Zeepkist News

Patch 2:

- Maybe fixed issue with skybox objects having a weird offset
- Fixed not being able to paint beige concrete
- Fixed "Materail" spelling error
- Fixed skybox button having a wrong hotkey (it doesn't have a hotkey at the moment)
- Fixed freeplay splits not showing in online if that option was enabled
- Freeplay splits in online are now prefixed with (f)
- Fixed author names being formatted weird I think
- Awarded event cosmetics

Today it's time for some Zeepkist v17!!!!!!!!

THE SKYBOX UPDATE






IF YOU HAVE ANY MODS, THIS UPDATE WILL LIKELY BREAK THEM - IF YOU RUN INTO ANY ISSUES, REMOVE ALL MODS AND SEE IF THE ISSUES PERSIST




The skybox update is a pretty technically comprehensive update, because it doesn't just add cool skybox customization - it also completely rewrites the way Zeepkist handles levels.

Before v17, Zeepkist saved levels as csv files (Comma Separated Values). This had a whole bunch of drawbacks and I'm honestly not completely sure why I ever made it like that to begin with.

Anyway, NOW Zeepkist saves levels as json files!! This should give me a looot more flexibility when it comes to what I can save in the level file.

To demonstrate the power of this change, I made it so you can now make entirely custom skyboxes, using the exact same options I've had at my disposal when I made all the preset skyboxes.




All of your old levels will still work! I wrote the code in a way that Zeepkist is 100% backwards compatible with all pre-v17 levels. You can still load them in singleplayer, online, and the level editor.

Any level you save from here on out though, will be saved in the new JSON format! :)






In the level editor, you will see a new button that looks like a lightbulb:




This takes you to the Skybox Editor:




From where you have many many pages of all sorts of options allowing you to create the skybox of your dreams! :D




I am REALLY REALLY REALLY excited to see what insane skyboxes people come up with.




- Changed .zeeplevel file format from CSV to JSON
- Added a skybox editor
- Added a monthly automatic reboot to the Zeepkist servers, which should keep everything running smoothly. The reboot happens every first monday of the month. After the reboot, it may take a bit longer to load workshop levels, but this is normal and should resolve itself after a while.
- Added "disable block collisions" checkbox in the extended block properties panel
- Fixed code new roman doesn't support japan text
- Fixed servermessage text alignment issue
- Propbably fixed an issue with loading levels on game start
- Fixed a streetlamp rendering issue in level editor
- Added 3 new primitives



- Gift counter doesn't work on A-01 in online multiplayer
- Splits sometimes don't show up
- Level names don't show up in online multiplayer




I also made a new roadmap, for people that are interested in that sort of thing!!






As with any update, things are likely to break and I'll be hard at work over the coming time to fix any issues and bugs that pop up.

Things are especially likely during this update because it's such a technically intensive change.
- The entire savefile system got overhauled
- Save/load system got updated
- Server got updated
- An entire custom skybox system was added

So please be patient while I work through everything!! :D

If you notice any bugs, make a bug report on the Zeepkist Discord: https://steelpan.dev/zk-discord, making sure to follow the instructions in the #bugs channel!

I'll see you all around B-)

HAPPY ZEEPKISTING!!



- Fixed level names not working
- Splitscreen now also listens to camera settings

Season 6: Theme 3

[h3]THEME: Medieval[/h3]

Build a level inspired by the Middle Ages — castles, catapults, dungeons, knights or even humble peasant villages!

Looking for ideas? Try weaving through farmland and sleepy villages, racing past bustling market stalls or storming a fortified castle! Bring the medieval world to life, weather it's a muddy peasant hamlet or a noble's grand esate!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the discussion thread of this news post! Good luck, and happy building!

[h3]DEADLINE[/h3]

• Your track should be complete and submitted by Sunday, 4th May 2025 at 18:00 BST
• Submissions will be combined into a single workshop item after the deadline above
  

[h3]SUBMISSION RULES[/h3]

1. You can only submit one level (you can modify or replace your submission as much as you like until the deadline)
   
2. Level collaborations are permitted (Maximum of 3 players per level. This counts as a level submission for each individual creator. Please name/mention collaborators when submitting)
   
3. Level author name MUST contain the submitters' Steam (or Discord) username
   
4. The name of the level MUST start with "ZSL - " (e.g "ZSL - My Level")
   
5. Your submission MUST be created within the 3 week building period. Please do not re-upload older maps—even if they fit the theme!
   

[h3]THEME RULES[/h3]

1. Medieval themed decoration (any Middle Ages period between the 5th and 15th Century)
   

[h3]LEVEL RULES[/h3]

1. Scaling track pieces is permitted
   
2. Level MUST follow any theme requirements set above
   
3. Level MUST be under 4000 blocks
4. Level MUST have an author time above 20 seconds
5. Level MUST have an author time under 60 seconds
6. Level MUST have at least 3 checkpoints. Consider adding additional checkpoints for split timing or where it would prevent a cut, as cuts do not make for good tournament tracks!
   
7. Level MUST NOT have risky or hidden finishes/shortcuts (e.g blind shortcuts or using no-collision/invisible/logic blocks to hide a secret path that is NOT the intended route)
   

[h3]HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LEVEL[/h3]

1. Join our Official Discord server
2. Upload the level to the Steam Workshop
   
3. Link the workshop item in the theme's thread in #level-submissions
   
   Don't have Discord? You can submit your entry by linking your workshop item in the comments section of this announcement post!
   

[h3]WINNERS & PRIZES[/h3]

• Up to 15 of the submitted levels will be used for the next Zeepkist Super League event
  
  
  • Players of all skill ranges should be able to finish your level.
    
  • The more playable your level is, the more likely your level will be chosen!
    
• The community will vote on their favourite maps from the theme once submissions close
  
• Top 4 in the community votes for Best Decor and Best Track Layout will each win:
  
  
  • A special soapbox cosmetic in-game.
    
  • A Level Contest Winner role (Discord only)
    
  • 3,000 chat EXP in our Discord server (Discord only)
    

[h3]BANNER CONTEST[/h3]
We're also hosting a themed banner contest for our Discord server banner image where you can win a special paintbrush soapbox!!

The theme is Medieval and ends at the same time as this level contest!! View the banner contest event details on Discord

- Akane

The Zeepkist Super League is a friendly yet competitive tournament open to all skill levels.

Each season consists of six rounds, each with a unique theme. Round 2 brings you tracks that keep you under 100 speed at all times!

Stay up-to-date with official and community-created events by joining the Official Zeepkist Discord!!


[h2]📅 Event Details[/h2]

[h3]Timeslot 1:[/h3]

• Hosted By: Akane
• Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
  
• Time: 10:00 PT / 13:00 ET / 18:00 BST / 19:00 CEST
  
• Capacity: 64-128 players† (first-come, first-served)
  
• Event duration: 15 levels; 1 hour 50 minutes, including 7 minute break
  
• Room(s) opens: ~10 minutes before the event starts
  

💡 † Note: Room 2 for Timeslot 1 will only open if Room 1 reaches 60/64 before the event starts.

[h3]Timeslot 2:[/h3]

• Hosted By: Kernkob
• Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
  
• Time: 19:00 PT / 22:00 ET / 03:00 BST (next day) / 04:00 CEST (next day)
• Capacity: 64 players (first-come, first-served)
  
• Event duration: 15 levels; 1 hour 50 minutes, including 7 minute break
  
• Room opens: ~10 minutes before the event starts
  

[h2]🏁 Event Format[/h2]

• Up to 191 players compete over 3 rooms / 2 timeslots. The leaderboards of all rooms will be combined!
• 15 levels selected by our panel of 20 judges.
  
• Rounds last 7 minutes – All levels are between 20 and 60 seconds long.
• Championship points system:
  
  • 1st: 100 points
    
  • 2nd: 98 points
    
  • ...each position lower is 2 points less...
    
  • 49th: 4 points
    
  • 50th: 2 points
    
  • 51st and below: 1 point
    
  • DNF: 0 points

💡 The full leaderboard will be available at zeepki.st/super-league/season-6 after the event.

[h2]🎁 Prizes[/h2]

[h3]Round Prizes[/h3]

• Top 6 players on the combined leaderboard with the highest championship points:
  
  • Win the Season 5&6 Super League soapbox cosmetic in-game.
    
  • Gain a winner role in the Zeepkist Discord.
    
  • Gain 3,000 chat level XP in the Zeepkist Discord.

💡 Winners will obtain their prizes in a game update after the event takes place—check the patch notes for rewarding of player cosmetics!

[h3]Season Prizes[/h3]

• Your best 4 rounds out of the 6 rounds count to your season standings.
  
• Top 12 players at the end of the season win the Season 5&6 Super League soapbox cosmetic in-game.

[h2]🎮 How to Join[/h2]

The Super League is open to everyone! Simply open Zeepkist and look for the following room held by either Akane (up to 2 rooms) or Kernkob (1 room):

🔹 Zeepkist Super League: Slow Motion

💡 Rooms fill on a first-come, first-served basis—arrive early to secure your spot!

[h2]📄 What Tracks Are We Racing On?[/h2]

We’ll be racing on 15 levels from the 49 Level Contest submissions.

• Bogs & Swamps Crawlway — Codewalt
• Legna Azzura — Mokster!
• Jungle Falls — MackCheesy
• Cerebral — Shadynook
• Land's End — Lazy_Echidna
• Mortua Terra — OgelGames
• Dragon Dungeon — GuAlexItar + Dragonshadow842
• Limited — RadAbsRad
• BREAK TIME: SLOW MOTION EDITION
• Save the Sloths — BB_Benji
• Allegedly 49 — Maou + Maki + Last
• Smoovlandia — St Nicholas
• Langsame Strecke — Renergy
• Look at that S car Go!!! — DeeDeeNaNaNa
• Wood Vibrations — icRS
• Slow down and up — Tommygaming5132

💡 Note: Download the playlist from Google Drive and save it in "%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Zeepkist\Playlists" to load it in an Online Room!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3459554785

Find all the past Super League / Level Contest submissions here.

– Akane

Small patch & a new achievement, and I wanted to show some screenshots of what I'm working on for the next big Zeepkist update!! :)

I've been working on changing the Zeepkist level file format from CSV to JSON, which should give me a lot more flexibility when it comes to saving data into levels.

To showcase that, I've been working on exposing all skybox settings in the level editor, allowing players to create entirely custom skyboxes!!





This is not an april fools joke by the way. If you've been checking out the Discord for the past month you'll have seen me working on this & posting updates! :D

Discord: https://steelpan.dev/zk-discord

You can get some really really pretty results with this, and I can't wait to see people actually playing around with this for themselves!!





So that's coming later!

For now, Patch 74!!




- Awarded event cosmetics
- Added the April Fools achievement, which you get if you play Zeepkist on April Fools!!



Happy Zeepkisting!!!