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!
As the first month of 2020 is almost behind us already, we have a new preview build. This one focuses more on tightening the gameplay, options and performances of Panoptic, rather than adding too much content.
You will also note that, as we progressively move towards the end of Early Access, we need to test things like Steam Achievements. Some test achievements have been published for us to be able to test code internally, but you cannot unlock them. Do not worry, we have plenty of them planned eventually!
If you test the preview build, we are particularly interested in how much better the game performs on your machine. Work on performance is very much ongoing still, but this preview release should be a good step in the right direction, we hope.
Anyway, here is what you will find in this build:
New features
- Gameplay : "Extra Watchers" now work for the most recent map
- Gameplay : Breaking Orbs now require pressing the Action button
- Graphics : Some windows have new textures in several levels
- Graphics : Some assets have been improved in the latest map and in the Foundry
- Performances : Optimized rendering by adding occlusion culling to all levels for both players
- Audio : Added option to set the levels of various audio cues and music
- UI : Added support for ultra-wide screens (tested up to 32:9, but should work for all screens)
- UI : Added an option to change the PC player Field of View
- UI : Completely remade the options menu, and use the same menu in the title screen and in the in-game menu during gameplay
- UI : Added button names in the options menu (it will be expanded later to incorporate other parts of the game)
- UI : All the UI now use TextMeshPro (the better text rendering engine), making it clearer at more sizes
- UI : Added the option to add a reticle and set its opacity to help with motion sickness in certain people
- UI : Added an option to set the background opacity for the in-game menu
- UI : Added a confirmation popup when resetting options to default
Bugs Fixed
- Foundry : Challenger cannot glitch through the floor or get stuck in the later part of the level
- Foundry : Fixed the zones where the Overseer gets blinded for coming too close
- All levels : The Challenger cannot move during the first few seconds of each level
- Crystal Mines : Moved the Challenger spawn position so it cannot be killed before moving
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.