Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker News

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all keeping safe and well during these unusual times. Today we released a major update to Cue Club 2 with many new features, fixes and enhancements to various aspects of the game, covering the control system, graphics, gameplay, menus, AI and multiplayer. Thank you for the continued support and we hope you enjoy the improvements, and as always please continue to share your ideas and suggestions with us.

• Introduction of a new control system called 'Fast Aiming'. This method allows you to navigate quickly around the table and line up shots more easily than before, by simply moving the mouse or gamepad left stick, then pressing the left mouse button or gamepad 'A' button to shoot. The control system is similar to that used in the original Cue Club, and has been carefully expanded to work with the 3D first-person camera mode. Existing users will need to enable this feature to try it out, and for new users it's the default setting. To activate, go to 'Options > Controls > Basic Settings' and turn 'Fast Aiming' to on. Please note, this option is only compatible with the 'Compact' control panel setting, and with mouse input or game controllers. For touchscreen devices, the original control setting is recommended (Fast Aiming set to off).
  
  
• There is a new mouse acceleration option for more rapid positioning of the aiming target. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Mouse Acceleration'. It ranges in sensitivity from 25% to 100% or may be turned off. The default setting is 50%. We do recommend experimenting with this to find what works best for you.
  
  
• Menus have been reorganised and optimised for simpler navigation. Tables, ball sets, cues and chalk have been grouped together and can now be found in 'Options > Tables and Equipment'.
  
  
• Practice mode has been moved up a level to the 'Games' menu, for easier access. DirectX settings have been relocated to 'Options > Display Settings > Graphics Settings'. The 'Controls' menu has been expanded with 'Basic' and 'Advanced' sub-menus, and the in-game 'Save Shot' option has been moved to the 'Replay' menu.
  
  
• The graphics menu has a new option to change screen resolution from all the available settings, plus an option to auto-select the native resolution at start-up. You can now also select the refresh rate in Hz, from whatever settings are available for the chosen resolution.
  
  
• Most menus now feature a 'Reset' option to restore the local settings back to default values.
  
  
• In-game 'Minimise' button has been moved to the bottom right of menu, to simplify navigation up and down the page when using a gamepad.
  
  
• New option to reverse the menu colour scheme, doubling the amount of custom themes available. See 'Options > Display > Menus > Reverse Colours'.
  
  
• A new mouse pointer design has been added (3 in total to choose from), with 3 new pointer colours (orange, green and purple) making 6 in total. See 'Options > Display > Pointer'.
  
  
• AI players now use a different pointer colour to you, or you can define a custom setting. See 'Options > Match Settings > Virtual Players > Pointer Colour'.
  
  
• Tournament fixtures screen has been improved with a new animated reveal of the match pairings.
  
  
• Graphical improvements to most menus including leaderboards, game rules screens, chalk selection, and in-game match information screens.
  
  
• Visual enhancements to 3D cue rendering and shading in-game.
  
  
• 3D aiming circle now uses a discreet hollow disc to complement the target used in the 2D view.
  
  
• Cue elevation, side spin and shot power can now be set more easily with game controllers using the 'A' button and left thumb-stick or D-Pad.
  
  
• Solved an issue that caused slight over-correction when using 'Q' key for cue elevation or 'E' key for English (side and top spin).
  
  
• Keys 1-6 now mimic F1-F6 keys, to make the associated functions slightly easier to access on the keyboard.
  
  
• Fixed various gamepad navigation issues where the pointer would occasionally jump to the wrong location on-screen.
  
  
• Using the Zoom feature in 3D mode now moves the camera to a position just behind the cue ball, so you can still see the cue tip making contact with the ball when playing a shot.
  
  
• Corrected an issue where AI players would sometimes respot the cue ball by picking it up, where the path was clear for the ball to slide to the new position.
  
  
• Solved a problem in Slam mode that caused the captured ball to swing off-centre towards the edges of the table.
  
  
• Improved the aiming system on touchscreen devices in 2D overhead mode, to reduce the likelihood of fingers obscuring the target when lining up shots.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that could prevent touchscreen working correctly in 3D first-person mode.
  
  
• Online multiplayer has been made more stable with improved connectivity.
  
  
• Added an auto-correction feature for default level of top spin when the cue ball rolls up close to a cushion and access to strike the cue ball in the centre is limited.
  
  
• Various other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Please note: With this large update user options did need to be reset to default, so existing users should take a moment to re-configure their preferred settings in the menus.

Hi Everyone,

We're pleased to release our second update for 2020 today with a collection of new features, fixes and refinements to ball physics, gameplay, graphics, cameras and multiplayer. Please continue to let us know your suggestions, we very much appreciate your input in helping us to continually improve Cue Club 2.

• Ball physics has been enhanced. At low speeds, top and bottom spin has more effect, allowing you to position the cue ball more precisely between shots. In addition, applying large amounts of power and backspin has less effect on decelerating the cue ball unless the cue angle is raised very high. As before, you can tweak the physics by going to 'Options > Tables > Global Settings' and changing the various cloth and cushion settings. Remember to apply chalk before a shot to give better control of the cue ball !
  
  
• Maximum cue power has been increased for shots where the cue angle is raised up high, giving greater cue ball travel - useful when playing on the larger tables.
  
  
• In 3D mode, the middle mouse button can now be pressed after a shot is played to quickly zoom out further, giving a broader view of the action. Use the left shoulder button on game controllers.
  
  
• Ball and pocket nomination is now handled instantly for your opponent's shots when playing against an AI or in multiplayer, considerably speeding up gameplay.
  
  
• In snooker matches the referee now makes a better attempt to respot colours on their spots when other obstructing balls are close by.
  
  
• New option to customise the overhead table lamp. There are 3 settings: Standard, Alternative and Grey. The available colours vary with the venue selected. See 'Options > Visual Effects > Lamp Colour'.
  
  
• Higher resolution flooring textures have been produced for 3D Bar and Theatre venues for increased realism.
  
  
• Added an option to display an in-game clock on the control panel. This will show the current time in 12 or 24 hour formats. See 'Options > Display Settings > User Interface > System Clock'. Can also be displayed in the menus or turned off.
  
  
• Camera transitions in 3D mode have been made smoother when zooming in and out of the table.
  
  
• The view can now be adjusted when the in-game menu is active (or minimised) to allow players to look around the table. This is particularly useful in snooker, when players must make a decision on whether to continue or make their opponent play again following a foul.
  
  
• Default field of view in 3D mode is now set to 80 degrees, offering better visibility at the far end of the table. Can be adjusted from 70-90 in 5 degree intervals. Go to 'Options > Display Settings > Cameras > Field of View (3D)'.
  
  
• Multiplayer has been made more robust with greater connectivity, and several synchronisation issues have been solved.
  
  
• Various visual and layout improvements to menus.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,


We hope you're having a great start to the New Year! In our first update of 2020 there are several key improvements to Cue Club 2, with new features, fixes and a collection of refinements to the game. As always, many thanks for keeping us informed with your ideas and suggestions.

• New in-game clock, handy if you want to keep a check on your playing time. Displayed at the top right corner of the in-game menu. This can be toggled on or off by going to 'Options > Display Settings > User Interface > System Clock'. There is a choice of a 24-hour or 12-hour formats. Default setting is off.
  
  
• Menu buttons containing short text have been slightly enlarged, making them easier to navigate to and click on using the mouse.
  
  
• The compact in-game instrument panel has been given an improved metallic lustre.
  
  
• When pressing the middle mouse button to step back the from the table in 3D mode, shot information overlay text is no longer displayed to give a clearer view.
  
  
• Corrected a fault that would occasionally hide the cue when switching from 2D to 3D mode.
  
  
• Fixed a bug where pressing left and right mouse button together could halt the game when setting up a shot with the large user interface setting.
  
  
• Solved an issue whereby snooker break and speed pool replays were skipping the first shot. This has been fixed for all new saved games following this update.
  
  
• Corrected an issue where the ball nomination marker did not always appear over targeted balls in 3D mode.
  
  
• Online leaderboards now updated to accept new 2020 player records.
  
  
• In multiplayer against AI, the player to break is now chosen at random unless an override is selected in 'Options > Match Settings > Start Player'.
  
  
• AI players now use greater variation in their break-off position, leading to a better and more random spread of balls, from one frame to the next.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

For the final big update of 2019 we have a series of enhancements to Cue Club 2 covering gameplay, graphics, controls, cameras, audience behaviour, and multiplayer. We hope you enjoy these new features and thank you for your continued support this year in helping us continually refine the game.

• Multiplayer servers have been made more robust and reliable, and online games have substantially improved connectivity.
  
  
• In 3D mode the camera now raises up higher when the player peers over the table using the mouse wheel or gamepad right stick, to give a better view of the table and aim lines.
  
  
• 'X' key can now be used to reset the horizontal camera angle back to the centre position.
  
  
• Top spin and side spin limits are now unhindered, and the game automatically adjusts vertical cue angle when nearby cushions or obstructing balls restrict access to the cue ball.
  
  
• When moving object balls around in practice mode, the cue now withdraws from view and returns when the balls are placed.
  
  
• Improved graphics for ball and pocket nomination markers.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where fast moving balls could occasionally drop into the pocket and then force themselves outwards away from the table.
  
  
• Solved an issue where the cue would sometimes penetrate the cue ball at certain cueing angles, before a shot was played.
  
  
• Fixed a rare issue where sometimes the audience would mistakenly begin applauding an impressive shot, when in fact a foul had been committed.
  
  
• When a good shot is played in Theatre venues and the audience start clapping, the camera now tilts vertically to simulate the player 'looking up' to watch and acknowledge the applause.
  
  
• Visual enhancements to menu option screens, Bar Challenge access screens, and initial loading screen which now uses the Championship green cloth instead of purple.
  
  
• Improved atmospheric room lighting effects in Bar and Theatre venues for increased realism.
  
  
• Enhanced Multiplayer trophy graphics.
  
  
• Other minor fixes, refinements and optimisations.
  

Hi Everyone,

We're pleased to release another new update today before Christmas with more fine tuning to graphics, cameras, gameplay and audio. We hope you enjoy the latest revisions and as always please keep us informed with your feedback.

• The number of settings for the first-person camera distance behind the cue ball has been increased from 3 to 5. See 'Options > Display Settings > Cameras > Distance to Ball (3D)'. This gives you more control to fine-tune your playing position, allowing you to get up close to the cue ball or further back along the cue.
  
  
• Improved anti-aliasing on cues in 3D mode, giving a smoother, more realistic rendering effect.
  
  
• The timing of audience applause has been improved when playing in Theatre venues, and spectators respond more quickly to a good shot being played.
  
  
• Metallic pool pocket enclosures have been given more detailing in 3D mode, and diamonds around the edge of the table have more clarity.
  
  
• Pressing the Right Thumb-stick on a game controller now resets the horizontal camera angle back to centre position, and left-right axis sensitivity has been slightly reduced to prevent accidental sideways movement when adjusting vertical camera angle.
  
  
• We have noticed that larger tables are becoming more popular, and so the default size is now 7ft for pool and 9ft for snooker. However, you can still select the smaller 6ft pool table and 8ft snooker table if you prefer. Bigger versions are also available, including 8, 9 and 10ft pool tables, and 10, 11 and full-size 12ft snooker tables.
  
  
• The default camera view is now 3D first-person. If needed, this can be changed by going to 'Options > Display Settings > Cameras > Default Camera'. As before you can use spacebar to quickly change cameras in-game, or on a game controller press the 'View' button.
  
  
• New smaller mouse pointer option added, to give finer control when playing on larger tables. There are now 5 sizes to choose from, and you can also customise the colour of the pointer too (3 settings: white, red and blue). Go to 'Options > Display Settings > Pointer'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when loading saved games, where the notifications capsule would sometimes display the message 'Open Table' when ball groups had already been assigned.
  
  
• Fixed an issue in Detonator mode, where balls were occasionally occluded in 3D mode.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.