The latest update has been out for a few days now, and we've been uploading a few patches here and there. I'd like to go through what we've fixed and what we're working on. We've noticed that the new styling of the game has had mixed responses, so we've added a toggle for the outlines in the graphics settings for those of you who want to get rid of them.
While the new look may be a bit odd to some, we've chosen this after experimenting around with the shaders to find what gives the best performance. Some of you probably have monster computers, but a lot of you out there run the game on regular laptops or home computers, so we wanted ensure that everyone can get decent performance whether or not they have a good computer. On the flip side, this also means that we can add even more graphical features for those who play on High and Ultra, because everything else takes up a lot less performance.
We also think that the new style will make it clear that the game isn't a triple A stealth game with super advanced features, and we think it will make it easier on the eyes when playing longer sessions.
Anyhow, here's what's fixed:
Added toggle for outlines the graphics settings
Fixed various desync issues for clients
Fixed locks and gates not being synced
Fixed controller input sending you to the "void"
Fixed outlines on text
Fixed missing post processing
We're always keeping an eye out for bugs, so please keep reporting them. Sometimes we don't respond because we've already figured out how to solve it, but we read all your reports and try to fix things as soon as we can.
Other than that we will continue our work to spice up all the heists and add more security features, like cameras, traps, poisonous plants, etc. so stay tuned! Also, the particles will be remade and refined to be faster and look better. This included explosions and stuff like that. We hope you're looking forward to it!
Stay safe and keep nootin' everyone!
Optimization Madness Patch
Hey everyone!
The latest update has been out for a few days now, and we've been uploading a few patches here and there. I'd like to go through what we've fixed and what we're working on. We've noticed that the new styling of the game has had mixed responses, so we've added a toggle for the outlines in the graphics settings for those of you who want to get rid of them.
While the new look may be a bit odd to some, we've chosen this after experimenting around with the shaders to find what gives the best performance. Some of you probably have monster computers, but a lot of you out there run the game on regular laptops or home computers, so we wanted ensure that everyone can get decent performance whether or not they have a good computer. On the flip side, this also means that we can add even more graphical features for those who play on High and Ultra, because everything else takes up a lot less performance.
We also think that the new style will make it clear that the game isn't a triple A stealth game with super advanced features, and we think it will make it easier on the eyes when playing longer sessions.
Anyhow, here's what's fixed:
Added toggle for outlines the graphics settings
Fixed various desync issues for clients
Fixed locks and gates not being synced
Fixed controller input sending you to the "void"
Fixed outlines on text
Fixed missing post processing
We're always keeping an eye out for bugs, so please keep reporting them. Sometimes we don't respond because we've already figured out how to solve it, but we read all your reports and try to fix things as soon as we can.
Other than that we will continue our work to spice up all the heists and add more security features, like cameras, traps, poisonous plants, etc. so stay tuned! Also, the particles will be remade and refined to be faster and look better. This included explosions and stuff like that. We hope you're looking forward to it!
Stay safe and keep nootin' everyone!
Optimization Madness
"holy crap the game runs 1000 times faster now" - a Discord user who played a test version of the update
Now, I'm sure this quote is hyperbole, but you probably understand what they're trying to get across. This update brings massive performance improvements, an overhauled artstyle, and lots of bugfixes.
Seeing as this update happened on the way to the "intended" next update I will repeat what was said in the latest update:
For the next update, That Fish and I are going to be working on tandem on adding new social content in the form of new mini-games, new weapons & cosmetics,and we will also be overseeing the heists themselves and increasing their complexity to make playing the heists as fun and engaging as possible! Of course, we will also continue our efforts with the networking code to ensure it runs as well as it can.
We are working our hardest, respond to bugs and issues, and trying to get the next update out as soon as possible!
For a look at the full changelog:
Features
Massive performance improvements
A completely new artstyle
A new task UI
A new system that resolves many issues related to penguins getting "stuck" in objects
Added 7 new cosmetics
Visor Cap
Sweatband
Officer Cap
Turtle Shell
Bucket Hat
Bucket
Ceramic Pot
Bugs & Fixes
Fixed bullets being destroyed in awkward places
Fixed Penguin Sense being misaligned
Fixed missing textures for the Ogreguin
Fixed missing textures for the Vandor hair
Fixed weird texture for the well and bucket water in Playa del Sol
Removed the trigger that would kill you inside The Temple of Abominoot
Fixed a memory leak in Pongolantis
Fixed some misalignment of menu items
Fixed a well with a hole in it in Pumpkin Harvest
Fixed penguins getting stuck in the air after intense force being applied to them (e.g. Mjölnir)
Fixed NPC name has died being displayed correctly
Improved visibility of weapon icons in the menu
Stay safe and keep nootin'!
Spring Update Patch #3
Noot noot!
Fixed
Fixed not being able to shoot barrels and certain targets
Fixed some items getting stuck in your hand
See you soon with more, fresh, content!
Spring Update Patch #2
Noot noot, everyone!
We're here again with another patch, fixing some lighting bugs, localization issues, and missing materials. There are also some updated particles in this update.
Additions
Remade some of the fire particles for the fire bowls, torches, and tiki torches
Added more bullet impact effects
Fixes
Fixed green glow overflowing into parts of the map where it should not be
Fixed an error for people playing with Turkish system language
Got rid of more missing materials for particle systems
See you until the next update! :)
Spring Update Patch
Hey everyone!
We've fixed some smaller bugs, some larger bugs, and improved multiplayer performance and stability a lot. Also, we've added bullet trails and impacts! These are still work in progress, but are there to give you an idea and for us to see how you like them.
Additions
Improved networking that allows for almost seamless multiplayer now
Added bullet trails, impact effects and sound for a lot of bullet types
Fixes
Fixed the game taking too long to load up, often affecting lower-end hardware. This may have prevented some of you from launching into the main menu
Lowered the memory footprint of the game. It is now around 3 GB, down from 5 GB (everything is still there, don't worry, just did some compression magic)
Fixed a lot of missing materials (the bright pink things you may have seen here and there)
Fixed lighting settings being wrong for Retro, meaning that the game runs way better
Fixed a lot of other bugs reported by the community (but I can't remember every single one)
We're working on the next update now that will bring enhanced main objectives for every map and more alternative routes, as well as better particles and effects (like the bullet impacts). We'll also add a go-kart racing mode to try out how vehicles would work in the game. If it's appreciated we'll expand on it and see where it takes us.
One of the complaints we often hear is the lack of ambient sounds and music, and this is also being worked on. More music will be added in the next update. More ambient sounds will come a bit later since we're working on good systems for just that, so that it sounds as good as possible.
We're happy to see so many people enjoy the game, and we're glad that you're all patient with each update as we're only two people doing everything. Hopefully we'll be able to push out updates more frequently now that the rendering pipeline and network code has been reworked.
Until next time, stay safe and noot on (and tell your friends to get the game)!
Spring Sale
It's Spring Sale! With the new update out, make sure to grab a copy for yourself, your friends, your relatives, your coworkers!
Noot on, fellow Penguin Heisters!
Graphics + Maps + Noot Variation Update
The long-awaited update is here! It features complete overhauls of many of our current-standing systems, new in-game maps and blueprint tracking, a new awesome camera item, general quality of life features that will improve the social aspect of the game, and much more!
For the coming update, That Fish and I are going to be working on tandem on adding new social content in the form of new mini-games, new weapons & cosmetics,and we will also be overseeing the heists themselves and increasing their complexity to make playing the heists as fun and engaging as possible! Of course, we will also continue our efforts with the networking code to ensure it runs as well as it can.
Stay tuned for more updates!
For a look at the full changelog:
Features
Changed and reworked the entire rendering pipeline
Updated and improved lighting in all levels
Reworked and rewrote the entire AI code, including 60% less CPU footprint from AI:s
Added in-game menus for key-bindings and graphics
Added 5 new noots for enemy AI
Added new in-game maps, allowing players to see where they are
Added new blueprint tracking, allowing players to track blueprint hints during play
Added the ability to join heists mid-session
Added Lobby chat
Added a new social level called Penguin Village, intended for chatting and hanging out with friends
Added a new Enemy Randomizer mode, allowing players to face off with enemies wielding random weapons
Added a new Camera item, allowing players to see themselves from a new angle
Added a new Clown Horn. It toots!
Added 12 new cosmetics
Cone of Shame
Crockett Cap
Ear Muffs
Bowler Hat
Halo
Sailor Hat
Leaf Skirt
Traffic Cone
Bunny Tail
Punk Leather Bracelet
Fanny Pack
Parka
Bugs & Fixes
Fixed the flying pizzas that cause massive lag and make Pizza Panic unplayable
Fixed the massive performance issue in Pongolantis
Changed downed timer to not go down if a penguin is being rescued
Decreased likelihood of objects falling through the ground
Added in respawn points and ammo caches to Et tu, Bingus
Added a dequip tooltip above the hotbar
Added a loading screen for exiting heists
Added directions to the hotel in Playa del Sol
Made it more clear that the Search button is also a Refresh button
Made the wizard no longer give the Staff of Plague, but instead the correct blueprint is received
Stay safe and keep nootin'!
Plans for Spring + Summer
Hey everyone, That Fish here!
It's been a while since the last update and news post. What's been going on with Penguin Heist? Well, in short we've been upgrading the whole rendering pipeline, which meant going over every single material, lamp, etc. to make sure it all looks good. This means that in the next update the game will look a bit different, but coherent. It will run faster, look better, no more glowing spots under the map, and we're future proof.
More importantly, the next update will include developed AI behavior and different noots. This is of a larger plan where we will add conversations between AI (that you can eavesdrop on) and make the world a lot more living. The next update will drop in a matter of hours, and you'll find all the new things listed in the post that is to come.
As for now, I just wanted to pop in and say that we're alive and still working on the game, and that a lot is happening. Next July it will be 2 years since Penguin Heist was released in Early Access, and we're looking at finishing up a lot of core features before going into heists again. We have plans for a whole bunch of new - but smaller and focused - heists that we hope will add a lot of new content and fun. However, we want to make sure that the game is more feature complete before going into it, or we'll have to do reworks and revamps all over again.
To sum up, these are some things we'll be working on for the time coming:
More variation to the main heists in every map, so that there are more ways to complete them
Vastly improved particles and visual effects for explosions, weapons, etc.
Additional mini-games and game modes
Racing game mode with several customizations and maps/tracks to race on
Dynamic AI conversations
Additional and improved security systems and natural threats, such as cameras, electric fences, poisonous plants, and the like to make the world a more dangerous place
Radio communications and backup for higher priority enemies
Boss music for every boss (around 20 right now)
More soundtrack for various parts of the maps
And much much more...
We will surely come up with more things along the way, but this will be the focus for the next updates, and then we will get back to making a load of new heists. If you have any ideas regarding gameplay, feel free to make a post in the forums, on the Discord, or on the subreddit, and we'll check it out and see if and how we can put it in the game. Now is a really good time for those suggestions as that's what we'll be working on.
As always, feel free to come with suggestions, bug reports, or just tell us what you like or dislike about the game. We're here to make the game better, so any input is always appreciated :)
The Discord channel is always open, and you can find people to play with or just to chat, so feel free to join and we'll see you there! Not much more to say, and I have to go and prepare the last things for the next update that will be released today.
Noot like never before, and we'll see you at the next update!
Lunar Sale
We're having a little sale for Penguin Heist while we're working on getting the next update out. Grab a copy for yourself and your friends, and start nooting today!
