B99.4 - New Gadgets, Items, Paint Jobs, Control Binding, RailDriver® & More

Hello everyone!

We've just released a new update, bringing some new content, features and numerous other improvements to the game. Here are some of the highlights:

Item Containers

We've added item containers, which let you better store, organize and carry your items. Item containers provide extra inventory space, each with their own pros and cons when it comes to capacity and cumbersomeness.

Proximity Sensor/Reader & Defect Detector

Proximity Sensor and Reader gadgets make shunting long trains easier. Attach sensors to couplers at the ends of your train, put a reader in your cab, and know how far you are from trains in your way, both ways. Note however, that the sensor may pick up trains in adjacent tracks too, depending on the set range. Defect Detector will let you know if any car on your train is derailed, or has its brakes overheated.

Universal Control Stand

Universal Control Stand makes it easier to operate MU-capable locomotives from alternative positions, such as the back-facing ends of cabs. Make sure to keep the device indoors though, as it won’t work in the rain. Alongside it we introduce the Mount Stand, a tall mount that lets you install gadgets directly on the floor.

More Headlight and Taillight Options

The new types of headlight and taillight gadgets allow you to give your locomotives a completely new look, other than improved visibility.

More Gadgets

This update also adds custom-text Nameplates, Shovel Mounts and Brake Checklists. The refreshed versions of Battery Charger and Signal Remote Booster have been turned into gadgets, too, no longer being the default parts of the caboose.

Label Maker

We've added the highly-requested Label Maker, now letting you put custom text labels under your controllers, or just about anywhere. Pro tip - You can also label item containers, making their name show in the inventory interface when hovered over.

Work Train Paint Jobs

Work trains, including the Microshunter, Utility Rail Vehicle, Caboose and Slug, can now all be painted to both DVRT and Demonstrator themes. The Utility Short Flatcar can be painted too, but only to DVRT.

Input System Revamp & Joystick/Controller Support

Derail Valley now features a robust in-game control binding interface, accessible at Settings/Controls/Control Bindings. Besides the keyboard and mouse remapping, you can now also map all kinds of joysticks and controllers. A calibration tool is included, too!

RailDriver® Support

Players with the RailDriver® Desktop Train Cab Controller can now use it in Derail Valley. The game comes with premade bindings for this controller, making it functional out of the box after you enable it in the control bindings page. You can find the legend slip print template here. The controller does work in combination with VR too, to the extent of train operation.

Stability & Performance Improvements

This build is packed with optimizations and bug fixes. It should help resolve many crashes and low memory warnings introduced in B99, and generally improve performance and platform-specific experience.

Wiki

We’ve entirely revamped the game manual, now with improved texts, more pages, contextual links, and a better viewer in-game. It is additionally now accessible as a wiki online, at https://wiki.derailvalley.com/. It is currently being translated by our valued closed beta members, and it may take some time for the translations to be included in the game. If you'd like to help translate, please check back here in a month or two: https://www.altfuture.gg/jobs/other

And Much More

For more information about these additions, and many more that weren't highlighted in this post, please see the full changelog here: https://www.derailvalley.com/changelog

Besides the work on B99.4, we’ve also expanded our team by two new team members recently. With the build out of the way, we are soon going to focus on filling the third position, too.

What’s Next?

We’re already hard at work on our next major update, B100. We’ve been working on it in parallel with the regular updates, for quite some time. We don’t know when it will be ready for announcing yet, but the aim is by the end of this year. We’ll have you informed as soon as we have solid information.

Until then, we’ll be on a lookout for any critical issues in B99.4 and patch accordingly if needed. We hope you guys will enjoy this update!

-Your DV Team