Zenith: Nexus News

Today we're officially launching Open Alpha for the upcoming Patch 1.2: Legends Untold!

Hop in early to try new features like Creature Catching, Pet Summoning, a new boss raid, early game dungeon, introductory storyline, and now another new addition: Full Body Tracking support for SteamVR.

We’re planning to improve network sync and inverse kinematics over time. FBT is the first of many steps we’re taking towards making Zenith more immersive than ever before!



Stretching our legs with Full Body Tracking in Zenith. Watch the full clip with sound: https://i.imgur.com/5ERregi.mp4
Learn more & join Open Alpha: https://zenithmmo.com/blogs/news/major-patch-1-2-legends-untold-and-new-roadmap.

We're collecting feedback and bug reports in our Discord: https://discord.gg/zenith. Hope to see you there!

We're excited to announce Major 1.2 is coming towards the end of November 2022! It’s packed with new features, content updates, and major bug fixes that you, the community, have been patiently waiting for. We’ll share the release window and full patch notes as soon as they’re ready. Till then here’s what’s on the way.

[h2]Upcoming Features[/h2]



Watch the full clip with sound: https://i.imgur.com/lJZaE3f.mp4

Creature Catching - Catch and collect creatures out in the wild~. A whole new immersive way to enjoy the beautiful world of Zenith!

Summoning Pets - Summon a creature as a friendly companion to join you on your quests. You can pet them too 🥰

The Academy - Join the new generation of heroes at the Academy. Experience an epic new introductory storyline, learning to control your essence and become the hero of Zenith you were meant to be.

New Early Game Dungeon - Your first major mission after the Academy against the Exiled on hidden lands. Put your newly learned skills to the test while teaming up with others to get the job done.

Tome Keeper Boss Raid - In a shadowy chamber filled with long forgotten knowledge lies the Tome Keeper. An unyielding protector, trapped and twisted by dark knowledge.

Agent Rank and Promotion Rewards - Level up your Agent Rank with a new series of daily and weekly challenges. Complete challenges to earn a variety of rewards like gold, XP, and more!



Miscellaneous Fun Stuff like chess ♟️, new handheld streamer camera (desktop only), VFX updates and graphics fidelity updates for desktop!

We're opening up a Community Alpha where you can start trying out some of the new features. Skip to the last section to see how to join!

[h2]Top Player Issues[/h2]

Do Right By The Player is a core value of ours at Ramen VR. This includes gathering feedback, learning our players’ pain points, and seeing how we can do better. In July we started aggregating Top Player Issues from Feedbear, Discord, bug reports, and player interviews – chipping away at the relatively smaller issues in every Minor patch since. For the upcoming Major 1.2, we’re tackling the big ones you’ve all been patiently waiting for:

• Voice chat bugs [source]
  
• Fixing Godstone abilities so they work as described [multiple sources]
  
• Ability to reroll enhancements gained from the enhancement stations [source]
  
• Allow joining instances with parties smaller than 8 people [source]
  
• Better ways to make Zen [source]
  
• Guild menu improvements like adding a scrollbar and showing which shard members are on [source]
  
• Switching daily and weekly quests [multiple sources]
  
• Allow dailies to be completed more than once [multiple sources]
  

Please keep the feedback coming! Upvote your top issues here: https://feedback.zenithmmo.com/boards/player-top-issue-vote.

[h2]New Roadmap[/h2]

Last month we ran a community survey in our Discord and many of you asked for more transparency and an updated roadmap. We heard you and we listened.


We present to you our new roadmap: https://trello.com/b/C7HdP25J/zenith-the-last-city-roadmap. The roadmap is a living and breathing document we’ll continue to update over time. Be sure to check out the “How to Read This Roadmap” card for extra details. And let us know what you think!


[h2]Major 1.2 Community Alpha[/h2]
I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been working on! Please note the features in the alpha are subject to change as we gather feedback from everyone.

📌 Important: the Community Alpha is private and under NDA. No streaming of the build is allowed and discussions about it are only allowed in the designated Discord channels.

[h3]Join the Community Alpha:[/h3]

1. First, join our Discord: https://discord.gg/zenith
   
2. Go to the #bot-commands channel and enter !joinalpha
   
3. Check your DMs for your special access code. You'll also be granted a special role and access to private discussion channels with us.
   
4. Switch your build to Community Alpha by following the instructions below.
   
5. Boot up Zenith and enjoy!
   

For Community Alpha bug reports: please report on the bug-reporting forum in Discord

[h3]How to Switch Builds:[/h3]
Getting set up only takes a few minutes. You’ll just need to switch to the Community Alpha build for Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest/2, or Steam. Sorry PSVR :( Community Alpha is only available for Steam/Oculus users due to the nature of build releases with PSVR.

Oculus Rift/Quest

• Navigate to the Oculus store page on your computer or phone.
  
• Tap/click on the version number.
  
• Change to the channel named 'CommunityAlpha' and the app will update on your device.
  

Steam

• Navigate to the game in your Steam library.
  
• Right click on Zenith > Properties > Betas.
  
• From the drop down, select 'communityalpha'.
  

Install the Community Alpha build then you’re all set!
If you want to go back to the live game – uninstalling the game, changing your version/channel back to LIVE, then reinstalling works well.

Hope to see you out there!
Andy

Patch Type: Minor
Patch Number 1.1.9
*PTR Date: 9/8/2022
Release Window: 9/14/2022 - 9/20/2022

We're excited to announce Minor 1.1.9 has new cosmetic gear and event quests! The patch also comes with bugfixes and quality of life improvements.

*If you play on PTR during Minor 1.1.9 for at least 4 hours, you can unlock the character title: Telos' Technician. Character titles will be implemented in a later update. Please report any issues or weirdness found on PTR here: https://ptr.zenithmmo.com/

Take on challenge events across Zenith and get rewarded with Sunshine coins. The Sunshine coins will get you new pieces of the Sunshine Cosmetic.

[h2]New Content[/h2]
You'll be ready for a day at the beach with the new Cosmetic Sunshine Gear.
New Cosmetic Gear and Event Quests:

• Find Lia, the new NPC in the plains near Mika by the lake for the new quest events
  
• New daily quest that grants Sunshine coins
  
• New synthesis station to craft the new Sunshine Cosmetic
  

We're actively working on issues reported by the community here: Player Top Voted Issues. We link to related issues where possible. Fixes made are also based on feedback/reports from multiple sources (Discord, bug reports, etc). Thank you to the community for continuing to report and share feedback!

[h2]Feature/System Updates[/h2]

• Crafting stations now get disabled when an instance has been found. Before, they would get disabled when matchmaking started.
  
• A popup now shows up when the user is removed from queue after 15 minutes.
  
• Referral code input box in registration menu now says that it's optional
  
• New accessibility option to toggle grip and configurable hold and release sensitivities [source]
  
• There is now an indication if a friend is online on a different shard [partially addresses this source]
  
• (Edit 9/9) Added an "Emergency Focus UI" mode where if ever stuck in terrain, you can now hold the menu button down for 3 seconds to open the menu in focus mode
  

[h2]Resolved Issues[/h2]

• Updated Steam VR binding support. This fixes issues with the HP Reverb, Vive wands, and oversensitive grabbing on Valve Index [source]
  
• Fixed matchmaking status carrying over when queueing solo and logging out.
  
• Equipped godstones are now being remembered when logging back in [source]
  
• Fixed another cause for Essence Mage orbs not colliding with enemies/ground [source]
  
• Fixed invisible mushrooms when cooking [source]
  

(Edit 9/10)

• Implemented a potential fix for some loot chests in the world not showing up when they should
  
• Server stability and connection quality improvements
  

[h2]Hotfix 1.1.10[/h2]

• Fixed contribution bug on Sunshine events
  
• Fixed visual bug where Corrupted Crystals were invisible
  
• Made it easier to melt crystals in the Infernal Core
  

[h2]Hotfix 1.1.11[/h2]

• Fixed Sunshine reward bug so party members get correct coin amounts now
  
• Fixed heat vent hitbox in the Infernal Core and made crystal hitboxes bigger so they are easier to melt
  
• Made bushes disappear more reliably from fireseeds in the Neowear events
  

Patch Type: Minor
Patch Number 1.1.8
*PTR Date (Tentative): 8/5/2022
Release Window: 8/9/2022 - 8/11/2022; Edit 8/13 We are happy to announce the new launch date for the update is Monday August 15th!

We're excited to announce Minor 1.1.8 has new cosmetic gear and event quests, Beater cosmetic sword fix, bHaptics hardware support, general quality of life improvements and bugfixes.

*New* If you play on PTR during Minor 1.1.8 for at least 4 hours, you can unlock the character title: Amara's Aide. Character titles will be implemented in a later update. Now back to what's coming in Minor 1.1.8~

Check out the sweet new cosmetic gear here: https://zenithmmo.com/blogs/news/minor-patch-1-1-8-new-cosmetic-events-and-bugfixes

Take on various challenge events across Zenith and get rewarded with a new currency: Neowear coins. Then use the coins to unlock the Neowear gear!

[h2]New Content[/h2]
New Cosmetic Gear and Event Quests:

• Find Ali, a new NPC in the city alleyways, who will start you on your swag journey
  
• New quests, including dailies, across Zenith that grant Neowear coins
  
• New synthesis station to craft the new Neowear gear
  

[h2]Feature/System Updates[/h2]
We're actively working on issues reported by the community here: Player Top Voted Issues. We link to related issues where possible. Fixes made are also based on feedback/reports from multiple sources (Discord, bug reports, etc). Thank you to the community for continuing to report and share feedback!

Disbanding and leaving guilds now shows a confirmation prompt [source]

• Changes to instances:
  
  • Shortened player respawn time in instances
    
  • Damage contribution for Dungeon and Raid bosses now last longer [source]
    
  • Added 2 hour time limit to instances before they close
    
• Changed to the Infernal Core [source]:
  
  • Moved the player respawn point to be on the platform
    
  • Extended the time it takes for the boss room to close
    
  • Set the door next to Vulkane as unclimbable
    
• Added full body haptics support so you can now experience a more immersive experience using bHaptics hardware
  
• (Edit 8/5 - this was scheduled for a previous update and is now in) The in-game referral page has been moved to the sign up screen
  
  • When you first create a Zenith account you'll have the opportunity to enter a referrer as a part of the process. The referrer will no longer be entered while you are in-game.
    

[h2]Resolved Issues[/h2]

• Fixed beater cosmetic blade weapons - they can now be equipped in the cosmetic slots to give your swords a futuristic appearance.
  
• Fixed cooking stations being able to spawn in the air so they now always spawn on the ground as intended
  
• Essence Mage blasters are now rotated correctly when holstered
  
• Fixed collider on the altar in the Vault of the Ancients boss room
  
• Fixed a building in the city not showing up for desktop platforms unless on low graphics.
  
• Removed blank hair icon from character creation
  
• Fixed the SFX that played when moving items around in inventory
  
• Fixed floor collider in Forsaken Reliquary so players don't appear to be floating
  
• Fixed invisible collider in Ruler's Reach
  
• Fix cosmetic items not getting added to the cosmetic tab
  
• General VFX bugfixes
  
• (Edit 8/5 - adding the following)
  
• Fixed missing "Veteran Sylphids" (purple) in "Reclaim Blossom Village" public event and Macabre Menagerie open-world dungeon in Emerald Desert
  
• Fixed an issue where the Founder's Headgear made your character bald when applied
  
• Fixed popup that incorrectly said "You received 0 item!"
  
• (Edit 8/15) Fixed stamina not being granted after completing Aetheric Upgrades.
  

Patch Type: Minor
Patch Number 1.1.7
PTR Date: 7/28/2022
Release Date: 7/31/2022

We're excited to announce Minor 1.1.7 has a variety of fixes and improvements that address player feedback and bug reports.

The patch includes quality of life improvements, numerous bugfixes, stability and performance improvements, tweaks to the Celestial Throne climb, an improved Matchmaking experience that's more informative for queued players, plus new Drift animations and voice lines.

Say hello to Drift popping out in various regions now! 🤖

Edit - We're actively working on issues reported by the community here: Player Top Voted Issues. Added links to related issues below. Fixes made are also based on feedback/reports from multiple sources (Discord, bug reports, etc).

[h2]Feature/System Updates[/h2]

• New Drift animations and voice lines for regions
  
• Improved Matchmaking UI/UX that includes:
  
  • Icon indicators for queued players
    
  • Matchmaking status in the mini map text pop up
    
  • New "Instance Ready" pop up with a countdown to join [source 1, source 2]
    
  • Players time out when queueing for more than 15 minutes
    
  • Crafting stations are disabled while queueing and crafting ingredients get refunded
    
• Changes to the Celestial Throne climb:
  
  • Moved some platforms to show a clearer path forward
    
  • Moving platforms pause for longer before moving again
    
  • Added safety rocks beneath dangerous sections
    
  • Fixed colliders on moving platforms and vines
    
  • Added mines in some sections and adjusted the timing for explosions
    
• Dungeon updates:
  
  • Minor improvements to the dungeon boundary system
    
  • Added previous action completion requirement for boss to spawn in Forsaken Reliquary
    
  • Added previous room completion requirement for bosses in Seething Depths and Infernal Core
    
  • Increased laser damage for traps in Forsaken Reliquary
    
  • Improved wording on Terms of Service buttons
    
  • Sound polish for the Celestial Throne content
    

[h2]Resolved Issues[/h2]

• Reduced crashes and other stability and performance improvements [source]
  
• Fixed the Amara's Tear counter to display the correct amount in some regions
  
• A further fix to repeatable quests to resolve an issue where they could show up as available but be unselectable
  
• When a player dies, the revival tether will always appear above the ground now
  
• Fixed a duplication bug for the Cloak of Amara flower [source]
  
• Party markers on the map no longer pop when a party member is moving
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed turning in the same items more than once when completing certain quests
  
• Fixed lasers not activating in the Defiled Gardens sometimes
  
• Fixed a bug where players could rejoin already completed instances
  
• Players prevented from switching characters while matchmaking
  
• Fixed item level requirement bug for roulettes and raids
  
• Made Essence Mage thrown abilities more reliable [source 1, source 2]
  
• Visual improvements for armor like the Gothic Raven
  
• Visual bugfixes and upgrades for various dungeons
  
• Fixed network sync and collision bugs in various dungeons
  
• General backend system improvements
  

[h2]Hotfix 1.1.7.27241[/h2]

• Made projectile launcher release code more robust to prevent issue that holding the trigger while letting go of the blaster would cause the blaster to get stuck in the world [source]
  
• Fixed low-resolution texture on the tree in the center of the Defiled Gardens