Hey everyone,
I pressed it. I pressed the update button!!! Modding, cross-play PvP and tons of QoL stuff. Buckle up, we have a lot to go through!
MODDING
Ever dreamt of building your own single player/Co-op missions and PvP maps? Now you can build anything you want in Zero Caliber through mod.io (and Unreal Engine)!
Full guide here: https://mod.io/g/zero-caliber/r + on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/xrealgames
Worry not, you can also sit back (or stand up), and enjoy the work of other community members through the ingame mod browser. You can find it near the dressing room in the lobby!
Hint: download modded maps through the mod browser, then launch them through the Solo- or Squad Operations panel.
We can't wait to see all the crazy maps and missions you'll come up with! In the meantime, you can enjoy a few genre-defining classics in the mod browser already. ;)
PVP | CROSS-PLAY
PvP game modes are finally available, with cross-play enabled between the standalone and PCVR versions! You can find the 'Squad Operations' panel near the Armory entrance in the lobby.
We took extreme care to build platform-agnostic maps to avoid unbalanced matches between the two versions.
Disclaimer: cross-play is enabled only for PvP in the base game, but modded Co-op maps could be cross-play if the creator chooses to build them so.
We’ve added 4 new PvP game modes:
- Deathmatch (up to 8 players)
- Team deathmatch (up to 4v4)
- Siege (up to 4v4)
- Gungame (up to 8 players)
And 9 new PvP maps:
- Bunkers
- Cargo
- Dust
- North Assault
- Swimming Pool
- Hangar
- Raid
- Wharf
- Train (prepare for some crazy fast action on Train!)
QoL IMPROVEMENTS AND FIXES
We've honestly lost count of how many fixes and improvements we squeezed into this update, but here are the ones worth mentioning:
AI | MISSIONS
- Improved AI behaviour and pathfinding
- Improved combat behaviour on several maps
- Fixed and rearranged enemy spawn locations on several maps
- Fixed a rendering issue that affected enemy visuals
- Countless gameplay and combat improvements on the majority of missions
- Fixed a few POI related issues
- Improved collision settings on countless objects and environment elements
- Fixed quite a few checkpoints to avoid y'all getting stuck
GAMEPLAY | CONTROLS
- Full body can now be turned on/off in settings
- Settings extended with customizable controller mapping (Touch controllers only)
- Audio input can now be customized (and reset) in the settings
- Fixed snap turning for Index controllers in left-handed mode
- Improved friend invite and friend request systems
- Improved benchmark scene
- Fixed melee holster position
- Improved controls all around
- Improved voice-chat stability and fixed a few connection issues
- Fixed an issue with shotgun shells
- Sock 18 and M249 rebalance
- BAR handling improvements
- Fixed quite a few skin system related issues
- Fixed missing and faulty sound effects
- Fixed a few controller binding related issues
VISUALS | PERFORMANCE
- Overhauled lighting on several maps
- Improved color balance and contrast ratios throughout the game
- Improved foliage all around
- Fixed several LOD related issues
- Fixed countless assets popping out of thin air
- Fixed shadows for several weapons
- Improved UI
- Fixed quite a few hand poses on smaller items
- Improved loading times between missions/multiplayer sessions
- Optimized several maps for smoother gameplay
SERVERS
- Added a brand new dedicated Aussie server for those down under
- Improved server stability
- Enabled cross-play between standalone and PCVR versions (PvP and mod only)
KNOWN ISSUES
No update is perfect, and and this is no exception. :(
CUSTOM STEAMVR BINDINGS
Anyone who used custom SteamVR controller bindings for Zero Cal will be reverted to default - this is necessary to fix an issue that would result in players getting stuck with faulty/broken controls. If you still experience broken controls, dig into Zero Cal's file system and delete the 'input.ini' file.
Join our Discord if you need help!
VIRTUAL DESKTOP
Yeah, so.. this is a bit awkward. We broke something last-minute and as a result, the game has a high chance of crashing when launched through Virtual Desktop.
BUT!
You should be able to switch to an experimental public beta build, aptly named "VirtualDesktopHotfix". We've made a few last-last-minute changes that might fix the crashing issue. This build is 100% compatible with the rest, meaning cross-play works all the same. We didn't have time to test the whole build, but in theory nothing else changed so it should work.
We're really sorry for this.. we could've postponed the update once again while we properly fix it, but I don't think I would've survived another delay. :')
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Alrighty, I think that's all for now. This is a huge update with a lot of changes and additions, we'll be on the lookout for your feedback. Please channel ALL your suggestions, ideas and feedback into this dedicated thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3811784760599130247/
Or hop on our Discord and let us know directly in the appropriate channels.
Have fun y'all, happy building and see you on the virtual battlefield! o7
Cheers,
-Dan & the whole XREAL team