Barnburners · published
Demo 1.1.11 is out for everyone! This is the first update on the main branch since Next Fest, so it rolls up everything since 1.1.7, and it's a big one. If you were on the beta branch, this is 1.1.10 plus a few more fixes, so you can switch back off the beta now.
Reminder: Online only matches you with players on the same version.
Skaters feel heavier. They lean into strides and turns, and stopping and hitting have more weight behind them. I think I've finally solved the "players move like ants" feedback.
Running into someone without a check is more of a bump, instead of both of you bouncing off like pinballs.
Turning around out of a hockey stop is about twice as quick as turning from a standstill.
Skaters stay low in their poses through dekes, pokes, and hits instead of popping upright.
Starting from a stop without the puck is quicker, looks less weird, and both hands stay on the stick in certain scenarios.
One timers face the goalie and come off the forehand.
Players are their listed height. Short guys are a little smaller, tall guys a little bigger with a bit more reach. This does affect gameplay.
Switching picks the defender based on positioning as well as stick input. Does help a lot from my experience.
A pass aimed at the guy in the slot goes to him, not back to the point.
A top shelf shot just under the crossbar goes in, instead of dying on the goal line.
Whistles let the play finish. Everyone coasts to a stop for a second instead of the rink freezing.
A power play goal scored while a delayed penalty is coming keeps the power play going.
Goals that go in off the goalie keep their assists.
A backup goalie who comes in mid game no longer gets the shutout.
Big hits get answered. The next whistle after a heavy hit can cause a ruckus.
Players don't get stuck on the back of the net anymore.
Your D keeps rebounds in the zone better.
After a replay, everyone is already lined up, so the puck drops 2 to 3 seconds later instead of 7 to 9.
SLOWEST is actually slow now, and faceoff lineups skate in at normal speed so you're not waiting forever. It's.... Really slow.
Tabbing out or opening the Steam overlay pauses a solo game.
CPU breakouts stop playing in front of their own net as much.
Tired CPU lines change without throwing the puck away as much.
The CPU actually swings at the faceoff now.
CPU uses dekes in the shootout, and actually score.
On a breakaway, the CPU treats it similarly to a shootout.
Goalies dive less, and stay down where they land when they do instead of sliding around.
Glove saves keep the puck in the glove until the whistle.
Goalie sticks no longer clip through the goalie (as much).
The puck sits on top of the ice instead of sinking into it.
Gloves and sticks really come off now.
Heads stay on when guys get knocked down.
Every called penalty gets its replay, and so do penalty shots and waved off goals.
Replays of big hits start clean, no leftover ragdoll animations.
New THREADING setting (Settings > Video), on by default. It spreads the work across more of your CPU. I've seen up to 33 percent more fps on my desktop and about 50 percent on a weaker laptop. Changing it needs a restart.
Threading is off by default on Intel integrated graphics, where it was causing hitches of a few seconds. You can still turn it on to try it out.
Shaders get built on the boot screen now (you'll see PREPARING SHADERS), so Team Select and your first match stop stuttering, and the games should load faster overall. First time boot will take a bit longer, but subsequent times are shorter.
PLAY gets you to the opening faceoff about twice as fast.
The loading screen keeps spinning instead of freezing when chunks are loading in.
Steadier frame rate, and no more freeze at the first faceoffs in a period.
If you join someone's game, you get your own lines box on the right, no more dead left stick after a switch, and faceoffs are fair for whoever joined.
A button press doesn't end the match the second the connection flickers.
When you score, the whole line mobs you and celebrates with you more.
The organist got a larger book of music.
8 songs from 7 Michigan bands are in the soundtrack, sent in through the song form. Thanks to everyone who sent music in! They're scattered throughout the game, menus, and such!
The cities before the game were rebuilt.
In2itiv Gaming is on the boards now. Probably the most important update.
Settings are split into nine shorter tabs.
CAMERA is on the pause menu now.
Menus, tips, and tutorials got a cleanup pass so they read clearer.
Photo mode shots now show up in your Steam screenshots.
The demo is English only for now. Other languages may come back once they have proper translations. Google Translate apparently counts as player facing AI so I've removed it for now.
Your guys show up with their past seasons, and debuts, firsts, and milestones pop up as cards on the hub.
Triggers and bumpers work right after you close a card, and a clear EXTENSIONS tab doesn't break navigation anymore.
Mac is Apple Silicon only now (M1 or newer, macOS 14+).
Keep the feedback coming on Steam Discussions, or with the feedback button in the game, or in the discord. Let me know how the heavier skaters and the new CPU feel, or if you have any issues.
And if you haven't yet, wishlisting the full game still helps a ton. Early Access starts December 8.
Cheers!
-Kyle