This post details a new release from the unstable "preview" branch of Panoptic, which contains work-in-progress features. If you wish to experience these builds, see the instructions at the end of this post.
Hey all!
Here is a new "preview" build of Panoptic! As with the previous ones, we have fixed a bunch of bugs, but also added some new gameplay features, now that we are nearing the release of our next "full" update. Exciting times!
So, here is what changed :
New Features
- The Overseer is getting some help in the form of the Watchers! These special Beings roam parts of the Sanctum (the rightmost level in the selection screen) and try to detect the Challenger. They shine their light on suspicious Beings, and should it turn red, it means they found the Challenger! We are still finishing them, and there are a few bugs in the lighting system we use that prevent them to be as visible as we would like from the Overseer's side. They will also make sound in the future. There is still more to come, but you can already see their intimading presence for yourselves!
- The Watcher has been incorporated in the tutorial, to demonstrate their behaviour.
- The in-game menu (accessible via pressing Escape, or through Start/Options/similar gamepad button) has been completely revamped, allowing you to change some gameplay options without having to come back to the main menu. The look and feel of that menu has also been improved.
- The lighting in the Crucible (the leftmost level in the selection screen) has been improved. We added more lights in the section inside the cliff behind the lava falls, to better help player navigate this section.
Bugs Fixed
- Sensitivity handling has been improved, the default setting is more reasonable for both controllers and mouse, and the range of settings is better adapted for both.
- In the Crystal Mines level (the central one), the Challenger is now able to push other Beings around, as in the other levels.
- Activating the Lens and looking towards certain spots caused lag in the Crystal Mines, this is now fixed.
- Going back to the main menu from the level selection and back does not break level selection anymore.
- In the tutorial, the lens of the fake Overseer on the Challenger side does not change size depending on the VR player's hands anymore.
- In the tutorial, the final Orb on the Challenger side did not show its position as expected when the player stands still, it does now.
- The Challenger can no longer get stuck if they get under an elevator platform that comes down from above them.
We look forward to hearing from you about all these changes! Let us know what you think of the Watcher :)
Until next time, have fun playing!
-Team Panoptes
HOW TO GET THE PREVIEW BUILDS:
Warning : the preview builds contain some features that are deemed not ready for wider release yet, and are intended to gather feedback on new additions and validate bugfixes. Some things may not work as intended, so try at your own risk.
- In your steam library, right-click on the entry for Panoptic.
- Select "Properties".
- In the window that opens, open the "BETAS" tab.
- In the dropdown, select "preview".
- Let the game update, and that's it!
Follow the same steps, but select "default - Opt out of all betas" at the end if you want to revert to the stable builds.