Hard Chip News

Hard Chip participates in Steam's Next Fest

Dive into the fascinating world of semiconductor puzzles during the Steam Next Fest! 🎮

Join us for one of the two exclusive gameplay streams, during which we'll unveil some of Hard Chip's challenges and brain-teasing mechanics.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying universe of Hard Chip, where every connection counts.

Set a reminder (in this very event) to not miss it!

See you there! ⚡

Hard Chip participates in Steam's Next Fest

Dive into the fascinating world of semiconductor puzzles during the Steam Next Fest! 🎮

Join us for one of the two exclusive gameplay streams, during which we'll unveil some of Hard Chip's challenges and brain-teasing mechanics.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying universe of Hard Chip, where every connection counts.

Set a reminder (in this very event) to not miss it!

See you there! ⚡

[h2]Hard Chip participates in Steam's Next Fest[/h2]

Dive into the fascinating world of semiconductor puzzles during the Steam Next Fest! 🎮

Join us for one of the two exclusive gameplay streams, during which we'll unveil some of Hard Chip's challenges and brain-teasing mechanics.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying universe of Hard Chip, where every connection counts.

Set a reminder (in this very event) to not miss it!

See you there! ⚡

Greetings, Hard Chip players!

We are now covering the modifications done in versions 0.0.5.14 to 0.0.5.16! All about usability (again?), let's dive in:


[h2]1. NEW Truth Table![/h2]
One of the main issues players had during playtest sessions was reading Objectives. Almost every time, they found them too complicated to read, and they were surprised to find out that the solution was, in fact, simple. So something had to change! Here's our try at improving it based on the tried and true Truth Table form:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Much more easier to read! Not only that but it allows larger validation too! Here's a test one:



Other related modifications:

IMPORTANT: QOL Renaming neutral from X to _, and short to X!
Reworked objectives control;
Dedicated Truth Table window;
The truth table is detachable;
Truth table size reacts to large or numerous validators;
Selectable validation steps! Stay in the active Step so you can build validating one specific Step;
QOL Reset Validation vs Reset Level button in a separate bar;
QOL Validate button indicate briefly the step-by-step mode;

[h2]2. UPDATED Build Mode[/h2]
Once more, building upward was more of a friction with players. After a while, you can adapt to it, of course. But at first, it could erode the fun enough to want to close HC and then compensate with chocolate or cheese.
We replaced the old build-up mode with a new one. Here's our attempt to make it smoother!



No keyboard is involved! Only the mouse placement on the target block determines the direction of the next traces!



[h2]3. NEW Decoder Challenges[/h2]
There is a divide among players: those struggling with the early game and those who want to go harder, faster, and stronger. Here are the new challenges:



You will love to do better than the schematics provided!


[h2]Quality Of Life, Bug, and Crash fixes:[/h2]

1. PERF Benchmark discarding empty sim frames as they only indicate the precision of scheduling, not actual perf;
   
2. NEW Grade visible from the challenge maps;
   
3. NEW Splash title rather than class name for Challenges; Naming input/output; Pass QA on gate challenges
   
4. FIX Race conditions in ReadOutsManager;
   
5. FIX Inputs now cancel the validation;
   
6. FIX ReadonlyOut updates with Step by step mode;
   
7. FIX can now exit demos;
   
8. PERF Lazy load world in camera captured when showing the Bit Adder challenge map;
   
9. QOL Erase button on the minimal bar;
   
10. FIX align read-only readout to the right, regression;
    
11. QOL Expected readout shows now value;
    
12. QOL Validations events based instead of simulation loop-based;
    
13. FIX Tentative fix Bekfast's IntroLevel key press bug;
    
14. FIX trace BuildIndicator respect Y layer shape;
    
15. QOL Bonus stages screen revamped from draft state to something a bit better and showing all challenges;
    

Your feedback, suggestions, and comments are not just important, they're the lifeblood of this game. We value your input and encourage you to join our Discord server to share your thoughts and ideas!

Thank you for playing Hard Chip, and stay tuned for more updates and new features!

Greetings, Hard Chip players!

The new update comes in hot! This update covers versions 0.0.5.10 to 0.0.5.13. And it's all about usability once more, as a friendly player experience is a do-or-die for any video game. Let's see what's new:

[h2]1. Old/New Shrink Die Mode[/h2]
Trying to have the most compact die possible is one of the four key performance metrics for each puzzle. But it was all manual, required lots of clicks, and needed to be more intuitive. A lot of players didn't even use it, and when it was required, they just stopped their play session there.
To expand the die, nothing is simpler; draw a trace outside the die (any direction, upward included), and it will automatically expand.
To shrink the die, even more simpler; just validate and HC will shrink your die to the smallest size possible with existing blocks.




Other related modifications:

1. Removing shrink/extend size from the Mode bar and add it as a tool in the Tools bar
   
2. Tools now has "Shrink die", "Auto shrink on validate" and "Edit Size"
   

[h2]2. New Mode Separation Edit/Blueprint/Readout mode[/h2]
It was easy to get mixed up in the mode the player was actually using. Can I add a trace? Can I remove a block? Wait no? But now I can? What's that cursor?
To get everything clearer, the 3 remaining modes (the "Shrink/Expand Die mode" has been deprecated) have been simplified and isolated from each other. "Edit mode" 's actions can't be done in the "Blueprint mode" or the "Readout mode".
And each mode has it's own color to separate it from other modes. Here's what it looks like now:




Other related modifications:

1. QOL In blueprint you can select and create a blueprint from a modal
   
2. QOL Copy/past/cut/delete works now only in edit mode
   
3. QOL Mouse detected short and long click for AddMode (was really painful)
   
4. QOL Hard/soft escape behavior per mode (escape can deselect before escaping the level)
   
5. FIX SetBlocksToAdd vs AddBlocksModeActivated to fix the mode bar selecting the wrong mode
   
6. QOL Disable select when in other mode than AddBlocks or Blueprints add
   
7. Compact tuto now reflects the new compact/expand die behavior
   
8. QOL Force align and up indicator in edit mode only
   

[h2]3. New "A mysterious helper"[/h2]
In the shape of speech bubbles providing helpful advice. Even if it's a seems a bit weird...




[h2]4. New L Shape Build[/h2]
Instead of drag-clicking twice to form an L shape trace, now just drag-click once, and HC will calculate a fitting L shape. Want to invert the L, just hit Ctrl while doing so!




[h2]5. Update Readouts UX[/h2]
Readouts are really useful, but they can still be cumbersome. Here's an attempt at streamlining the creation/edition process of readouts:




Other related modifications:

1. QOL Cute and highlighted readout overlay lines to bits
   
2. QOL Add readouts UI tweaks
   
3. QOL Readouts edit now shows lines from the editor to observed blocks
   
4. QOL Readouts bytes in the same order as shownAddlines with colors and thickness
   

[h2]Quality Of Life, Bug, and Crash fixes:[/h2]

1. NEW Add block cursor is a ray marched cube
   
2. QOL Starting the music immediately in the editor for dramatic effect
   
3. QOL Moving the mouse to the edge of the screen moves the camera
   
4. QOL Vertical build can be done anywhere on the screen (not only on top of the focused position)
   
5. QOL Left click to move forward in FPS phases
   
6. QOL change misleading reset icons
   
7. QOL Help for IntroMergeMOS, PMOS and NMOS
   
8. QOL Up traces rework with help
   
9. QOL Buildup feedback indicator
   
10. QOL Simplifying the align indicators
    
11. FIX cheese UpTracesChallenge;
    
12. FIX Freecam;
    
13. Fix doubling given input Readouts;
    
14. FIX Satistatory typo;
    
15. FIX Proper grades for intro challenges
    
16. FIX terminal not following screen size
    
17. FIX alt-tab broke Challenges map
    
18. FIX random crash on blueprint with readout
    
19. FIX Shrink could keep readout out of die on save/reload
    
20. FIX crash on die resize where voxel could be in an unknown state
    
21. FIX Player's Readouts can't override the challenge's ones
    
22. FIX Flipflop latch challenge one input two many
    
23. FIX Copy past restored
    
24. FIX IntroInput no Click Me button
    
25. FIX Selected readouts clear out properly from the selection and don't get duplicated
    

Your feedback, suggestions, and comments are not just important, they're the lifeblood of this game. We value your input and encourage you to join our Discord server to share your thoughts and ideas!

Thank you for playing Hard Chip, and stay tuned for more updates and new features!