Early Access Update Trettiotvå (32)
build id: 579B876F
nornware AB is happy to announce a new update to Space Beast Terror Fright.
Cassette Version Bump / breaking changes in replays
I have been doing heavy refactoring and optimization across my entire codebase, and as a result existing replays / Cassettes will NOT function anymore. This is most likely due to changes in vector rotation code that has been optimized to use single precision floating point instead of double precision, but this is just speculation on my part. Also I refactored some dubious vector code that was being optimized away in certain cases by the compiler, which also caused breaking behaviour between debug and release builds.
As ANY future simulation / game rule changes will invalidate existing replays it is better that everyone simply get used to the fact that replays / Cassettes may break on any update. If you have a Cassette that you absolutely want to save I would recommend recording a video of it (for example using nVidia ShadowPlay or Fraps).
Also I am suspecting some inconsistencies in replays that are very very hard to effectively test. I don't currently have the toolset in place to test this algorithmically, but I have a good handle on how to build such tools with (certain hashing techniques). With those in place I will be able to determine exactly whether or not replays are solid. As replays are very much the same thing as the network protocol this will also aid in making sure that everything is solid for networked multiplayer games.
Library Updates
The Library interface has been greatly improved to better aid browsing among the enormous number of Cassettes that tend to aggregate after playing many matches. Sort order is now newest first, there are headers per day, time of day information for each Cassette, as well as the mission config string that was there before.
Now you must first select the Cassette you want, and at that time you will get a "play" and a "delete" button. Versions are taken into account, so old Cassettes will show up (so you can delete time) but be unplayable. If you choose to delete any Cassette you will be prompted for confirmation.
New Motion Tracker Style - Pulse
In response to community feedback on the Motion Tracker being too powerful, I have implemented a new style of tracker called Pulse. Pulse is closer to the feel of the classic motion tracker from the Aliens film (James Cameron's film), and is definitely less powerful and feels more glitchy than the legacy version (called Adrenaline).
Basically Pulse Tracker sends out a wavefront every .75 seconds, and when this wavefront intersects a moving object it will light up a blip in that position that will fade out over time. The big change comes from the fact that blips are always static and are only refreshed when they intersect the wavefront. This creates a strobe-like effect where you get intermittent information about the threats in your vicinity. Correspondingly all threats at long range are also only refreshed when the wavefront hits the extreme range of the Tracker.
I have chosen to only include Beasts (big) and Creeps (small) as blips in the Pulse Tracker (as well as other players if playing Deathmatch) and not include gibs or bullets as Adrenaline still does. This is to clean up the image a bit and only focus on actual threats in order to compensate for the less powerful blip updates.
Pulse Tracker also plays a subtle sound each time it sends out the wavefront, which can most often only be heard when things are relatively quiet.
In general I think this change reinforces the feel of the game and help keep the player's eyes on the 3d view instead of relying too heavily on the Motion Tracker.
Pulse Tracker is the new default but you can always opt to go with the legacy Adrenaline of you like (in the options).
Miscellaneous
- Power failures / restores are now noted in the mission log.
- All mouse scroll wheel interaction can be accelerated 4x ny holding down SHIFT. This affects the main menu obituaries, network party lists and the Library.
- The game now returns to the Library after you view a Cassette, and your selection is retained so you know which Cassette you just watched.
As always, thank you for your support and patience,
/nornware AB c/o johno
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