Multiplayer Latency Fixes Update (v1.31.860.a) -- (aka How We Got Rid of the Phantom Balls)
Hi All!
With this release, we're fixing the issues caused by latency.
Some of the problems you've raised include the Ghost Ball, High Latency Player Advantage, and Block Ball Kills.
The experience should be a LOT better now. Please send us feedback and bugs as you encounter them!
Also, we've added a new feature that lets you easily find Steam players you've recently played with. We've all found new friends through Smashbox Arena, and this feature lets you connect easier.
Really appreciate your continued support as we make the game better with each release!
New Features
Players you encounter are now listed in Steam "recently played with". You can see this in View -> Players -> Recent Games.
Bugfix
AI now recovers faster if their teleporter gets stuck in a location they cannot go
"Ghost Ball" - Fixed an issue where a ball getting picked up would never arrive to the controller
Added prediction for where a player is going to teleport to make it easier to KO
Volume controls are now easier to select
Audio volume settings are now applied at start rather then when the controller is detected
Werft: Fixed crate spawns
HardHat: Removed extra prop
Players being chased by Heatseekers can shoot them away more reliably
Fixed issue where AI is shooting through walls
Happy Friday!!
Bugfix Release (v1.29.729.a)
- Fixed multiplayer playlists to include all maps.
- Fixed changed region cars to show all available regions.
New Game Mechanic -- Teleport Defense!
Hi all!
We’re introducing a brand new mechanic to Smashbox Arena -- the Teleport Defense!
When an enemy shoots a teleporter near you, you can now ZAP the teleporter.
This destroys the teleporter and prevents the enemy from traveling to that location.
This is helpful for keeping away aggressive enemies who are charging you from the front.
We also now prevent players from teleporting inside other players.
When you try to teleport inside of another player, a red barrier prevents you from doing so.
Smashbox Arena has a lot of depth and will continue to evolve with the community.
Thanks for playing Smashbox Arena, and we’d love to hear your feedback!
Win7 Bugfix (v1.27.675.a)
Fixed issue that could prevent Windows 7 players from playing the game. This installs Direct3D 11.1 patch for Windows 7 if it's not already present and restarts your computer. We know the automatic restart isn't great, but it was the only way we could automatically install if for you.
If you want to install it yourself, you can do so here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36805
Dropped Direct3D 9 support
Sorry Windows 95 users. We're also sad that you still have to run Windows 95.
And Now, A GIF That Has No Reason To Be Here
Energy Balls UPDATE! (v1.25.629.a)
Attention ALL Smashbox Arena Players!
A highly-charged energy field has has descended upon the Smashbox Arena Universe!
In celebration of our attendance at the HTC Vive Summit on Sunday, all balls are now Energy Balls in the game!
Come try out the new look and feel.
Would love your feedback as we continue to evolve Smashbox Arena.
And remember to check out the live stream on January 15th: https://www.twitch.tv/htc
Bugfix Release (v1.24.651.a)
Bugfix
Fix a bug where players leaving a room could soft-lock the match
Bugfix Update (v1.23.600.a)
This is a patch release to help fix a few common bugs and complaints reported by players. Enjoy!
Bug Fixes
Added detection & prevention of players picking up, shooting, or teleporting through walls
Netcode fix to reduce the chance balls get stuck when picking them up
Fixed issue where Lobby shuttles soft lock the game
HTC Vive Summit + Price Update
Hi All!
We have some exciting news!
Smashbox Arena @ HTC Vive Summit
Smashbox Arena is invited to the HTC Vive Summit in LA this coming Sunday (1/15): https://www.vive.com/us/summit/
Top eSports players from Cloud9, Team SoloMid, and Team Liquid will be competing in a Smashbox Arena tournament at the event!
The games will be livestreamed on Twitch here on Sunday, January 15th at 1pm Pacific time at: https://www.twitch.tv/htc
It’s an honor to be selected, and it’s even cooler that top eSports influencers will be using our recent Team Selection feature to compete in matches!
More updates on this event coming.
Price Update:
Many players have given us feedback that Smashbox Arena's price should be lower, so more people can buy the game and join the community.
After a lot of discussion, we went ahead and made the adjustment.
We take feedback from our community very seriously.
Our goal is to grow the best community, and we think the lower price will encourage more people who are sitting on the fence to come join the fun. :)
If you bought the product between 1/2/17 and 1/9/17 at the higher non-sale price, and if you have questions or concerns, please send me an email at: chiachin@bigboxvr.com
Thanks for your support!
More cool updates coming your way... Finally, we have more great surprises soon!
(Watch this space closely...)
Pick Teams, Private Rooms + Resume (v1.23.589.a)
Calling all Ballstars!
New Features
Pick Your Teams Pick teams before the match starts. Play as friends or foes, you decide! Players that don't choose a team before the match starts are auto assigned by skill.
Private Room Shuttle Create a private room in the party shuttle by selecting the "Private" button. This allows only players in the party shuttle at room creation to play in the room.
Save + Resume Story Mode! Easily stop and resume in Story mode in between matches.
Bugs 'n Improvements
Heatseekers: 100% more physics based action! Wait! There's more! Targets the closest enemy instead of chasing the first enemy targeted.
Players in pre-match now have a neutral team color
Multiplayer playlists are now fully randomized before start
Multiplayer shuttle remembers the last region selected in the play session. Still defaults to US East at first launch.
Fixed issue where a player leaving the lounge causes 2x the balls to spawn
Volume Control: Easier to set volume levels
Shield destroy sFX now respect Effects volume
Fixed an issue where a message that you've been KO'd could appear twice
Maeve + Crumbs story updated
Story Mode: Team mates match your player head
Camp: Updated colliders, misc art fixes. Very art, much wow!
Hardhat Map: Added to Story mode playlist, fixed colliders, moved faceoff location, adjusted skybox reflection, updated ball spawn locations
Crates: Fixed issue with particles animating strangely
Mixed-Reality + 3rd Person Camera: Blob shadow and torso support
Tutorial: Many minor bugfixes, fixed issue with textures flickering
Dodgeballs: Fixes to prevent pausing while in the air
NEW MAP, FREE DEMO + MORE (v1.21.571.a)
NEW MAP, FREE DEMO + MORE (v1.21.571.a)
Improvements
NEW MAP #7: Hard Hat Our largest map yet! Discover all new ways to play on this larger map. Lots of cover and high spots to snipe from! There’s even a frog hidden in this level. See if you can find it!
DEMO + FULL Versions We've heard the community ask for a way to try the game out, so we've added a Multiplayer demo. Demo players can play online together in the same world as full players with some restrictions!
Multiplayer
Demo version may only play the Camp map, may not join full version rooms or use the party shuttle.
Demo version may only join rooms created by the demo version
Demo version cannot earn ranks
Full version may join any room, including demo rooms
Heads
Demo version may only use the Seal Pup Head and cannot unlock or change heads.
Story Mode
Demo version may only play easy or medium difficulty
Demo version may play one match on the Camp map
Improved Region Select We’ve added a better way for players to select a region. Try it out!
Teleportation Visuals We’ve made it much easier to tell when a teleporter is going to move you to the next location.
Bugfix
Updated fonts on navigation signs
AI no longer ignores dodgeballs being held when determining line of sight
Handle issue where no ball spawners in a room could cause framerate drops
Multi-Player Lounge
DING-DONG* message only plays once every 5 minutes
