Build #94 - RAM Usage, UI selection, VR buttons & more fixes!

Hi everyone!

It's great to finally talk to you from the other side of the Simulator update!

First of all, thank you all for the enormous amount of feedback, support and help following the release date! We read all your messages, and are adjusting our plans accordingly, even if sometimes we can't reply.

The 94% rating of Derail Valley and the 2600 simultaneous players peak at launch have topped all the current train driving sims on the market. Given our very humble beginnings, this really is the dream come true. The update release has been a great success so far, and we're hyped to bring you a lot more content and features to Derail Valley in the future!

Given the size of the update, naturally it didn't come without some issues. We'll be addressing them in the next couple of months. Today, we've released the first proper patch in the series of important fixes. Due to priority shuffling no new vehicles were added just yet, but the upcoming S060 steam locomotive is receiving final touches and will be released by the end of next week.

Changelog:

Stability

• RAM usage optimization
  • Drastically reduced the buildup of RAM usage from traveling around
  • Reduced RAM usage for sounds
  • Should help alleviate many crashes

• Slight FPS improvements
  • Drastically optimized the rendering of lit windows at night (affects low-end PCs)
  • Fixed brake sound systems being active on stationary and distant trains
  • Simplified some checks in the audio playback system
  • Optimized the Doppler effect system
  • Fixed terrains out of view being able to cause lag
  • Fixed text rendering being able to cause stutter in certain situations

UX NonVR

• Fixed UI receiving unwanted input from unsupported controllers
  • This may have affected your language selection screen, save manager, etc.

• Fixed being unable to save custom key bindings in-game
  • Go to Settings > Advanced page
  • Click “Remap Keyboard Controls” to open the preferences.ini file
  • Make changes to key controls, save the file, close the window
  • Back in the game click the “Update Keyboard Controls” button

• Fixed RMB zoom not working while space-to-dismiss tutorial prompts are on
• Fixed a bug with the bad coupler selection when using the Coupling UI panel
• Fixed escape button not working in pause menu if closed by without applying first
• Made inventory slots 11 and 12 mappable (default keys - and = on QWERTY)
• Temporarily allowed Keyboard Driving in Realistic difficulty mode
  • Will be restricted to being in cab only when finished

UX VR

• Fixed being unable to go past the “turn around” step in career tutorial on Reverb G2
• Fixed tutorial not addressing the needed VR input actions correctly, on certain controllers
• Fixed held items being offset for certain platforms/controllers, especially on Oculus SDK
• Disabled automatic touch interaction with buttons
  • This will be vastly improved and added back as a setting in a later build

• Fixed interaction with most buttons being Grip instead of Trigger

Train Simulation

• Reduced S282 resource consumption (coal, water) by 20%
• Reduced S282 blower power and steam consumption by 75%
  • Mostly noticeable with the startup time

• Increased S282 coal consumption when the fire is lacking air
  • Indicated by dark chimney smoke

• Increased S282 indicated firebox temperature at low combustion rate
• Enabled body and wheels damage on S282B (Tender)
• Drastically reduced startup costs on DM3 and DH4
• Fixed S282 bad brake gauge needle alignment
• Fixed S282 chimney smoke clipping through the model
• Fixed the crown sheet sizzling sound continuing to play after boiler explosion

Misc

• Refined all bird/cricket biome sounds to be more soothing rather than piercing
• Added “Retrieve all items” button to Lost & Found sheds
  • Pressing this button will retrieve all player-owned items from around the world
  • It will not retrieve items that are already in your inventory
  • Uses temporary art, to be improved

• Fixed certain cases where items would get lost when left on rail vehicles
• Fixed external camera being able to break the game when reaching too high altitude
• Fixed the DE2 quick tutorial turning on by default
• Fixed the possible career tutorial softlock at the “Handbrake release” step
• Fixed the possible career tutorial softlock at the initial “Park the locomotive” step
• Fixed “Manual servi” text being cut off on career manager
• Fixed Boombox audio stuck to the player while away, if locked to an inventory slot
• Fixed order validator in military offices having stuck papers and a bugged name position
• Changed the order of the VR category button in settings
• Updated some localization texts (work-in-progress)

Have fun and see you soon with another small update!