The new Testing Beta:
The new Testing Beta is now on Steam and you might have noticed that you now get a Steam popup asking which version of the game you want to play:
Because all the files, including the EXE, are different in the new version we had to activate this choice menu. This popup will stay in place until the new version has been fully released.
People that aren't opted into the Testing Beta can just select 'Play Disinfection'.
Selecting 'Play Testing Beta' will only work if you are opted into the Testing Beta, which you can do through Steam itself. This is a public beta, so anyone that has the game can opt in.
Progress So Far:
Work on the new version of the game goes steadily, though we did have some delay due to illness which means the Testing Beta isn't feature complete yet.
However: there will be very regular updates, so we can get feedback on new things faster and so that we can push new fixes faster too. This does mean every update will be much smaller, usually only containing a very short list of additions, changes and/or fixes. When the Testing Beta is feature complete we will probably return to our more consistent (two-)weekly update schedule.
Right now we are looking for some early feedback on all the changes so far and any new bugs that may rear their ugly heads.
This is what is currently working:
The main menu is mostly functional. Most of the options menu is not functional yet but the graphics settings are fully working. Settings will be saved and recalled.
We added links to our Twitter, Discord and Steam page so it is easier to contact or find us.
There is no Tutorial yet, even though the button is there. The Tutorial will be one of the last things we will do since we need to implement all the features first. For now you can play the Tutorial in the old version, since the gameplay mechanics won't really change that much.
The main menu background has been redone from scratch, with new animations making full use of the new engine's animation system.
The loading screens have been fully removed from both the main menu and the mission start, instead animations and (sound)effects play. Let us know what you think and if it all runs smoothly for you too ːsteamhappyː
As said in our previous blog post: there's no co-op yet, only solo play. This is because we need to rewrite the networking code from scratch as the new engine is completely different from the old one in this regard. There's no ETA on when co-op will be functional, but at the very least before the end of December.
You can use the new mission interface to start and end missions, though there isn't much to do yet as the monster AI and Tools/Weapons aren't functional yet.
The mission interface now displays the Computer Core password, except on high difficulty missions. In a future update there will be ways to hack the Computer Core or to find the password inside the ship (i.e. on a corpse or note):
You can use this password to access the Computer Core and do a data dump. This interaction is completely new and works in a similar way as the new mission interface. There might be additional features that will be implemented for the new Computer Core interface in the future.
The level generator is fully working, with doors and decoration, though it may still have the occasional bug. It will simulate the passive infection spread, as well as oxygen. Power and temperature are not functional yet.
That's all for now. Let us know what you think of the new version so far, we're eager to hear your thoughts.