We just uploaded the first Windows 64-bit Unity 5 beta version (3.2.0) to the beta branch. Read on for instructions about how to install this beta.
WARNING: This is a BETA version, and the 'b' in beta stands for BUGS! (As in, they will occur.)
So unless a) you're downloading the beta to actively test and submit bugs, or b) you've had performance issues in the past and want to check if this version improves things, we do NOT recommend playing the beta.
In addition, replaying earlier episodes will overwrite your 'story flags' (the choices you've made in the game). These flags can be easily changed back by loading a saved game (containing all your earlier decisions) but we still recommend backing up your flags and settings by making a security copy of this folder (copy and paste into explorer address bar to access folder):
%appdata%\..\LocalLow\Red Thread Games\Dreamfall Chapters
Consider yourselves properly and officially warned.
Still with us? Great!
To install the beta, right click 'Dreamfall Chapters' in your Steam library, and select 'Properties'. Click the 'BETAS' tab, and select the latest beta (v3.2.0) from the dropdown menu. Close the properties window. The client should begin downloading. If it doesn't, try closing and restarting your Steam app.
Major changes:
- The game engine has been upgraded from Unity 4.6 to 5.2. This is a MAJOR update with far-reaching consequences (!), including new lighting, shaders, effects and performance optimisations
- In-game bug report tool: press CTRL+B to report a bug, or press ESC to pause the game and select the 'Report bug' option. A screenshot will be attached to your bug report, along with some game and system information
- 64-bit Windows version, with better memory handling (and probably fewer crashes)
- New notification effect for important choices and consequences
Known issues:
- This beta is Windows 64-bit only. If you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows or a Mac/Linux OS, you will not be able to download and play the beta (and you might want to consider upgrading to a 64-bit OS)
- In multiple locations, the lighting has not been tweaked for the new lighting system, and things might appear too dark or too bright. Please report bugs with lighting, but be aware that we’re working on this
- Some characters may appear shiny/metallic or too dark/bright. We’re working on the character lighting, shaders and materials
- Flickering shadows in some locations. If you see flickering shadows, let us know: you can usually fix the problem by pausing and un-pausing the game
- There are bugs with collision — e.g. Kian is able to get into the National Front rally by pushing past the barrel near the entrance. If you’re able to pass through scenery or get to places you’re not supposed to get to, please report it
- We’ve had a few reports of broken pathfinding. If a non-player character gets stuck or vanishes completely, please let us know. You can usually fix this by reloading a previous save game
- During cinematic cut-scenes, the audio and animations may be out of sync. We’re working on this, but please report any major issues with cut-scenes.
- In general, the frame-rate should be improved from previous versions of the game. However, the performance in some locations may be slower than expected. Please let us know if you experience major performance issues
How to report bugs:
- The best way to report a bug is to use the in-game bug report tool. Press CTRL+B to report a bug, or pause the game by pressing ESC and select the ‘Report bug’ option from the menu. This will open a text box where you can describe your issue. Please include any relevant details. After entering a description, click submit and the game will send us a bug report, together with an automatically attached screenshot. We also automatically attach the output log from the game, along with some system information (hardware/OS specs). This information will only be used to track down and fix bugs, and we delete the information afterwards
- If you don’t want to automatically submit a bug, you can visit our beta forum by following this link, to post a bug report: http://redthreadgames.com/forum/forum/31-dfc-beta-feedback-reports/
Please report any bugs you encounter, including:
- Pink stuff! Pink stuff usually means missing materials — and if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry! If you see large pink surfaces where there shouldn’t be large pink surfaces, let us know
- Major drops in performance. If your frame-rate averages 30 frames or above in larger location, and suddenly drops to 20s or below in a smaller location, there's something wrong. Let us know!
- Collision! If you are able to pass through walls, scale furniture, get outside or above the world — let us know!
- Ugly/inappropriate lighting on characters and scenery: the lighting system is the single biggest change from Unity 4.6 to 5.2, and we need help catching all the bugs!
Thanks for helping us out with this major update, and we apologise again for the production delays this has caused. We expect the beta phase to run about a week before we finalise the release version, though this naturally depends on the number of bugs and our squashing of said bugs.