It's been a while! I've been busy preparing for the Early Access launch, and one big thing I wanted to get in before then is this: OVRLRD's custom scenario editor!
It's very unusual to release a content editor like this as part of a game demo. I'm doing it for a few reasons:
- I'm a solo developer and it's very tricky to hunt down bugs in a content creation tool, so I need help stress-testing it;
- There's a lot of technical considerations to do with Steam Workshop integration that I can't assess properly without the involvement of many users;
- It's fun and cool and I want people to play with it!
The editor is pretty fully-featured, and it uses almost all the same systems I use to create OVRLRD. It runs in desktop mode for ease-of-use, so just select 'Scenario Editor' on the main menu, take off your headset and get creating!
IMPORTANT NOTES
The help section is a work-in-progress. We're all gonna figure out the best ways to work with the editor together. Join the discord to get help, show off your creations and give your feedback!
Uploading to Steam Workshop: the demo version of OVRLRD is hooked up to a demo version of the Steam Workshop! Due to the way Steam works, a game cannot share content between the workshops of a game and its demo. This means if you want to download scenarios, you must use THIS link:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/2393270/workshop/
...to reach the OVRLRD Demo workshop, and not the OVRLRD main workshop.
Once Early Access drops, I plan to shutter the demo workshop. I'll do my best to migrate custom content to the full version, but you should backup your work if you're really proud of it! There is a button in the editor that will open your local custom mission folder so you can backup and share your files manually.
The editor is in an early stage of development, so feedback is crucial! It will continue to improve and expand alongside the main game, with support for more features and better usability. Let me know what you think!
Also, I built a new progressive destruction system for buildings. More news to follow soon.
If you run into bugs, or you have an idea for how OVRLRD could be better, join the discord! We have forums for reporting bugs and making suggestions, as well as discussion areas where operator can share piloting tips, squad strategies and just hang out talking about big robots.
Thanks again for all your support, and for giving OVRLRD a go! Full changelog follows:
CHANGELOG 7 JULY 2024
ADDITIONS
- Added scenario editor and custom mission support!
- Added helmet pop-up messaging system to improve player situational awareness
- Added new progressive destruction system for buildings
- Added new structure types
- Added Steam Workshop support for custom missions (EXPERIMENTAL)
CHANGES
- Redesigned main menu
- Monitor power buttons now light up first for ease of use
- Mech feet now only stomp things while in motion
- Reduced chaotic behaviour of skirmish terrain generator
- Improved visuals of weapon cam helmet feed
FIXES
- Fixed a visual issue with building rubble spawning
- Several iterative improvements to enemy mech AI
- Fixed a number of issues with mech leg animation
- Improved texture blending at terrain seams
- Fixed an issue where menu options got cut off mid-game
- Fixed an issue where beam weapons spammed aim kickback
- Fixed an issue where beam weapons would not strike helicopters
- Fixed an issue where switches were hard to flip while moving at high speed
- Fixed an issue where player could get stuck on terrain bumps
KNOWN ISSUES (Working on it!)
- Sometimes, very rarely, the shaders will be completely broken on startup, with invisible terrain.
- Restarting the game fixes this.
- Having a gamepad plugged in may suppress VR controller input. Unplug your gamepad if you get stuck in the menus!
- Knuckles controllers can only pinch-grip controls when the hand is otherwise fully open.
- Grouped weapons must all be aimed independently before activating group-fire.
- Vive controllers may not allow you to change weapons.
- Resupply helicopters will sometimes drop crates just out of reach of immobilised mechs, to taunt them
- If you die, the post-death spectator mode places your hands slightly too far away from your IRL wrists.
That's all for now, operators. Enjoy the update, and tell your friends and favourite streamers about OVRLRD!