Hello everyone, and welcome to the Weekly Dev Log for May 30th, 2023, detailing all the changes that have happened since May 22nd, 2023. Note: Devs that don't appear in the weekly log are not necessarily away or not doing work, but may be working on things currently not announced or backend work that doesn't need to be detailed.
May 2023 Art Contest - Game Worlds - NOW VOTING
The community vote for the art contest has begun and will be open until 11:59PM on Thursday, June 1st, 2023.
Last week, we released Update 0.16.10.0, which added the new Ball Race map, Heavenscape. The update also brought a bunch of changes, fixes, and improvements. You can read the patch notes here.
We also released a small hotfix to fix some of the issues found with the initial release, which you can find notes for here.
SDNL: New Game World
Johanna continued adding the finishing touches to "Frostbite". She also continued working on the art pass for "Meadows", while also re-texturing a bunch of the weapons.
joshua worked on weapon models, as well as the animation rig.
Lifeless continued working on "Hinderance".
macdguy worked on the weapon re-coil system, along with other weapon changes and improvements.
Nuclearxpotato continued working on a new map, Disposal, which is based off the Virus map, Corrosion.
Sketchman worked on weapon prediction for some of the weapons.
Wheezwer worked on some prop art for "Frostbite", and worked on concept art for "Hinderance".
Will continued working on music for SDNL maps.
Miscellany
Lifeless worked on fixes for issues found with "Heavenscape".
macdguy reworked the controls for the Accelerate game mode, improving turning, fixing sliding, improving the camera when turning, and adding better drift visuals.
madmijk continued working on MIDI support.
Sketchman fixed some crashes, while also making achievement icons for "Heavenscape".
Accelerate: OLD Turning/Sliding/Drifting
Accelerate: NEW Turning/Sliding/Drifting
Heavenscape: Achievement Icons
Wrap It Up
That about covers everything that happened since May 22nd, 2023 at PixelTail Games.
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Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
Ball Race has a new map! Race against the clock on abandoned structures that snake through floating islands. Your speed will be key to traversing the slopes and grassy clearings.
This update also includes new items, a new server browser and improved rendering quality, bug fixes, and more!
Read the full list of changes below!
Changes
New Ball Race map - Heavenscape!
New Game World & Condo server browser - now shows your friend's servers (if they have it set to friends only)
Improved font and UI rendering quality in higher resolutions (such as 1080p and 4K)
Improved server list visuals and removed the collapsible element of servers on the server list, making it easier to find and join servers with less clicks
Condo IO: Improved Hide/Unhide feature. Items that are hidden no longer can be used or block use traces. Hide/Unhide also no longer will change an items no collision setting as well
Condo: Added quick save button (owners only) to quickly save your condo as-is from the condo scoreboard
Added Folding Chair and Closed Folding Chair to Rob's Imports store
Added Round Coffee Table to Sweet Suites store
Improved Catsack opening system, allowing for queued catsack opening
Bug Fixes
Fixed Catsacks causing a crash when trying to open them, along with other issues regarding opening Catsacks
Fixed player voice volume setting slider not applying voice setting properly after setting it once
Minigolf - Waterhole: Fixed hole 18 collision issues with minecarts
Fixed Dumpster item making a noise on spawn
Fixed Canvas Decal shine not working properly
Fixed light build issues with Condo Hub
Fixed Cafe Table not being colorable
Optimization: Improved server list rendering times
Condo: Fixed Workshop physics items moving on load in
Condo IO: Fixed Teleport Volume use trace not working properly (wasn't using the full volume as the collision size)
Condo IO: Fixed Hide/Unhide causing collisions to be disabled when a item that was hidden is saved as hidden
Condo IO: Fixed Toggle calling OnToggled even if it didn't change state
Condo IO: Fixed looping Timers not stopping if you stop them right as they are about to loop again
Condo - Smooth Dirt: Fixed navigation volume not being large enough
Condo - Smooth Dirt: Added ability to completely disable the ENTIRE dirt floor
Fixed webM playback issues due to 4.21 changes
Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Weekly Dev Log for May 22nd, 2023, detailing all the changes that have happened since May 15th, 2023. Note: Devs that don't appear in the weekly log are not necessarily away or not doing work, but may be working on things currently not announced or backend work that doesn't need to be detailed.
May 2023 Art Contest - Game Worlds
Hey everyone! It's time for another art contest! This art contest's theme is Game Worlds!
So, make something related to Ball Race, Minigolf, Little Crusaders, Zombie Massacre, Accelerate, and/or Virus!
Entries are allowed until Monday, May 29th, 2023 at 11:59 PM CT.
Be sure to check out the prizes and follow the rules below!
Prizes: 1st Place - 1,000,000 Units 2nd Place - 750,000 Units 3rd Place - 500,000 Units
Prizes may be raised, and we also award participation prizes!
You can read the rules and how to participate here!
SDNL: New Game World
Johanna finished working on "Frostbite", there's still some additional prop clutter to add, but the map is basically finished. She also started working on an art pass for "Meadows".
joshua continued working on the new animation rig, as well as some guns.
Lifeless continued working on "Hinderance".
macdguy continued working on the HUD and gameplay loop. He also fixed a bunch of small issues with sliding and sprinting, worked on an iron-sight system, and tweaked some melee gameplay.
Nuclearxpotato continued working on a new map, Disposal, which is based off the Virus map, Corrosion.
Wheezwer finished working on the graffiti, and worked on some prop art for "Frostbite".
SDNL: HUD and Weapon Select UI WIP
Miscellany
Caboose700 fixed some bugs with our internal server browser API.
macdguy worked on re-working the server listing UI to take advantage of our internal server browser (not using Steam's), while also giving it a new coat of paint. He also changed how the "Hide/Unhide" feature in Condo I/O works. Items will now no longer override the current "No Collide" setting, and will block/unblock the "use trace", allowing players to hide buttons behind walls, and then toggle the walls of with I/O to allow use of the button.
Nuclearxpotato worked on some condo items.
Old/New Server Browser List
Condo I/O: Updated Hide/Unhide
Wrap It Up
That about covers everything that happened since May 15th, 2023 at PixelTail Games.
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Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Weekly Dev Log for May 15th, 2023, detailing all the changes that have happened since May 8th, 2023. Note: Devs that don't appear in the weekly log are not necessarily away or not doing work, but may be working on things currently not announced or backend work that doesn't need to be detailed.
May 2023 Art Contest - Game Worlds
Hey everyone! It's time for another art contest! This art contest's theme is Game Worlds!
So, make something related to Ball Race, Minigolf, Little Crusaders, Zombie Massacre, Accelerate, and/or Virus!
Entries are allowed until May 25th, 2023 at 11:59PM CT.
Be sure to check out the prizes and follow the rules below!
Prizes: 1st Place - 1,000,000 Units 2nd Place - 750,000 Units 3rd Place - 500,000 Units
Prizes may be raised, and we also award participation prizes!
You can read the rules and how to participate here!
Engine Upgrade from 4.20 to 4.21
Last week, we released Hotfix 0.16.9.1, which added new items and features, but most importantly upgraded Tower Unite to use Unreal Engine 4.21.
While the changes in 4.21 won't be directly visible to the end user, the upgrade gives up improvements for build times, fixes for engine bugs, and new tools for the development in the game.
There was also a small path for this hotfix to fix issues that occurred when that update was released.
You can read the initial hotfix notes here, and the hotfix's patch notes here.
SDNL: New Game World
Johanna continued working on the map, Frostbite, mainly working on optimization.
joshua continued working on the new animation rig, as well as some guns.
macdguy continued working on the HUD and gameplay loop.
Nuclearxpotato continued working on a new map, Disposal, which is based off the Virus map, Corrosion.
Sketchman worked on weapon traces for the SDNL weapon prediction.
SDNL: Bert Gun (Before/After)
Miscellany
Lifeless continued working on the Ball Race map, Heavenscape, getting it ready for release.
Nuclearxpotato worked on some condo items.
Wrap It Up
That about covers everything that happened since May 8th, 2023 at PixelTail Games.
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Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
This update addresses several bugs from the engine update.
Concerning Catsacks As you may have heard, the engine migration to 4.21 caused some issues with opening catsacks. We're working on a fix that will be ready for early next week that reworks the catsacks, improving how they open and resolving previous bugs where they never opened in the first place. In the meantime, we have disabled the ability to open catsacks until that fix is ready. We apologize for the inconvience.
We are investigating and resolving other 4.21 engine bugs such as webM playback issues which a fix is already underway.
Bug Fixes
Fixed Theater and Nightclub media players not having voteskip options (4.21 engine bug issue)
Fixed light build artifacts/issues with Condo Hub
Fixed light build artifacts/issues with Knightsend-by-Sea
Fixed Canvas Decal shine not working properly (4.21 engine bug issue)
Fixed Cafe Table not being colorable
Fixed an out of bounds bug with default Condo
Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
Fish and earn double EXP during this weekend event starting this Friday and ending on Monday. There's also a bunch of more rare fish swimming around for you to catch this weekend as well!
Tower Unite will occasionally feature events that multiply your rewards for playing the game! Have fun fishing and stay tuned for further events!
Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
This update addresses several bugs from the new update including new items and features.
Engine Upgrade From 4.20 to 4.21
As part of our ongoing commitment to improve the game and offer the best experience to our player base we have upgraded the version of Unreal the game runs on from 4.20 to 4.21. Just like previous engine upgrades, effects may not be immediately visible to players, as many of the changes are fixes for engine bugs (which we frequently have to work around), improvements for build times (which lets us test changes faster), new features and tools for us to use when developing new portions of the game, and engine optimizations which may be more impactful for some users than others. Essentially, expect engine upgrades to pay dividends over time rather than up front, especially as this is a step to later engine versions which have other features and fixes which may be more immediately impactful for everyone.
This engine update required us to rebuild lighting on the majority of our maps, which will cause this update to be a larger download than usual updates. We apologize for the inconvenience, but there was no way around it (unless you wanted to see broken lighting in the game).
Changes
Engine Upgraded from 4.20 to 4.21
Added Readable Book, Sandbag Wall, Sandbag, Ancient Brick Wall, Ancient Brick, Restroom Stall Door, Restroom Stall Panel, Restroom Stall Divide to D.I.Y. store
Added Decorative Dumpster, Dumpster, MCD Keyboard, Industrial Barrel, Toolbox, Rolling Toolchest, Hammer, Handsaw, Paintbrush, Sledgehammer, Paint Can, Paint Tray, Paint Roller to Rob's Imports store
Added Basic Wall-Mounted Urinal, Plastic Cubby, Retro Stool, Small Grid Bookcase, Toilet Paper, Toilet Paper Holder to Sweet Suites store
Added Tennis Ball, Windball to Toy Stop store
Condo IO: Added new Random module with up to 32 random outputs
Condo IO: Added Hidden Button/Volume
Condo IO: Added Comment Volume
Condo: Added a search bar to the material surface browser
Condo: Added Advanced Edit Mode top bar notification to make it more noticeable when advanced edit mode is enabled
Condo: Added "Disable Collision" button on main edit item property UI next to the lock button
Condo: Setting for toggling surface edit mode is now always visible, regardless of being in advanced edit mode or not
Condo: Custom item names now show on item tooltips, allowing you to quickly see your custom set item labels just by highlighting an item
Condo: Added "Prompt Label" setting to IO levers and light switches
Condo: Manipulate/gizmo UI now shows the title of the item you are manipulating, along with the ability to quickly rename the item
Condo: Added "Relative Teleport" mode setting (keeps objects relative offset from the teleport when moving them to a new teleporter) to Teleporter items
Condo: Added "Keep Velocity" setting (allows you to disable velocity transfer when teleporting objects) to Teleporter items
Condo: Added "Play Once" setting to Sound Emitter item
Condo IO: IO connections now copy over to the newly duplicated item when you duplicate an item
Condo IO: Added "Start" and "Stop" debug buttons to Timer in the settings panel
Condo IO: Added "Start On Spawn" setting to Timer
Condo: Sound emitters display the sound that is being played instead of just "looping"
Condo IO: Optimized internal calls
Condo IO: Improved connection organization, now sorts by delay then alphabetically based on custom & item names
Added IO Events - Buttons: SetPrompt
Added IO Events - Levers: SetPrompt
Added IO Events - Buttons: Activate/Deactivate
Added IO Events - Levers: Activate/Deactivate
Bug Fixes
Virus - Subway: Fixed hula doll clipping into snack machine
Little Crusaders - Cardboard Castle: Fixed an issue with some models being inconsistent to walk along
Little Crusaders - Cardboard Castle: Fixed some camping spots
Little Crusaders - Cardboard Castle: Fixed some visual issues
Little Crusaders - Cardboard Castle: Fixed some collision issues
Plaza: Fixed "Stuff Discovery" turtle plushy being missing in the Transit Station
Condo: Fixed clients not being able to scale workshop items in co-op condos
Condo: Fixed color palettes not applying when selected (co-op condos)
Condo: Fixed color UI header showing when there is only 1 color
Condo: Fixed Copycat duplicate feature (and various other tools) not working in co-op condos
Condo: Fixed Teleporter Square having a seam in the model effects
Fixed "Longest Putt" stat not displaying anything in the stat book
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Weekly Dev Log for May 8th, 2023, detailing all the changes that have happened since May 1st, 2023. Note: Devs that don't appear in the weekly log are not necessarily away or not doing work, but may be working on things currently not announced or backend work that doesn't need to be detailed.
May 2023 Art Contest - Game Worlds
Hey everyone! It's time for another art contest! This art contest's theme is Game Worlds!
So, make something related to Ball Race, Minigolf, Little Crusaders, Zombie Massacre, Accelerate, and/or Virus!
Entries are allowed until May 25th, 2023 at 11:59PM CT.
Be sure to check out the prizes and follow the rules below!
Prizes: 1st Place - 1,000,000 Units 2nd Place - 750,000 Units 3rd Place - 500,000 Units
Prizes may be raised, and we also award participation prizes!
You can read the rules and how to participate here!
Engine Upgrade from 4.20 to 4.21
We have been working on updating the game to use Unreal Engine 4.21. Progress has been steady and we are hoping to get the upgrade out soon.
SDNL: New Game World
Johanna continued working on the map, Frostbite, mainly working on optimization.
joshua worked on view models.
macdguy finished the overall gameplay loop. He also worked on the HUD and the Scoreboard functionality. Added some weapons such as the Dual Uzi and Grenade Launcher.
Nuclearxpotato continued working on a new map, Disposal, which is based off the Virus map, Corrosion.
Sketchman worked on weapon traces for the SDNL weapon prediction.
Wheezwer worked on some concept art for the map, Meadows.
SDNL: Disposal VERY EARLY WIP BLOCKOUT
Ball Race: Heavenscape
Lifeless continued working on the map, working on optimizations.
Will continued working on the music.
Ball Race: Heavenscape (Background Art WIP)
Miscellany
madmijk continued working on MIDI support, working on the item that allows the player to manipulate multiple MIDI instruments at once, as well as the drum machine.
Nuclearxpotato worked on some condo items.
Sketchman continued working on the engine migration to Unreal Engine 4.21.
Wrap It Up
That about covers everything that happened since May 1st, 2023 at PixelTail Games.
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Join our Discord for development updates and community fun! https://discord.gg/pixeltail We love awesome people like you!
Experience the wonders of double ticket earning this weekend starting now and ending on Monday.
Tower Unite occasionally features events that multiply your rewards for playing the game! This weekend is double ticket weekend, so hop on over to the Arcade and shower yourself in prizes.
EVERY Arcade game gives double tickets during this event!
