PowerWash Simulator News

Hey everyone!

Welcome to our latest weekly developer log! In our last installment we talked about the issue with rust not removing as intended with the Prime Vista 1500 + Urban X at higher framerates, and our work on Hotfix 0.4.1. This work continues and we're looking to release this fix next week. It will also come with several of other fixes to known issues.

The full log and workarounds on rust is here: https://steamcommunity.com/games/1290000/announcements/detail/3006699289294506158

Today, we'll be covering cosmetics and announcing the finalists of Community Map Request 1.



With lots more levels and areas coming with Early Access, we wanted the dollars you earn in career mode to be useful and ultimately buy even more things! Cosmetics are one of those things. No, you don't get these in paid loot boxes or anything silly like that, it will be only for direct purchase for fake wash dollars!

With the washers being so important to the game and you stare at them for hours on end, why not make them prettier? So, this is the start of many more cosmetics for other things... moving on.

Take a gander at these prototype skins we're thinking of adding to the shop's shelves. Again, they are WIP so let us know what you think!





Is there a particular skin or cosmetic you would like to see in the game? We are still very open to putting more in, so your suggestion might even come in a later update! Let us know your idea in the comments below!





The first round of voting is over, the Paintball Arena and the Mini Golf Course are our finalists - the winner of this vote will be made by us and put into the game! 2 more votes for medium sized maps will also take place later this month! :)

Even though the Bowling Alley and Gas Station didn't make the cut, never say never, we will definitely be looking at what to add following 1.0 and Early Access is over.

To join our Discord and submit your vote, click here: https://discord.com/invite/powerwashsimulator

There's a channel called #community-map-votes and there are instructions how to vote in there!

We can't wait for you all to cast your ballot on which job needs to be covered in muck!

That's it for this dev log, next week we'll be back to covering upcoming features for our next regular Early Access content update!

Keep up with everything PowerWash Simulator by following our channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PowerWashSim
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/futurlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@powerwashsim?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerwashsim/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerwashsim

Hey everyone!

It's time to go to the polls! Community map vote 1, round 1 is here!

Vote on these community suggested jobs and the winner of this knockout poll will be added to the game!



[h3]Mini Golf Course VS Gas Station[/h3]



[h3]Paintball Arena VS Bowling Alley[/h3]



This round of voting ends this Friday at 2PM GMT+1, we'll update this thread when the next vote is live! :)

The winned of each of these rounds will be put against eachother in a final round to decide the winner and job we will be developing soon!

To vote, join our Discord by clicking the image below:



Once you are in the Discord server, enter #community-map-votes and react with the corresponding emoji to the map you want to vote for! There's more instructions on that channel.

[h2]More info[/h2]

There are 3 community requested maps in total that we will be making based on your suggestions. So, there's 2 more votes after this one. This first poll is for a bigger job, though the next two votes will be for medium sized vehicles requested.

The requests have all been taken from this thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1290000/discussions/1/3112530528183413533/

If a job doesn't make it through, it doesn't mean it won't be seen in the future past full launch, we'll just see.

May the best job win!

Let us know your thoughts and the way you vote below! :)

Hey everyone!

Welcome to our latest weekly developer log! We've just launched our 0.4 content update with new jobs, qaulity of life changes and more, you can read about that here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/3006697839977518400

Today, we'll be covering the community map vote that's opening next week and the hotfix we're working on for the rust problems.



At higher frame rates the Urban-X and Prime Vista 1500 are not removing rust as intended. We're currently working on a hotfix for this to go out ASAP. Though the Prime Vista 3000 still cuts through rust as normal with both the yellow and red nozzle at all FPS options. We recommend where possible to use this power washer.

Another issue which makes the first worst, is that the power washer selected in the challenge mode (Prime Vista 1500) unintentionally stays selected when you return to career mode. E brings up your loadout and you can check and switch back to the Prime Vista 3000 if this has happened to you.

The Prime Vista 1500 and Urban-X currently can only cut through dirt at 30 FPS. As a temporary workaround, you can select 30FPS this in the graphics tab of the options menu, clean the rust and then toggle it back up to a higher FPS once done. Soap can also work if you have some in stock or you can wait for the hotfix.

There's also a video example of this workaround in this tweet: https://twitter.com/PowerWashSim/status/1413446911349051392

We're sorry to those effected and you can rest assured it's our highest priority to fix right now!

There's also a few other tweaks and fixes that might make it into this patch but we'll let everyone know the full list when it's live! :)





Next week, we'll open a knockout style community vote for the first of three community maps we'll design and put into the game. Each job idea will go head to head with another to ultimately result in one winner and will be made dirty by the devs!

These ideas were originally taken from the request thread here on steam: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1290000/discussions/1/3112530528183413533/

The dev team have been pouring over the ideas and have shortlisted down to 50 and we're currently finalising the first 8 to be thrown into the ring from this pool. The choices will be made on popularity, if we can actually make them and ultimately if we think they would be fun in practice.

Some of the choices that don't get picked could make it back into the future votes so don't fret if your pick loses!

This wet and wild battle to find a future job will take place on our Discord server, the first round starts this upcoming Tuesday.

To join our Discord, click here: https://discord.com/invite/powerwashsimulator

There's a channel called #community-map-votes and in there we'll add instructions how to vote closer to the time!

We can't wait for you all to cast your ballot on which job needs to be covered in muck!

That's it for this dev log, next week we'll be back to covering upcoming features for our next regular Early Access content update!

Keep up with everything PowerWash Simulator by following our channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PowerWashSim
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/futurlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@powerwashsim?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerwashsim/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerwashsim

Hey everyone!

Welcome to PowerWash Simulator’s first content update, 0.4! A whole lot of clean content has just splash landed into the game and is playable now. This includes new levels, game mode, quality of life changes and bug fixes!



In the two hotfixes following launch, we also resolved two major issues which were affecting players. First, those who were unable to clean anything at all will now find that they will be able to wash without problems unless they are playing on extremely low-end hardware. Additionally, we fixed an issue where save data could become corrupted if the application was suddenly terminated. More details here and here.

If either of these affected you, we hope you will give the game another try now that they are fixed.

Now, onto the changes and additions!



[h3]Content[/h3]

We've added three new jobs to Career Mode.

Tree House, Fire Helicopter and Recreation Vehicle



Each of these levels adds new story and challenging dirt to remove! Enjoy cleaning the intricate details in the blades, propeller and pipes of the Fire Helicopter. Revel in removing the dirt on the colourful and well-travelled RV. Climb to the peak of satisfaction in the Tree House where large amounts of moss can be peeled off like butter by the heavy duty power washer.

Added Challenge Mode featuring Time and Water challenges for the PowerWash Van (once that job is complete in Career Mode).

Are you up to the challenge? Earn a bronze, silver or gold medal based on your performance! The van and modes are just the beginning and we can't wait to hear your thoughts on fun modes like these.

We do want to stress that the core gameplay focus will always be on zen cleaning but with these modes, we want to add some extra replayability to the levels.



Re-designed soap system

• Increased soap power
  
• Each soap bottle lasts ~30% longer than before
  
• Soap needs to be matched to the surface material for best results
  
• Prompt to refill soap when empty
  
• Warning added when run out of soap
  
• Soap is now purchased exclusively in the shop
  
• Soap can only be purchased when in stock
  
• New stock is added when new jobs are unlocked
  
• Stock remains available in the shop until purchased
  

You can read more on the soap changes in our recent developer log, here.

[h3] Quality-of-Life Improvements[/h3]

• Added a “To-do” list to the HUD when three objects/groups of objects are left in a job
  
• Added option to highlight remaining objects in the world which still have dirt on them (access via the Details tab)
  
• Added Crouch option in addition to Prone (controls may be customised in the options menu)
  
• Disabled ability to purchase equipment for unowned Power Washers
  
• Added button label to “toggle washing” in the controls screens
  
• Added option to leave the crosshair on to potentially reduce motion sickness for some players
  
• Added support for higher frame rates
  
• Added explanatory text for the Soap in the inventory
  
• Updated controls screen with info on how to rotate equipment
  
• 15-degree nozzle set as default when starting a job
  
• Improved thresholds to remove very low opacity dirt
  
• Improved ambience SFX in some jobs
  
• Increased dirt highlight time
  
• UI improvements
  

You can read more details in both our recent dev logs covering QOL: here and here.

[h3]Fixes[/h3]

• Should no longer be possible to get the crosshair and nozzle rotation out of sync
  
• Ulysses The Cat should always run away when approached
  
• Rear tyre on the Vintage Car job is easier to clean
  
• Added missing collision to Fire Engine scene
  
• Dirt highlight should no longer appear during timelapse
  
• Nozzle and Extension radial wheels now show on the buttons as listed in the controls
  
• Updated career mode preview thumbnails
  
• Performance and stability improvements
  
• Fixed an issue with the stool which could cause a player to be yeeted out of the washable area with no way to get back in
  

Our aim with this update was to fix certain gameplay issues which were giving players a bad experience.

Firstly the soap system was allowing players to spend more money (sometimes without realising) than intended, which prevented them from being able to purchase the more powerful Power Washers.

We addressed this by adding a limit to the amount of soap players could purchase, adding more text to the inventory screen to explain how to use it, removing the ability to purchase extensions and nozzles for washers the player doesn’t own, and adding a button prompt to refill when empty. Please keep the feedback coming and let us know what you think of the changes.

Another major headache our players were having was finding the last bit of dirt to complete a job. We want the game to feel rewarding, and part of that is doing a thorough job and tracking down the last bits and pieces. However, we appreciate that we didn’t go far enough in assisting the player and it was causing frustration.

First, dirt that is all but invisible to the naked eye should remove automatically once below a certain threshold which should reduce reliance upon the dirt highlight tool. We’ve also added a HUD element that appears and details the final 3 objects (or groups of the same object) when those are all that remains.

Next, we’ve added the ability to highlight the specific dirty object in the world by clicking on it in the details menu. Rather than simply highlighting the dirt, this will highlight the whole object so you can easily find the area you need to clean. Finally, we have slightly increased the duration of the “Highlight Dirt” functionality to reduce the need to repeatedly press the button.

We've also added changes for players suffering from motion sickness. Both adding a fixed crosshair option (it normally fades when firing,) and adding higher FPS options. Having a fixed crosshair can let players focus on the centre of the screen and notice the motion around the screen less. Players with higher refresh rates should now also get smoother movement on their monitors. In a future update, we'll also be adding more FOV options and are looking at other potential solutions for controlling the washer/camera.

There’s a lot more to come during Early Access, and I want to mention that in particular, we’re looking to add control remapping as our next highest priority. While we have tried to get this ready in time for the update, unfortunately, it will take more time to implement than we had hoped.

We’ll see you all next time in our weekly developer log and look forward to start teasing the next content update! Enjoy the new patch!

[h2] Join The Community On Discord[/h2]

As always if you have any feedback on anything you would like to see please put it in the comments below, on our Discord or in the feedback section here on Steam.

We can't wait for everyone to play around with the next update! :)

Keep up with everything PowerWash Simulator by following our channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PowerWashSim
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/futurlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@powerwashsim?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerwashsim/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerwashsim

Hey everyone!

Welcome to our latest weekly developer log! In the last instalment, we covered lots of the quality of life updates coming in the next patch, 0.4. You can see the full log #17 here: https://steamcommunity.com/games/1290000/announcements/detail/3006697839934586913

Today, we'll be showing off the smallest of the new levels coming in the update as well as some more quality of life changes and, an update on the update.



Last week we said we were aiming for a release during the Steam Summer Sale and had originally been aiming for this week. However, the patch still needs some time in the oven with the extra QOL changes still being tested and we are now aiming to release it next week.





We have been teasing this new vehicle on our Twitter, and community member PixelMonkey called it early!



This RV is colourful but has seen a lot of travel which means a whole host of dirt, rust and more to clean! This is the smallest of the jobs in the next patch, with the Fire Helicopter being in the middle and a massive (yet to be fully revealed) job is coming too! Not to say that the RV won't be a challenge with some intricate details and tougher dirt.

Are you looking forward to cleaning this well-travelled vehicle?



One of the QOL changes coming in the next patch that we didn't show before, is the dirt details highlight.



In the update, you will be able to click all of the parts in the 'details' menu (on your tablet in the job section), which will then highlight that object or part in-game, showing you roughly what's left to clean. This is one of the changes we planned to help with finding the last dirt at 99% to reduce frustration.

We're aware that people do still want a challenge and in some ways enjoy the thrill of hunting the last piece of dirt. With this change, it is optional whether you use it or not, and it doesn't appear through the map or point exactly to the spot of dirt. So you still have to search for the highlighted object and look for the dirt within that space. We hope this is a 'best of both worlds' addition.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.



The sale continues! Get an extra clean 15% off PowerWash Simulator here on Steam for the duration of the sale (ends July 8th at 10AM PST)!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290000/PowerWash_Simulator/

You can jump onto our Discord and directly chat with us and the rest of the community!

[h2] Join The Community On Discord[/h2]

As always if you have any feedback on anything you would like to see please put it in the comments below, on our Discord or in the feedback section here on Steam.

We can't wait for everyone to play around with the next update! :)

Keep up with everything PowerWash Simulator by following our channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PowerWashSim
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/futurlab
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@powerwashsim?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerwashsim/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerwashsim