Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker News

Hi everyone,

We're pleased to announce another update to the game with a collection of new features and improvements, along with some fixes too.


PHYSICS

• Increased power of swerve shots, allowing cue ball to travel further across the table in an arc.
  

AIMING

• Added 'Extra Short' aim line option for increased difficulty. This can also assist when learning to play without lines.
  
  
• Aiming target now has a strike through when player is required to nominate a ball or pocket before taking the shot.
  

USER INTERFACE

• Added option in practice mode to select 'No Grab' to disable object ball movement by hand. Click the 'Drag' button twice to select (bypassing the 'Drop' option). The arrow to the left can be pressed to select the previous option and allow fast switching between drag and drop.
  

STATISTICS

• Fixed issue that prevented player 2 (human) recording an entry in the snooker break stats.
  

GRAPHICS

• Fixed rendering issue where balls could occasionally be seen outside the ball return window in 2D mode.
  

GAMEPLAY (POOL PRACTICE)

• Fixed issue where red ball release button sometimes did not work after pressing 'Restore' button to move balls to previous position.
  
  
• Fixed issue where rack balls button sometimes did not work after pressing 'Restore' button to move balls to previous position.
  
  
• Fixed issue where '+1' (add ball) button would not work after pressing red ball release button.
  
  
• Fixed issue where 'Restore' button could produce errors when used immediately after pressing red ball release button.
  
  
• Fixed issue where red ball release button and rack balls button could appear at the same time.
  
  
• Fixed issue where using 'Restore' button after pressing red ball release button could create errors.
  
  
• Fixed issue where using 'Tab' key after pressing red ball release button could create errors.
  
  
• Red ball release button and rack balls button is no longer enabled when the in-game menu is active, to prevent potential errors.
  

CONTROLS

• Improved cueing action when using gamepad with 'Manual' cue control method. Power adjustment speed for manual control now also applies to gamepad. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Power Adjustment (Speed)'.
  
  
• Fixed issue where player 2 using a gamepad did not have control at the end of a frame if they were the winner.
  
  
• Fixed issue using gamepad where pointer arrow would remain on-screen when zoomed out and walking around table.
  

REPLAYS

• Fixed issue where cue would jump before striking ball in a saved or instant replay, when cue control method was set to 'Manual'.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Various tweaks to localised text.
  

Hi everyone,

In today's update we've brought together a range of new features, improvements and fixes to the game. Once again, many thanks for the continued feedback. Full patch notes are listed below:


ACHIEVEMENTS / STATISTICS

• Added statistics for snooker breaks and speed pool times. See 'Achievements > Snooker Breaks > Statistics' and 'Achievements > Speed Pool Times > Statistics'. For snooker, there is a running total of number of half-century (50+), century (100+) and maximum (147) breaks made by players 1-2. For speed pool, there are totals for times under 3 minutes, 2 minutes 30, and 2 minutes for player 1. Initial data is collected from the leaderboards.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Fixed desync issue during snooker matches when using 'Claim a Win' button from the 'Information' menu. This option appears if player is on the final black and is ahead on points with opponent needing snookers.
  
  
• Increased error checking on game packets sent to and from server for improved connectivity.
  

CONTROLS

• Fixed issue where it was possible to accidentally control the pivot point for camera rotation using 3/F3 keys when an AI or MP opponent was setting up a shot.
  
  
• Fixed issue where it was possible to interrupt an AI player by pressing ESC key or LMB after making a foul, when the AI was attempting to close the foul notification screen.
  

KILLER POOL

• When playing a Quick Match game with 3 or 4 players and more than one AI opponent, the randomly selected AIs are now chosen from all available characters and not exclusively picked from the same bar venue as the selected AI.
  
  
• Fixed issue in Quick Match with 3 or 4 players where only the selected AI opponent was playing at the chosen difficulty level. All AIs now play at the same difficulty level during the match.
  
  
• Fixed issue where it was not possible for player 1 to save the choice of cue after making changes from the in-game menu. This occurred in Quick Match games of Killer pool with 3 or 4 players, where player 1 was not first in the list of players after names were shuffled.
  

REPLAYS

• Changing 2D/3D camera view in replay menus using the button provided now enables the 'Save Shot and Settings' and 'Reload Settings' options.
  

PHYSICS

• In 'Slam' mode, the grabbed ball will now gradually come to a stop if the mouse is not moving.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Fixed issue where language icon in the main menu would appear after the same language was selected twice.
  
  
• Fixed issue where using ALT+F4 to exit game would prevent the language icon appearing on restart, if language was recently changed.
  
  
• Fixed issue with 'Resume Previous Game' button where sometimes the saved game would not load correctly.
  
  
• Fixed issue where text occasionally overlapped edges of the in-game menu.
  
  
• Various tweaks to localised text.
  

Hi everyone,

We're pleased to release a good size update today with many new features, along with a collection of improvements and bug fixes. Quite a few changes were in response to player feedback, so thank you for sharing your ideas and suggestions and helping us to further refine the game.


CAMERAS

• TV camera can now be rotated through 8 positions around the table and tilted to the high/low position using arrow keys, WASD keys, or gamepad right stick. Can be used when watching your opponent play at the table, or during replays, if the TV camera is selected. To change opponent camera see 'Options > Cameras > Default Camera (Opponent)'.
  
  
• Fixed issue where camera would not always switch to the correct view at the end of an instant replay, if 'Auto Switching (2D to 3D)' was enabled in camera options.
  
  
• Fixed issue where clicking the 2D/3D button in the replay menu would sometimes select the wrong 3D camera view.
  
  
• Fixed issue where if 2D overhead view had been disabled in camera options, the camera could stay in 2D mode after a replay or resuming a saved game.
  

BREAKING PLAYER

• Added new option for breaking player (first game). In a 2 player game, the names are drawn from a list of 8 with 4 entries for each player. This produces random results with an equal share of breaks over 8 games, and consecutive breaks for any player no greater than 4. See 'Options > Match Settings > Start Player' and choose 'Random (Select from List of 8 Entries)'.
  
  
• Default setting for breaking player in pool (later games) is now set to 'Take Turns'. Note that the default option always applies when playing human-vs-human multiplayer matches (either pool and snooker).
  

LOADING / SAVING GAMES

• Added option to delete individual saved games and tournaments. See 'Delete Game' option at the bottom of 'Games' menu, and 'Delete Tournament' option at the bottom of 'Games > Tournament' menu.
  
  
• 'Save and Exit' menu option is now enabled when balls are in motion. Prior to this, it was only available when balls had come to rest. When re-loading a game where balls are still rolling, to preserve game continuity the last shot automatically plays out and cannot be cancelled and re-taken.
  
  
• When saving an instant replay using the 'Save Shot and Settings' option, the save slot selector is now always available.
  
  
• When replaying a saved replay from the main menu, the 'Save Shot and Settings option' auto-saves to the same slot.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Added menu to give player more options after a multiplayer match has ended, or if opponent leaves the match, or the network connection unexpectedly breaks. Options are 'Exit to Main Menu', 'Exit to Multiplayer', and (if applicable) 'Resume Saved Game' which will load the previous game if this was saved out to start the multiplayer match after getting an in-game invitation.
  
  
• Fixed issue where in-game MP notifications would sometimes not arrive if player had entered the lobby and ticked the 'Receive Alerts' button, then exited the lobby quickly before the active player list had been updated.
  
  
• Improved checks on network packets to reduce potential errors and maintain connectivity.
  

CONTROLS

• Using left ALT key when dragging the cue ball now gives fine movement control. When pressing ALT the cue ball will not lift up when it approaches another ball, to allow more precise placement.
  
  
• Spacebar and gamepad view button now toggle 2D/3D camera in replay mode if 2D view has been disabled in camera options, but will not change the view during live gameplay.
  
  
• To ensure game continuity, it is no longer possible to interrupt your opponent when they are accessing the menus to make a decision, e.g. after certain fouls, or conceding a frame of snooker. To interrupt opponent gameplay at other times and access the in-game menu, press the ESC key or left mouse button.
  
  
• Fixed issue where pressing the left mouse button to bring up the in-game menu and interrupt your opponent would occasionally freeze activity after the menu had been closed.
  
  
• Fixed issue where it was possible to play a shot using the 'C' button while simultaneously adjusting ball spin or cue elevation.
  
  
• Fixed issue where it was possible to play a shot using the 'C' button before nominating ball or pocket (US 8 Ball pool, 10 ball pool and snooker).
  

GAME SETUP / GAMEPLAY

• Playing order sequence has now been shuffled (randomized) for games of Killer pool with 3 or 4 players.
  
  
• Fullscreen table option (where table fills the screen in overhead view) now supports 17:9 and 3:2 aspect ratio monitors (in addition to 16:9 and 16:10). See 'Options > Tables & Equipment > Tables > Global Settings > Table Dimensions'. For aspect ratios outside of this range, the table defaults to a standard 2:1 ratio.
  
  
• Fixed issue where cue ball was suspended in mid-air if player with ball-in-hand dragged the cue ball over another ball then used various key shortcuts to open the in-game menu.
  
  
• Fixed issue where a money ball in pool (e.g. 9 ball) could occasionally start spinning after being respotted by the referee if potted illegally.
  
  
• Fixed issue where sending a chat message after a game had ended sometimes displayed an incorrect avatar next to the text.
  

REPLAYS

• Fixed issue where replaying a saved shot made by an AI player could freeze the mouse cursor.
  
  
• Fixed issue where a saved shot made by player 3 or 4 in Killer pool would sometimes not match the original shot when it was replayed.
  

MENUS

• Added option to concede a frame in snooker while the AI is playing, instead of having to wait for your turn. Note that the player requires snookers before the concede option appears in the 'Information' menu.
  
  
• Fixed issue in Killer pool with 3-4 players where the game over screen did not show correct number of lives remaining for each player.
  
  
• Fixed issue where menu clock would not immediately update to the current time after minimising the in-game menu, waiting a short while, then maximising the menu.
  
  
• Fixed issue where control panel buttons sometimes remained highlighted after accessing the in-game menu, immediately after a shot had been played.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Various improvements to localised text.
  
  
• Game updated to use latest Steam SDK libraries.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi everyone,

Today we launched an update bringing together a range of new features and improvements, plus some fixes. Hope you like the changes and once again thank you for the continued support and feedback.


GAMEPLAY

• Added more options to select player who breaks, with separate settings for pool and snooker. For frame 2 onwards, players can choose between 'Take Turns', 'Winner of Previous Game', 'Loser of Previous Game', 'Player with Higher Score' and 'Player with Lower Score'. See 'Options > Match Settings > Start Player'.
  
  
• Fixed issue where the cue would briefly flash when pressing 'Restore' button on the control panel to reset balls to the previous position in practice mode.
  

AVATARS

• Added option to select male/female for players 2-4, see button at the bottom of the name entry menu.
  
  
• Fixed issue where avatar for offline players 2-4 would be same as player 1.
  
  
• Fixed issue where multiplayer opponent avatar would occasionally not display.
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Fixed issue where game could potentially lose synchronisation if a player conceded a frame of snooker.
  

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Leaderboard qualification settings and trophy settings have been combined into a single menu at 'Options > Achievements'.
  
  
• Improved colouring on all 'Pro' level trophies awarded for tournament and Bar Challenge wins.
  
  
• Improved layout of trophy summary screen. See 'Achievements > Trophies > Summary'.
  

CUES

• Added brass ferrules to 'Regency' snooker cues and steel ferrules to 'Viper' snooker cues.
  

REPLAYS

• Fixed issue in replay camera menu where 'Save Shot and Settings' option was disabled before a replay was saved. Also fixed an instance where the same option was enabled after a save, when no camera changes had been made.
  

CAMERAS

• Fixed issue where minimising game or using ALT+TAB would alter the screen perspective upon return if the current camera was set to 'TV', 'Static' or 'Mobile'. This could occur in a replay or during your opponent's turn.
  
  
• Fixed issue where pressing spacebar from the in-game replay menu would sometimes select the wrong 3D camera.
  

CONTROLS

• Added 'F' key to change cue power (force) while moving mouse forwards and back without taking a shot. Also maintains display of target and aim lines.
  
  
• When using a gamepad, changing cue power is now faster when using left and right triggers or left thumbstick.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Various improvements to localised game text.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi everyone,

We're pleased to release a new update today with a collection of additions, improvements and fixes to the game based on community feedback. Full details below.

CONTROLS

• Cue power adjustment is now more accurate when using forwards and backwards mouse motion, using either manual or automatic cueing method. To adjust the cueing speed, go to 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings' and edit the setting 'Power Adjustment (Speed)'.
  
  
• Settings for mouse wheel speed now also apply if mouse wheel function is set to cue power. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Mouse Wheel (Speed)'.
  
  
• Improved gamepad left stick sensitivity when adjusting cue power, spin and cue elevation from the control panel.
  

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Fixed issue which sometimes prevented access to Cocktail or Penthouse bars if they had already been unlocked. This could previously happen if the option 'Automatically award lower level trophies' was enabled in trophy settings.
  
  
• Added option to define qualifying threshold values for snooker breaks and speed pool times in offline leaderboards. Click the 'Settings' button on the leaderboard screens and edit the 'Qualifying Threshold' value. The setting applies to new entries only and does not affect existing records. Snooker break range is 10-100 (default 10) and speed pool time range is 2-5 minutes (default 5).
  
  
• Added first and last page buttons to leaderboards to help assist with navigation when there are many table entries. See 'Achievements > Snooker Breaks / Speed Pool Times'.
  
  
• Snooker break trophies for 30-50 breaks and 75-147 breaks are now accessed from a sub-menu. See 'Achievements > Trophies > Snooker Breaks'.
  
  
• Snooker high break trophies can now only be unlocked by player 1 and not other players.
  
  
• Speed pool qualification time for online leaderboards is now set at 4 minutes or less. As before, secondary aim lines must be turned off.
  
  
• Increased maximum number of offline record entries from 200 up to 250.
  

AUDIO

• Fixed a crash bug which could occur when pressing the 'Reset Audio Device' button. This feature restores sound if another audio device was previously connected. The button can be found at 'Options > Audio'.
  

A.I.

• Improved AI cue power calculation when playing on a table with slow or fast cushions.
  
  
• Improved AI three cushion break off in snooker when playing on different sized tables (8ft to 12ft).
  

MULTIPLAYER

• Fixed an issue where it was possible to get a false notification that an MP game could not be started, shortly before the game actually begins.
  
  
• Deleting a sent invite from 'Sent Items' now has no effect if the other player has already returned the invite.
  
  
• If a sent invite from 'Sent Items' has been deleted, then a return invite received after this time will not be shown.
  
  
• The player refresh button is now greyed out if virtual players are not invited into the lobby (see 'Options > Match Settings > Multiplayer').
  
  
• Minor layout improvements to the lobby user interface.
  
  
• Fixed issue with overlapping text if both players sent a long message at the same time, whilst in-game at the table.
  

SNOOKER

• If there is a tie at the end of a game (scores are equal), the black is respotted and cue ball placed in the 'D'. On the first shot the secondary aim line is now disabled to make it harder to pot the black directly into a corner pocket from its spot. A note has been added to the tiebreaker menu screen.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• Fixed issue in 'Change Cue' menu where the 'Save' button was greyed-out if the cue was changed in-game and balls were either re-racked or a new frame/rack was started within the current match.
  
  
• Fixed text error in menu option heading at 'Game Rules > General Rules' (Global English).
  
  
• Various improvements to localised text.