1. Entropy : Zero 2
  2. News

Entropy : Zero 2 News

New branch for testing Steam Deck, Steam Input, & Linux support

Hey everyone! We recently opened a branch called "deck-testing" which adds support for the Steam Deck, Steam Input, and Linux. This means you should be able to play Entropy : Zero 2 with a controller, on the Steam Deck, or on a Linux computer with no tweaking required.

How to opt into deck-testing


To opt into deck-testing, go into Entropy : Zero 2's properties and set the beta branch to "deck-testing". For more information on how to opt into other branches, see this guide:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2861987007

This branch is separate from the ones we've opened for specific versions of the game and is independent of our release schedule. deck-testing currently runs on 1.2.0.

How to play E:Z2 with a controller using Steam Input




If you have a Steam-compatible controller plugged into your PC and you are on the deck-testing branch, you should be able to launch Entropy : Zero 2, navigate the menu, and play the game natively.

Note that the Options menu may require you to use your controller's right stick and right trigger (depending on your controller and config) to simulate mouse input.

You also cannot skip the intro videos with a controller.

[h2]Troubleshooting[/h2]

For any issues you encounter, make sure you're using the correct controller configuration. You can find your controller configuration properties in the Steam Overlay, or through a distinctive gamepad button when you have the game selected in your Steam library.

If this does not resolve your issue, please let us know.

How to play E:Z2 with a Steam Deck/on Linux




If you are using a Steam Deck/Linux machine and you are on the deck-testing branch, you should be able to launch Entropy : Zero 2 with the Steam Linux Runtime by default. Make sure Steam isn't configured to launch the game with a specific compatibility tool (e.g. Proton).

[h2]Troubleshooting[/h2]

If you encounter an issue while playing the game on a Steam Deck/Linux machine, make sure E:Z2 is not set to be launched with a specific compatibility tool in the game's properties. If you need to confirm this in-game, you can easily identify whether you are playing Entropy : Zero 2 with Proton by looking at the game's italicized subtitles. Proton does not render these properly and each letter may appear cut off.

If you have verified that you are not using Proton and cannot resolve your issue, please let us know. You could also try switching to Proton and seeing if you can reproduce the issue with it.

Conclusion




In case you're wondering why we're integrating all 3 of these at once for a branch called "deck-testing", it's because Steam Input and Linux support are prerequisites for full Steam Deck support. Steam Input allows the Deck's controls to be smoothly translated to the game and Linux allows the game to run natively on the Deck and avoid font issues when running on Proton.

Even if you do not have a Steam Deck, we strongly encourage trying this branch if you have a controller you can use with your PC and/or are using a Linux machine.

1.2.0 update is live

[h2]Entropy : Zero 2 Version 1.2.0[/h2]
Overwatch is requesting all units refresh and resolve. Update is live. Acceptance is mandatory.

Version 1.2.0 is going live on the default branch of Entropy : Zero 2 today. This version has many QOL improvements and fixes that have been in beta testing for some time now. You can find the full changelog below.

If you encounter any issues with version 1.2.0 that were not present previously, please let us know on the Steam forums! For other issues, you can find our troubleshooting guide here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2857173498

[h2]Changelog[/h2]

[h3]1.0.1[/h3]
  • Assets - Fixed missing texture on SLAM viewmodel lights.
  • Assets - Added reload sound for c0_1 pistol. New map sound override script required.
  • Assets - Created new arm mesh for the Cold Signal weapons, with new texture/materials.
  • Assets - Fixed missing texture for pulse pistol and AR2 muzzleflash when on low texture settings.
  • Assets - Stunstick outside of c0 uses Bad Cop's arms.
  • Credits - Updated credits.
  • Credits - Added a new section for Workshop Contributors. These are workshop addons we are merging with the base game.
  • Merged workshop addon - Fix Combine Soldier idle lines.
  • Merged workshop addon - Counter-Strike Monitor Fix.
  • Merged workshop addon - Envmapfresnel on L4D cars.


[h3]1.1.0[/h3]
  • Script - Gameinfo.txt will load FGD from EntropyZero2/entropyzero2/fgd/EntropyZero2.fgd
  • Code - Soldier gibbing (disabled by default)
  • Code - Fixed prop_command_points from previous levels lingering after transitioning back
  • Code - Soldier obstruction behavior
  • Code - Predator obstruction behavior
  • Code - SLAM glow effect
  • Code - Fixed gonomes getting stuck in a loop when a smell is nearby and they can't eat
  • Code - Soldiers ignore push when the player is holding a weapon they can receive
  • Code - Hack to make Wilson always right himself even when in contact with the world/another object
  • Code - Merge Mapbase from upstream
  • Script - Enable npc_combine_gib
  • Script - Enable npc_combine_obstruction_behavior
  • Script - Enable npc_predator_obstruction_behavior
  • Script - Enable SLAM glow
  • Script - Enable Wilson pickup workaround
  • c0_1 - Blur effect now goes away once the player has control of Bad Cop
  • c0_1 - Slightly adjusted the tonemap to account for the lack of blur


[h3]1.2.0[/h3]
  • Script - Updated contributor name in credits by request
  • Script - Applied a fix for Chapter Zero vscript
  • Code - Fix crash bug with challenges from 1.1 code
  • Merged workshop addon - Crowbar impact sound fix


[h2]Steam Betas and Versioning[/h2]

If you are currently on the 1.2.0 public beta branch for testing, thank you! You may wish to set your branch back to default. Alternatively keep your eyes open for when we publish the next build - a small build will go back on the 1.2 beta branch, but a larger build may be published to a new branch. You can read more about betas and versioning in this Steam guide.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2861987007

You may also wish to try out a temporary Steam beta branch called 'deck-testing'. This is a branch for testing support for Steam Input which will allow EZ2 to be played better with a controller or on the Steam Deck. This should be included in a proper version at some time in the future, so stay tuned for news about new beta branches.

[h2]Steam Cloud Saves[/h2]

Today, we will also be trying out Steam Cloud saves for EZ2. This has been a highly requested feature. Keep an eye out for it!

Showcasing a few Workshop maps

1upD here!

October 10, 2022 marked the fifth anniversary of the original Entropy : Zero, and the first such anniversary since the release of the sequel. The reception to Entropy : Zero 2 has been overwhelming and I think I can speak for the rest of the team when I say how wonderful it is to see that people are enjoying what we built together over those five years.

I wanted to put an article together to call attention to just a few of the custom maps that have been made already for the Steam workshop. It's a joy to play new maps for Entropy : Zero 2 so I would like to shout out a handful I liked so far to make sure people are aware of them.

Here are some of the maps that I really think players should check out. If you created a map and it's not included on this list, sorry! This isn't meant to be comprehensive, just a short collection of maps I have played. Feel free to shout out your own addon in the comments.

[h2]Entropy : Zero Uprising[/h2]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2826357973

Besides being a really fun combat encounter, the Entropy : Zero Uprising demo stands out for two reasons. It was the very first custom map published for Entropy : Zero 2 (Alongside Cold Signal, which was distributed as part of the base game) and it is merely a demo for a much longer campaign, which you should absolutely check out on ModDB!
https://www.moddb.com/mods/entropy-zero-uprising

The EZU demo is a must play and I think showcases what a great EZ2 map can look like.

[h2]Raid[/h2]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2862462649

Raid is a short but surprisingly fun map. It's exactly the kind of close quarters combat scenario the title implies, and I enjoyed trying to attack from multiple avenues. Give this one a shot.

[h2]Shadow Walker[/h2]

Quick disclaimer! This is my own map.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2865667829

Shadow Walker is a collection of three mapping challenge maps I've made, edited to run in EZ2 and combined into a single collection. It unfortunately doesn't make much use of Entropy : Zero 2 specific mechanics, being essentially a port, but it is a spooky collection of maps hopefully fitting just in time for Halloween.

[h2]Arbeit Airport[/h2]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2870954491

Arbeit Airport is a an all original three map campaign for Entropy : Zero 2. I was really impressed by the scale and ambition of this one, and it has a good variety of combat encounters. I especially enjoyed the squad gameplay and the surprising finale. Not for the faint of heart. Give this one a try!

Conclusion


These are just four addons in the workshop. At the time of writing, it looks like there are about 170 addons in total in the workshop, and 10 that are classified as original maps. Please go check out the workshop! Community members have put a ton of time and creativity into crafting new content for Entropy : Zero 2.

I would highly encourage anyone who liked Entropy : Zero 2 and has their own creative ideas to try to create a custom map. I really look forward to playing what you come up with next.

Thanks for reading!

Release 1.2.0 published to beta branch

We just pushed an updated build of Entropy : Zero 2 to a new release branch for testing. (Release-1.2)

This release is smaller than the last. Mostly, it is just a code fix for a bug that we found in Release 1.1.0 which made some challenge maps uncompletable.

Changelog:
Script - Updated contributor name in credits by request
Script - Applied a fix for Chapter Zero vscript
Code - Fix crash bug with challenges from 1.1 code
Workshop - Merged addon 2869994513 (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2869994513)

If you would like to test out this new update, please set your Entropy : Zero 2 beta branch to "release-1.2". For more information about upcoming beta branches, please check out our Entropy : Zero 2 version guide.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2861987007

If you do opt into the branch, please let us know if you run into any problems! Hopefully in the near future we can publish this version to the default branch. Thanks!

Entropy : Zero 2 v1.0.1

Entropy : Zero 2 v1.0.1


Today we're releasing a small patch for EZ2. This patch addresses some odd bits and enables Steamcloud for save data.

[h2]Changelog[/h2]
  • Misc - Enabled Steamcloud for save data.
  • Assets - Fixed missing texture on SLAM viewmodel lights.
  • Assets - Added reload sound for c0_1 pistol. New map sound override script required.
  • Assets - Created new arm mesh for the Cold Signal weapons, with new texture/materials.
  • Assets - Fixed missing texture for pulse pistol and AR2 muzzleflash when on low texture settings.
  • Assets - Stunstick outside of c0 uses Bad Cop's arms.
  • Credits - Updated credits.
  • Credits - Added a new section for Workshop Contributors. These are workshop addons we are merging with the base game.
  • Merged workshop addon - Fix Combine Soldier idle lines.
  • Merged workshop addon - Counter-Strike Monitor Fix.
  • Merged workshop addon - Envmapfresnel on L4D cars.