Version B129 is now ready on the public testing branch!
Hello skippers!
We report reaching the patrol area! The long awaited version B129 is now ready to download on the unstable branch. The changes introduced by this update are quite massive and change the game in numerous ways. Some of the most standing out changes include:
An epic campaign that takes your ship all around the world.
Completely reworked officer skill system.
Detailed mission summaries and mentions about your u-boat in newspapers!
Numerous simulation upgrades.
Prize rules and merchant ship inspections.
Spoiler-less map and user interface.
Improved torpedo explosions and other effects.
Loading screens after entering an area were eliminated!
The full changelog was too long to paste into this news, so we pasted it into the B129 forum topic here:
If you feel brave enough to dive into the unstable testing waters, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Right click on the game in the library. 2. Enter Properties and then the BETA tab. 3. Choose "unstable" branch from the list on the right. 4. Done!
The main goal of this release is the testing and polishing of this version in collaboration with you. We expect that this will take at least a few weeks. We tested this update very thoroughly and it should be well playable, although some of the campaign missions may still need some love and balance. So remember, its unstable and there might be unexpected behaviour!
We really do appreciate the nice words you left in the forums over the last weeks and month. We await your honest feedback and will do our best to shape this update into the final state. See you on the forums!
Yours, DWS
Loyality Discount - 20% off Farm Manager 2021
Dear Players,
Farm Manager 2021 will be released on May 6 and we have prepared a special offer for you. On the day of the game's premiere, you will receive a loyalty discount that will reduce the price of Farm Manger 2021 by 20%.
If you own any of the games from the list below, you will get a 20% discount on Farm Manager 2021. The discount will be available on the Fam Manager 2021 store page from May 6 to May 13.
Please note that the loyalty discount adds up with the 10% release discount, which means you can buy Farm Manager 2021 30% off!
B129 Dev Diary #6: Spoilerless map, discipline rework + more
Dear skippers,
We are back with the last dev diary before publishing version B129. Take a look:
[previewyoutube="po_5SfV5WSg;full"]
Transcription
Spoilerless map & user interface
We listened to your feedback and removed spoilers from the map and user interface. Valuable information such as a ship type or affiliation is no longer visible right away. We also removed all mentions about the encountered group type from the user interface.
Discipline rework
We also listened to your feedback in regards of the discipline system and developed it into something better. Instead of just the discipline game now also tracks stress. While discipline now usually changes over long term, stress on the other hand is short lived and appears during the combat. When the stress gets out of control, it may cause unwanted events such as panic attacks, but as long as you maintain high discipline on the ship your crew is less affected by it.
Diesel smoke
We added a smoke effect for the u-boat that appears when diesel engines are used. It raises visibility of your ship to the enemy, but assigning an engineer with a proper skill to the engines usually eliminates it completely.
Hydrophones dead zone
All hydrophones now have a dead zone behind them. This mechanic may be exploited for advantage by positioning behind the enemy where he cannot detect your ship.
Torpedo improvements
Torpedoes now have turn limits, that make it impossible to launch them at targets behind the launcher. We also ensured that torpedoes closely keep the depth set during the launch.
Lastly, torpedo explosion effects were improved for better satisfaction from the hunts.
That's all that we prepared for this video. Thank you for your attention, stay safe and see you soon!
Yours, DWS
Update B129 Release Date
Dear skippers,
We are getting close to the release day of the update B129, so we decided to give a word how things stand at this point and give you a quick summary of what to expect from the update.
Release date
We plan to publish update B129 on the unstable branch in the middle of May. At this point, we will work closely with the community to polish it before publishing it as the current stable version.
We are also going to prepare one more dev diary at April 25th before the update is released.
Team expansion
We are happy to say that our humble team has grown a bit again. We are doing this to deliver more and better polished content for UBOAT in the future.
Last month, we joined forces with a scene designer, recruited from the UBOAT community. This time our team welcomed a new programmer and one more coder will join us later in May.
About the update
Changes
We hope that this update will bring improvements to the areas of the game that we thought needed them most. Please take a look at our dev diaries to find out what exactly this update means for the game:
The reason is that most of the large improvements introduced in B129 are deeply connected with each other.
We were preparing for this update for a long time and since we were aware that this one may take longer than usual, we used it as an opportunity to grow the team as well as experiment with the video dev diaries.
Full release
We will still work on at least one more update (B130) to make remaining things straight and address your feedback, before we will be ready to let the UBOAT sail out of the Early Access waters. It seems that the summer is the most probable time frame for that right now.
Thank you for your continued support and helping us to develop UBOAT into the final shape!
Yours, DWS
B129 Dev Diary #5: Prize rules and inspections
Dear skippers,
We prepared a fifth dev diary during the work on B129. This time we describe prize rules, merchant ship inspections, ship scuttling and new types of goods. Take a look!
[previewyoutube="YamFu5BOrjE;full"]
Transcription
Welcome to the fifth UBOAT dev log video for the upcoming update 129. This time we will discuss upgrades related to the enemy shipping.
Prize rules
Since this update, neutral ships that are headed at the blockaded enemy ports now become a valid prize for your u-boat. Also, enemy merchant ships without escort may occasionally use a neutral flag as a disguise.
If you will manage to sink such less obvious targets, you will be well rewarded by the high command, but beware, because if the ship turns out to be involved in a neutral trade, your actions may lead to a humanitarian crisis or at the very least a diplomatic incident.
Inspections
To find out if a ship is a valid target, you will be able to send your team to inspect it. Once there, your officers may talk with the captain and search the cargo hold. Keep your eyes open because if unexpected danger appears during the inspection your crew may become stranded.
It's also going to be possible to send a team to abandoned ships. Your crew can then search the compartments and if you have an skilled engineer, you can save torpedoes by sinking it with explosives.
New goods
Lastly, since this update, enemy vessels will transport a much more varied cargo like iron ore, lumber, rubber and in rare cases even gold. The routes on which these goods will be shipped are historically accurate.
That's all that what we wanted to share in today's video. You will hear more from us next week about this update's estimated release date as well as upgrades in our team. Stay safe and see you soon!
Happy Easter!
Yours, DWS
B129 Dev Diary #4: Torpedo attacks, damage control, air raids
Dear skippers,
We prepared a fourth dev diary during the work on B129. This time we present various improvements all around related to torpedo attacks, damage control and air raids at ports. Take a look!
[previewyoutube="GR8ZLvih-kk;full"]
Transcription
Welcome to the fourth UBOAT development log for the upcoming update 129. This time we will focus on some of the upcoming combat upgrades. Let's get started.
Torpedo attacks
Torpedo attacks were upgraded in many ways. The torpedo launch sequence is now fully animated. We also upgraded related visuals, including torpedo models, effects as well as most of the accompanying audio. Another addition is that torpedo launches now consume compressed air reserves.
Crew management
Since this update, sailors react to leaks appearing on the ship and try to slow them down to aid the officers with the repairs. In addition, to reach the damages that are hard to access, crew stacks boxes to stand on them.
To help you with managing the crises we added a special order to the TAB menu to immediately close all hatches on the ship.
To improve the awareness of what's going on the ship, we added an icon of the performed action above each officer's head.
Air raids
There are now audible air raid sirens installed in the ports for a better immersion. All characters present in a port run and hide inside the buildings after hearing it. Small, but important addition is that when fighting the aircraft, it's now possible to manually reload the gun by pressing a hotkey.
That's all that we prepared for this diary. Thank you for watching and see you soon in the next video!
Yours, Deep Water Studio
Get 20% off Mr. Prepper – Loyalty Discount
Hello, fellow gamers!
Mr. Prepper is going to be released on March 18, so we have a gift for you! Thanks to our loyalty discount, you can get Mr. Prepper at an additional 20% off! To verify whether you’re eligible:
• Check your Steam Library to see if you own UBOAT • If you do, you get 20% off Mr. Prepper • Be quick! The offer lasts between March 18-25
The discount will be available on the Mr. Prepper store page. Don’t forget that it stacks with the 10% release discount, so you can get the game at an astounding 30% off!
B129 Dev Diary #3: Hydrophone upgrade & seamless area transitions
Dear skippers,
We prepared a third dev diary on the way to B129. This time we focused on technical improvements that come with this update. Take a look!
[previewyoutube="h8hSGKI2vHo;full"]
Transcription
Seamless area transitions
Paused loading of areas is now completely gone. Loading happens in the background and it's possible to continue playing normally during that time.
Hydrophone upgrade
Hydrophone has seen major upgrades. It's now possible to hear convoys tens of kilometers away with it, as well as torpedo propellers and air bubbles coming out of sinking ships. We also fixed audio clipping issues that were unpleasant for the ears and worked on various technical improvements that enhance the immersion.
Smoke on the horizon
Since this update, it's sometimes going to be possible to spot smoke over distant groups of ships. It's not always clearly visible and the larger the group the bigger is the chance for the smoke to be noticeable.
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and see you soon in the next dev log video!
Kind regards, DWS
B129 Dev Diary #2: Milk cows & radio rework
Hello skippers,
We prepared a second dev log video for B129. Enjoy!
[previewyoutube="4-NWqlrtLx8;full"] You will hear more from us soon as there is still a considerable amount of work to be done.
Transcription
Radio rework
We reworked how the radio station is used in the game. From now on, it's possible to send a request to resupply your ship on the sea. Communication through the radio is now more natural as you can reply to some messages. Another small improvement is that radioman doesn't have to be present at the station to continue playing music over the radio.
Milk cows
This update will add a new Type XIV u-boats to the game that used to be called "milk cows". They are supply ships loaded with fuel, replacement parts and torpedoes. They even have a bakery on board. With their help your ship will be able to operate for extended periods of time in remote areas like the coast of North America or South-West Africa.
Each supply ship operates at the specific area of the map. You will be able to choose that area by assigning HQ officer to coordinate movement operation.
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and see you soon in the next dev log video!
Yours, DWS
Rustler - Early Access Release and Loyalty Discount
Dear all! We are happy to announce the launch of the Early Access version of Rustler!
Owners of this game will get the 25% Loyalty DISCOUNT when buying Rustler!
Experience feudal injustice, witch-hunting and join big tournaments. Meet valiant, yet incredibly stupid knights. Complete a wide variety of twisted missions and quests... or don’t give a damn about the plot and bring mayhem in the villages and cities. Choose to go on foot or by a stolen horse. Fight with a sword or pick a fancy automatic crossbow. All that spiced up with an inappropriate Monty Python inspired sense of humor!
There's no time to wait - discount is available only till February 24th! Buy Rustler now and ride Your Horse! 🐴
