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In The Black (Demo) - The Hardware Update - 1390

[h2]
What's New[/h2][p]We're excited to introduce the completely redesigned Input System 2.0 for In The Black! This major overhaul brings a modern, flexible input management system that makes configuring your controls easier and more reliable than ever before.[/p]
[p]⚠️ WARNING: All previous input settings will be reset!
Legacy profiles are not compatible with the new system. Your controls will reset to defaults upon first launch.[/p]
[p][/p][h2]Track-IR Head-Tracking Support (NEW)[/h2][p]
Track-IR support is now integrated, giving you true head-look in the cockpit for better spatial awareness, target tracking, and immersion.[/p]
  • [p]Look around your cockpit naturally without taking your hands off your flight controls[/p]
  • [p]Keep your nose on target while visually scanning your surroundings[/p]
  • [p]Huge boost to situational awareness during close-quarters dogfights and formation flying[/p]
[p]Track-IR can be enabled and configured under:
Settings > Misc > Head Tracking[/p][p]Tobii Eye/Head Tracking support is in active development and will be coming in a future update.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]New Input Profile System[/h2][h3]Save & Manage Multiple Profiles[/h3]
  • [p]Create unlimited custom control profiles for different playstyles or hardware setups[/p]
  • [p]Switch between profiles instantly from the settings menu[/p]
  • [p]Your last-used profile is automatically remembered[/p]
  • [p]Duplicate existing profiles to use as templates[/p]
  • [p]Import and export profiles to share with friends or use across different computers[/p]
[h3]Built-in Profile Protection[/h3]
  • [p]The "Default" profile is now read-only and can't be accidentally modified[/p]
  • [p]Any attempt to edit the default profile automatically creates a new "Custom" profile[/p]
  • [p]Your personalized settings are always safe from being overwritten[/p]
[h3]Auto-Save[/h3]
  • [p]All changes to your bindings and settings are automatically saved[/p]
  • [p]No more losing your carefully configured controls due to crashes or forgotten saves[/p]
  • [p]Changes apply immediately – no restart required[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Multi-Device Support[/h2][h3]Dual Joystick (HOSAS) Support[/h3][p]If you're flying with dual joysticks or multiple identical controllers, the new system properly recognizes each device individually:[/p]
  • [p]Identical controllers are numbered sequentially (e.g., "Joystick", "Joystick_2", "Joystick_3")[/p]
  • [p]Each device maintains its own unique bindings[/p]
  • [p]Devices are remembered even when unplugged or reconnected in different USB ports[/p]
[h3]Supported Device Types[/h3][p]The new system recognizes and organizes controls by device category:[/p]
  • [p]Keyboard & Mouse[/p]
  • [p]Gamepads: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch controllers, and generic gamepads[/p]
  • [p]Flight Controls: Joysticks, throttles, rudder pedals[/p]
  • [p]Custom Devices: Functionality not guaranteed[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Improved Control Binding[/h2][h3]Easier Axis Configuration[/h3]
  • [p]Simple Range Modes: Choose between Full, Limited, or Inverted ranges instead of dealing with offset values[/p]
  • [p]Better Binding Detection: The system now picks up the axis you're moving most, not just the first one[/p]
  • [p]Auto-Commit: Axis bindings automatically confirm when you stop moving the control – no more "must recenter" frustrations[/p]
  • [p]Real-Time Preview: See exactly what the system is detecting as you move controls[/p]
[h3]Enhanced Sensitivity & Dead Zones[/h3]
  • [p]Separate sensitivity controls for different input types[/p]
  • [p]Independent mouse sensitivity settings[/p]
  • [p]Per-axis dead zone configuration[/p]
  • [p]Global pitch and yaw inversion options[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Profile Import/Export System[/h2][h3]Share Your Configurations[/h3]
  • [p]Export your entire control scheme to a file[/p]
  • [p]Import configurations from other players[/p]
  • [p]Three import modes:[/p]
    • [p]Overwrite: Replace your current profile completely[/p]
    • [p]New: Create a brand new profile from the import[/p]
    • [p]Merge: Combine imported bindings with your existing setup[/p]
[h3]Cross-Platform Compatibility[/h3]
  • [p]Profiles exported on one computer work seamlessly on another[/p]
  • [p]Device names are automatically matched even if USB ports differ[/p]
  • [p]Missing devices are gracefully handled without breaking your profile[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Quality of Life Improvements[/h2][h3]User Interface[/h3]
  • [p]Cleaner, more organized settings layout[/p]
  • [p]Device filters make it easy to see bindings by input device[/p]
  • [p]Search and filter your control bindings[/p]
  • [p]Clear visual feedback when configuring controls[/p]
  • [p]Fixed confusing error messages when saving profiles[/p]
[h3]Reliability[/h3]
  • [p]Disconnected devices no longer break your control bindings[/p]
  • [p]Profile files are validated to prevent corruption[/p]
  • [p]Graceful handling of missing or unavailable devices[/p]
  • [p]Improved compatibility with Steam Input and other overlay software[/p]
[h3]Opening Profile Folders[/h3]
[p]⚠️ Known Issue: Currently not working as intended. Fix should be out shortly.[/p]
  • [p]One-click access to your profile save directory (when fixed)[/p]
  • [p]Will work correctly in packaged Steam builds[/p]
  • [p]Easy profile file management for backups or manual edits[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Input System Known Issues[/h2]
  • [p]Axis Range Settings: Can be finicky, particularly the "Range" option. May require toggling the "Range" setting back and forth for the desired value to stick.[/p]
  • [p]Duplicate Mappings: System currently allows duplicate mappings to be added. We recommend checking for duplicates manually.[/p]
  • [p]Profile Selector: Occasionally starts with no profile selected. Choosing an option or using "Save As" to create a new profile should resolve it.[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Input System Bug Fixes[/h2]
  • [p]Fixed only being able to bind a single device[/p]
  • [p]Fixed controls doubling input when multiple axes were mapped to the same action[/p]
  • [p]Fixed joystick bindings being lost when devices were reconnected[/p]
  • [p]Fixed profile corruption issues when saving during gameplay[/p]
  • [p]Fixed device names changing every time the game launched[/p]
  • [p]Fixed "ghost" bindings from disconnected devices[/p]
  • [p]Fixed profile selector showing system files as options[/p]
  • [p]Fixed errors when importing profiles from other users[/p]
  • [p]Resolved issues with identical devices being treated as the same hardware[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Tips & Tricks[/h2][h3]Creating Specialized Profiles[/h3]
  1. [p]Start with the "Default" profile as your base[/p]
  2. [p]Make a change (this creates a "Custom" profile automatically)[/p]
  3. [p]Using "Save As", name your custom profile to something descriptive (e.g., "HOSAS Setup", "Gamepad Casual")[/p]
  4. [p]Create multiple specialized profiles for different ships or playstyles[/p]
[h3]Sharing Profiles with Friends[/h3]
  1. [p]Configure your controls the way you like[/p]
  2. [p]Go to Settings > Input > Export (Saves to [c]AppData\\Local\\InTheBlack\\Saved\\InputProfiles\\Exported[/c])[/p]
  3. [p]Share the exported file with your squadron[/p]
  4. [p]They import it via Settings > Input > Import[/p]
[h3]Backup Your Settings[/h3]
  • [p]Profile files are stored in [c]AppData\\Local\\InTheBlack\\Saved\\InputProfiles[/c][/p]
  • [p]Back up this folder to preserve your configurations[/p]
  • [p]Useful before major updates or system changes[/p]
  • [p]Syncing profiles with Steam Cloud is on our TODO list[/p]
[h3]Experimenting Safely[/h3]
  • [p]Duplicate your working profile before making major changes[/p]
  • [p]You can always delete experimental profiles that don't work out[/p]
  • [p]The "Default" profile is always available as a fallback[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Asset & Configuration Cleanup[/h2]
  • [p]Removed a large number of unused assets, input data tables, and configuration files[/p]
  • [p]Reduced overall build size and project clutter[/p]
  • [p]Cleaned up logging configurations to focus on relevant debug information[/p]
  • [p]Makes future profiling and issue investigation less noisy and more efficient[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Additional Known Issues[/h2]
  • [p]Drone Sweep Mission Startup[/p]
    • [p]On the Drone Sweep mission, there is a bug where:[/p]
      • [p]The player spawns in[/p]
      • [p]Nothing happens for a short period[/p]
      • [p]Only then does the cinematic play[/p]
    • [p]This behavior is not intended and will be addressed in an upcoming hotfix.[/p]
[p]Head Tracking Known Useability Issue[/p]
  • [p]Under SETTINGS > MISC > MOVE LIMIT the default value shows 0cm when it is actually 200cm[/p]
  • [p]Once this value is manually changed, you will be limited to the 0cm-50cm range[/p]
  • [p]Values still persist, this is mainly a UI issue[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]What's Next[/h2][p]This is just the foundation! We're continuing to improve the input system and network experience based on your feedback. Planned improvements include:[/p]
  • [p]Additional axis curve customization options[/p]
  • [p]More granular per-device sensitivity controls[/p]
  • [p]Enhanced conflict detection and warnings[/p]
  • [p]Visual binding diagrams for common hardware[/p]
  • [p]Developer/Community-made profiles for common hardware[/p]
  • [p]"Clear All" option or blank profile to build a profile from scratch[/p]
  • [p]Clean up, add, improve input mappings.[/p]
  • [p]Improvements to the Ship Editor[/p]
[hr][/hr][h2]Need Help?[/h2][p]If you encounter any issues with the new input system or this update:[/p]
  1. [p]Try selecting the "Default" profile to reset to known-good bindings[/p]
  2. [p]Check our Discord for community-shared profiles and troubleshooting tips[/p]
  3. [p]Report bugs via the in-game feedback system[/p]
[hr][/hr][p]Fly Safe, Pilots![/p][p]The Impeller Studios Team[/p]