This past week saw some major milestones reached, well ahead of schedule. It also saw the introduction of some bugs that I'm not so pleased with... But hey, that's the joy of game development!
Let's dive right into it -
Control Update
The recently released "Control" update has finally brought full controller support to Touch Some Grass, so all you "stick-swinging button-mashing gamepad-gods" can grab some grass from the comfort of your couch. You can read more about that here -
Unfortunately, there are a couple of bugs introduced with this latest patch that I'm working on ironing out... One of the issues is related to the Hand getting "stuck" to the edges of the grass when using gamepad or keyboard input. This is due to an improper calculation on my part when handling momentum as it applies to the Hand. This issue should be fixed in next Wednesday's patch.
Another issue has to do with certain integrated GPUs failing to render the grass appropriately. Did I say "appropriately"? I meant "at all". There's literally no grass for some of these users... Thanks to some kind community feedback on the forums, I was able to reproduce this problem on a test workstation. However, it's a rather "strange" issue, as it seems to only affect *certain* integrated GPUs (other integrated GPUs render the grass normally).
While I work on this issue, I have updated the "Minimum System Requirements" on the Store Page to *require* a "DirectX 11 capable discrete GPU" for Windows users. I have also added a note to describe the nature of the issue, to inform potential customers.
Thank you so much for your continued patience while I work on this.
Top 250 Hidden Gems on Steam
Thanks to the amazing community surrounding this game, I am incredibly pleased to announce that, at the time of this posting, Touch Some Grass has climbed to #105 of the "Top 250 Hidden Gems on Steam", as featured on Steam250.com.
I'm especially proud to confirm that this ranking places us significantly ahead of Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside, which was originally released in 1996, and is arguably the best title in the Pajama Sam series. With that being said - GG, SAM. GET DUNKED ON. GET ABSOLUTELY REKT, SAM. GG EZ, SAM.
-clears throat-
Obviously kidding, I'm a huge fan of that series.
Honestly, I'm so grateful to all of you who played Touch Some Grass , along with everyone that left such amazing reviews and community content these past few weeks. You are all absolutely incredible, and this would never have been possible without your support. Seriously, thank you so much!
Final Thoughts
That's all I have for you this week! Time for me to crawl back into my "code-dungeon", so I can get everything ready for next week's patch!
And as always, happy grass-touching, my friends! ːsteamhappyː
The "Control" Update - v0.2.0
What's happening, grass-gang?
Welcome to the second content update for Touch Some Grass!
I've been firing on all cylinders this past week, and managed to beat my anticipated release for controller support by a whopping *three-weeks*! Yeah... It's not easy being this incredible, but someone has to do it. No, please. Hold your applause. You are too kind. Thank you... You may be seated.
As I was saying, controller support is now live, which marks the completion of my "Input Overhaul" initiative, as specified in the Official Roadmap. This means I am ready to begin tackling the next few development goals, including the addition of the new game-mode - "GRASS-TEROIDS".
You can read more about that in my latest Newsletter posting, over here - https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1944240/view/3193624493653474990
Speaking of the Weekly Newsletter, I've decided to change the regular posting to every Saturday (instead of Wednesday). This will free up Wednesdays for regular updates and patches to the game.
Anyway, while I sit around waiting for Elon to realize that the $44 billion used purchase Twitter would have been better spent buying 22 billion copies of Touch Some Grass, let's go over some patch notes -
UPDATE NOTES
FULL CONTROLLER SUPPORT
That's right! Touch Some Grass now features full controller support, for all you "crab-clawing joy-conning console-goblins". Grab that gamepad, plop down on the couch, and get ready to touch grass in a whole new way!
Menus have been updated to completely take advantage of controller input, so Touch Some Grass should be completely playable in Big Picture Mode, without the aid of a keyboard or mouse!
REFINED GRASS-TOUCHING EXPERIENCE
As a direct result of the input overhaul, the grass-touching experience has been vastly improved. Actions and movement should be much more responsive, for all your high-octane quick-twitch plant-patting needs!
Additionally, mouse input has been refined, per community feedback. The cursor now "hides" and locks to the window while touching. Also, moving the mouse over the Options button no longer interrupts your grass-grabbing experience.
NEW SKINS
A new challenger appears in the form of the Robot Hand! Trade out that grubby little grass-grabber for a stainless-steel sod-slapper! Solid and shiny, the Robot Hand takes care of all your weed-whacking needs! The Robot Hand slices (allegedly)! It dices (supposedly)! But most importantly, it gently strokes grass!
MINOR BUG FIXES
Fixed a bug where multiple players using different Steam accounts on the same computer would have their scores merged or overwritten. Scores are now unique, and allow for multiple Steam accounts to be used on the same computer. Sharing is caring!
FINAL THOUGHTS
This will be the end of "major" updates for now, as the next few weeks will be devoted to patching any errors and general maintenance. Meanwhile, I am beginning development on the brand new game mode, among some other quality of life updates. I'll write more about this in the upcoming Newsletter.
Until then, thanks for playing! And as always, happy grass-touching, my friends! ːsteamhappyː
Weekly Roundup - 4/20/2022
Happy 20th of April, you Potentates of Plants!
Today marks the start of my "Weekly Roundup" series of posts, where I bring all you "drop-shotting 900-kickflip-to-darkslide meme-lords" up to speed on what I'm actually working on for Touch Some Grass. You know... Like a *responsible* game developer.
Let's get into it -
The Input Overhaul
This piece of development covers the addition of controller support, so that all you "thumb-sticking console-jockeys" can enjoy Touch Some Grass on your gamepad of choice. This feature has been my number-one priority since the game released a week ago.
To make this possible, I actually had to scrap an entire section of code that handled in-game movement and actions, and then re-write those functions around Unity's "Input System". I honestly thought this would take forever, but the truth is, I just finished up adding controller support for the "main" portion of the game. Hand-related actions are now fully supported by controller, including "Movement", "Touch", "Hand / Skin Swap", "Pro Mode" and "Reset Grass" functions.
The remainder of development involves getting menu interactions to work appropriately, which is a larger headache than it sounds. However, if things progress as quickly as they did for the Hand functions, I'm hoping to beat my proposed deadline of May 18th by a significant margin.
New Game Mode
That's right! I'm officially putting together the framework for a brand new game mode! This addition will provide Touch Some Grass with a slightly more "interactive" experience - One that (hopefully) challenges even the most glorious of Grass-Gods among you.
This new game mode should be ready for testing in a few weeks, and will exist alongside the current game mode, so no angry emails please.
That being said, allow me to bring in my highly-paid Concept Artist to go over the details with you.
-slowly puts on fake mustache and oversized cowboy hat-
Howdy, y'all. It's me. The Concept Artist.
Allow me to introduce - "GRASS-TEROIDS"
Let's take a look at some museum-worthy concept art that depicts the new game mode -
Basically, the new mode will involve asteroids (or something, I don't know) smashing into the grass in random locations. The goal is to keep touching the grass for as long as possible, while avoiding the falling debris. If at any point you stop touching grass, or if an asteroid hits your "grubby little grass-grabber", the round ends, and your score is tallied up.
BE WARNED - The asteroids will fall faster and faster, as more time passes.
Players will be able to compete on a fresh set of Leaderboards, to see who can survive for as long as possible. Of course, there will be new achievements for players who manage to survive for significant periods of time.
This new mode should adequately challenge all of you "radiant-grandmaster crouch-toggling twitch-streamers" who passed on playing Touch Some Grass because you thought it was actually a joke. It was never a joke! It was only a warm-up! Y'all!
-rips off mustache and hat-
Final Thoughts
Again, I just want to quickly express how grateful I am for all the amazing community contributions and reviews. You are all incredible, and I really appreciate you taking the time to play my silly little "game".
See you next week! And as always, happy grass-touching, my friends! ːsteamhappyː
Patch Notes - v0.1.6
How's it going, grass-gang?
Today's patch contains Ultrawide and Super-Ultrawide support for all you "healthy-and-wealthy yacht-club gazillionaires" with either 21:9 or 32:9 -capable monitors.
Let's take a quick look at the facts - A Very Popular Game About a Ring - No Ultrawide Support ːsteamthumbsdownː Touch Some Grass - Ultrawide Support ːsteamthumbsupː
Based on this comparison, I have a good feeling that we are going to be "Game of the Year 2022".
This patch also features a HotFix for some of you "540-topdeck dolphin-diving frag-masters" who booted up the game, only to discover there was *no grass*. Please take a look, and let me know if your issue has been resolved in the following thread -
As with prior updates, scores should not be affected at all.
PATCH NOTES
U l t r a w i d e ( 2 1 : 9 )
Graphics have been optimized to support Ultrawide resolutions. Tested on 3480x1440.
S u p e r - U l t r a w i d e ( 3 2 : 9 )
Graphics have been optimized to support Super-Ultrawide resolutions. Tested on 5120x1440.
Default DirectX11 (Windows Only)
Missing grass was most likely attributed to Windows selecting the DirectX version to utilize, rather than deferring to the program. The program now asserts using DX11 on Windows platforms.
Minor Bug Fixes and Code Cleanup
Fixed a bug where the Hand would start at an improper height. Cleaned up my code, which is looking less like hot spaghetti, and more like organized lasagna.
WHAT NOW?
My "code cleanup" initiative is progressing faster than I anticipated, and I should be able to get the input overhaul started in the next few days. This will facilitate controller support, among other things. I'm also laying out the framework for an additional, more "interactive" game mode - I'll post more on this later.
Until next time! Thanks, and happy grass-touching, my friends!
The "Left Hand" Update
Salutations, you peat-patting turf-tapping grass gurus!
Today marks the first content update for Touch Some Grass! This release answers some community requests, while also delivering an updated grass-grabbing experience, with new particle effects, graphical optimizations, and a brand new skin!
To mark the occasion, we also have a brand new trailer on the store page! Thanks for playing, and see you all on the Leaderboards!
And as always, happy grass-touching, my friends!
UPDATE NOTES
"LEFTY" MODE
This update celebrates all you left-handed legends that had to suffer a week's worth of weed-whacking with a right-handed skin! Pressing the "Change Hand / Skin" button ("S" or the Middle Mouse Button) will now cycle through left- and right-handed versions of the available skins.
PARTICLE EFFECTS
"Enjoy the glory of allergy season, without the pain of coughin' and sneezin'!" Our new particle effect system is in full swing, with gentle plumes of dust slowly sweeping across the landscape, to blades of grass riding effortlessly on the breeze. It's so immersive, you *might* become disappointed with reality.
UPDATED TITLE SCREEN
I turned down the "wind" on the Title Screen, so players no longer feel like they're wrapped in the gusts of a Category 5 hurricane when they try to play.
GRAPHICAL OPTIMIZATIONS
I tweaked some settings to hopefully reduce overall graphical load. I also changed up the descriptors for the four available Quality Settings. Now, your laptop shouldn't turn into a panini press when you fire up the game!
SKIN SETTINGS
The game will now "remember" the last skin you selected when playing. This way, you don't need to toggle back to your preferred skin every time you start the game up. "Quality of life features? In my game? It's more likely than you think."
NEW "WEAPON" SKINS
A wise man once said, "Skins equals wins." With that in mind, Touch Some Grass is proud to introduce the Gardening Glove - a brand new skin for those of you who might be a *little* anxious about touching grass with your bare hand. Don that glove and grab that grass!
Patch Notes - v0.1.4
How's it going, grass family?
Today's update is slated for release tonight - April 11th, 2022 @ 8PM ET / 5PM PT
Scores should not be affected at all.
PATCH NOTES
Leaderboard Visibility
The Leaderboard can be viewed by clicking on the "Lifetime Score / Longest Session" banner on the Main Menu. To better communicate this, the banner now changes color when you hover the cursor over it.
Reset Score Button
The Leaderboard panel now features a "Reset Score" button. Clicking this button will prompt players to confirm that they want to Reset their stats. If you click "YES" on this prompt, your stats will be reset completely, including your Leaderboard placement. You will retain your Achievement, however.
Players can use this feature to repair their scores if something breaks, so... Kind of helpful? Maybe? I don't know.
Leaderboard Formatting Errors
There was a formatting error with Leaderboard entries, due to the way time is handled in Unity / C#. Anyway, I fixed it.
Leaderboard Overflow Errors
Since we have a bunch of Leaderboard entries, it gave me the opportunity to see that the "You" section of the Leaderboard overflows by a single entry. I fixed this, along with changing the "Global" section name to "Top 8".
FINAL THOUGHTS
I just want to be totally transparent here - When it comes to the Leaderboards, there is a global limitation that everyone should be aware of.
Due to the constraints of how Steam stores their statistics (ints, amirite?), the maximum value of time that can display on the Global Leaderboard is in the vicinity of 545 hours. While that's a lot of grass-touching, I'm almost certain that some of you "flick-shot b-hopping twitch pros" will persevere for days at a time, just to push the limits of what's humanly possible.
By all means, go ahead and do this. I'm just telling you up front that somewhere around 545 hours is the limit for globally recorded times (the local timer is capable of storing larger values).
I'm going to try and figure out some creative ways to extend this limitation, but until I can figure that out... It is what it is.
That's all for now. Thanks again, and happy grass-touching!
Attention, Gamers
Greetings, fellow grass-touchers!
First of all, a sincere and hearty "thank you" to everyone who purchased, downloaded and played this silly little "game". Seriously, you are awesome.
This is just a quick little announcement to let you "360-no-scoping meme-gods" know that an update is in the works to fix some issues, and make the grass-touching experience even more satisfying. It should be ready later this evening.
