Alpha 1.4 is a quality-of-life update that introduces features that I believe will improve online play especially; ‘Waiting for players’ screen, Quick Chat, and activity messages for joining / leaving.
Quick Chat
This comes with around 80 messages to choose from including variations to give some added personalization. You can reach it via d-pad buttons, each controlling a category; three of which are pre-defined as well as one for free choice where you put any message. Each player in split screen can operate this chat independently on their own screen as well as choose the variations on messages as part of their local profile settings (open the game menu via start while playing as a local player and go to settings).
For desktop users you have the 4 slots accessible with number keys but also have the option of accessing a search (5 key). As you type in this it narrows down the choices (up to three) that match what you’ve entered. You can use the number keys to then select a choice or just press enter if satisfied with the first option. This means you have full access to every single quick chat message.
You'll find the options for what you can put in each Quick Chat slot under Game Settings. Local players will have similar settings under their Local Settings menu. Please make suggestions if you think I’ve missed a variation or message that you’d like to see.
Waiting for Players
On this screen the host can choose to start the game after waiting for as long as they want for any players to join. You can also invite players and see who has joined so far. There will be extensions to this menu over time once the other gamemodes and their graphics are developed.
New Customizations
Finally, I’ve added two new customization options: Bowling and Stripe. The stripe does replace the previous single stripe option as it wasn’t very good or particularly distinct. Both of these come with full color options, matching faceplates, and rich presence icons.
Let me know of any feedback you have about the additions in this update and if you are enjoying the game please don't forget to add it to your wishlist.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/
Patch Notes
General
- Added wait for players screen that slowly pans through the level while you wait for the host. This only appears at the start of the game just after hosting so you have a chance to send out invites or let other people join before you start.
- Added on-screen messages for when players join or leave the session.
- Added Quick Chat system accessible by either D-Pad or Number Keys (1-4).
- Added Quick Chat search function for keyboard only via the 5 key.
- Added Quick Chat options to Game Settings. This lets you pick variant of the message in each slot.
- Added new control mapping for zooming in and out to X and Y buttons on gamepad to accommodate the quick chat being added to d-pad.
- Added zoom in and out to remapping options in settings.
- Added power increase and decrease remapping options in settings.
- Added several back-end changes to initial profile creation in regard to handling inputs.
- Fixed an issue where the monarch ball customization wasn’t showing up in leaderboard entries.
- Fixed an issue where entering the choose profile menu from Create Public or Invite Only game, then returning to the main menu, followed by the settings menu was showing incorrect context on the return to main menu button.
- Added improvements to reset button by ensuring camera movement is instantaneous so there is no longer a movement conflict if you are moving the camera immediately by a large amount.
Customization
- Added ‘Bowling’ ball customization in various custom colors.
- Added new 'Stripe' design to replace the previous one, this employees a zebra-like effect and comes in various custom colors.
- Added changes to the order of which customizations appear in the menu.
Interface
- Added new control scheme for moving page on scoreboard to Bumper Left or Right on gamepad and Mouse thumb buttons 1 and 2. This is to accommodate the quick chat.
- Fixed an issue with appearance of HUD color options in the Local settings menu.
- Fixed a padding issue with player name on Choose Profile menu that’s noticeable when running splitscreen.
- Fixed some context highlighting issues when readying up in the Choose Profile menu.
- Fixed some alignment issues in the Choose Profile Menu.
- Fixed an issue with remapping gamepad since recent update.
- Fixed an issue with focus being lost upon remapping in the keyboard & mouse menu.