Hi, today we launch Open Update Preview with lots of new stuff for players and content makers. Some things are so complex that we still have not decided wether they will get into the final version or not.
How to switch: in Steam open Hard Bullet Properties, go to Betas tab and select preview - Public Beta.
Bring your feedback and ideas to our Steam Forum and Discord Community
This is first time we do such public preview of upcoming updates, hope we'll continue this practice in the future.
Soon you'll find what else is in this beta and what's planned for furture May Update (this May, no strict date), but for now let's dive into two most important features!
Virtual Cameras
We built several Virtual Cameras that will help you show your gameplay from new perspective. You can tune all of them using settings, create your own presets and even switch between cameras with your keyboard!
3rd Person Camera
This one shows player from the side. We made several presets for you and you can make up to 5 more.
Probably the most interesting option is Follow Camera — this is an AI controlled camera that follows the player and keeps they on screen. Maybe it's not so complex like in some true 3rd person games and has its flaws, but we are working on them.
Our idea here is to get rid of live preview window, so you can just have your bullet hell fun in Hard Bullet and Follow Camera will do the rest.
Action Camera
This small cute camera will stay in the air where you place it. You can use built-in Spawn Tool or just grab it with your hand. You can't weld it to objects yet.
Action Camera appears with a number on it — switch between them in the Camera Settings or your assistant (lucky you!) can switch between them using the same numbers on PC keyboard.
Forehead Camera
This one is an updated version of Wide FOV Camera we had before. Now you can change the FOV and camera positions.
Still in work
And this is not all! Some cool cameras we are still working on:
- AI-controlled Action cameras that will turn on when the player is nearby, letting you move through arena and always stay in focus.
- Welding for Action Cameras so you can attach them to guns and enemies.
- More keyboard controls for creator's IRL assistant to switch between cameras.
- Tracking Camera to keep player in the viewport.
Lever Action Reloading Test
We've been experimenting with lever action weapons to find the better way to reload them in Hard Bullet style.
Please, tell us what do you think — reloading may feel unintuitive at first (especially with two hands), but it becomes easier as you learn. Probably. Or not. That's why we are doing this tests huh.
You'll find a lever action gun in the Dead Box sandbox over a green cube in the center of the arena.
There are some options similar to those we have for pump action shotguns to choose better mechanic for you. Visit Interactions Settings to choose.
Other Changes
A few words about other interesting things you'll notice in this beta:
New UI and Launch
Starting options are still work-in-progress as we plan to add more complex height calibration. You can set checkbox to skip them and jump right into lobby after you launch HB. You can always find those in General the Player settings.
Changed country flags to country names so it's more convenient to find familiar words and make the right choice. Also, let's all welcome new languages: हिंदी (Hindi), עברית (Hebrew), Norsk (Norwegian), Română (Romanian) and Magyar (Hungarian)!
Tips translations are not ready, but all the other UI elemetns are here. Please, contact us if you think you have a better idea for some options on you native language.
New UI Element — Tips
Hover over a question mark sign near some settings names and you'll get a short description. Please, let us know what options in game settings or mechanics you'd like to see explained.
New lighting on weapons
Last graphics update cut the guns visuals a little and they started to feel more blank or saturated. Today we adding new awesome visual and lighting reflections to weapons and arenas.
This is the most optimized and good-looking setup we've ever done to Hard Bullet and we are very satisfied with these results.
Bring your feedback and ideas to our Steam Forum and Discord Community
What else will be in May update:
- Lever Action firearms;
- New switchable player outfit and face;
- AI Cameras that turn on when player is nearby;
- Welding for Action Cameras;
- Sitting mode improvements
- New height and body calibration;
- Controller feedback when grabbing guns;
...and hopefuly all the improvements we come up with during this beta!
Sharing some progress
Just teasing new hairs that are in work. Won't get into May update, but probably will go to the next one.
Related Devlog Posts:
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