Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker News

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're enjoying your holidays! In today's update just as we near the end 2021 we've added in a handful of recent suggestions from the Steam community, along with some further tweaks and fixes too.


CAMERAS & CONTROLS

• After a shot is played in 3D mode using the first person camera, the camera now gives a better overall view of the cue ball and object ball played.
  
  
• In addition to above, the mouse or game controller right stick can now be used to rotate the camera left and right immediately after playing a shot. Clicking the middle mouse button or controller left shoulder button zooms the camera out for a wider view.
  
  
• When zoomed out to walk around the table during shot setup (middle mouse button click or game controller left shoulder button), up / down mouse movement now raises and lowers the camera angle.
  
  
• Improved clipping of the mouse pointer to screen limits when using a dual monitor setup. To activate, see 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings', then advance to page 3 and set 'Mouse Movement' to 'Restricted to Screen'.
  
  
• Improved sensitivity range for game controller left / right triggers when adjusting cameras and shot power.
  

GAMEPLAY

• Primary aim line on 'thick' setting has been made slightly wider to more closely match the diameter of object balls and so help with determining clear paths along the table for the cue ball to travel.
  
  
• In 8-Ball pool, following a foul where player has ball-in-hand behind the headstring, the aiming circle now turns orange instead of red when hovering over an object ball behind the headstring. This indicates that the object ball is valid, but that the cue ball must cross the headstring before making contact.
  

GENERAL FIXES

• Fixed an issue where the notifications capsule at the bottom of the screen would sometimes display 'Nominate pocket' when not necessary.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where auto-ball nomination would not always work correctly when aim line visibility is set to 'switchable'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the 'Resume previous game' option in the tournament menu was unselectable if there was an unexpected exit or power-off on the fixtures menu after a match had been played.
  
  
• Further refinements made to ball visibility checks when deciding if a player is snookered after a shot.
  
  
• Disabled the use of F2 key (chalk cue) and F3/F4 keys (zoom 3D camera) while moving a ball around on the table, to avoid various conflicts occurring.
  
  
• Minor text corrections to menus.
  

Hi Everyone,

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas! Today we launched update #89 with a large list of additions, improvements and fixes to many aspects of Cue Club 2. A big thank you to the Steam community for your support this year by sharing valuable ideas and feedback, and we hope you enjoy these latest enhancements to the game. Full details listed below.


CONTROLS

• Improved range of viewing angles when walking around the table, by adding an adjustable centre of rotation for the first person camera. Position the aiming target to the desired 'pivot point' then click the middle mouse button to zoom out. Use the mouse to spin the camera left or right, with the pivot point marked by a small white dot. Roll the mouse wheel to zoom in or out, use F5/F6 (or 5/6 keys) to lower and raise the camera, and press the middle mouse button to return to the cueing position.
  
  
• In addition to above, the round aiming target now keeps its position when the middle mouse button is clicked to zoom out from the table and clicked again to return back.
  
  
• Added a new menu option to support dual monitor setup which limits the mouse pointer to the edges of the game window. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings'. On page 3 there is a setting labelled 'Mouse Movement' which can be toggled between 'Unrestricted' and 'Restricted to screen'. The default option is unrestricted.
  
  
• When using the 'Manual' cue control setting, the default power reading for a break shot is now the same value as set in the options. For 'Automatic' and 'Button' settings, default break shot power is 100% for pool games, and between 45-65% for snooker depending on table size.
  
  
• Fixed a controller navigation issue when switching between numbered pages on a menu.
  
  
• Fixed a controller issue that allowed the right thumbstick to rotate the horizontal cue camera angle immediately after a shot had been played.
  

GAMEPLAY

• Added option to set up the table in the opposite direction. See 'Options > Tables & Equipment > Tables > Global Settings > Table Orientation'. Can go left-to-right or right-to-left. Online multiplayer uses L-R setting when playing another human opponent.
  
  
• Potential fix for an issue that very occasionally caused breaks to end early in games of pool or snooker.
  

SNOOKER

• Further improvements made to visibility checks on red balls when determining if a player is snookered following a foul.
  
  
• The warning message to a player when two consecutive 'Foul and miss' shots have been made is now only shown if the other player clicks the 'Replace balls' button from the menu.
  
  
• A warning triangle now appears next to the name when a player has committed 2 consecutive 'Foul and miss' shots with balls replaced, where a 3rd foul would result in losing the frame.
  
  
• Default cue power on the snooker break shot now varies for each table size, increasing in power as the table size increases. After the break shot the default power switches to the value set in preferences. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Default Power'.
  

10-BALL POOL

• In the rule variations menu, rule 3 has been renamed to '10-Ball must be played last'. Please note, this option has been reversed so you may need to edit the setting or click on the 'Reset' button after the update. See 'Options > Rule Variations > 10 Ball Pool'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the turn ended if the player legally potted the called ball and the 10-ball was potted at the same time.
  

EURO 8 BALL POOL

• In the rule variations menu, the default setting for 'Nominate pocket for the 8-ball' is now off, in line with WPA and WEPF rules.
  

POOL (ALL VARIANTS)

• The money ball is now correctly respotted on the foot spot if potted early in the game.
  
  
• Added a warning triangle icon next to the player name in 6, 7, 9 and 10 ball pool when 2 consecutive fouls have been made and a 3rd will lead to loss of game.
  
  
• Corrected an error when playing with ball-in-hand behind the headstring following a foul by your opponent, where the aiming target did not always turn red when aiming at a ball behind the headstring.
  
  
• In SLAM mode, the cue ball is now respotted by the referee if pocketed.
  

A.I.

• Improved shot selection by computer players, in-particular, when deciding which colour to play next in a game of snooker.
  
  
• Potting ability of top level AI players has been improved slightly.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where very occasionally AI players would ignore an obvious pot.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where sometimes the AI would only move the cue ball a tiny amount when they have ball-in-hand at the start of a game.
  

GRAPHICS

• Added an option to change the colour of screen transitions (fades) between menus and the game. Can be set to either black or white, with default setting black. See 'Options > Display > Menus > Screen Transitions'.
  
  
• Added 4 more cloth colours to the start screen options ('Orange', 'Gold', 'Camel' and 'Chocolate'). See 'Initial Setup > Start Screen > Cloth Colour'.
  
  
• Fixed a graphical issue which improves the quality of rendering when running the game in a framed desktop window.
  
  
• Fixed an issue during a replay where sometimes the table would disappear in 3D mode when the replay ended or was cancelled.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the ball nomination question mark could remain over the ball after a shot was played.
  
  
• Improved rendering of 3D overhead table lights and surrounding light haze.
  
  
• Improved rendering of spectators in theatre venues.
  
  
• Enhanced 3D rendered scene displayed after completing 'Bar Challenge'.
  
  
• In the Basement Bar, the air vents on the end wall have been restored.
  
  
• Tweaks to loading screens, logos, menus and character artwork.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Fixed a network vulnerability that could cause a crash or disconnection during match setup or mid-game.
  

AUDIO

• The music player now automatically skips to the next track if the current music file fails to load. This should not happen during normal use, but has been added as a safeguard.
  
  
• Introduced softer fades between menu and in-game music where different volumes have been set for each zone.
  
  
• When playing in a theatre venue the audience now only applaud during a match with an opponent, and not during solo practice play.
  

USER INTERFACE

• Solved an issue after loading a saved practice game where the 'Restore' button on the control panel became active after entering then exiting the in-game menu.
  
  
• After loading a saved practice game of pool when all the balls are pocketed, the red 'Ball release' button is now selectable.
  
  
• Similar to above, the triangular 'Rack balls' icon is now displayed after loading a saved practice game where the balls have been released from under the table but remain unracked.
  
  
• Pressing ESC or Enter when the in-game menu has been minimised, now maximises the menu.
  

GENERAL FIXES

• In-game leaderboards for snooker breaks and speed pool times now list records for the current year only.
  
  
• When attempting to qualify for the online leaderboards with a high break in snooker or fast speed pool time, secondary aim lines in BOTH 2D and 3D mode must now be turned off, even if you only play using one camera mode. A footnote has been added to the menus as a reminder.
  
  
• Fixed an issue on the 'Player Profile' menu that would hide the text during name entry when using a language other than Global English.
  
  
• Closed a loophole where a player could save more than 1 copy of a game, allowing a shot to be 'undone' and replayed in a match.
  
  
• Saved replays no longer display the nominated pocket arrow, e.g when potting the black in 8-ball. Does not apply to instant replays where the arrow is still shown.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where deleting global game preferences failed to reset all menu options. See 'File Management > Delete Saved Data > Game Settings'.
  
  
• Small corrections to localised in-game text.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're all keeping well. Today, we're pleased to bring you another update to Cue Club 2 with a nice collection of additions, improvements and fixes. As always, we really appreciate your comments and suggestions to help keep the game progressing into the future. Please see below for details on this latest revision.


10 BALL POOL

• Added a new rule variation to allow the 10-ball to be legally potted at any time during the game for a win. See 'Options > Rule Variations > 10 Ball Pool'. Default setting is unchecked (off).
  
  
• Calling and potting the 10-ball into a nominated pocket when it is not the lowest value ball still results in it being respotted, but no longer ends the turn for that player.
  

6, 7, 9 & 10 BALL POOL

• When playing in a threatre venue the audience now give applause when playing a successful combo shot (cannon). In 10 ball when a nominated ball is potted into the nominated pocket which is not the lowest numbered 'on' ball, the audience will also offer applause.
  

8 BALL POOL

• Fixed an issue where if referee hand animations were turned off, the referee would still appear to respot the 8-ball if potted on the break shot. See 'Options > Match Settings > Referee > Hand Animations'.
  
  
• If there is a scratch on the cue ball on the break shot, the incoming player must ensure the cue ball crosses the headstring before hitting any ball behind the headstring. In this situation the aiming target and secondary aim line now stay white if the player decides to swerve the cue ball over the headstring.
  

SNOOKER

• Better checks are now made for determining if a 'free ball' should be awarded following a foul, by close examination of any snookering balls.
  

BALL PHYSICS

• Improved rebounding effects when playing off a cushion, with better modelling of ball spin for more realistic kick shots and bank shots.
  

GAMEPLAY

• The default cue power on the break shot in pool is now set to 100%, since it is common practice to use maximum power. After this it will switch to the standard power setting as set in the menus (default is 30%).
  
  
• When playing pool in a theatre venue, the audience no longer give applause when a push-out or safety shot is played and a ball is potted, since it is considered accidental.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where clicking the 'Restore' button during practice mode could sometimes leave the red table button flashing when the ball collection tray is not full.
  
  
• When ball nomination is required, the selection area has been slightly enlarged to make it easier to click on and lock-in the nominated ball.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when the player has 'ball in hand', where it was possible to place the cue ball directly over a nearby ball, if the cue ball was tight in the pocket jaws.
  
  
• Placing object balls on the table mid-game is now more accurately performed by the referee, especially in tight spaces where other balls are nearly touching. This relates to colours in snooker and 'money' balls in pool, when a respot is required.
  

CAMERAS

• In 3D view, when pressing 4, F4 or the right mouse button to zoom the camera in, accessing the camera menu then changing the field of view or resetting preferences no longer makes the camera jump on each click.
  

GRAPHICS

• Stronger edge shading has been added to pool and snooker pocket casings.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that prevented the 'Random' menu colour option from being selected, which varies the theme at startup. See 'Options > Display > Menus > Colour Theme'.
  
  
• Visual enhancements made to Bar Challenge menus.
  
  
• Screen fade effect added to tournament opponent menu.
  
  
• Improved shading on Basement Bar wall lights.
  
  
• Fixed a rendering issue on the back row of the audience in theatre venues.
  

GENERAL FIXES

• Fixed an issue that failed to delete a saved game file once it has been reloaded and the first shot was played (allowing shots to be played again). This should now only be possible in practice mode.
  
  
• Closed a loophole that allowed 2 or more save game files to be saved in a competition match, which would allow a player to 'undo' shots and play them again.
  
  
• Various improvements to localised text files and font graphics.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're all doing well. In today's update we have some new additions, improvements and fixes to the game in areas such as gameplay, controls, ball physics, and more. Full details listed below.


GAMEPLAY

• When the player has ball-in-hand or during practice play, the cue ball can now be dragged over the top of other balls instead of having to go around them. This also solves a ball-in-hand situation where the cue ball could possibly become trapped inside a cluster of surrounding balls.
  
  
• When the cue ball is lifted off the table to be moved, the animation of raising and lowering the ball is now smoother.
  
  
• Added a 'Manual' setting for the 'Potted Balls' display on the control panel, so the view is changed only by clicking the arrow button on the far right of the screen, with no auto-switching. The default setting is 'Automatic' with auto-switching enabled. See 'Options > Display > User Interface > Potted Balls'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue with Steam avatars where Player 2 had the same avatar image as Player 1 during in-game chat.
  
  
• After reloading a saved tournament, the save file now stays intact until the first shot is played, giving better protection against an unexpected exit or power-off.
  

CONTROLS

• Fixed an issue where the F1 key would fail to bring up the chat interface in a game of killer with 3 or 4 players.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that allowed the '+1' Add Ball button to be pressed when the balls were being released from inside the table during practice mode in pool.
  
  
• Using + and - keys to fine tune cue power now always uses increments of 1 above 5%, and increments of 0.5 below 5%.
  

BALL PHYSICS

• Fixed an issue where the cue ball would very occasionally gain too much speed after colliding softly with another ball.
  

GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS

• Integrated the latest Steam SDK code libraries into the game.
  
  
• Improvements to localised in-game text.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

Today we're pleased to bring you another update to Cue Club 2 with a collection of new features, improvements and fixes to the game. Once again many thanks for all the valuable support and feedback on the forums and by email. Full details of the update are listed below.


CONTROLS

• Added a new cue control method. The 'Manual' option has now been divided into Standard mode and Expert mode. Standard mode uses pull-push mouse action to set power, and for swerve shots it is set according to the power-bar at the top of the screen. Expert mode uses pull-push action to set power at all times. As a visual aid, the power-bar dims in brightness when not in use and lights up when active.
  
  Note: if you are using the 'Button' setting, please reselect this option from the menu after installing the update. See 'Options > Controls > Basic Settings > Cue Control'.
  

SNOOKER

• Fixed an issue following a foul where 'foul and a miss' was sometimes incorrectly awarded when full-face contact with the 'on' ball was not possible.
  
  
• If a foul is made on a colour immediately after the last red was potted, and the offending player is asked to play again with balls replaced, it is now possible for them to change the nominated colour if they prefer.
  

US 8 BALL POOL

• Fixed an issue after a foul is played when the player has ball in hand behind the headstring, where the next shot after this was still required to cross the headstring before hitting a ball.
  

US / EURO 8 BALL POOL

• Fixed an issue where if the 8-ball went down on the break, the AI player could not select an option to either re-spot the 8-ball or restart the game. The fix also applies to multiplayer.
  

GRAPHICS

• Various enhancements to trophy designs and small changes to the colour coding of Tournament and Bar Challenge trophies and achievements, over the 5 difficulty settings. The new order is: Novice (yellow), Amateur (green), Intermediate (red), Expert (blue) and Pro (purple).
  
  
• Under-table lighting in snooker made slightly stronger.
  
  
• When running in fullscreen windowed mode, the resolution and refresh rate adjustment options are now fixed to the default desktop setting. If you would like to adjust these values then please set 'Display Mode' to fullscreen. See 'Options > Display > Graphics Settings'.
  
  
• A minor correction has been made to the calculation of the screen aspect ratio when playing the game in a framed desktop window.
  

GENERAL FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

• Added further stability improvements to multiplayer when setting up a new game in the lobby.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.