v0.11.7 Released: Big Bot Upgrade!

Hyperwheel Overdrive v0.11.7 is here and it's bringing some shiny new bots with it! v0.11.7 comprises the last 2 months of development work, which includes a bunch of fixes and improvements, along with the big bot AI upgrade. No longer does Hyperwheel Overdrive need to rely on online play for some good combat action or competitive racing. We have also added an option to switch from 2 teams to 3 teams for all team-based matches. This means CTF is still an option if you have 3 players in an online session.

The bot updates definitely round out the core gameplay and improve the feel of the overall game. On that note, we will be leaving Early Access for full release very soon!

The new hyperwheel bots are ready to face you down in the latest update. If you don't already have a copy of the game, add it to your wishlist. You won't regret it if made-for-VR car combat & racing is your thing. See you in the Xenodome!

v0.11.7 (Build 433): October 29, 2021

• major bot upgrades:
  • AI steering overhaul; much better dodging of walls & obstacles
  • added scans for ground drops ahead of wheels
  • major revisions to risk analysis system
  • added player detection to sphere scan that was previously used just to detect items
  • implemented waypoint system to allow bots to race effectively on many tracks
  • added target searching behaviour when getting shot by a laser
  • many details added to decision-making about driving instructions & power-ups
  • multiple power-ups fixed including Spring & Boat
  • fixed Smasher time limit (it was not being applied to bots)
  • bots now use thruster controls to straighten out airborne maneuvers
  • added "Repaint Bot" button to randomize the colors & decal

• Yellow Team added: new teams number setting (2 or 3) for all team-based match types
  
• adjusted regions with vehicle mods to automatically give new Boat Kits & Plane Kits
  
• limited custom vehicle mods to a single checkpoint during races
  
• set vehicle mod checkpoints to automatically give new vehicle mods if needed
  
• improved stability of respawns
  
• improved spawn point positions in "Stadium Sky" & "Trident Mountain Range" regions
  
• fixed bug where grounded gyro forces were being applied to vehicles when on their side
  
• added 6 new car colors:
  • Faded Yellow
  • Bright Green
  • Faded Green
  • Sky Blue
  • Faded Blue
  • Light Brown

• added 2 new car decals: "V Lines" & "Tiles"
  
• tweaked some existing car colors
  
• fixed bug that prevented Smasher collisions from making sounds
  
• fixed bug with lasers appearing to go through walls and slowed down laser animation
  
• fixed UI bug with object markers displaying in front of menu
  
• fixed additional bug with object markers with display ranges set
  
• fixed bug where match countdown text would sometimes not display
  
• fixed bug where lasers could hit rifle when moving at high speeds
  
• added rocket to launcher end when rocket is the next loaded projectile
  
• moved next projectile icon to top of rifle HUD and placed projectiles 2 & 3 below
  
• added Measuring Units setting with Metric & Imperial options for speeds & distances
  
• removed auto-gyro pitch stabilization setting (supplanted by thruster controls)
  
• fixed power-up bug where a full power boost could break hand interactivity
  
• made "Recover" orient vehicle with ground plane instead of just straight up

• implemented auto-thrust secondary function to thruster controls
  • easy switching between auto & manual thrust; just grab controls for manual
  • will point in velocity direction according to up direction until vehicle starts falling
  • when vehicle is falling, it will level out rather than point towards ground
  • will attempt to align with the ground plane as the ground approaches

• adjusted thrusters to kick in gradually over the course of 0.75 seconds
  
• adjusted thrusters to deplete less charge for really small adjustments
  
• improved rotational damping for thrusters
  
• made body gyro system smoother on ramps
  
• improved "Recover" function behaviour (car orientation is now properly maintained)
  
• fixed bug that caused laser grid boundary to get stuck in visible state
  
• updated Vector Stadium stage graphic