Escape Simulator News

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[h2]Are you ready for a battle of the brains? 🧠[/h2]

Always wondered if you were the one with the biggest brain among your friends? Today you'll be able to find out for yourself by challenging them in Escape Simulator's brand-new Versus Update! Rise to the top of the ranks by being the first to solve all the puzzles in one of our many escape rooms. To commemorate this new way to play, we are also adding a truly challenging room that takes place on a quiz show from the 80s.

Finally, we would like to challenge all of our community's incredibly talented room builders to create their own Versus rooms! That's right, we are kicking off our fourth official Build-A-Room challenge TODAY! As always, there are some awesome prizes involved. Be sure to keep reading for more information on this new Build-A-Room challenge down below!

The Versus Update is absolutely huge and it features a new game mode, new rooms, soundtrack, outfits, a few very interesting additions (such as "join random multiplayer lobby" option), and a bunch of fixes. The full massive changelog is in the bottom of the page.

[h2]But how does it work?[/h2]

As the title implies, in this brand-new Versus Mode, you will be able to take on other players to prove that you are the greatest escape artist. Just like in the regular Co-op Mode, one player will need to host a game to create a lobby for your opponents to join. Once that's settled, you’ll have to select a room that each of you will be tackling individually. You can choose any room you want, even the community rooms made in the in-game room editor!

Once you've selected and entered a room, the game begins. In order to keep track of how far along your opponents are, we've added an in-game progress bar that shows you exactly whether you're ahead of the game or if you should step it up a notch! This progress bar will allow you to see the exact progress of your opponents. No pressure or anything.

[h2]Back to the 80s! ✨[/h2]

In addition to the new game mode, we are also adding another free room with two different difficulties (the hard one is designed in collaboration with Wollo!) as part of this update! This time, you will find yourself on the set of a classic game show from the 80's. This room was specifically made with Versus Mode in mind, so you can definitely expect a truly challenging room this time around! Finally, we are also adding a brand-new outfit that will come in two different colours; red and blue! Will your team come out on top and steal the show? Only time will tell!



As mentioned earlier on in this announcement, the next Build-A-Room contest kicks off RIGHT NOW! The only condition for this contest? Create your own Versus Room that is explicitly made to have players race against each other. But what can you win? Well, we're glad you asked!

[h2]Prizes:[/h2]

• The first place winner will earn themselves $2.000 in cash + an escape room board game by PostCurious!
  
• The second and third place winners get $100 Steam gift card + an escape room board game by PostCurious
• Winner #4-10 get a $100 Steam gift card!
  

[h2]Rules:[/h2]

• To submit a room for the competition, post a link to your room in the "#🏆challenges" channel in the Pine Studio Discord, or you can send a submission via this Steam thread.
  
• You can only submit one room. Multiple submissions will not be counted.
  
• Multiple builder can work together on one room together but there will be only one prize for them.
  
• It has to be a room escape.
  
• The gameplay should be ideally under 30 minutes, but it could be longer.
  
• You can make room as big as you wish.
  
• You need to record a video walkthrough.
  
• You are allowed to bug fix your room after submission, but not resubmit an entirely different room.
  
• Copies of other players' rooms are not eligible.
  
• Keep it fun/clean! No profanity, racism, hate speech, sexually suggestive, etc. content. Rooms that might be considered offensive in any way or form will be disqualified.
  
• Pine team will choose the winners this time!
  

[h2]Dates:[/h2]

• This Thursday, August 3rd at 8PM CEST, we'll host a Steam stream with Q&A
• Submissions are open till August 21st 8AM CEST / 2AM EST
• We'll play and review all the submissions till August 31st when we will host a winning ceremony (stream) and announce the winners. More info about the stream later.
  

We hope you're all excited for this new challenge and we can't wait to see what all of you will cook up!

[h2]Another mystery solved![/h2]

With this update, we have officially unveiled four announcements from our roadmap for 2023! You can find the updated roadmap version below, but what could those other announcements be? 👀


[h2]Time to prove your worth![/h2]

We hope you will all enjoy this brand-new game mode and the free Versus room! Are you still looking for some people to challenge in Versus mode? Then you should definitely join our official Discord server. You can also find us over on Reddit where you can also talk about all things Escape Simulator. We hope to see you there!


[h3]New Content[/h3]

• 3, 2, 1, Race! Two Versus specific rooms just landed in the game.
  
• Immerse yourself in Versus mode with new customization options featuring 2 racer outfits.
  
• Try the new Random Game finder if you can't find players to play with.
  
• Use Versus props in room editor to create thrilling racing rooms.
  

[h3]Room Editor & Workshop[/h3]

• New Roulette Logic Prop! Finally some randomness. Activate one random target from the Targets list!
  
• Camera movement speed setting! Now you can modify the camera movement speed setting while holding right click and scrolling. Use shift/ctrl while moving to temporarily modify the speed.
  
• Added tooltips for all targets. Now you can tell which target is which by setting it’s Descriptive name and checking the tooltip.
  
• Right click prop selection window UX fixes. Modified when the window is closed, how it reacts to other right clicks, right clicking over gizmo and more.
  
• No more double clicking after using the prop search field.
  
• Fixed highlighting hovered props behind tranform gizmo which cannot be selected.
  
• Fixed some props rotations.
  
• Fixed some props being in multiple groups.
  
• Fixed loading older rooms not opening due to wrong serialized data.
  

[h3]Tweaks[/h3]

• Added a new Host screen with additional options.
  
• Added option to change lobby options while already in a lobby.
  
• Added option to choose game difficulty in lobby - Normal or Hard
  
• Added new a hover outline type that is less intrusive. You can change it in Options -> Hover Effect Type.
  
• Added interaction when clicking the dial that moves the dial for one step.
  
• Changed versioning system to one number, removing prefix 1.0. For example v1.0.27288n became v27288n.
  

[h3]Level Fixes[/h3]

• Fixed game crash when spamming water turning on and off in "The Lab".
  
• Removed Steam Cats in Time popup in "Cats in time".
  
• Fixed not exiting zoom on specific locks in "Leonardo's Workshop".
  
• Fixed wrong lock click direction in "70's Room" and "Treasure Island".
  

[h3]Core Game Fixes[/h3]

• Fixed flashing objects when selecting them in inventory.
  
• Fixed custom models changing size in certain conditions.
  
• Fixed invisible items when being dragged in zoom.
  
• Fixed bug where you could lose an item when spamming click on zoomed item while throwing it out.
  
• Items no longer shrink if you leave zoom while they animate.
  
• Fixed bug where you could duplicate item while spamming E and changing item via numpad.
  
• Fixed bug where you could end some interactions too soon if you click alt.
  
• Added error screen if you try to enter a lobby with corrupted data or the lobby doesn't exist anymore.
  

[h3]UI Fixes[/h3]

• Fixed Steamdeck UI bugs in co-op screen.
  
• Fixed UI bug where some dropdowns would have extra white elements on edges.
  
• Fixed rare case of UI overlapping after finishing room ("Use" was behind room stats on the top right).
  
• Fixed buttons staying highlighted in the in-game menu when exiting the menu with ESC.
  

[h2]Pine team ♥️[/h2]

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[h2]Versus Mode is coming to Escape Simulator![/h2]

Team work makes the dream work? As if! In the upcoming Versus mode, every player must fend for themselves. Which puzzle fanatic within your friend group will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out! Challenge your friends to an escape room extravaganza in the FREE Versus Update, which will let you experience all of your favorite rooms in a brand-new way. Coming to Escape Simulator on August 1st!

[h2]The race is on!🏃[/h2]


In the brand-new Versus Mode, you will be able to take on your friends to see which one of you is the best puzzle solver. Just like in the regular Co-op Mode, one of you will need to host a game to create a lobby. Next up, you’ll have to select a room that each of you will be tackling individually. This means everyone will need to make it through the same room on their own merit!

As soon as you have all entered the room that you’re about to escape from, the game is on. Not feeling the pressure yet? Well, perhaps the in-game rank list can help you with that! While playing in Versus Mode, you will be able to see the progress of your opponents. Try to keep a cool head to rise through the ranks!


Versus Mode will also be compatible with community rooms made in the Room Editor. This means you will still be able to challenge your friends to tackle new rooms even if you have already played through the entire base game!

[h2]Are you ready for your close-up?[/h2]



In addition to Versus Mode, we are also adding a brand-new room with two different difficulties that is specifically designed to take on your friends. Ever wanted to be on a game show from the 80’s? Good news, because both you and your friends got invited to be participants in the most challenging game show on broadcast television! And don’t worry, if your friends can’t make it, you’ll still be able to play this room in Solo Mode. Finally, we are also adding a brand-new outfit that will come in two different colours; red and blue! Which team will you join?

[h2]1v1 me, bro![/h2]

We hope you’re all excited for this brand-new way to experience Escape Simulator! Want to find other players to challenge when Versus Mode launches on August 1st? Then you should definitely join our official Discord. You can also find us over on Reddit to talk about all things Escape Simulator. We hope to see you there!

[h3]Pine team ♥️ [/h3]

[h2]It belongs in a museum![/h2]

Ever since Escape Simulator originally launched, we've seen many excellent community rooms get published on the Steam Workshop. Today, another very ambitious room joins the ranks! The Collab: Museum is an incredible team effort, created by sixteen different builders from within our community. The Collab: Museum is a follow-up to last year's The Collab: Boardgames that sets the bar for community rooms even further!

[h2]➡️Subscribe here: The Collab: Museum[/h2]



As the title implies, you will need to escape from an awe-inspiring, spacious museum in which many imposing showpieces are put on display. The Collab: Museum is a true team effort that perfectly showcases what the Escape Simulator community is capable of and we are honored to see such an awesome creation come to fruition. Be sure to subscribe to this room on the Steam Workshop or check it out via the in-game room selection screen!



The Collab: Museum was made by:

• ChazzyB
• Duc
• Elkondo
• Eureka Paprika
• Franch
• GetOffMyBeard
• Klemes
• klov3r
• Kusane
• LeoWolfbane
• Mumbo
• namo_krub
• Robin
• Thoroniul
• Wollo
• Zesty Mordant

Be sure to check out the other rooms made by these builders as well. We can assure you that each and every one of these builders is incredibly talented and their previous work is incredible too!



[h2]Join our community![/h2]

Has this collaboration room piqued your interest and do you want to start building rooms yourself? Then you should definitely join us over our official Discord or our subreddit, where you can talk to other room builders who are always more than happy to help out! We hope to see you there!

[h3]♥ Pine team[/h3]

[h3]PS: New small update is live now![/h3]
Earlier today, we pushed a new Puzzle Logic Prop and fixed The Train Totem bug. You can check the full changelog and tutorial for the new prop here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1435790/view/3669921372334273139

[h2]Changelog:[/h2]

• The Puzzle Logic prop has been updated and it had it's functionality changed to better suit general use and our next update!
  
• Fixed "The Train" totem freeze.
  

[h2]Quick Tutorial:[/h2]
The updated Puzzle will automatically change visible walkthrough hints based on puzzles that can be solved at a certain time.
Hints: Connect only the walkthrough steps that solve that puzzle
Conditions: Connect all puzzles that need to be solved before the hints for this puzzle can be displayed
Solving puzzles that have a condition before solving the condition will silently solved all previous puzzles so be careful with how you set up you conditions and if players can access them before solving previous puzzles

You can update rooms with the old Puzzle prop by going to the Room config and pressing the 'Activate' button next to the 'Remove all legacy Puzzle components' option. This will remove all Puzzle components from the room and you will have to add new Puzzle props.

Vinka made a video tutorial in which you can learn how to use new Puzzle Logic Prop and create dynamic walkthroughs:
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"In this tutorial, we'll teach you how to create dynamic walkthroughs for Escape Simulator using the Puzzle Logic Prop in the Room Editor.
If you want to dive deeper into the Puzzle Logic Prop, you can find the example room in the link below. Simply subscribe to the room and copy it in-game to open it in the Room Editor."
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3003134474

For any additional questions about the Room Editor, feel free to join our Discord community where numerous room creators gather to help and support each other!

Pine Studio

[h2]Changelog:[/h2]

• Fixed Puzzle prop not saving properly
  
• Time scale of the water prop can now also be transitioned
  

[h2]Important note for builders![/h2]
Last night's update broke the Puzzle prop save. If you've updated your room (saved over the previous save) after the props update (13 hours ago) you need to check you puzzle props!

[h3]How to fix your room if your puzzle props are empty:[/h3]

1. Just update the puzzles in the room editor by hand. Easiest to do if you remember your settings.
   
   
2. Revert to a room backup from the Backups folder. This will revert any changes you've made to the room since last night.
   Go to your UGC room folder and find the Backups folder inside. Choose one of the backup files that was made before the update. Copy and paste it to your room folder and rename it to "Room.room". This will override you Room.room file and delete any changes you made, so you might want to make a backup of that old Room.room file as well (just to be safe).
   
   
3. Copy some settings from the backup. This will revert only the puzzle props but it's harder to do.
   Find the same backup file as mentioned in 2. Open it and the original Room.room file with some text reader. Find all puzzle components you want to revert and paste their settings into the Room.room file on the exact same position (you'll need to do some detective work to figure out which puzzle props match).
   

This is how the empty puzzle props look. You can search for "puzzle" to find all of them in the text reader.

"puzzle": [
{
"puzzleName": "",
"activeOnStart": false,
"hideHints": [],
"showHints": [],
"targets": [],
"locks": [],
"muteSound": false
}

If you need some help with reverting your settings you can file a bug report on our Discord and we'll do our best to help you out!

Pine team