Golfing In Aether News

This update contains a handful of fixes to the recent major update in which the fourth free expansion was released, which you can read about via the link below.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/1914980/announcements/detail/3794906412775124389


Check the full notes below for all the changes made, if you are aware of any issues then please let me know so they may be hotfixed.

A couple of noteworthy things fixed that showed up since last update was a small wall gap in one of the new expansion levels, also some wierd physics behavior on a couple of the large ramp levels such as "See you on the other side" and "Go for it".

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/

[h2]Environment[/h2]

• Fixed a minor wall gap on “Fork in the road”.
  
• Fixed a issue with physical materials notably for level “See you on the other side” and "Go for it".

[h2]Interface[/h2]

• Fixed an issue where the scroll bar on the new level theme select menu wasn’t inheriting the dark theme when enabled.
  
• Fixed a text string not correctly localized in the custom levels menu.
  
• Fixed a text string not correctly localized as part of the XP breakdown.

Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.

The fourth free expansion to Golfing in Aether is here, bringing ten new levels for all modes and themes as well as introducing the new "Dustbowl" level theme.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2577930/Golfing_In_Aether__Dustbowl


Above is a link to the free DLC (it should be downloaded automatically). The levels will work with all previous themes and in all game modes.


The level breakdown is as follows, one large late game level, one mid-game, and eight early. This brings the total number of levels to 70, with 10 being late, 30 mid-game, and 30 early, overall balancing out the random level selection more evenly.

Remember via custom sessions you can individually pick levels you want to play, as well as preset playlists such as 'early only' or 'mid and late' only depending on how you wish the play the game. All levels work with all existing themes so if you wanted to check out all these new levels in the winter level theme instead (with the seasonal holidays soon approaching) then its perfectly possible to do so!

As an additional note the new level theme will be made available to the demo version of the game but the same demo limitations such as only 18 levels and only able to reach XP level 3 are in place.


With this expansion release the game engine has also been move forwards to the latest version of Unreal Engine 5 so please let me know if you encounter any issues as I'll be doing hotfixes to any issues over the coming weeks. The primary reason for this engine version change is to keep overall support with newer devices and latest versions of SDK's. This includes the latest DLSS3, and FSR2 versions made available.

Enjoy playing the fourth free expansion and I welcome any feedback you may have.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/

[h2]Engine[/h2]

• Added migration to game engine from Unreal Engine 5.1.1 to 5.3.2.
  
• Added latest plugin versions for DLSS3 and FSR2.
  

[h2]Environment[/h2]

• Added dustbowl expansion assets and content.
  
• Added flipper obsticule as part of new levels.

[h2]Interface[/h2]

• Added improved theme select menu which will add support for additional themes. Scrolling to the right is where you will find the new Dustbowl theme and others in the future.

Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.

Today I want to show off the upcoming free expansion coming this November which you can find listed below as coming soon. It will include a new theme that works with all existing levels as well as introducing 10 new additional levels.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2577930/Golfing_In_Aether__Dustbowl/
Please note that this is work in progress and not due to release till November 14th so some visual elements could well change in between now and then.


For this theme it introduces a desert-like environment, with as the title suggests a lot of sand and dust has been thrown up, covering the otherwise grassy levels. You will also find the water areas dried up and lots of things normally found in the levels worn down compared to usual.

Beyond the reskinning you'll find a few new art assets such as animal skulls in some of the dried up water areas, and music specific to the theme. There is also a new obstacle type / mechanic which I will discuss later in this post.


The above screenshots are from existing levels 'Leapfrog' and 'You feeling lucky?'. All existing levels will be able to work with this new theme.


For this expansion I wanted to add some more earlier levels to help improve the balance when it comes to how levels are chosen as part of the random courses. Following feedback these levels also have more of an emphasis purely putting rather multiple holes.

While these levels are small they still do offer an element of challenge if aiming for a hole in one.


These next two levels I'm showing how they look with existing 'Spring' and 'Winter' themes, all new levels will work with previous themes adding to the overall diversity when it comes to playing a random course whichever theme you wish to play with.

The levels shown above also feature a new obstacle type know as the 'Flipper'. This behaves similar to vertical movers (barricades that go up and down) except in this case offers a ramp, which can be to your or advantage or not depending on the level. A few of the levels will feature this new mechanic in different ways.


Of course not all levels are small in this expansion and this is a late level included which includes a similar theme of maze-like behavior as found in some of the existing late game levels. There is about a half dozen or more possible ways to complete this one, so you'll have to find the best path to a hole in one.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2577930/Golfing_In_Aether__Dustbowl/

Just a reminder that this expansion is entirely free and will be available November 14th. If you wish to keep track of when this will be released then add it to your wishlist.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/
Golfing in Aether is currently on sale for 70% off till the 8th November along with a currently running halloween event ending on the 14th. Dustbowl will be the fourth free expansion released bringing the games included level count to a total of 70. More content is planned.


Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.

This is a small update that implements the Halloween Event content which you can read about in the event post below.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1914980/view/3701455448016933705

There are no other changes in this update besides enabling the event content but if you are aware of any issues then please let me know so they may be hotfixed.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/

[h2]Environment[/h2]

• Added pumpkins to the Autumn level theme for the duration of halloween event.
  
• Added pumpkins to all newer levels added to the game since previous Halloween event.

[h2]Interface[/h2]

• Added pumpkin hunt tracker to main menu for duration of event.

Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.

For update 1.6.1 we are bringing back our Halloween pumpkin hunt event from last year, we've also updated the two more recent level expansions to include the Pumpkins as well. Hunting 10 Pumpkins will unlock you three Halloween themed balls :)


[h2]What do I have to do?[/h2]
To hunt a pumpkin you simply need to hit them with your golf ball. There are 60 purple pumpkins in the game (one per level), but you only need to find 10 to unlock all the rewards. There is no reward for hunting the orange ones, but feel free to smash them to your hearts content.


[h2]What do I get from doing this?[/h2]
The above three golf ball designs are unlocked from completing this event. Each feature color options and an accompanying faceplate.

If you successfully hunted 10 pumpkins last year then this reward will remained unlocked.

[h2]How do I track my progress?[/h2]
A progress bar and counter can be found on the main menu below a description of the event.

[h2]How long will it take me to complete this event?[/h2]
This is not supposed to be a grind, and if playing as normal you'll probably complete it a couple of hours after playing a few different sessions. If were to do it solo in purely in practice mode you could probably do it in 10 to 15 minutes. Some levels will be harder than others to get the pumpkin, but theres enough of them that its just a bit of fun to enjoy the halloween theme rather than be an overall challenge.

[h2]Can I complete this in local play?[/h2]
Yes :) If any local players hits a pumpkin it will count for the primary profile so you can enjoy sort-of a co-op activity while you hunt them down.

[h2]How long does the event last?[/h2]
The event will conclude on November 14th at 10:00 AM PST / 6 PM GMT giving you more than a couple of weeks to complete it.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1914980/Golfing_In_Aether/
[h2]Can I play this event using the demo?[/h2]
Yes - simply grab the demo from the store page and you play through this event with that. You can also join your friends who own the game in multiplayer while hunting for pumpkins.

If you enjoy playing the game then you'll find it on sale for 70% off till the 8th November! Any demo progress will carry over to the regular game too when you purchase.

The demo only comes with 18 levels (but you can join other players online sessions fine) and is locked to level 3 for regular progression.


Be sure to check out the official discord server with channels for Golfing In Aether and my other various projects.