We have some great news to share with you! 🎉 We have released the Great Circus update, an extended version of the circus map. Originally, this map was released as the definitive version of the circus, but we were forced to change it to the smaller version. However, we have been working hard to modify the map, and it's back and better than ever! 😎
For those of you who have been playing for a while, you may be familiar with the original map. But you should know that it has been completely revamped. Areas like the forest are no longer present, and the Clowny area has been completely transformed into a fun house 🤡🏰. The map now features two mazes, one of them made of glass and inspired by the movie It 2, and both of them are based on fun houses 🕸️🤡.
But that's not all! 👀 We plan on releasing more maps in the future, and we are currently actively working on the next one, called Town. It will be the continuation of the circus exit, and we will soon begin announcing photos and details about the map. Also, we will be making the DLC available again for free on the Steam store. Stay tuned! 😜
We have solved an issue with the DLC system that was not correctly detecting the map. Players can now enjoy additional content without any problems.
We have completed development of the Great Circus map and it is now ready to play. Explore the largest circus in the game and discover all its secrets!
Update 2.1.5
Network
Fixed issue where server name, visibility and region was missing after hosting a game.
HUD
Correction of object names and icons for customers
Improved speed of object disappearance upon pickup, now occurs instantly.
Update 2.1.4
Game
A feature has been implemented for all players to go to the lobby at the end of the game in case of defeat.
UI
A problem with the interface related to resolutions higher than 1080 has been fixed.
Fixed text for interface when interacting with jails, and made it applicable to all objects including icons, fragments and doors.
Fix for pointer disappearance when tabbing. It no longer requires waiting for it to fully close.
Maps
The cinematics for the Little Circus map have been updated, removing the introduction and TTS voice.
DLC
Removed automatic linking to Steam when checking DLC
Movement
Fixed issue where players could see through walls after running into them
Controls
Fixed issue where zooming was not possible after right-clicking in the tabulator
Fixed issue where previous character was not being displayed in spectate mode
Fixed issue where mouse was not being shown after right-clicking in the tabulator
🎉🎪 The testing for Great Circus has officially come to an end! 🎪🎉 There are just a few minor fixes left and we'll be releasing the DLC very soon. 🔜 Stay tuned! 🎪
We fixed a visual bug when the enemy caught you and beat you to free you (The camera went to the cell and then returned instantly)
Game
End of the Christmas event
Update 2.1.2
Input
The ability to change characters by pressing the H key has been removed (it was left for development purposes)
Characters
Now, when a user exits a game, they will drop all items they are carrying.
Characters are now taller (to fix issues with reaching tables).
Game
The game no longer ends when there are two players trapped in a four player game.
The flashlight is now centered correctly.
The initial key was appearing on the ground issue was fixed.
UI
The client no longer sees the "Start game" button without being the host.
Xmas
It is no longer possible to enter behind the spawn in Xmas.
Missions now work correctly in Xmas.
Enemy
The behavior of the enemy has been updated so that it occasionally goes to the position of a player, in order to avoid always going to its ball.
Update 2.0.2
Server Browser
The filter by map issues when searching for servers have been fixed
Search results by map show the correct map
UI
Newspaper texts and other texts no longer overflow their limits
Update 2.0.1
Controller
Character sequence problem solved: The animation will no longer cut off when hitting and it is now possible to add sequences to actions, such as fueling animation while doing it, it will cut off upon completion.
UI
The user will no longer see their own nick above them.
The chat message will no longer cut off with special characters.
Maps
The Circus Entry key is now available from the start (no delay).
You can now release bots in the tutorial map.
Slashers 2.0.0 Update: Redesigned Interface, Newspaper, and More
It's finally here! After six months of hard work, the 2.0.0 update for Slashers has been released. This update includes a refactor of 80% of the code, making it easier for us to continue developing the game and more accurately detect and fix errors.
One of the most exciting new features is the completely redesigned interface, which includes a feature that allows players to view a list of other players in the game and their connection quality. We've also introduced a brand new feature called the newspaper, which would replace the regular diary and includes information about the current murderer, collectables, tasks, map history, and keys.
In addition to these updates, players can now create public games and specify the region in which they will be played, as well as the maximum number of players allowed. For new players, there's a tutorial to help them learn the ropes, and for everyone, there are map and character changes to keep things interesting.
Last but not least, the game has been fully migrated to Unreal Engine 5, bringing improved graphics and performance. We hope you enjoy all the new features and improvements in the 2.0.0 update.
Happy gaming!
In this update, we have added new features:
Refactor
New interface
Newspaper
Public games
Tutorial
Map changes
Character changes
Full migration to Unreal Engine 5
New interface
The new interface has made Slashers look like a completely different game. Here are some of the improvements compared to version 1.1.5.
TAB
We have included a feature that allows users to view a list of the players currently in their game, along with an indication of their connection quality (referred to as 'ping'). This allows users to easily see the members of their party and check the stability of their connection to each player."
Ping refers to the time it takes for a small data packet to be sent from a device and received by a server, and is often used as a measure of connection quality in online games. A lower ping value generally indicates a better connection, while a higher ping value can indicate a slower or more unstable connection.
Newspaper
Notes can no longer be read, brackets can no longer be viewed with the K key, and the current task is no longer visible on the HUD.
From now on, keys, tasks, map history, and many other things can be accessed through the newspaper using the default N key.
We wanted to create a newspaper instead of the usual diary to represent various elements of the game and the classic mode. Now there will always be information about the current murderer, the collectible and necessary fragments to complete the level, a "TO-DO" list to see the tasks you need to complete and those you have already finished (you will always see the next two tasks and not all of them), and the locksmith (located in the last photo) shows what keys you have (based on the keys you picked up for the first time).
The survivor testimonies are a small section that tells the story of each survivor. In the future, there will be more survivors and they will also have their own stories.
In the map section, you will find information about the place, its history, and the decline of the location.
Finally, there is an area that is not yet available called "More missing people." Those who have played Slashers before will know about the lost posters scattered throughout the game. In this case, we want to develop a feature that allows players to collect all of the individual lost posters (60 in total). Once all of them are collected, there will be an achievement. In the "More missing people" section, you can see the number of posters you have collected and how many you have left.
Public games
It is now possible to create public games and specify the region in which the game will be played, as well as the maximum number of players allowed. However, once the game has begun, it will not be possible for any additional users to join.
Additionally, the "Play now" menu allows for quicker access to the game and allows for the option to play alone or with others. If playing alone, the user will be able to choose the map, character, and start the game in a private lobby. If choosing to play with others, the game will search for any available games.
There is also a ban system in place for both the lobby and the in-game chat, in the event that an unpleasant user is present in the game.
To clarify, the "Friends only" mode will allow only the user's Steam friends to join their game, and the game will not appear in the server list when searched for by other users.
Tutorial
The tutorial is intended for those people who are new to the game or find it difficult to understand how it works.
The tutorial is designed to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the game's mechanics and features. It is intended to help users learn how the game works in a fast and straightforward manner.
The tutorial covers a range of topics, including:
Retrieving items from the floor or shelves.
Being caught by the clown and rescuing others from the clown.
The jail system.
Among others
By following the tutorial, users will gain a thorough understanding of these and other aspects of the game.
Map changes
Several modifications have been made to the Lobby and Little Circus map. The Lobby now includes more foliage, as shown in the previous photograph.
In addition, players can now use the map selector to switch between maps on certain map (*ignore Bryan)
We have returned to the initial phase of the Clowny character, where he is hanging from the main tree in the Circus map. When the power is turned on, he will wake up (some of you may remember this from the first version of Circus). In the previous version, Clowny was awake in his area.
We attempted to add a day map, but we had to remove it at the last minute due to poor performance.
Other changes include the addition of new scares and sounds, the expansion of foliage throughout the entire map, and the modification of the steps to be more realistic in relation to the ground surface.
Character changes
The characters in the photos have been altered using Unreal Engine's metahuman technology. In addition, we have modified the level of detail (LOD) settings to optimize performance. These changes are evident in the final product."
Metahuman technology is a tool within Unreal Engine, a software platform for creating 3D graphics, that allows users to generate realistic human characters and animations. The level of detail (LOD) refers to the complexity of an object or character in a 3D environment. LOD settings can be adjusted to optimize performance, meaning that the graphics will run smoothly without causing strain on the computer's processing power.
Kira
Selma
Luke
Bryan
The characters in the game have varying heights, which affects the perspective and viewpoint of the character in the game. For example, Kira, who is shorter in height compared to Luke, will have a different camera angle and view during gameplay.
The difference in height between the characters will also impact the way they move and interact within the game world. This can change the gameplay mechanics and the strategies that players need to use when controlling each character.
Full migration to Unreal Engine 5
We are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the full migration to Unreal Engine 5. This was not an easy task, and we encountered various challenges along the way, but we are pleased to have finally achieved it.
Migrating to Unreal Engine 5 brings a number of benefits to the game. Unreal Engine 5 provides a range of new tools and features that allow for improved graphics and visual effects, more realistic physics and simulations, and better performance on a wide range of hardware.
As a result of the migration, you may notice that the game is now 4.42GB larger. This is due to the improved graphics and visual effects of Unreal Engine 5, which require more storage space. The improved graphics may also result in higher system requirements for the game, as it may require more processing power and memory to run smoothly.
To address potential performance issues, we have also added DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology to the game. DLSS is available for NVIDIA RTX graphics cards and uses artificial intelligence to process and render images, improving performance and allowing the game to run smoothly on a wider range of hardware.
We hope that these changes will enhance your gaming experience and look forward to your feedback on the updated game. Thank you for your patience and understanding during the migration process.
Other details
We are excited to share that there have been a number of updates and improvements to the game, including the addition of player names above their characters, changes to the flashlight brightness and the sanity system, improvements to the sound quality, and modifications to the user interface. These updates have been made possible by the full migration to Unreal Engine 5, and we hope that they will enhance your gaming experience.
In particular, the flashlight now shines with less intensity, the fragments now have progress bars to track your progress, the sanity system is more prominent and takes less time to activate, and the sound has been enhanced thanks to Unreal Engine 5. The user interface has also been modified, including the addition of a spectator mode and a small frame to allow you to press E and exit cells.
Trello
The Trello board can still be accessed by anyone, but we no longer publicly share updates on our progress since we switched to working internally. However, we typically keep the Discord dev channel active for communication.
We want to let our users know that we are aware of the following issues and are working hard to fix them or find a workaround as soon as possible. Please note that these errors only affect a small number of users in specific edge cases, and are largely related to the early development stage of Unreal Engine 5.
If a user has a mask and leaves the game, the mask may not be dropped and may disappear.
There is a strange effect when a user is released from a cell (they go to the cell and come back).
It may not be possible to turn on a generator when it has 2% remaining, and gasoline may need to be picked up.
Some titles and texts may appear outside of their designated boxes in certain interfaces for certain languages.
When a user hits someone, the animation may not be a sequence and may quickly return to its original position, almost like a teleport.
In the tutorial, when a user hits a clown carrying Bryan, Bryan may still be on the ground.
In the tutorial, when a user releases a bot, everything may work correctly except for the bot not being taken out of the cell.
It is currently not possible to mute other players.
When a user collects all of the collectables, they may not receive the achievement.
Clowny may not chase a user when they talk (this may be a problem with Unreal Engine 5.1).
Settings may not be saved when a user re-enters the game.
A user may be able to see their own tag above their character.
We would also like to acknowledge that we are a small indie development team of just two people. Despite this, we are committed to providing the best experience possible for our users and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve these issues.
If you encounter an error that is not listed here, please do not hesitate to report it to us on our Discord server. Your help in identifying and bringing these issues to our attention is greatly appreciated, and we are grateful for your support.
Upcoming developments.
Xmas Event (only a map).
Add animations to all actions that require progress, including when clowny interacts with gates or the generator.
TP system for enemies (to make them travel the map more quickly).
Restart game button in the menu.
Animation system for sanity (instead of static elements).
Add a free camera to the spectator mode.
Add (again) that clowny follows footsteps when they are heard.
Create a town map.
Many other goals that we are still keeping secret :D
Thank you very much for continuing to wait 🙏
We are very grateful for your patience and we will continue to update our game to achieve our proposed goal 🎯
Thanks again from the HeadArrow team! 🙌
Update 2.0.0 Progress
Thank you all very much for continuing to wait for the next Slashers updates, we did not expect to take so long to get this update out but we have believed that it was preferable to make a series of improvements before publishing.
Refactoring
We have noticed that the code could become not as scalable as we want so we are completely refactoring the code to reduce future update time and very substantial improvements, such as that you can now interact with anything on the map easily without depending on the player, that is, clowny can also interact with everything as if you were a player, this will help us a lot to make certain decisions when developing Slashers.
Very positive points are those that reduce our time and in this case it is essential since we are implementing that the objects are all edited directly from an area, we have literally recreated the entire system of objects, interaction, inventory and fragments, generator and a large etc ...
New interface
Another point to note is that we have completely created the interface, including a layer of the icons.
Tutorial
Now you can play a tutorial to understand how the game works.
Server Browser
Now you can create a public game and search for servers created by the community :)
Great circus
We will add the first DLC, the circus map (large) that was at the beginning of Slashers, this map will remain exactly the same and will come out as free DLC.
Town
We want to thank you for reaching the goal of positive reviews to develop this map, we are working on it, the story is about George Griffin a man with identity crisis and a very disturbing story behind, he wears women's clothes.
Roadmap
We have the first part of the Roadmap finished, we do not know how extensive Slashers may become, but if everything continues to improve as we finish the roadmap, we propose a 2nd roadmap, this is already thought 4 maps but we will not publish them yet, nor will we give details about it.
We believe that we can remove the ship map from this roadmap, we still have to shuffle it, but the rest of the maps and modes are confirmed.
In the case of the last 2 modes they will probably become part of the 2nd Roadmap (Madness and Turn)
In the case of Madness you can create a game of up to 10 players on any map where they can hit each other to death, in this case they will all be Slasher enemies of any map.
And in Turn mode, it's a twist, it's an individual mode where the assassin (Player) now have to go after the survivors (AI).
Many more updates and trailers are on the way, with this refactoring and improvements, they will be key to updating the game faster.
