, but it is very effective against other players on foot. Holding the right mouse button while firing will provide more accuracy, but your player will move slower while doing so.
Damage per shot - 5
Recharge 0.1
50 damage per second
Here are the stats for 6x Laser Autocanons
Damage per shot - 7
Recharge - 0.083
84 Damage per second
The QMG works best in pilot-to-pilot combat situations while both pilots are on foot. While on foot you are extremely vulnerable and will need to decide whether to try and fight or to recall back to base and respawn your robot.
NB: In our in-studio tests we found that trying to attack a Robot on foot with a QMG is normally a bad idea. You are so exposed, slow and weak relative to Robot that you come off worse. Normally the pilot is hidden somewhere in the Robot and your QMG shots cannot get to him so you end up getting killed or run over.
Manned Turrets and The Automated Defence System
Over the last week we’ve been sharing a lot of info on the objective structures on Mars and today we wanted to go into a few defensive structures that are present to help defend your fusion towers and reactor core.
In the original Robocraft, the map did not have interactive elements and the map did not change as the match progressed (aside from the Protonite Core). For Robocraft 2 we are planning to create dynamic environments with destructible features that react to the battle. This could come in the form of an automated defence system, bridges which would allow for shortcuts or even a giant multi-manned megabot which could turn the tide of battle.
Manned Turrets
These are powerful but stationary turrets in the world which can only be used by the team it has been assigned. For Hela’s Basin, we’ve placed them close to the fusion towers so that they can be used as a powerful defensive turret. These are indestructible, but you can shoot the pilot.
Other maps in the future may have a number of other defensive measures to help players defend their objectives.
Automated Self Defence System
Previously we revealed the Reactor Core which would expose itself when the fusion towers were destroyed. Another event that occurs when all fusion towers are destroyed, is the area around the Reactor Core will activate the Automated Self Defence system. Four turrets will spawn and will automatically aim at the nearest enemy player and begin firing a volley of plasma shots.
These turrets are destructible, but they will take a considerable amount of damage to disable them.
Fusion Towers, Reactor Cores And The Battle Gate
A few days ago we shared the first look at Protonium Crystals. They may look a little different, but they still serve the same purpose as they did in the original Robocraft. You are going to shoot them! But they don't just explode, instead, chunks will fly off these blocks and they will disconnect from the structure they are placed on if you deal enough damage
Some veterans may remember the fusion towers from the original Robocraft. We are bringing them back in Robocraft 2. However, they will look a little different.
These fusion towers look different to the original fusion towers, missing the huge dome above them. But if you deal enough damage the tower will enter two defensive states to protect the Protonium Crystals.
These shields will make it difficult to attack the tower at long range and you’ll need to get up close to the reactor to get a clear shot.
There are two fusion towers per team, Destroying your enemy's fusion towers is just one of the objectives.
The Reactor Core
This is the Reactor Core!
The Protonium crystals inside the Reactor Core are protected by a forcefield. There is no known weapon that can penetrate this protective barrier. Players will need to destroy nearby Fusion towers to disable the shields and expose the reactor core.
It’s important to note that these structures are part of Hela’s Basin Map…We are anticipating creating unique structures and objectives for different maps. With our map tools, it is easier than ever for us to release and create different objectives and maps that will provide alternative playstyles. We have a ton of ideas, but we wanted to start with structures and an environment that feels familiar to Robocraft veterans.
The Battle Gate
The Battle Gate protects your team’s five Switch Plates from the enemy team. It does this via a huge forcefield which is impenetrable by enemy weapons and machines.
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Photos From The Surface Of Mars
Today we wanted to share photos from the surface of Mars in Robocraft 2.
Hela's Basin is the first battle zone on Mars and is 22,000 square meters in size!
Crystals & New Camera System
We are planning to share a heap of news and wanted to kick this off with a short gif
Improved Camera System
Creating a UGC game like Robocraft 2 comes with some very bespoke challenges. One of those challenges is trying to create a functional camera in a game where the robots players would use would be a variety of sizes and even awkward shapes!
Our initial camera in Robocraft 2 does not allow you to look up without obstructing the player's view.
We wanted to tackle this by making it impossible for the crosshair to look at your own vehicle.
There are a number of ways to achieve this but ultimately it resulted in an initial prototype to test the functionality of this new camera system. This prototype looked at various awkward shape examples, the one in this video is just one example.
This worked great for a relatively simple-shaped robot. So we tested once more with a more complex bot design where the player's seat was off-centre.
Once we proved that this worked and felt natural, we began to work on it as a team. The final outcome looks like this:
This new camera system feels great and prevents your own robot from blocking your view while in combat. Additionally, This camera will also allow you to look straight up, which was not possible in the original Robocraft.
Explosive Blocks and Decouplers
We’ve been making a ton of development progress on Robocraft 2 and we wanted t share them with you.
Firstly, if you haven’t done so already, consider joining our Discord. We’ve been talking directly with players about their thoughts on development and have a whole heap of suggestions and ideas in the forum.
New Weapon Type - The Plasma Explosive
The Plasma explosive block is a really interesting addition that will allow players to construct a number of explosive-based weaponry. It does share some similarities with its cousin, the plasma tank cannon as its damage is distributed in a radius. However, this particular block requires a trigger to detonate it which can be activated via sensors or a button on the Player Seat.
This blocks damage is pretty intense when at the centre of the blast zone but damage will drop off the further it goes out of the centre of the radius. This block is rechargeable too, meaning once it has detonated, you can wait for it to recharge and set off another explosion. It takes 45 seconds to recharge this particular explosive block.
There are a few ways that you can use this particular block, here are three examples!
Number One - The Explosive Slam Dunk
If your enemy’s robot is shaped like a bowl. Create a contraption that will dunk the explosive onto the enemy and watch them panic as they attempt to remove it from their bot. Finally, hit the detonate button and watch the bot explode into hundreds of blocks!
Number Two - The Explosive Ram
Crashing into an enemy player will deal damage, but strapping a bunch of explosive blocks to the front of your vehicle will give it an extra punch! You can add sensor blocks to detonate these blocks when in close proximity to an enemy.
Number three - The Detachable Explosive Kart
If you’ve got a huge wall in front of you and want to give some distance between yourself and the explosion. Load up a small cart with explosives and combine it with a decoupler. When it gets in position, hit the detonator and watch that wall crumble!
Of course, this explosive block has a perfect companion to help it reach its full potential… The Decoupler!
Introducing the Decoupler!
This new powered block allows you to separate two groups of blocks. It will split in half upon activation and can be used for a variety of reasons. Most commonly it will be used to decouple explosives from the body of your robot. You can use this technique to lay mines
But you can use the block to create fully functioning remote control bots which can be detached from the body of your main vehicle and sent out on a rampage.
We’re really looking forward to seeing how players use these blocks in combat. If you have any ideas, share them in the comments and we might even try and recreate some of them!
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