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Distance v1.2: The Other Side



Hey everyone! Today we're launching Distance v1.2: The Other Side! This update features the return of custom music, two new levels (Divide and Syncopation), an added shortcut to the Nexus track Terminus, several bug fixes, and a couple secrets. We also revamped our music visualizer tech so that Boombox mode looks better than ever. Check out the trailer for an overview!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiTAfwDqDKc
v1.2 Changelog (Build 6787):


General Improvements
  • New levels
    • Syncopation (Stunt, Reverse Tag, Main Menu)
    • Divide (Challenge)
  • Custom music is now available on Windows again!
    • Now supports MP3, WAV, and AIFF files
    • Improved how folders are scanned for music files
    • Updated Audio options menu
    • Added customizable hotkeys for Pause/Play, Previous, Next (i.e. F5, F6, F7)
  • New Audio options
    • Announcer: Toggle which announcer phrases you want to hear (Tricks, Death, Checkpoints, Mode)
    • Custom Music: Search Subdirectories
  • Simplified menu breadcrumb (orange dot) functionality
    • Dots now clear immediately after clicking a level set containing an "unseen" level (or car)
    • No longer saved between sessions
  • Improved music visualizer algorithm used for in-game visuals and Boombox mode
  • Updated Observatory music track
  • Enable Menu Animations in General settings now affects level select progress bar animations
  • "Boom Box" has been renamed to "Boombox" to match the traditional spelling
  • Optimized the advanced level select a bit
  • Improved font size for Trackmogrify input menu
  • Added overflow ellipsis to level select description
  • Improved server name text in Game Lobby
  • Improved default mode and level selection in the Game Lobby
Level Changes
  • Terminus: Added new secret shortcut
  • Compression: Fixed issue with angled holograms at start
  • Cataclysm: Small update to fix gaps
Level Editor
  • Added "ResetZone" which, if car is inside, resets all Animators and TurnLightOnNearCars within its bounds upon death
  • Added Decorations/TempleButton
  • Added Decorations/TempleButton_Empty
  • Added Decorations/TempleButton_Top
Bugs Fixed
  • Fixed fish not showing up in replays and made Stompers actually stomp in Observatory
  • Fixed various issues with level set progress bar numbers being incorrect
  • The car screen music visualizer no longer can get covered by the overheat warning
  • Fixed bug where going into the Audio options, leaving, then returning could result in a broken menu if you had "General > Enable Menu Animations" disabled
  • Fixed several bugs with Nexus tracks not being counted towards overall completion
  • Fixed bug where the author "Refract" was shown for Nexus levels
  • Fixed bug with holding Skip before the cutscene has fully loaded
  • Fixed several issues with the "new!" orange dots not working properly
  • Fixed bug where selecting your existing main menu level in the Garage would break the menu
  • Fixed bug where WaterAudioZone would play splash SFX when spawning underwater
  • Fixed bug with checkpoints and WaterAudioZone
  • Fixed bug with upper category tabs in Garage
  • Fixed issues where last selected level in menus wasn't being preserved between races
  • Fixed a few situations where it would say "Earn 0 medals to unlock this level"
  • Fixed bug where returning from Next Level in the Pause menu could close the host's server
  • Fixed bugs with Trick menu in pause menu
  • Fixed bug where EmpirePipeEntrance was missing its visual mesh
  • Fixed visual bug with speedometer and circle car screen visualizer
EDIT (3/18): Build 6789
  • Small fixes for Terminus shortcut
  • Fixes related to ~secrets~
Regarding custom music being Windows-exclusive: I'd love to see this come to macOS and Linux/SteamOS but my current API doesn't support it. Perhaps one day I can work around that but for the foreseeable future it will be only available on Windows.

DEV STREAM THIS SATURDAY 3PM PT


Tomorrow (Saturday) we'll be doing another special dev stream to play the new content in v1.2, plus finally playing the DAC levels we didn't play in our previous stream. Hope to see you there!
  • What: Distance v1.2 Dev Steam + DAC Part 2
  • When: Saturday Mar. 16th, 3pm PT
  • Where: http://twitch.tv/refractstudios


Also... something strange seems to be happening...


Systems have detected several crustacean energy signatures transmitting messages within Nitronic City’s walls.

While the intent of these entities have gone largely unknown, it has recently been determined that their outgoing messages stretch beyond the stars…

Signals end at RA 5h 34m 32s | Dec +22° 0′ 52″

The Crab Nebula.


- Jordan (with everyone at Refract)

Minor Update v1.11 (Build 6714), Workshop Highlight



Today we're releasing v1.11 which is a minor update to remove holiday features, improve a couple community levels, and fix some bugs. Right off the bat I'll mention that this does not include the custom music feature as I'm still working on it. I've made some progress but as I'm also juggling the PS4 build and Kickstarter wrap up it's been quite a hectic month.

v1.11 Changelog (Build 6714):


General Improvements
  • Reverted Christmas features
  • When starting Distance for the first time the Arcade, Multiplayer, Level Editor, etc. buttons are no longer greyed out
  • Added version number in main menu
  • Changed "Build" to "Version" in server browser
  • Extended server names length to 35 characters
Level Changes
  • Sea: Update from Dominique Grieshofer
  • 44 Second Theory: Improved dropper drone lights and lens flares
  • Paradise Lost: Re-added glitch and audio effects when teleporting
  • Iris: Added level description
Level Editor
  • Added ability to add event string to CutsceneManager that triggers on level start (since the car's physics are disabled in cutscenes)
  • Added new object folders to Level Editor
    • Buildings/Nexus
    • Decorations/Nexus
    • Obstacles/Nexus
    • Roads/Nexus
    • Decorations/Foliage
    • Decorations/Halcyon
Bugs Fixed
  • Fixed issue where medal image shown in multiplayer might not match actual earned medal
  • Fixed issue where clicking Previous or Next Level in multiplayer could close the server
  • Fixed bug in Mobilization where sparks weren't showing
  • Fixed bug where certain levels were missing the Sprint advanced level select menu
  • Fixed bug in Collapse where the sky beam wouldn't fade out
  • Fixed bug where objects using FadeOut component might not fully fade out


JANUARY WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT


Once again I've updated the main menu to highlight some of the latest and greatest community levels released over the past few months!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1545830054
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1547343617
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1606920669
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1549969325
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1559158081
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1545599679
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1552281484
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1623379945
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1550962645
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1532423172

- Jordan (with everyone at Refract)

Distance v1.1: The Nexus Update



Hey all! Today we've got a special holiday treat for you. As our contribution to Distance Advent Calendar (DAC) we're going all out and releasing Distance v1.1: The Nexus Update! This is one of our biggest content releases yet with 12 new levels featuring 6 new music tracks and a new mini-campaign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWk1qsLTmZU&index=2&list=PLIZN-V2cOpK-26mXwIN9CEhiejMSkRHzi&t=0s
To celebrate, Distance is 35% off for one week! Check out the changelog for more details and see below for some fancy screenshots.

v1.1 Changelog (Build 6669):


General Improvements
  • Added holiday features (Options > General > Christmas Features)
    • Reindeer car decorations, snow on car screen, winter-themed main menu
  • Added "Nexus" mini-campaign (Campaign > Nexus)
    • Includes five levels with all new music
    • Unlocked after completing Lost to Echoes
  • Added new levels to Sprint
    • Station
    • Iris
    • Observatory (featuring new music from The Quiggles)
    • Precept
    • Projection
    • Eclipse
  • Added unique new level to Challenge
    • Variant Blue
  • Minor updates to community level "Past"
Bugs Fixed
  • Fixed bug with incorrect position/rotation of Archive audio visualizer
  • Fixed bug where Encryptor was always unlocked
  • Fixed bug with not being able to reset in Eye of the Storm
  • Fixed bug where levels' unlock statuses weren't being updated on game launch
  • Fixed bug where CarScreenImageTrigger would use a random delay before showing on car screen
EDIT (12/15): Quick patch to address a few issues
  • Added VR options when launching Distance (including the ability to launch without VR even if a device is plugged in)
  • Fixed bug where replays were sometimes downloaded in the Nexus campaign
  • Fixed bugs related to skipping Nexus cutscenes
  • Fixed bug with being able to reset your car during Nexus cutscenes
EDIT (12/17): Another tiny patch
  • Updated medal times for Iris based on feedback
  • Added medal times for Resonance, and Deterrence
DEV STREAM THIS SATURDAY 2PM PST


The fifth annual Distance Advent Calendar (DAC) is about halfway through, and we've already seen some absolutely incredible creations so far. Check out our video on social media for a recap of the first week: Twitter / [url=https://facebook.com/refractstudios/videos/369603673597733 []Facebook.

This Saturday we'll be doing a special dev stream to play through the first two weeks of levels and (most likely) talk about the v1.1 update.
  • What: DAC + v1.1 Dev Steam
  • Where: http://twitch.tv/refractstudios
  • When: Saturday Dec. 15th, 2pm PST

Let us know what you think of v1.1 below and we hope to see you this weekend!

- Jordan (with everyone at Refract)

Distance Advent Calendar 2018



The fifth annual Distance Advent Calendar (DAC) has begun! DAC is a community-run event where each day in December leading up to the 25th level creators coordinate to release a new Workshop level!

In previous years DAC has resulted in some absolutely mind-blowing levels being released, so we can't wait to see what's coming. There also might be a very special DAC contribution from Refract this month, so definitely stay tuned.

KEEP UP WITH DISTANCE ADVENT CALENDAR


Follow DAC level releases by joining our official Distance Discord and checking out the #dac channel. Discuss each day's level with other players, and see early previews of upcoming levels. If you would like to join in by releasing a level yourself, get in touch with the organizers by messaging Skirmisher#0172 or Backgrounds'#7604.



You can also check out the DAC 2018 Special Event via our Workshop home page. We also hope to do at least one DAC live stream this month, so more information to come soon regarding that. Happy December everyone!

- Jordan (with everyone at Refract)

Cursed Halloween Update



Happy Halloween! For the next 24 hours we're releasing a special Halloween build of Distance! The Encryptor (skeleton vehicle) will be available to everyone during this time, and we've dialed its spookiness up to 11.

I've also re-added Boombox Mode and car visualizers on Windows OSes (restoring the previous functionality). Custom MP3 support and other OSes are still in the works. Check out the changelog below for the full details:

v1.02 Changelog (Build 6669):


General Improvements
  • Added various Halloween features!
    • The Manor has temporarily replaced the default main menu
    • Made the Encryptor even spookier
    • Encryptor is temporarily unlocked for all by default
    • Smashable pumpkins are back (disable in General options)
    • Added spooky laughter when landing tricks (disable in General options)
    • Spectrum car screen is infested with cobwebs (disable in General options)
  • Re-added Boombox Mode in General options
  • Made medal times on Approach more reasonable
Level Editor
  • Added Decorations/EmpireNozzle
  • Added Decorations/EmpirePuck
  • Added Decorations/EmpireTechDish


WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT


Also be sure to check out these excellent scary/spooky/eerie Workshop levels today!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=540614230
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=539551440
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=540666861
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=540547153
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=539530475
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1359671388
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1550962645
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=835699285
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=952788874
- Jordan (