[edit[ I've just released this on the Meta store as well. It's been on there for a while but this is this version with the plex support and all the updates. If you own Whirligig on Steam I'm offering codes for the store. Just email me [email protected]. If you already own it on the Meta store please take the time to give it a review, Whirligig on Standalone doesn't do very well so any engagement to boost it's exposure would be very appreciated :) Hi Everyone,
It’s been a while since the last default update, and I’ve been working hard releasing several betas to get us to this point. This is a massive update that changes the core of how Whirligig runs, alongside some highly requested features.
I’ve been holding off on pushing this to default to ensure stability, but after extensive testing in the beta branch, I’m finally releasing these changes to everyone. Because this update involves a major engine upgrade (Unity 6) and a complete rewrite of the input system, it represents a significant step forward for the player.
Here is what you can expect in the new default version:
I have been trying to get network support into Whirligig for a long time. After fighting with standard network protocols, I decided to try Plex, and it works brilliantly.
How it works: Whirligig doesn't act as a full Plex visual interface; instead, it allows you to stream your films directly as if they were on your hard drive.
Easy Setup: Click the Plex button, sign in via the web window to get a PIN, and link your account. Your Plex server will appear in the explorer like a local drive.
I have upgraded the entire project to Unity 6 and implemented the Universal Render Pipeline (URP). This was a huge undertaking, but it was necessary for the future of the player.
Performance: You should notice significantly faster loading times and better resource management.
VR Rendering: URP enables single-pass rendering, which reduces the overhead on your GPU.
Smoother Playback: I’ve ironed out bottlenecks to make the experience feel much snappier.
I’ve added two new 3D environments for you to enjoy:
A post-apocalyptic Desert scene.
An outdoor Camping area.
Video Path Switching: Fixed the issue where switching video render paths (e.g., Media Foundation to VLC) required a level reload. You can now switch paths instantly without delays or crashes.
Crash Reduction: Improved internal error checking to significantly reduce the risk of random crashes.
VLC Plugin: Applied "brute-force" fixes to the VLC implementation to resolve unpredictable playback behavior and improve stability.
Missing Controllers: Fixed an issue where controllers would sometimes fail to appear on certain systems.
Slider Jitter: Fixed jerky slider movement; sliders now move much more smoothly.
Analog Response: Fixed analog inputs (like tilt) which previously acted like digital buttons. They now respond incrementally to pressure/direction.
Input Performance: Completely rewrote the input system to remove the performance cost ("overhead") of the old legacy system.
Slow Thumbnails: Fixed slow thumbnail generation; thumbnails now load significantly faster.
Large Folders: Fixed lag and slowdowns when browsing directories with large numbers of files.
Frame Capture: Fixed unreliable thumbnail frame capture where it would sometimes fail to grab an image.
Screen Alignment: Fixed and improved screen alignment in 360 Rooms.
Windows Title Bar: Fixed the Windows title bar style to correctly match the in-game UI.
Audio-Reactive Backgrounds: Refined the audio-reaction movement to fix stuttering, making the visuals much smoother.
Because this is such a major structural update, there is a chance that some bugs might pop up that I haven't caught.
If you have issues:
Reset Whirligig: Go to C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Roaming, find the 'Whirligig' folder, and rename or delete it. This clears out old settings that might conflict with the new engine.
Let me know: Post on the Steam forums or email me. I am very responsive to bug reports.
I work on Whirligig as a solo developer and it's just me pushing out the updates and releases
The community around Whirligig helps to suggest features and report issues, which continues to help make Whirligig better. If you enjoy using Whirligig, please consider taking 30 seconds to leave a positive review on Steam. Not only does it help people know what they will get when buying Whirligig and help to improve visibility of the player but it also helps my mental health as well :)
If you have a bug, please report it so I can fix it. But if the player works for you and you like the new features, a thumbs-up would mean the world to me.
Thank you for your continued support over the years.
Happy watching,
Phil