Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Update 5. New and updated biomes. Changelog

201704190212
Steam Build ID: 1767513
WiFi Controller iOS version: 1.25 (updated to newer Unity networking library)
WiFi Controller Android version: 1.25 (updated to newer Unity networking library)

Bugfixes

  • The repeating 'pinging' sound as someone's about to win the match is back again.
  • Fixed the goal being located slightly above the vertical center.

    Changes

    • Replaced old ice biome with new one. More routes, more danger.
    • Reworked one of the regular biomes to be more exciting.
    • New rare biome: Edge Control.
    • New rare biome: Powers Only.
    • New alternative biome: Lava Lakes (more risky verion of the regular biomes)
    • Changed the grass again. No more grainy noise. 
    • Tweaks to all surface colours.


      Notes
      For this update we mostly focused on the biomes (the level types). Improving some and adding some new ones.

      Updated biome: Ice
      The Ice Biome has been in there for a long while. Basically a biome that has a lot of ice. However it often led to not too exciting races as a leading player would encounter few or no dangers. 

      The updated biome has a clear structure to its layout. There is typically a lava barrier just in front of the goal preventing players from reaching it directly. 

      There is now an area in the center that has a high chance of grass which attract players to the center before they move around the lava barrier. 

      Also directly after the start region there is a patchwork of lava that aims to create multiple interesting routes directly from the start. 

      There is a chance of finding some powers in the central area away from the grass and behind the goal. Both making detours possibly worthwhile as powers on ice can be very disruptive.

      Examples of the updated biome:





      New rare biome: Edge Control
      Grass next to lava is tempting but also dangerous.

      Example:


      New rare biome: Powers Only
      A new rare level that is all about smart power usage. 

      Example:


      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Revert to previous version

      When you have issues running the latest version you can always revert to the previous version by selecting the 'previousupdate' branch in Steam. 
      To do so right click Chalo Chalo in your library.
      Select Properties
      Select BETAS
      In the dropdown menu select previousupdate (no password needed)

      Steam should then revert to the previous version. If it fails, restarting Steam tends to fix a lot.

      Tuesday, February 28, 2017

      Update 4. Visual terrain improvements - Changelog

      201702270311
      Steam Build ID: 1658849
      WiFi Controller iOS version: 1.20 (no change)
      WiFi Controller Android version: 1.21 (no change)

      Bugfixes

      • Tar Bombs now detonate correctly even if player dies after triggering the countdown.

      Changes

      • Lava material looks more like actual lava and has motion to make it easier to distinguish from other materials.
      • Grass material now has grainy texture.
      • Ice material looks more like ice.
      • Ash material is now slightly lighter.
      • Player colors are brighter and easier to distinquish.
      • Player dots have a dark outline to improve visibility.
      • Player directional indicator (visible when on ice) for now disabled.
      • Power up icon circles pulsate.

      Notes
      This update is almost entirely visual and focuses on the different terrains in the maps. We label the terrains as follows:

      • ash - the default grey terrain 
      • grass - green and fast
      • ice - white and slippery
      • tar - black and slow
      • lava - red and deadly

      Triggered by a player commenting how it was almost impossible for a color blind friend of his to distinguish between grass (green) and lava (red). We took a look at the terrain and tried to make it easier to 'read' in general. 


      Below a screenshot of the previous version and a copy of that screenshot ran through an online color blind simulator.



      One thing that helps is having different textures for the terrains so even without the colors you would be able to distinguish between grass and lava.

      Below the same test but with the new visuals:





      As players will never actually be racing over the lava we can apply a more distinct look to the lava than to the other terrains. Lava now has a texture and animation making it look a lot more like lava and making it easy to spot. 

      Though we quite like the very abstract look of the previous versions a bit more detail in the terrains seems to work well. We'll probably keep tweaking this to make the style of the different terrains match.

      With this visual update the game's look changes once again and it is no doubt not the last time.
      Below some screenshots of the different versions so far.









      - - NEW - - NEW - - NEW - - 
      Revert to previous version

      When you have issues running the latest version you can always revert to the previous version by selecting the 'previousupdate' branch in Steam. 
      To do so right click Chalo Chalo in your library.
      Select Properties
      Select BETAS
      In the dropdown menu select previousupdate (no password needed)

      Steam should then revert to the previous version. If it fails, restarting Steam tends to fix a lot.

      Thursday, January 12, 2017

      Update 3. Changelog

      201701120403
      Steam Build ID: 1565267
      WiFi Controller iOS version: 1.20 (no change)
      WiFi Controller Android version: 1.21 (no change)

      Notes

      This update mostly fixes a nasty bug caused by the Teleport power. Note that when you run the game it should show First Run in red text the first time you play the updated version.

      Bugfixes
      • Fixed the 'frozen input bug' where sometimes players would move in a straight line from the start of the race and wouldn't react to controller input.
      • In exhibition mode individual player inactivity dropout routine causes freeze crashes, don't know why yet. So that's disabled for now. General inactivity timeout is still working as expected - resets to start screen when no controller input detected for a while.