Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker News

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.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all having a nice Easter break. Today's update brings a range of fixes and refinements to graphics, cameras, multiplayer, controls and gameplay. Thanks once again for providing us with valuable feedback, and we hope you enjoy these latest improvements to Cue Club 2.

• Multiplayer has been made more stable with improved connectivity and better error checking.
  
  
• Default option for pool pocket jaws is now the narrower setting, on both single player and multiplayer. For wider jaws see 'Options > Tables & Equipment > Tables' then advance to page 5 and change the 'Pockets' setting to wide.
  
  
• 2D table view can now be zoomed to all 3 levels when running the game in a desktop window (click right mouse button).
  
  
• Fixed an issue where the mouse would not activate buttons at the bottom of the screen, when running the game in a desktop window.
  
  
• Fixed an issue with touchscreen where certain in-game menu options could not be selected.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when adjusting screen resolution in the graphics menu, where sometimes the screen was not resized after a change was made.
  
  
• Added option to manually select screen aspect ratio, so balls always remain perfectly round. See 'Options > Display > Graphics Settings > Aspect Ratio'. The default setting uses automatic detection, but there are many options to override this if required, to match your monitor size. Supported formats include 16:9, 16:10, 21:9, 32:9 as well as older formats like 4:3 and 5:4.
  
  
• Solved an issue that sometimes displayed a fine white border around the screen after loading a saved game.
  
  
• Solved an issue that occasionally made the first person camera suddenly jump between shots.
  
  
• Game is now fully integrated with the latest Steam API libraries.
  
  
• Various graphical improvements to menus.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

A further small update added 15th April brings further connectivity improvements to multiplayer.

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all keeping well. Today we have a new update to Cue Club 2 with many further refinements to areas such as game startup, ball nomination, gameplay, graphics, AI, controls, dual monitor setup and multiplayer, plus some fixes too. Thanks again for the detailed feedback and support - and we hope you enjoy these new improvements.

• Start screen can now be customised. Go to 'Initial Setup > Start Screen'. Edit table colour, ball set (pool or snooker), character clothing and background lighting. See instant changes by pressing the 'Test' button.
  
  
• Auto ball nomination now works for pool as well as snooker. Additionally, hovering the round aiming circle directly over a ball and clicking the left mouse button will 'lock-in' the called ball. See 'Options > Controls > Basic Settings > Ball Nomination'.
  
  
• Removed the need to nominate a ball in pool when it's the last ball remaining, or if it's the last of your chosen group.
  
  
• Added option to customise the colour of the power bar. See 'Options > Display > User Interface > Power Bar'. There are 6 colours available, including the original orange.
  
  
• Added new analogue clock setting to complement the digital time display. To enable, go to 'Options > Display > Clock' and change 'Time Format' to Analogue. There are 2 designs available which can be displayed on the control panel or in-game menu.
  
  
• Mapped 3 new practice mode functions onto keyboard: Restore ball positions from previous shot (7 or F7 keys), switch between drag / drop ball (8 or F8 keys), add ball to table (9 or F9 keys).
  
  
• At the end of a frame of snooker, the closing break score of the last player at the table is now displayed on-screen.
  
  
• Improved support for dual monitor setup, and switching between screens should no longer minimise the game. Please ensure you are running in Fullscreen (Windowed) mode. See 'Options > Display > Graphics Settings > Display Mode'.
  
  
• Added option to restrict the maximum angle of cue elevation. A high angle with side spin will add lots of swerve to the ball (a technique to get out of snookers), so this option is useful if you prefer not to use this method. There are 3 settings: 80, 60 and 40 degrees (default is 80). See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Maximum Cue Angle'.
  
  
• Fixed an issue in multiplayer that could halt the game when playing 6, 7, 9 or 10 ball pool and a 'push-out' shot was selected.
  
  
• Fixed an issue in snooker where auto ball nomination did not always select the intended ball, leading to a foul. Also fixed for multiplayer.
  
  
• Fixed an issue when using 'E' or 'Q' keys to adjust spin or cue elevation, where it could sometimes cause the aiming target to jump around.
  
  
• Fixed an issue in Killer pool where the game would halt if the last ball was potted together with the cue ball. The game should now automatically re-rack and play continues.
  
  
• When an AI player has ball-in-hand, they now avoid lifting the ball off the table if it can slide directly to the new position without obstruction.
  
  
• During match commentary, AI players will no longer repeat the same comment twice in succession.
  
  
• Log File setting (basic or advanced) is now a saved parameter. See 'File Management > Log File' from the main menu. Under normal circumstances this will not need to be set, and basic logging is usually recommended.
  
  
• Introduced option to switch the headline text in the menus to either back or white. Used to display opponent names and leaderboard tables. See 'Options > Display > Menus > Headline Text'.
  
  
• Various other graphical improvements to menus.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

For our first update of 2021 we have an array of new features and improvements to snooker, with tweaks to graphics, cameras, game rules, ball nomination, practice mode, user interface and menus. We hope you enjoy this latest update and would like to send thanks to all our players around the world for your continued support and feedback, as we continue to refine Cue Club 2.

• Added ability to make faster ball nomination in snooker, based on the direction of aim. See 'Options > Basic Controls > Ball Nomination (Snooker)'. Default setting is automatic, but this can be switched back to manual nomination if preferred.
  
  
• Related to above, we have added a text hint on-screen when the player tries to shoot, and ball or pocket nomination is still required.
  
  
• In snooker (6, 10 and 15 red games), the current player's break score is now permanently displayed at the top of the screen.
  
  
• In snooker, the 'Replace balls' option is no longer offered following a foul if the offending player managed to successfully hit the 'on' ball. The option is also removed if either player requires penalty points to win the frame, as per the official rules of the game.
  
  
• Practice modes have been improved, and in snooker the colours are automatically re-spotted to improve the flow of the game. Similarly, in pool practice (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 ball), the 'money' ball is now replaced on the table if sunk early in the game.
  
  
• Introduced a new 'Snooker Colours' practice mode with just the six coloured balls on their spots, so players can practice clearing up in the later stages of the game.
  
  
• New menu controls to adjust the visibility of the round aiming target in 3D mode. Go to 'Options > Aiming > 3D View' and adjust the 'Target' option. There are 4 settings available including a 'Focussed' setting for easy aiming, and 3 levels of blur which offers less assistance for more advanced players.
  
  
• Added an option to adjust the default level of applied top spin. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Default Topspin'. 7 Settings are available from -30 degrees to +30 degrees.
  
  
• On the Trophy Summary menu the icons now can now be hovered over to reveal the name of the achievement. Clicking on the icons will jump to a 3D trophy view. See 'Achievements > Trophies > Summary'.
  
  
• Added a new option to allow players to alternate who breaks in games of pool. See 'Options > Match Settings > Start Player'. Default option is that the winner of the previous game breaks off.
  
  
• Added option to disable use of the 2D camera. This might be desirable if you prefer to play exclusively in 3D mode without the assistance of an overhead view. See 'Options > Cameras > Allow use of 2D Camera'. The default setting is 'Yes' (enabled).
  
  
• When playing in a theatre venue and the audience applaud after a good shot, the camera now remains focussed on the table to capture the action of the balls rolling, but clicking the middle mouse button or gamepad left shoulder button will zoom out to see more of the crowd's reaction.
  
  
• Increased the range of settings for the camera in first person mode, allowing the view to be moved even further back along the cue. See 'Options > Cameras > Distance to Ball (3D)'. Ranges from 30cm to 1.5m over 10 settings. Note: increasing the distance over 1 metre will raise the height of the table lamp to reduce potential obstructions when the camera is positioned up high.
  
  
• Fixed a table lamp artefact in 3D mode that sometimes showed a fine line between the edge of the lamp and the haze effect.
  
  
• Introduced a menu option to automatically award lower-level trophies in Bar Challenge and Tournament modes if the player wins a trophy on a harder difficulty setting. See 'Achievements > Trophies' and click on the 'Settings' capsule at the bottom of the page. The default setting is off and the option is fully reversible.
  
  
• Fixed a bug in Slam mode, where the audience would sigh if the cue ball fell into a pocket when playing in a theatre venue.
  
  
• Fixed a related issue in Slam mode where the referee would sometimes attempt to respot the cue ball twice after being potted.
  
  
• Solved an issue that sometimes enabled access to Cocktail or Penthouse bar when it had not been correctly unlocked.
  
  
• Improved overall layout of menu options with better positioning and alignment of text and buttons, and more consistent formatting.
  
  
• Small visual enhancements to Bar Challenge trophies.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.
  

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all keeping safe and well. Today we have a Cue Club 2 update with a collection of new features and refinements to cameras, controls, graphics, AI, physics, referee animations, membership cards and multiplayer, plus some fixes too. Thanks again for the continued feedback and we hope you enjoy these latest additions to the game.

• Added 40 new trophies for Tournament and Bar Challenge modes in each of the 5 difficulty settings from Novice up to Pro level, distinguished by colour. Previous wins before the update are recorded at novice level. Also includes 40 new Steam Achievements to bring the total to 75.
  
  
• Introduced a new menu screen to show at a glance what trophies you have unlocked. Go to 'Achievements > Trophies > Summary'.
  
  
• Improved range of elevation for first person camera, to allow you to get down lower on the cue in 3D mode. Use the mouse wheel or gamepad right stick to adjust.
  
  
• Mouse wheel sensitivity adjusted to give finer control of vertical camera adjustment (see above).
  
  
• First person camera now looks towards centre table when when zoomed out using middle mouse button, immediately after a shot is played.
  
  
• Novice and Amateur AI difficulty settings have been made slightly more challenging, and Expert setting has been made a fraction less difficult, to give more evenly spaced progression.
  
  
• Cloth wear now affects play. Increasing levels of wear will make the table play slightly faster for a more realistic effect. Applies to all game modes except online multiplayer human vs human, where cloths for both players perform as new.
  
  
• Added an option to turn off referee hand animations for re-spotting balls and moving balls between pockets in snooker. Go to 'Options > Match Settings > Referee' and toggle 'Hand Animations'. Default setting is 'On'.
  
  
• Membership cards now show more information, including Bar Challenge victories at each level of difficulty. Clicking on them shows the reverse side. See 'Achievements > Membership Cards'.
  
  
• Improved pocket shading in 2D and 3D modes.
  
  
• Visual enhancements to snooker trophies and 7-ball pool trophies.
  
  
• Improvements to tournament fixtures screen.
  
  
• Fixed an issue that occasionally made music tracks skip during playback.
  
  
• Solved a problem that could sometimes cause a crash when tabbing in and out of the game to the desktop.
  
  
• Fixed an issue where colours would not be re-spotted in snooker after a foul was committed on the last red, and balls were replaced.
  
  
• Improved multiplayer connectivity.
  
  
• Added difficulty-level adjustment buttons to Bar Challenge menu. Note: after the update you may need to select Novice mode to see previous progress.
  
  
• Added circular lighting indicators to Bar Challenge menu, to show how many opponents have been defeated in each bar.
  
  
• New menu option to adjust the default topspin / backspin setting. See 'Options > Controls > Advanced Settings > Default Topspin'. 7 settings available.
  
  
• Other minor fixes and enhancements.