Hi there pilots!
Check out this huge update!
New features/improvements
- AI released with many options including:
- Possibility to setup the difficulty of the AI (easy, medium, hard or auto)
- Different AI classes with random configurations for each AI
- The AI uses all possible in game actions such as flares, locking, boost and class abilities
- Each AI has a different and unique name
- The XP bonus and data bonus from AI’s depends on the difficulty of the AI
- Overhaul of the scoreboard at the end of the game to display the top players and give information about the next map
- Pickups now are attracted to the player when nearby to make it easier to take pickups
- The default key bind to chat has been changed from the C key to T key to prevent accidently entering the chat while playing
- Several presets for key binds are now provided to make it easier to change key binds for several standard configurations, including a mouse preset
- Several FX (special effects) improvements such as: The engine trail, distortion waves, explosions and level boundaries and much more!
- When leaving the level boundaries an green indicator named ‘map’ appears to guide the player back to the map
- Removed several unused features from the game to prevent confusion
- Map designs improvements such as: better spawn locations for team based gameplay and object placement
- New game mode: Capture the Hyperdrive! (The game mode works similar to the familiar game mode Capture the flag, but now in space!)
Bug fixes
- You are now not able to join a game without configuration; the exception here is joining via invite, which requires going back to the menu.
- The number of remaining flares on a ship is now correctly shown and calculated
- The loading screen now always displays the correct map name
- Killing streaks now correctly resets when switching maps
- The countdown when flying out of the level bounds now shows the correct values
- If all sounds are disabled the engine sound is now correctly disabled as well
- Lighting distortion on some objects is fixed
- Homing missiles are now correctly rotated in the direction they are flying
Known issues
- AI in capture the HyperDrive is not working correctly It is hard to understand the first steps of the game without a tutorial Crosshair is not the specific aim point for forward thrust in third person
- Mouse controls do not work as required
- At respawn, the game freezes sometimes on particular systems
- Start-up can take a couple of minutes with black screen. This typically occurs only the first few times.
- In the hangar, some weapons go through the ground.
- Kill achievements do not work properly
- Focus issues in menu, such as the pop-up at first startup
- If a second screen is connected, resolution bugs can occur. This can result in no control of your spaceship. Workaround: Change resolution in game and apply settings.
- Switching teams in lobby is unclear and can result into bugs such as the same player present in both teams
- If chatting in the lobby, focus issues might appear.
- All servers in the server list have a ping of 9999
- The engine of the stealth ships are still in stealth mode after the stealth is finished.
- Class abilities stats are not present
- If an achievement is reached and the game is over, the achievement is shown behind the end-game screen.
- Collision problems, hitbox of spaceship seems incorrect in some cases.
- Sometimes after being eliminated, the locking indicator is still active
- Class ability of the Highspeed does not increase the max speed
- If the scoreboard is toggled to show while loading the next map it is impossible to hide the scoreboard (until the next game)
What’s next?
- Clan support such as clan names
- You should be able to distinguish yourself as a member of a clan. Join games together, and enter tournaments. Add new members to your clan in a convenient clan hangar, and hang out together. It is more fun to play with friends!
- Joystick support (Hotas)
- Everyone should be able to use the controller of their choice. A joystick will provide alternative controls, perfect for another gaming experience of Evolvation.
- Maps
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More maps allow everyone to show out their skills and will challenge the player to adopt to the diverse environments.
- Spaceships
- We aim to develop more ships to let everyone pick one of their choice. It is undefined to which class the ships will belong.
- Gamemodes
- More gamemodes need to be created particularly to enhance multiplayer gameplay. The gamemodes should let all the maps and space ship abilities come together to make a challenging game.
- Matchmaking
- More control in the host screen will let you set up a match which has restrictions for the players that can join.
- Quickmatch
- Features such as automatic pooling should be implemented in the quickmatch, to let players land in games which are both challenging and enjoyable.
- Fairness indicator
- Games in the serverlist should have an indication how experienced the players are to enable you to decide which game you want to join.
- Steam achievements
- Steam achievement incorporation will allow you and other players to keep track of your achievements.
- Dedicated servers
- Kick player from game
- Inactive players or those who are ruining the gameplay of Evolvation can be voted for to get kicked out of the match. Use and abuse of this function will be tracked to ensure the best gameplay possible.
- Voting system next map
- Players should have the freedom to skip a map.
- Linux build
- Extended support of more platforms will allow more people to play Evolvation.
- Mouse control improvements
- Currently Evolvation supports but is not optimized for mouse control.
- Improvements will make the mouse feel like a familiar and conventional addition to the game controls.
- Steam controller support
- The steam controller is not yet supported but we aim to provide this option.
- Customizable spaceships e.g. colour selection, decal placement.
- Features such as customizable colours of your ship will make it distinguishable and to your liking.
- Extra weapons
- A range of weapons will allow you to pick a weapon that suits your playing style.
- Stability improvements
- Achievements overview improvement
- The overview should be clear and structured
- Class abilities improvement
- It may be difficult to understand and use the class abilities to their maximum.
- Stat balance improvement such as damage, health, bonuses from upgrades etc.
- Tutorial
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A clear tutorial is needed to introduce players to the game. Guiding players through the process of buying and configuring their first spaceship to let them started to get the most out of Evolvation.
- Resolution improvements, some items are not aligned properly in the UI.
Improve the structure of the complete GUI - Small single player mode
- Private team message
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Implement a private chat to discuss everything you don’t want to share with your enemy.
- Ability to select default configuration
- In the lobby or when joining in game the default configuration should be selected to provide a faster start of the game.
- Lobby redesign
- Improve the lobby design to be more intuitive and provide more settings such as switching teams.
- Server list redesign
- Improve the server list to include filters and make the list sortable
- Host screen redesign
- Improve menu background (Flying spaceships)
- The background should be more interesting and have a more personalised feeling
- In game stats menu improvements
- You should be able to quickly look up your statistics in a clear and concise overview
Note: It is possible that some features, improvements, todos or bugs are missing. Please let us know if you miss something important!
We hope you enjoy this version!