Chasm News

This update includes the latest FNA framework libraries and gamepad database.

I've also been made aware of new audio issues in Windows with popping, crackling and other strange artifacts. This is due to a recent change in Windows, and has made some trouble with SDL-based games like Chasm. A proper fix should be coming along, but this update contains an optional fix if you are experiencing this.

First, make sure you are on 1.085 since it is required (check in the main menu in the game if you are unsure). With the game closed, right click it in Steam and go to Properties. Under "Launch Options" paste in the following:

/audiodriver:wasapi

Please let me know if you have any trouble!

1.085
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- updated game controller database
- updated to FNA 23.04

This update includes the latest FNA framework libraries, a couple Steam Deck improvements, as well as the ability to set a custom key for the console.

Tilde is not convenient for everyone's situation, so now you can set your own key via the game's config file in the Steam folder. I will try to eventually add an in-game option to change it, but in the meantime just browse to your Chasm folder (default is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Chasm), open the config.ini file with Notepad, and add the line "ConsoleKey=F5" to the bottom and save.

1.084
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- added detection for Steam Deck
- added customizable key for console
- added 2.0 Stereo hint to SDL audio for better sound driver compatibility
- removed "Disable Gamepad" option when played on Steam Deck
- fixed window scale not allowing higher values on some high dpi systems
- updated game controller database
- updated to FNA 22.12

In this update I've rewritten the video scaling logic, and made some modifications to the available Video Options. Most notably, the Resolution option has been replaced with a new "Fit To Screen" option that will max out the game to fit the screen (while keeping a 16:9 aspect ratio).

Pixel art can be very tricky to resize without causing ugly artifacts like uneven text, squished character features, etc. so the game has only ever supported even scaling factors before (1x, 2x, 3x). For some non-16:9 monitors, this can unfortunately leave huge areas of wasted space around the playfield. The Fit To Screen method in this release was borrowed from our Vita version, which has a very odd screen size (960x544). The method we use upscales the pixel art to one scaling factor larger than what the screen can hold, then downscales it with bilinear filtering to fit. This means less wasted space and no weird artifacts, but it has the trade off of a slightly less sharp image (this may not even be detectable on high-dpi setups).

NOTE: If you are using a less common setup like an old CRT, you can still force a custom resolution by modifying the config file located in Documents\Chasm. Just add the following lines with your required resolution (these are at the game's native resolution).

CustomResX=384
CustomResY=216

I also took the opportunity to fix some other bugs I found, noted in the change log below. Please let me know how it works out for you, especially on the Steam Deck!

1.083
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- added "Fit To Screen" option for PC monitors & Steam Deck
- fixed wrong Fullscreen resolution sometimes being used when moving game to another monitor
- fixed Window Scale multiplier not going high enough on some high-dpi setups
- fixed crash when switching music styles on some systems
- removed area hub rooms from exploration percent calculation
- updated game controller database
- updated to FNA 22.07

This is just a quick patch with more framework updates for the Steam Deck, as well as new controller mappings.

1.082 Change List
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- updated game controller database
- updated to FNA 22.01

I noticed the majority of players aren't able to complete the course on Race mode, so I've added a melee weapon back in to help out. The weapon is chosen randomly for the course based off the seed and area, so all players will receive the same one. This change shouldn't affect the players with the fastest times since they will still prefer to avoid enemies over engaging.

-James

1.081 Change List
----------------------------
- race: added randomly chosen melee weapon
- race: fixed practice screen title
- updated game controller database
- updated to FNA 21.12 - includes more graphical fixes for Steam Deck