Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker News

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're all doing well. In today's update we've made further refinements to ball physics, controls, game rules, cameras, and more. Please see below for a full breakdown of the changes, and as always many thanks for the detailed feedback in helping us continually improve Cue Club 2.


PHYSICS

• Improved the ball physics response for high power shots when the cue ball is in close contact with another ball.
  

CONTROLS

• When playing a strong swerve shot using the 'manual' cueing method, cue power is now set according to the power bar reading, to make it easier to play an accurate shot. With the 'manual' method, straight shots, or shots with only slight curve rely on pushing the mouse forward and back to select power (or gamepad left stick). See 'Options > Controls > Basic Settings > Cue Control'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue which could make the cue jump erratically when playing a strong swerve shot into the cushion.
  

SNOOKER

• Following a foul on a colour, where balls are replaced and the offending player is asked to play again, the player can now nominate a different colour if preferred.
  
  
• When playing a 'free ball', if no points are scored and you leave your opponent snookered by a nominated 'on' ball, then it is now classed as a foul, unless only Pink and Black remain on the table.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where it was possible to select 'claim a win' in snooker when just the Black remained and it was your opponent's turn. For clarity, this option only appears when it's your turn at the table and you have more than a 7 point lead on the last Black.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where full-face ball contact for consideration of the three-consecutive-fouls rule was sometimes miscalculated.
  

US 8 BALL POOL

• Following an illegal break, selecting the 'restart' option with opponent to break again now works correctly.
  
  
• Potting the 8-ball and cue ball together on the break shot now gives control to your opponent to decide if the 8-ball is respotted or balls are re-racked.
  

EURO 8 BALL POOL

• Following a foul on the break shot where not enough balls were driven to the rail, instead of a re-rack the incoming player now can play on, with the option to take 'ball in hand'.
  
  
• Potting the 8-ball on the break shot now restarts the game without an option to respot the 8-ball, and the same player breaks again.
  
  
• If the 'free ball' rule is enabled, then following a foul where a 'free ball' is awarded the incoming player cannot now be snookered by a ball from the opposing group.
  
  
• With 'free ball' disabled, then following a foul where the incoming player takes 'ball in hand' behind the baulk line, the referee now examines the baulk area before deciding whether the player is snookered. If they are snookered, the 'ball to rail' rule does not apply for that shot.
  

CAMERAS

• Improved tracking of the cue in 3D first person mode with less camera lag.
  
  
• In 3D mode, zooming in and out using the '3' and '4' keys is now more reliable.
  
  
• When watching replays, fixed an issue that would reset the camera to first-person mode when another camera was selected.
  

GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS

• The capsule on the bottom left of screen now always displays the 'ball in hand' message whenever the cue ball can be freely moved around on the table.
  
  
• Fixed a graphical issue when fading out the cue in 3D mode after a shot is played.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where zooming in and out quickly could sometimes make the cue jump out of position.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when resetting the menu option for first-person camera distance, which could cause rendering errors in the overhead table lights.
  
  
• Starting screen has been redesigned with larger logo and ball set, and can also be customised by going to 'Initial Setup > Start Screen'.
  
  
• Added 'recommended' hints when selecting refresh rate in the graphics menu. Most settings are supported, although 60 or 120Hz may offer slightly better results depending on your system configuration. See 'Options > Display > Graphics Settings > Refresh Rate'.
  
  
• Various corrections to localised text files.
  
  
• Small graphical tweaks to menus.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We're pleased to release another new Cue Club 2 update today with a collection of further improvements and fixes to many areas of the game. Please see below for a full description of these changes, and thank you again for the suggestions and feedback.


USER INTERFACE

• Added a new cue ball graphic to the upper control panel, for top and side spin selection. See 'Options > Display > User Interface > Cue Ball (colour)'. There is a choice between a light and dark setting. Default setting is 'Light', but users can switch back to the dark circle if preferred. This feature is available on both compact and large control panel options.
  

GRAPHICS

• Added a small shadow over the cue ball in 3D mode which appears when the cue tip is near. Designed to help determine how close the cue tip is to the ball, and is especially useful for low-power shots when using the 'Manual' cue control method. See 'Options > Controls > Basic Settings > Cue Control'.
  

SNOOKER

• Further improvements to application of 'Foul and a Miss' rule. Following a foul, if there was a clear straight-line path from the cue ball to any part of an on-ball then a miss is called. If full-face ball contact was possible then a miss is called regardless of the difference in scores. Also, after replacing balls twice, a further consecutive miss will result in a loss of the frame, but only if full-face contact with the on-ball was possible at the time of the fouls.
  
  
• Added an option to claim an early win in snooker if only the black ball remains and the leading player has more than a 7 point advantage. From the in-game menu select 'Match Information' and click the 'Claim a Win' button to end the frame.
  
  
• For clarity, selecting the 'Replace Balls' option from a 'Foul and a Miss' menu screen now greys-out the continue button, leaving the incoming player to select 'Play Again'.
  

8 BALL POOL

• An illegal hit on the 8-ball now shows a separate foul screen instead of displaying a message indicating that a foul was made on a ball from the opposing group.
  

10 BALL POOL

• Fixed an issue where it was possible to nominate a ball and pocket on the break shot if ball nomination was set to 'Manual' method.
  
  
• If safety shots are enabled in rule variations, then a safety can now be played immediately after the break shot. The button can be alternated with the 'Push-out' option, by clicking on the small arrow to its left.
  
  
• Potting any ball during a safety shot now always gives the incoming player the option to continue or pass control back to the opponent.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when playing and potting the 10-ball, where nominating a pocket then selecting a safety shot would result in game-over instead of the 10-ball being respotted.
  
  
• Fixed an issue in online multiplayer where playing safety shots could interrupt the game.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Improved connectivity during matches, and also fixed a bug that might have caused a crash when starting a new game.
  
  
• Pressing the right mouse button or 'Back' button when in the lobby now goes back one level instead of exiting the multiplayer menu. For example, when reading a player's profile.
  

GENERAL FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

• Notification capsule on the lower left of the screen now shows 'Ball On' instead of 'Ball Group' where appropriate.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when aiming with very low power, where sometimes the secondary aim line would not appear at the correct angle.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the 3-consecutive-foul warning would occasionally appear when not necessary.
  
  
• Fixed a similar issue for the 'ball in hand' notice, and also 'game over' screens which sometimes appeared when not required.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that could give the player the wrong cue design for the first shot immediately after loading a saved game.
  
  
• Attempted fix on an issue that could occasionally block snooker breaks and speed pool times from being uploaded to the website leaderboards.
  
  
• In 3D mode, zooming in (using the right mouse button) no longer overshoots the cue ball and gives a better view of the tip of the cue.
  
  
• Various graphical enhancements to menus.
  
  
• Refinements to Polish language text and other localised text files.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're all doing well. Today we released a larger than normal update to Cue Club 2, with lots of new additions, improvements and fixes to areas such as game rules, multiplayer, saved shots and games, chalking and more. We hope you enjoy the update and thanks again for the comments and suggestions in the forums and by email.


SNOOKER

• Improved application of the 'foul and a miss' rule. Performing three consecutive 'foul and miss' shots with balls replaced now leads to a loss of game. Also, the menu now states if a 'miss' was called by the referee.
  
  
• When playing a colour, hovering the aiming target over that ball and clicking the left mouse button or gamepad 'A' button now locks-in that colour as the nominated ball.
  

US 8 BALL POOL

• If the cue ball is potted on the break, the incoming player now has 'ball in hand' behind the headstring. The cue ball must cross the headstring before making first contact with another ball behind the line, otherwise a foul is called.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that caused the black to be re-spotted over another ball if there was no free space along the centre-line of the table. This error was unique to the 6ft pool table in practice mode, using a large-sized ball set.
  
  
• Fixed a bug where playing safety shots for the entire game and keeping the table 'open', would not allow the black to be legally potted at the end.
  

EURO 8 BALL POOL

• Default rule variations tweaked to more closely match WPA Blackball rules.
  
  
• Baulk line has been relocated to the correct position.
  
  
• When the table is 'open', ball groups can no longer be determined when the player has been awarded a free ball.
  
  
• 'Ball in hand' is now presented as an option following a foul. Incoming player selects whether to play from the current position or take 'ball in hand' from behind the baulk line.
  
  
• When playing from a snooker, after first contact with the object ball it is no longer required to drive the cue ball or another ball to the cushion to make a legal shot.
  
  
• Potting opponent's balls is now only classed as a foul if you fail to pot a ball from your own group at the same time.
  
  
• Default table design now has baulk line without the 'D', no diamonds, and has an oak finish. This can be customised to suit, and the 'D' can be enabled from rule variations if preferred. See 'Options > Rule Variations > Euro 8 Ball Pool'.
  

10 BALL POOL

• Fixed an issue where not making first contact with the lowest value ball did not result in a foul.
  
  
• Safety shots are now available as a rule variation. See 'Options > Rule Variations > 10 Ball Pool'. Default setting is 'on' for new players, although existing players will need to tick this box if required.
  
  
• With called shots enabled, the lowest number ball is now pre-nominated, and may be changed by clicking on another ball with the left mouse button or gamepad 'A' button.
  

KILLER POOL

• Not potting a ball on your turn is no longer classed as a foul, but still results in a loss of one life.
  

6, 7, 9 & 10 BALL POOL

• A 'push-out' shot is now only available if no foul was committed on the opening break shot.
  
  
• 'Ball in hand' over the entire table is now offered to the incoming player if the money ball is hit first when other balls still remain on the table.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Increased the maximum match length from 'Best of 9' up to 'Best of 25' (Race to 13). Also added Best of 13, 17 and 21 games (Race to 7, 9 and 11). Longer matches will award more points to the winner. Click the 'Info' button in the multiplayer lobby for more details.
  
  
• Deposits for multiplayer matches are now only taken after the break shot has been played. If you exit beforehand then no points will be taken.
  

CHALK

• Added chalk-level indicator to the control panel, inside the chalking button. Three dots light up to show how much chalk is on the tip of the cue. Also, the effect that chalk has on adding spin to the cue ball has been increased.
  

SAVED SHOTS & GAMES

• Saved game and shot filenames and descriptions can now be longer, with the maximum limit increased to 63 characters.
  
  
• 'Home' and 'end' keys can now be used to jump to the start or end of a line of text when using the in-game keyboard.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the 'Resume Previous Game' button was active after completing a tournament round, causing errors if used. Also, if a foul or game-over screen was present when saving, this is now displayed correctly after reloading. Unless attempting to recover a game from an unexpected exit or power-off, please use the 'Load Tournament' menu option to continue a saved match.
  

GENERAL FIXES

• Fixed a bug where pressing the 'shift' key would accidentally adjust cue power when using the in-game keyboard.
  
  
• Fixed a bug where saved replays occasionally played extra shots past the end of a snooker break or speed pool clearance.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that would sound the notification bell after each shot if the user had tabbed-out from the game during a saved replay.
  
  
• Smoother camera transitions after playing a shot from a zoomed-in position in first-person mode, and also when switching between 2D and 3D view.
  
  
• When player has 'ball in hand', moving the cue ball no longer resets the amount of bottom-spin that may have been previously set on the ball.
  
  
• Improved positioning of on-screen buttons when using the large user interface display option.
  
  
• Various graphical tweaks to menus.
  
  
• Small corrections to Polish language text and other localised text files.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We're pleased to bring you a nice update today with a number of key fixes and refinements to various aspects of Cue Club 2, including Multiplayer, game rules, aim lines, graphics and more. As always thank you for providing feedback and we hope you enjoy these latest improvements to the game.

• In the multiplayer lobby, the first player in the list (after yourself) is now closely matched to your ability, and the second player will be of random ability, to offer a greater range of choice when selecting opponents.
  
  
• Multiplayer scoring has been re-balanced, and if you play an opponent of lower star-rating than yourself and win, you will receive 50% of the bonus points. Defeating an opponent of equal or higher rating to yourself will entitle you to 100% of the points. Click on the 'Info' button in the lobby for more details.
  
  
• Added a refresh button in the Multiplayer lobby (bottom right of window), which scans for new players if you would prefer a different selection to choose from.
  
  
• Added a 'Multiplayer' shortcut button to the in-game menu (bottom right of window), which appears when alerts are enabled from the multiplayer lobby. Clicking this button takes you back to the lobby where you can respond to game requests or messages. Press the left mouse button, gamepad 'A' button or ESC key to bring up the menu.
  
  
• The visual effect of cloth wear is now stronger and more pronounced when the 'Very Worn' setting is chosen from the table options menu (4 settings in total: 'New', 'Used', 'Worn' and 'Very Worn').
  
  
• Pool table headstring has been moved in line with the second diamond, now in the correct position.
  
  
• Primary aim line is now visible when the cue ball is tucked in the pocket jaws. Applies to 2D and 3D camera views.
  
  
• Secondary aim line is now visible when hovering over an illegal ball (line shown in red). Applies to 2D and 3D camera views.
  
  
• In 6, 7, 9 and 10-ball pool, when a Push-Out is selected, the aiming target no longer turns red when hovering over a ball that is not the lowest value ball.
  
  
• In 6, 7, 9 and 10-ball pool, when a Push-Out is selected, potting the cue ball now results in a foul.
  
  
• In 10-ball pool, when a Push-Out is selected, it is no longer required to nominate a ball or pocket.
  
  
• In 10-ball pool, the 10-ball must now be potted last, and it is replaced on the table if potted when other object balls still remain.
  
  
• In 8 and 10-ball pool, a foul is no longer issued when a Called shot is not made successfully (ball not potted into nominated pocket, or a non-nominated ball was potted). Play passes to your opponent.
  
  
• Selecting and then deselecting a Safety shot in 8-ball pool when on the black ball no longer blocks pocket nomination.
  
  
• Added a rule variation for 8-ball pool to select whether after a foul, 2 shots should be awarded to your opponent if only the black ball remains. See 'Options > Rule Variations'.
  
  
• Improved terminology for US English language option when describing match length ('Best of ...' is now 'Race to ...'). Note we have included other common differences, e.g. for ball sets, 'Spots & Stripes' (Global English) becomes 'Solids & Stripes' (US English). See 'Initial Setup > Language'.
  
  
• Various other localisation corrections.
  
  
• Amendments to game rules documentation.
  
  
• Small visual tweaks to menus.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you're all doing well. Today we have another Cue Club 2 update with a nice collection of feature additions, fixes and improvements to many parts of the game including avatars, AI, multiplayer, tournaments, game saves, controls, graphics and more. We hope you enjoy these tweaks and please continue to share your thoughts with us here and on the forums.

• Players now have their Steam Avatars displayed in the game. Visible in both the multiplayer lobby and during in-game chat.
  
  
• AI shot selection has been improved, and difficult long pots with fine cuts are now usually avoided by computer opponents if possible.
  
  
• In multiplayer, to encourage all players to finish games a 10 point deposit is now taken from each player at the start of a game, refunded when the match successfully completes. If you abandon the match then only your opponent has their deposit returned. To safely forfeit a frame please use the 'Concede' option from the match information menu.
  
  
• In tournament mode you can now be paired with any of the 15 computer players in the first round. Also, AI skills have been tweaked to make it slightly less challenging to win a tournament on the lower difficulty settings.
  
  
• Improvements made to Steam Cloud saving, and data is now synchronised better when switching between local and cloud storage. See 'Options > File Management > Steam Cloud'.
  
  
• Added a new menu option to combine achievements that have been stored both offline and in the Steam cloud. See 'Options > File Managements > Synchronise Saved Data'.
  
  
• Games are now auto-saved to protect data from an unexpected exit or power-off. To resume play after such an event go to 'Games > Resume Previous Game', or for tournament matches see 'Games > Tournaments > Resume Previous Game'. This is a recovery feature only, so please continue to use the Save and Exit option to manually save your progress if you wish to leave a match and resume play later.
  
  
• When choosing to play a Safety shot in 8-ball pool, it is no longer required to call the ball or pocket.
  
  
• It is now possible to deselect a Safety shot in 8-ball, if you change your mind or press the button by accident. Simply click the 'Safety' button once again to deactivate it.
  
  
• Similar to the above feature, it is now possible to deselect a Push-out shot in 6, 7, 9 and 10 ball pool.
  
  
• The 2D/3D camera view button and chalk-cue button now have a black background to match the other controls, and also to better highlight the Push-out and Safety shot buttons when selected.
  
  
• Matchmaking in multiplayer has been improved, and if you choose an AI opponent then their skill level will be closely matched to your star rating. Human vs Human multiplayer matches are not affected.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that could accidentally delete a save file for a tournament in-progress.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that would hide the difficulty-level text in the saved tournament fixtures menu.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that sometimes made the table vanish in 3D mode when cancelling a replay after switching camera views.
  
  
• Fixed a bug that failed to award points to the winner in multiplayer if the other player abandoned the match early.
  
  
• Fixed bugs that would break gamepad navigation when returning from replaying a saved shot, or when accessing the player profile page to change username.
  
  
• Better timing of audience whistling with less repetition on successive shots.
  
  
• Visual improvements to menu graphics and Bar Challenge trophies.
  
  
• Improved atmospheric lighting and shading in Bar and Theatre venues.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.