We are pleased to announce the release of a new update for Perfect Golf. This update has focused on a bunch of improvements to game play.
Content
The release of a new course Chicago Oaks. A Major Championship parkland sytle course.
The addition of a new mode of play - Challenge Mode - We have set up Par 3 challenges on all the courses released so far. In this mode each player gets 3 cracks at getting closest to the pin on each of the par 3. The player with the lowest cumulative best shot distance for all the par 3 wins. Great for a quick game!
Performance
We have made some general performance improvements throughout the game but have also changed the Low Quality on Swing Option to a Pause Render on Swing Option. This new option will pause the rendering when you begin to take a swing and results in frame rates significantly higher than the old Low Quality while using the motion swing or click gameplay methods. To say that this has been a big hit with the testers is an understatement!
Game Play
We have changed the online menu (in anticiapation for adding tournaments later) with new larger area for each multiplayer game. In a future update we will be adding additional information to this area so you can see more information about the game you might be joining.
We have extended the range of clubs that you can chip with down to the 7I. The purpose has not been to add significant distance to the chipping but to change the behaviour between in the air and rolling on the ground
'Spacebar' now toggles the golfer model on and off allowing you to aim putts more easily without having to select a Driver to free up the view.
Expanded the Stimp Settings from 9 - 12 to 8 - 14. Please not for those of you who use the simplified putting please remember that the base flag distance is based off of Stimp 10.
In conjunction with adding the pause render on swing option we have added a forward snap camera to the list of snap cameras. This should enable people with very low end machines to be able to play the game and enjoy it by using the Player Camera, Forward Snap Camera and Pause Render on Swing.
Introduced Variable rough lie penatlies which now vary both ball speed and spin more realistically with the different clubs. The purpose of this is to give you a random lie and then allow you to change clubs to get a more consistent shot.
Added Variable sand lie penatlies for full shots played from bunkers, once again affecting different clubs in different ways.
Improved the Splash shot physics so the ball does not carry as much spin on landing.
Added fat and thin shots to splash shot physics - A late snap will result in a shot hit 'thin' with the resulting lower and longer trajectory, an early snap will cause a slightly fat shot with less power and spin being applied to the ball.
Bug Fixes
Multiple changes to the Hole Cup Physics that should resolve most if not all the issues people were experiencing.
Fixed other devices plugged in causing mouse to freeze in center of screen
Fixed a bug in the Putting Skid calculations that still allowed the ball to break of the face of the putter.
Fixed the pin collisions and sounds for pin collisions
Fixed nodding Camera when ball went in hole
Fixes for some camera views so the ball is tracked more cleanly.
Fixes to connection issues that should help some people who were getting disconnected
Added a leaderboard icon in preparation for tournament and career modes of play. This will show the results of challenge games as well
Various other bug fixes such as the ball falling through the terrain under certain cirumstances, cup sounds etc.
Difficulty Settings
Added four preset levels of difficulty to the player settings. Beginner, Amateur, Professional, Tour professional. This enables or disables certain assists depending on the level chosen (some are not yet implemented). It is also currently possible to set a custom level of difficulty although these will generally not be allowed for eventual tournament play.
The ability to cancel a swing once in progress is now considered an assist. We have felt for a long time that this ability for a player to continually cancel and restart the swing not only slows down play and takes away the dynamic realism of the control methods. This assist has been disabled for both pro and tour pro difficulty levels.
Wind Speed - With this assist off you will only be given the range of the wind at the time rather than a specific number so the wind might say 12-15 MPH rather than 13 MPH
Wind Direction - With this assist you get a constantly changing wind direction indicator, with the assist off you only get an indication of the base wind speed. Winds will generally not change around that by more than 45 degrees in each direction
Swing Meter Marks - This is a place holder but in a later update you will be able to add marks to the swing meter by turning this assist on
Keyboard Shortcuts
We have also added a new page to the settings menu that lists the current keyboard shortcuts for certain functions like turning on the top view or looking at a hole fly by. You can easily change these settings to meet your own needs, just click on the button and enter a new key.