Hi all, We haven't been keeping the steam discussions updated with our work in progress content the way we have been on discord. I wanted to dump some media along with details on what we have been working on. We started this update not happy with our desktop changes and have done another total rework of desktop interactions. We think this is a much better solution than any of the past desktop interaction methods. Those changes have spiraled into a lot of new content and new features. Some of what we have done in no particular order:
*Multi part carry. Keep dissimilar parts in clumps/piles during disassembly and move them around together. This is a pretty intuitive way to handle small parts. Parts related to a job or a corner of the car end up clustered together.
*Parts bins with local physics simulations for small parts
*Repack able boxes
*Garage furniture. Storage shelves, tire racks, work surfaces, etc. all snapped into a grid system in the garage.
*Customizable garage flooring tiles
*New lift posts, oil drain tank, etc.
*Peg board with hardware, pegbins, tool storage etc.
*New tools. Several types of manual ratchets, combination wrenches
*New hatchback street car. Either in this build or shortly after players will all start with street cars. Exocets and catfish will only exist as kits players build and won't be able to be bought in running condition
*New garage. Players now start in a more modest residential garage located in a small neighborhood
*Jack stands: Players now start with jack stands instead of a lift
Some of the related media. There is a lot more + videos on our discord work in progress channel:
Update: Build 145
Patch Notes (Build 145)
Roadmap has been updated to reflect future direction of Wrench development.
V8 Engine Content Sneak Peek - Add V8 cylinder head with several accessory parts. Parts can be purchased from the catalog, but have no compatibility with existing cars yet. - Work is continuing on additional V8 engine parts and will be released with future updates.
Desktop mode key remapping - Available in the Settings app.
Desktop mode grabbing and inventory overhaul - The tutorial sections have been updated with a useful introduction. For practical details on these changes, please play the tutorial sections. - Most tools can remain held with small parts. This allows for easier installation and fastening when working on assemblies. - Grabbing * Held objects are now generally being carried or being placed. * Carried objects will be visible on screen and installable, but won't interact with physics objects in the garage. * Placed objects can be dropped easily on surfaces and interact with physics objects. - Installation * Parts no longer hover at install locations as you carry them around. * Click to attempt installing a held part at the mouse cursor location. * The mouse cursor will change when a valid install will happen on click. - Desktop pocket * Old pocket system and tool belt has been replaced with a single fixed size hotkey inventory. * Objects will stack inside each slot. * 20 slots are available directly with unique keys, to store and equip objects. * Slots 11-20 can also be accessed by holding a modifier key and using keys for slots 1-10.
Minor change to VR grabbing - Long range grabs now snap to the hand. (To help reduce accidental physics collisions in your garage.)
Add an Inventory app to manage objects between storage methods (VR Pockets, Desktop Belt, old Desktop pocket) - Objects are NOT automatically be transferred between VR and desktop storage methods (pocket, belt, tool manager, etc) - Use the app to manually move objects to your an active storage method or drop objects into the world.
Bugfixes - Fix bug preventing objects from detaching from pallet correctly in some circumstances, causing objects to be incorrectly destroyed when pallet was destroyed. - Fix bug causing an occasional crash when grabbing and dropping assemblies multiple times in a short time period. - Fix bug causing unstable physics behavior when preparing assemblies that are still attached to a delivery pallet. - Fix install bug for Exocet midpipe when playing in VR. - Fix install bugs caused by Exocet nose collision blocking install of other parts. - Other minor bugfixes and improvements.
Changes since last beta build: - Add desktop key remapping to the Settings app. - Add extra desktop belt inventory slots, accessed by the function keys or by holding a modifier key and using original belt keys. - Re-enable desktop headlamp, bound to a specific key. Press the key (defaults to B) to toggle the light and adjust its intensity. - Fix bug preventing objects from detaching from pallet correctly in some circumstances, causing objects to be incorrectly destroyed when pallet was destroyed. - Fix bug causing an occasional crash when grabbing and dropping assemblies multiple times in a short time period. - Fix bug causing destroyed tools to remain in the desktop belt, preventing that slot from be able to clear properly.
Roadmap update:
After some internal discussions to give us clarity on what a full version of Wrench looks like, we would like to share our new direction on completing the game.
The full version of Wrench will bring multiplayer support and focus on the creativity and problem solving in building and tuning car assemblies. Maintenance will no longer be a primary focus. The core assembly experience and object handling will remain, but the game loop will be changed completely. We want to shift to player ownership, pride, and self-directed goals instead of grindy progression.
The next major update to Wrench will include : - Multiplayer : Able to join another player’s garage and work together on an assembly. - Game Loop : New game loop focusing on creativity and problem solving. - V8 engine
Adding multiplayer support and replacing the game loop requires many internal changes, so we don’t have a target date now. We will post relevant progress on discord and other platforms.
The full version of Wrench will include : - Engine Tuning : Dyno measurements and tuning to optimize engine performance. - Chassis Tuning : Tune alignment to optimize for specific assemblies and tracks. - Street cars : Multiple variations based on a shared unibody chassis. - Parts : Focusing on parts to support creativity and problem solving. - Garage Customization : Place a variety of props to make your garage space unique. - Localization : This will be added when we believe the text content of the game has stabilized. - Mod Support : Potentially developed after Wrench exits early access, but we remain committed to delivering this feature.
Build 141: Bugfixes + Tweaks
General: - The "Purchase" action (context menu or shortcut) now adds the item to the cart instead of auto-ordering after a delay. You must manually complete the order from the catalog app. - Fix a bug causing certain purchases to be free. - Fix a bug causing the Exocet Race chassis to have no contribution to assembly weight.
VR: - Fix install behavior of stainless M10 nuts used on exocet exhaust parts. - Fix a bug preventing fasteners from auto-installing when using the auto-fastener. - Fix a bug causing incorrect grab orientation when grabbing the tablet with the left hand. - Fix a bug causing tablet to be summoned at a bad orientation when using tablet related context actions. - Fix a bug causing the "Pew Pew" action shortcut to not work.
Build 140: ITB parts, trophies, races give XP
New Content - Add ITB parts and hardware. - Add Billet Fuel Rail for use with ITBs. - Add ITB parts kit to the catalog. - ITBs provide a small horsepower boost and are allowed in limited class racing.
Race Trophies and XP - Placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in races will award the player with a trophy engraved with the race information. - Trophies are delivered to the garage after a race. - Participating in races awards the player XP for unlocking features and parts. (same XP given for completing jobs) - Amount of XP is affected by finishing, driving time, and finish position.
Desktop Mode - Fixed a bug causing some objects to jitter briefly when initially picked. - Fixed behavior of "Recenter Grab" on certain objects to center object better. - Bind Escape key to show/hide the tablet UI. - Reduced minimum height for the desktop pawn.
Other Changes - Fixed bugs with OEM manifold and downpipe installation rules. - Minor bugfixes and part installation tweaks.
Build 139: Exocet race chassis and go fast parts. Work in progress part/car sale
Build 139
New Content - Add Fully caged Exocet Race chassis. It will show up in classifieds for purchase, in maintenance jobs, and as opponent cars at races. - Add Nine Lives Racing Front Wing and hardware for the Exocet chassis versions and an associated part kit. - Add a 421 header to fit the Exocet chassis versions.
Car Buying and Selling (Work-In-Progress) - Adjust calculation car prices to allow for better balance with the player selling cars. - Add a random shipping cost to car purchases, conceptually based on how far the listed car is away from you. - Classified car listings will periodically cycle as time passes while you are playing. - Classified car listings no longer cycle after submitting a job. - Add ability for player to list their cars for sale. NPC buyers may generate offers over time, and the player can choose to accept the highest offer at any time. - Use the "Sell Car" button in the Garage app to manage the listing state of your cars.
Scrapping Parts (Work-In-Progress) - Add the ability to sell scrap to a junkyard. - When emptying the trash bin, all parts that can be scrapped are added to a scrap pile. - An entire car and all of its parts can be scrapped from the garage app. - You can sell your scrap pile to a junkyard using the "Sell Scrap" button in the garage app.
Other changes - 421 headers for both chassis now give a minor horsepower boost compared to OEM header. - Add TSE Turbo Kit specific to Exocet chassis to the catalog. (requires different intercooler tubing and downpipe than catfish) - Tools can now be discarded. They are removed from your toolbelt inventory when they are put into the trash bin. - Add ability to throw tools using Q + Shift. This is needed to throw some tools away, since some tools can not be dropped with Left Mouse Button. - Fix a bug causing money to be deducted improperly when loading an autosave that occurred when entering a race or showroom. - Minor bugfixes and part tweaks.
Update: Build 136
VR: Added smooth rotation options for VR input Fixed VR install issues with new manifolds and downpipe
General: *Fixed funnel angle being wrong on Exocet *Fixed valve cover rules for type 2 valve cover *Tweaked size of installed part collisions being enabled. Improves parts of sub assemblies that didn’t have *collision with physics *Fixed a bug where you could holster the tire changer with Q *Fixed engine block horsepower wear config bug that resulted in negative horsepower *Fixed a bug where brake bleed valves could spawn “under torqued” resulting in them being open *Fixed service manual entry for head gasket change to include steps related to accessory belt parts. *Moved front main seal to oil pump to fix bugs around a floating seal *Fixed PPF bolt locations on the Exocet and install rules for the PPF *Fixed 9LR Exocet wing being available too early- Allowing wing purchase but not the hardware.
Update : Build 135 (small hotfix update)
Hotfix Notes (Build 135) - Fix bug causing piston and piston rings installation to be blocked incorrectly. - Fix car assembly generation bug causing incorrect parts on Catfish chassis. - Fix bug with brake fluid catch bottle tube not showing air bubbles correctly when flushing the brakes.
Update: Build 134
This update is primarily focused on adding a new chassis: The Exomotive Exocet. Brake bleed and transmission fill jobs have also been reworked using our new flexible physics hose system. This is a huge improvement, especially for the brake bleeding jobs.
- Exocet chassis + many new supporting parts * New chassis implemented in the game! * It is currently purchasable alongside Catfish chassis in the classified section. (Chassis availability is random) * It will show up in normal jobs and NPCs can participate in races with it. * It requires various different parts than the Catfish, such as exhaust parts, cooling hoses, and wheels. Ask in our discord if you have questions, details aren't fully specified in game right now. * Various supporting internal changes to allow multiple chassis. * WIP - Potentially car creation, part installation, and part config bugs exist. Please report anything odd in our discord. - Improve handling of brake bleed catch bottle. * Bottle no longer attaches directly to the bleed valve and a flexible tube has been implemented. * Grab the end of the tube and attach it to the brake bleed valve. * WIP - Additional minor tweaks may be implemented soon. - Fix a bug causing brake bleed tube visuals to be difficult to see. - Implement flexible tubes for brake fluid bottle and gear fluid bottle. (Still some WIP tweaks to make on general tube behavior) - Update car thumbnail pictures to be more consistent and add thumbnails for the new chassis. - Fix a bug causing classified app to only have unlimited cars after gaining access to unlimited races. - Fix reflection rendering in the pit area at race tracks. - Update NVIDIA DLSS plugin for improved quality and reduced ghosting. - Various minor tweaks and bugfixes.
Update: Build 131 (small hotfix update)
Hotfix Notes (Build 131) - Change default graphics interface to DX11. (Some users have experienced stability issues or graphical errors with DX12) - Add "Graphics Interface Preference" setting to allow changing between DX11 and DX12. (requires application restart) - Fix bug causing SteamVR to launch when running desktop or OculusVR modes from Steam. - Add ability to access settings from main menu. - Recenter Desktop HUD part torque/fluid info and add dark translucent background to improve visibility on bright scenes. - Fix installation bug with swaybar jam nut. - Fix duplicate bolt on alternator/oil pump.
Update: Build 130
This update adds RTX and DLSS support, fixes several bugs, and moves the game to DX12. Desktop mode currently supports RTAO, RT Reflections, and RT shadows. Many tuning options have been provided for users to customize samples, effects, and quality. Also currently supports RT reflections and RT shadows- RTAO is not supported in VR yet. All users should see a noticeable performance improvement now that the game as moved to DX12.
Patch Notes (Build 130)
Graphics: - Add support for ray tracing features: * Reflections * Ambient Occlusion (not currently supported in VR) * Shadows - Add support for NVIDIA DLSS. (requires an NVIDIA RTX graphics card) - Check Ray Tracing and Graphics settings in the Settings app for options. - Change default graphics driver to DX12. (Required for ray tracing. DX11 still available with launch option "-dx11") - Fix bug causing Resolution Quality to affect VR rendering.
VR: - Adjust format of part information display on HUD. - Hide grab laser if a pinch or palm grab target is valid. - Only show context laser pulse if there is no grab target or the grab target is for a long range grab. - Adjust Index/Knuckles controller default grip force to be much lower. (you can also adjust this in SteamVR settings) - Adjust default HUD information positioning to be closer to center to accommodate all headsets better. (part information, message log) - Add settings to adjust HUD information positioning. Check settings "HUD Width/Height Adjust" to adjust to your headset FoV or preference. - Fix bugs with several finger touch interactions. (radio knobs and power button, breaker bar socket extension virtual button) - Fix bug causing VR hand to show the pointing pose under incorrect conditions.
Desktop: - Prioritize mouse target when using context menu. (allows use context menu actions or hotkeys on parts while holding wrench)
General: - Fix bug in context menu tutorial prevent player from being able to pickup and move boxes. - Fix bugs allowing some internal engine parts to be removed without disassembling the engine. - Fix a crash when coming out of a pit stop under some conditions. - Fix unlimited cars showing incorrect race class in Race Monitor app. - Pulse a highlight on the target when showing the context menu. - Pulse a highlight on the target when using certain context menu or shortcut actions. - Fix missing/incorrect Windows application icon. - Other minor bugfixes and tweaks.
