Powerboat VR News

1. Modified AI driving scripts to steer a little smoother
2. Modified "Canyon Run" checkpoints as a certain sequence was causing the AI some challenges
3. Update "Mako" physics so that it is now much more stable and less likely to launch itself into space!
4. Updated "Rudder" physics on all boats so that they work correctly.
5. Updated all boats to use the new rudder physics

The "Canyon" biome is now available for testing as an optin beta.

The canyon area contains a single race track and is fairly sparsely decorated at the moment. However, it does give a taste of the type of races that will be available in this area which will be tight, technical courses on calm waters.

The canyon area is located at the very South East corner of the map and can be sailed to from the Tropical Islands biome if you wish. However, the quickest way to get there is to start a race, select the new "Canyon Run" track, and then quick the race. You'll remain in the canyons and can then explore as you wish.

Feedback, as always, is very much encouraged via the Steam forums.

Integrated Powerboat VR's VR/None VR modes into the Steam launcher so now, when you start the game, you will get the option to run the game in Steam VR mode or normal mode.

You can still switch modes using the "v" key if you wish while in game.

This update adds a menu "Gaze Control" system so that you can interact with the menus in VR while using an external controller (e.g. a wheel) without having to grab your VR controller.

By default it is mapped to the "g" key but you'll want to remap that to a button on your preferred controller.

Simply hold down the "Gaze Control" button when looking at a menu and you should see a small cursor appear showing where you are currently looking. Release the button when a menu option is highlighted to select it.

I've set the "Pancake" or None VR mode update into the Live branch. Everything seems to be working as expected.

I have temporarily removed the 3D boat wakes from the main build as they put too much overhead on when in VR mode so I need to do some optimisation (if I can) before setting them live again. If I can't optimise them then they will become a selectable option from the menu for those who have fancy new 30 series RTX cards and/or those playing in Pancake mode!

I've also fixed the bug where the menus were drawing over the top of your VR hands making it a little more difficult to use the menus.

Next update will introduce some new Biomes to race in. I like the tropical island setting but I feel there needs to be a bit more variety in the locations. If I can, I shall build them all into the main map so that in free play you can actually sail between the locations.

Locations will hopefully include the following....
1. Canyon
2. Frozen Islands
3. Jungle

Other suggestions are very welcome, let me know in the forums :)

Happy Boating!