Hello subROVers! This news bit is unusual; the update is small, but the events are significant!
Game Update
This update adds the Chaunacops, a kind of angler fish that regularly shows up in livestreams and always cheers everyone up. It has a unique charm and we're very happy to have it in the game, complete with its characteristic pose on the seafloor and bioluminescent lure. Adding this fish has been a bit of a challenge (even after all the preparatory work we had done on the tripod fish), but we think it's more than worth it.
Related to fish, we've revised their movement code to address edge cases. We've also started an optimization pass to improve the game's performance (it's the tip of the iceberg -see below).
Developer's blog
Hello again! 😁 I'm Jose, the game's developer. Usually I write as 'we' to reflect that there's other people's work in the game, though the studio is "just me". I'm switching to 1st person now because this is a personal note, and I think it will help you understand some of the things I have to explain.
So, without further ado: The game has been awarded a grant from the Spanish Government. The grant will allow me, among other things, to commission artwork and bespoke models, and get a second programmer on board to help with a few important tasks:
- We are already undergoing an optimization pass, and we'll look into upgrading the engine (unity) and several other systems in the weeks ahead.
- We'll also revise the save system and we're considering ways to make the mission system more flexible, so it's easier for me to put new dives together, and they're more efficient to handle internally.
- We'll research fully procedural dives. I can't promise that there will be procedural dives in the finished item, but now there is time allotted to do a full investigation.
Paradoxically, even though there's lots going on, for a while it might look on the surface like the game is not moving forward. This is because I (alone) still have to add all items to the game and design the dives, and currently I'm doing lots of production work (getting the new programmer on board, finding contractors, etc). Also, the revisions listed above are not minor, so it might be not be possible to upload builds while they're underway. In any case, I'll keep you up to date through the forum, or maybe through new developer logs like this one.
By the way, I want to say thanks to everyone who's getting in touch, showing support, sending suggestions, or being vocal about things that don't work or could improve. Everything helps! I entered the game into Early Access precisely because I needed to have these interactions. You truly help me make a better game.
As always, happy subROVving!
Full Log
New Features/Improvements:
- Dives: Added the Chaunacops Fish to the Hawaii, Vents, Humboldt, and Tokelau Dives.
- Dives: Revised flocking algorithm to improve behavior when close to the ground.
- General: Revised sizes of several background and models' textures for consistency + internal cleanup.
- General: Revised ship and TMS light setup for efficiency.
- General (internal) removed components that were meant only for editor use in several models.
Known Bugs
- Dives: Game sometimes crashes with no warning when entering/exit dive (happens rarely).
- Dives: Game crashes on Steam Deck when entering a "second dive".
- Dives: TMS ascends on its own when disconnecting TMS with H active, then reconnecting TMS.
- Dives: Barrel's dive objectives window does not show sample collection sub-tasks properly when leaving mid-way and re-entering the dive.
Get In Touch
Here's a list of the many ways in which you can reach us:
- From the game -press F8
- Through the forum right here on Steam
- Through our Discord Server,
- Through Twitter,
- Through mastodon,
- By email (info 'at' sqr3lab.com)
Support subROV
If you enjoy subROV and would like to support us, please leave a review. It helps a lot!