Thief Simulator VR
Performance+ patch available on beta branch
We've been a little quiet lately. We owe you a few words of explanation about what is happening in GameBoom VR.
We are currently still working on the Performance+ update that we announced. Why does it take so much time? It's because we carefully check every element of the game.
TL;DR
Thief Simulator VR requires very thorough code analysis. If you want to help - we invite you to beta testing. Details of the beta at the end.
Performance+:
What are we doing at GameBoom VR to make Thief and future games run better?
- We transform the map so that there is no place where your frame rate will drop. This requires repeatedly analyzing the map and adjusting the game for performance degradation.
- In addition, developers are redesigning AI to make it behave more naturally and without problems for CPU.
- We also deal with how objects in the game are displayed. Our new system [Universal Render Pipeline] makes the game offer more frames per second.
- We also decided to switch to the latest version of the Unity engine
-The previous light and shadow system has been replaced by a completely new solution. It is "friendlier" for VR technology.
-That's not all - developers are also rewriting the game code. In this way, we can be sure that everything will run smoothly, without "tiring" the computer.
- We also deal with shaders. In short, it's about the way the texture displays on the object. For example: if our "sun" shines orange, then what should the object in the game look like - brighter, more orange? We check, improve and optimize.
- Sometimes a strange situation may cause a decrease in performance - we collect data from you and check such situations. For this we force the game to "difficult conditions" to check what the game code does not cope with.
Beta-:
Now you can download the current version of the update, which should improve the performance of the game on your computers. How to download "beta-" files you will learn from this thread.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1019550/discussions/0/1740010344366175625/
Remember to download “beta-”!!!
What information do we need from you?
The ideal feedback is:
-screenshot with FPS number
Frame times from SteamVR (Click three horizontal lines in the SteamVR window -> Developer -> Advanced Frame Timing
-Processor
-Graphics Card
-RAM
-VR headset
also the general impressions about the new patch - even without the all above - are very welcome!
And here is the thread where you can give us your feedback and share your impressions:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1019550/discussions/0/3829691444565613687/
Stay safe,
Gameboom VR team
Weekly news - Home Office
the world is currently dealing with coronavirus, and global organizations recommend working from home. As GameBoom VR, we decided to reduce the risk of health problems and started a home office. All employees have already moved to their homes, from where we intend to develop Thief Simulator VR (and other things ;)) Our activities are carefully planned, so you should not expect delays.
Thus GameBoom VR joined other development studios that made the same decision. Small or large teams - we believe that creating video games regardless of the number of people can be carried out from home for some time. We encourage all video game developers to work from home so that we can safely and healthy return to work from the office in the future.
Take care of your health,
GameBoom VR Team
Weekly News - Next? Performance+
We have something for you that everyone is waiting for. Recently, we had a lot of work, because we decided that it is time to deal with the game performance. We had a lot of ideas for optimization, but the implementation required a lot of work. Finally, we are approaching our goal. The patch is almost ready and we are testing it thoroughly now. We check it in the office on various configurations and the PlayWay Testing Team helps us. We work all the time!
BUT.
The name of our upcoming patch is Performance+. What's up with this "+"? We have a few surprises for you, which we also implemented into the game. Thief Simulator VR will offer weather conditions that you won't find in other versions of the game. Trust us that home robbery on a foggy night with a full moon adds immersion!
However, this is not the end of "+". In addition to the new weather conditions (which will be improved with the next patches) - we are also introducing a new system for picking up large objects. With the new patch, you will no longer have to catch large items in the right places to pick them up (we watch your YouTube videos and streams on Twitch and we have seen that this has often resulted in strange hand behavior). From now on - where you catch - you pick up there.
One more thing. The next patch, the one after "Performance+" will be another large patch that will add all the missing game content from the PC version of the game. It will probably take us some time again, but some of the things we have already done, so it will be faster. In "Performance+" we add one of the things that is a tiny part of the upcoming patch. After installing "Performance+" you will be able to put more items into the trunk of your car.
More coming soon. Join our Discord server - https://discord.gg/EAqj7T4 We will announce another game soon. ;)
GameBoom VR devs
Weekly News - Putting it all together
We have been working very hard in silence in the last month. We have come to the point where small updates weren’t enough and we decided to move to the newest engine version. Besides moving to the new engine, we are switching to new lighter renderer which should bring big performance gains. Also, we have been integrating the new content to the game and we have finished new weather system. Working on those things simultaneously is a very big challenge, but we believe that it is worth doing it and that when we finish our job, you’ll appreciate it :)
We are getting closer and closer to publishing build to beta branch - when we are ready, you’ll be the first ones to know!
Best,
GameBoom VR Team
Patch 1.1.5b is live!
Small patch coming today! There seems to be performance issues on some rigs in 1.1.4 patch. We looked into it, found and fixed some issues and hopefully now everything works as expected for everyone :)
Best,
GameBoom VR team
Full change log (from 1.1.4):
- Add night mode to PC in the hideout
- Fix optimization issue
- Remove experimental curtains [we’re still working on them but for now they have too big impact on performance]
- Optimized valueless items
Weekly News - New Stuff
This time we decided to show you that we are working on adding missing content to the game. After implementing them, the game will grow significantly. There will be new vehicles, a district or story missions...
By the way, it's probably the first time we're showing our office. :)
We are also working on a new weather system, that was announced some time ago. We've already managed to add it, but we still need some time to finish everything in turn. Work on the game is ongoing and we guarantee that if someone starts the game again in 2-3 months, that’s gonna be a big surprise. :)
GameBoom VR devs
Weekly News - Virtual thief in 2020
2020. It sounds futuristic! This year we will have a lot of VR games that will probably steal many hours from our lives. What about Thief Simulator VR and GameBoom VR?
We returned to work after the Christmas break and we have a few tasks ahead of us. Here's what GameBoom VR intends in 2020:
1) Still gather information from you and create the game in such a way that everyone can have fun in it. During the Steam Winter Sale there were a lot of comments, for which we thank you very much! We read them all and write them down.
2) Release the full version of Thief Simulator VR! This year we will leave Early Access (by the way, we remind you that the price of the game will also increase, so maybe it's a good idea to buy it now?). We are currently finishing porting the game to a new engine, which should significantly improve the title's performance. The developers of the original version have already sent us the necessary files with remaining content to add, so we will also focus on this.
3) Our Discord server will receive small changes so as to become a place where we can exchange ideas for our games more efficiently. Yes, gameS. Join us! https://discord.gg/YuKhZ27
4) OK, I can't leave you with such uncertainty. What games? As you probably know, as soon as the developers of Prison Simulator finish the game, we will create a VR version. Btw. have you already added the title to your wishlist? https://store.steampowered.com/app/1088190/Prison_Simulator_VR/
But… Prison Simulator VR and Thief Simulator VR are not the only games we will be preparing. We can't reveal the details, but we have plans for two secret ports of other games that have gathered very large communities around them in a flat version. However, this will be the future you have to wait for.
So yes ... in 2019 our studio has grown significantly. At the beginning of the year, we had one room and now we have a much more comfortable office. And all these thanks to your trust in our game. We will repay you with more good games. 2020 and next years promises to be even better for us all.
See you next week!
GameBoom VR devs
Patch 1.1.4 is here!
New year, new patch! This time a bit smaller due to holidays, but I know that some of you are waiting patiently for the fixes - so here you are! We improved the performance again (especially on Richie St.) and fixed all the issues you've reported. In meantime we work on some 'bigger' stuff which we hope will be able to provide you soon!
Thanks for your continuous interest in the game!
Best,
GameBoom VR Team
And here is the full change log:
Full change log:
-Better performance (especially rich neighborhood)
-Add sounds during opening fridges and grills
-Add hint about mailbox when looking on it
-Add hint to tutorial where is our backpack
-Add leather models to belt and backpack when crowbar can be stored
-Better hand pose when grabbing window in poor houses
-Change car parts weight (they are heavier)
-Make taking Catalytic Converter easier during car disassembly
-Less sparks and more quiet sound during hot wire car minigame
-Fix teleport moves player only a few inches
-Fix no pilers in camera alarm minigame at 201, 205, and 206 houses
-Fix toilet seat and wood parts from fence can lift up to the sky
-Fix double click when choosing option on the very first start of the game
-Fix information about an item doesn’t display
-Fix cloned microcamera after loading a game
-Fix microcamera fall on the ground when trying to grab it
-Fix some drawers make items bigger when keeping an item near a drawer for a while
-Fix glitched items in house 208
-Fix spotting people with binoculars
-Fix valuess item red highlight doesn’t disappear when trying to place it in the backpack
-Fix information about required item is red instead of green when we have required item in a hand (like you need to have crowbar to destroy a fence)
-Fix guitars positions in Pawn Shop
-Fix the drill could cause some movement bugs
-Fix one graphics option is outside menu (hard to see and manage)
Vive Cosmos support, more physics and performance optimisations!
The new patch (v 1.1.3b) is finally here! There were many changes and additions made, let me start with the most prominent ones. We finally added official support for Vive Cosmos - so now, officially all headsets and controllers on the market are supported! We believe that we fixed the performance issues on Richie St. now - playing on both neighborhoods is enjoyable. Do you like Boneworks? If so, there is a good information for you - we added more hands collisions e.g., now you can close the door using open hand, in a more phycisal way. We also improved ‘easiness’ of the game e.g. now there is also a quick slot on your backpack for crowbar, so you won’t equip it by mistake when reaching for bigger items on the floor.
If the loading screen makes you sick - there is option to use default SteamVR look.
We also fixed important issue with game resolution - it wasn’t read correctly from settings after game restart / reload. Remember, that the game resolution can only be changed in the game, changes via SteamVR won’t be applied.
Thank you for your valuable feedback and continuous support - it means a lot! Enjoy new patch :)
Here is the full change log:
New stuff:
- Vive Cosmos support!
- Quickslot on backpack (you can attach the crowbar to the backpack)!
- Hands collide with more obstacles (like wall, fence, etc., you can hit a door by your hand to close it), this can be turned off in options
- Performance optimization (especially on Richie St.)
- Possibility to switch off fade controllers
- Possibility to switch off highlights on items
- Possibility to disable hands on items (items do not mess up when picked up from heap of items)
- Add visual extension on belt and backpack where you can store the crowbar
- Possibility to change PC mouse speed (after clicking sprocket)
- Possibility to open dev console with ‘Q’ key
- New loading room
- Possibility to change loading room to SteamVR look (in options)
- Possibility to change more graphics settings
Changes:
- Smaller range of possible resolutions to set
- Add missing translations
- Marker on story item disappears after the item is collected
- Remove text “It’s place for my tools”
- Disable possibility to open inventory by grabbing backpack in the center
- Disable possibility to grab backpack with Grab Pinch
- Lock axis in Movement Direction Controller mode
- Brighter night vision
- Faster cutting window glass
- Better window colliders
- Controllers bindings path
Fixes:
- Fix resolution doesn’t automatically change after first start of the game
- Fix resolution doesn’t automatically set after game reloading
- Fix pressing Cancel button near construction area moves player inside construction area (rich neighborhood)
- Fix power switch
- Fix items change shapes
- Fix move constraint in one type of wardrobe
- Fix anti-burglar blinds and panels turned off connected with cameras in houses 207 and 208
- Fix items falling through wardrobe when noone is watching (performance system)
- Fix doors and windows are locked after moving away from house
- Fix car parts are in wrong position according to the car if car is left on lift and player go to another scene then go back
- Fix all baths colliders
- Fix flashlight on a head makes spotting people harder
- Fix haptic feedback on Vive Cosmos
- Fix hiding under the bed through wall
- Fix gravitation has no impact on micro camera
- Fix hands disappear after grabbing grill, stove, fridges
- Fix box 204 disappears
- Fix can’t drop stone when disassembling jewelry with HTC wands
- Fix NPC blocks near stairs
Weekly News - What’s next?
We have the impression that the game just had its premiere, and here we are... a month after release! Time goes by quickly! Especially when we keep working hard on the game, with the same devotion as before. We plan to release a new update by the end of the week, it will significantly improve game performance on Richie's St and many more... But, let's go back to the main topic!
What’s next? If you follow us on Discord - https://discord.gg/g2rCtTj - you already know what development plans we have. However, we also publish them here so that everyone has the opportunity to see what we plan.
Support for HTC Vive Cosmos is almost complete and soon owners of these devices will be able to play without problems.
Finally - something we are very excited about. We've been saying for several months that we can't add things that don't have a flat version of the game. We are happy to announce that we can already do what we want and... oh boy. How about new weather system and changable weather conditions? More information to come!
Fun fact: The Thief Simulator VR community is the best. (Source: company totally independent view)
See you soon!
GameBoom VR devs