Derail Valley News

[p]Hey everyone![/p][p][/p][h3]About This Patch[/h3][p][/p][p]We have a small and quick update today. Two days ago, Unity, the game engine that Derail Valley is based on, announced a newly discovered security vulnerability and a patch for it (more info here).[/p][p]We included the patch in Derail Valley today, for increased safety. No confirmed exploits have been observed so far in any Unity-based games, so no one should be affected - this is just precautionary.[/p][p]That said, we advise you all to update the game as soon as possible, now that the vulnerability is publicly known. This update doesn't include any changes to the game itself, only the engine.[/p][p][/p][h3]About Build 100[/h3][p][/p][p]While we're here, it is a good opportunity to give you a quick update on B100, the next major update:[/p][p]The work is deep in progress, now with concretely defined goals of what we aim the end result to be. Most of the team is currently undergoing low level infrastructural changes necessary to future-proof the game, before we can even start the actual development on the new features. This will take months.[/p][p]As announced earlier, B100 will take a long time both to announce and to release, and we may be a bit quiet in the meantime while that's ongoing - potentially with some info here and there, like this. Thank you for your patience and if you've missed previous mentions of the update, please read about it here:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Have fun in the meantime and thank you![/p][p][/p][p]-Your DV Team[/p]

[p]Hello everyone![/p][p][/p][p]We've released another set of minor fixes today. Thank you for your bug reports! You can see the changes listed here:[/p][p]B99.7 Changelog[/p][p][/p][p]In the meantime we're hard at work on the next major update, B100. It’s going to take a long time, but it’ll be absolutely worth it! For more information, please see:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Thank you![/p][p][/p][p]-Your DV Team[/p]

[p]Hi everyone! [/p][p][/p][p]As promised, we’re delivering more bug fixes in today's release - addressing many of the remaining less critical issues. Thank you for your bug reporting![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To spice it up a little, we've also added a new ladder-climbing feature, now allowing you to seamlessly walk onto locomotives to climb up, without jumping. You can also climb ladder-equipped cars and buildings, adding to the immersion. For the full listing of what's new, please see:[/p][p][/p][p]B99.6 Changelog[/p][p][/p][p]As previously announced, we're already working on the next major update, B100. It will likely take a very long time to do, but also be absolutely worth it! For more information, please see:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]We’ve really enjoyed reading your feedback on the current state of the game, and we're excited for what’s ahead! Thank you for all your support![/p][p][/p][p]-Your DV Team[/p]

[p]Hi everyone!

Over the past several weeks, we've released 8 hotfixes that resolved the last remaining major bugs and more than doubled FPS in certain situations. With today's hefty hotfix just out, we're wrapping up and giving them all a collective title, - B99.5. For more detailed information on what's new, please see:

B99.5 Changelog[/p][p]
We'll release one final small hotfix next week, to ensure a smooth experience, and with that we're ending the B99 development. Currently, we don't foresee more updates in the near future. If, however, any notable issues arise beyond the domain of ultra-rare anomalies, we will address them ASAP.[/p][p][/p][h2]Ultra rare -25% off for a limited period![/h2][p][/p][p]Today's release marks a significant milestone, so to celebrate it we've timed it with a Daily Deal special offer from Steam, followed by a -25% discount for the next two weeks! This is our first, special occasion discount, so make the best use of it, - as we do not plan on doing more sales in the foreseeable future.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Next up: B100[/h2][p][/p][p]We are now fully shifting our focus to the next update, B100. While we're not ready to announce it yet, B100 will be a major update, diving deep into our "Foundation Part 4" phase plans, as outlined in our roadmap. It is a massive challenge overall, both technically and in terms of design.

In B100 we'll develop a more engaging gameplay loop, carry out necessary technical groundworks for the DLC content, add the remaining industries, cargo types and cars, make some overdue technical upgrades intended to make the game more future proof, and more - to be announced!

Why do all these things in a single update? In short, because they can be done in parallel while the longest one, the technical upgrades, is being carried out, - as illustrated below. In the coming weeks we'll update the roadmap too, with a more up-to-date ETA of the plans ahead.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]The return of the long and quiet development cycle[/h2][h3]
Long[/h3][p]B100 is no joke, - it will take a long time to complete, likely up to the end of 2026, or even later.

We've had long pauses before with other major updates, - Overhauled, Simulator and B99. They all couldn't have been split into multiple parts, and took a very long time to do, - however, each ended up highly successful and a literal game-changer. We are confident that this time will be no different.
[/p][h3]Quiet[/h3][p]Sharing the progress of B100 is going to be tricky. Over the years we've found that external pressure only affects the product quality negatively, and the less we say, the less there is premature hype, impatience and overblown expectations getting in the way.

We only better understand what something should be when it's already well into development, so it might be a long time before we are ready to reveal any concrete new information. We truly want this next release to be perfect, and the community patience along the way would be highly appreciated.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]With B99.4 we were pressured to release it quickly, and as a result, the quality initially suffered - requiring extra months and stress post-launch to bring it up to our standards. Sometimes doing those finishing touches behind closed doors is in everyone's interest, and with B100, - we're sure of it!

Thank you for your continual support! We will now proceed to reinforce Derail Valley as the best train simulator game in the world, and in the meantime, we wish you a wonderful rest of the year![/p][p]
-Slobodan[/p]

Hello everyone!

We've just released a new update, bringing some new content, features and numerous other improvements to the game. Here are some of the highlights:

[h2]Item Containers[/h2]



We've added item containers, which let you better store, organize and carry your items. Item containers provide extra inventory space, each with their own pros and cons when it comes to capacity and cumbersomeness.

[h2]Proximity Sensor/Reader & Defect Detector[/h2]



Proximity Sensor and Reader gadgets make shunting long trains easier. Attach sensors to couplers at the ends of your train, put a reader in your cab, and know how far you are from trains in your way, both ways. Note however, that the sensor may pick up trains in adjacent tracks too, depending on the set range. Defect Detector will let you know if any car on your train is derailed, or has its brakes overheated.

[h2]Universal Control Stand[/h2]



Universal Control Stand makes it easier to operate MU-capable locomotives from alternative positions, such as the back-facing ends of cabs. Make sure to keep the device indoors though, as it won’t work in the rain. Alongside it we introduce the Mount Stand, a tall mount that lets you install gadgets directly on the floor.

[h2]More Headlight and Taillight Options[/h2]



The new types of headlight and taillight gadgets allow you to give your locomotives a completely new look, other than improved visibility.

[h2]More Gadgets[/h2]



This update also adds custom-text Nameplates, Shovel Mounts and Brake Checklists. The refreshed versions of Battery Charger and Signal Remote Booster have been turned into gadgets, too, no longer being the default parts of the caboose.

[h2]Label Maker[/h2]



We've added the highly-requested Label Maker, now letting you put custom text labels under your controllers, or just about anywhere. Pro tip - You can also label item containers, making their name show in the inventory interface when hovered over.

[h2]Work Train Paint Jobs[/h2]



Work trains, including the Microshunter, Utility Rail Vehicle, Caboose and Slug, can now all be painted to both DVRT and Demonstrator themes. The Utility Short Flatcar can be painted too, but only to DVRT.

[h2]Input System Revamp & Joystick/Controller Support[/h2]



Derail Valley now features a robust in-game control binding interface, accessible at Settings/Controls/Control Bindings. Besides the keyboard and mouse remapping, you can now also map all kinds of joysticks and controllers. A calibration tool is included, too!

[h2]RailDriver® Support[/h2]



Players with the RailDriver® Desktop Train Cab Controller can now use it in Derail Valley. The game comes with premade bindings for this controller, making it functional out of the box after you enable it in the control bindings page. You can find the legend slip print template here. The controller does work in combination with VR too, to the extent of train operation.

[h2]Stability & Performance Improvements[/h2]

This build is packed with optimizations and bug fixes. It should help resolve many crashes and low memory warnings introduced in B99, and generally improve performance and platform-specific experience.

[h2]Wiki[/h2]



We’ve entirely revamped the game manual, now with improved texts, more pages, contextual links, and a better viewer in-game. It is additionally now accessible as a wiki online, at https://wiki.derailvalley.com/. It is currently being translated by our valued closed beta members, and it may take some time for the translations to be included in the game. If you'd like to help translate, please check back here in a month or two: https://www.altfuture.gg/jobs/other


[h2]And Much More[/h2]

For more information about these additions, and many more that weren't highlighted in this post, please see the full changelog here: https://www.derailvalley.com/changelog




Besides the work on B99.4, we’ve also expanded our team by two new team members recently. With the build out of the way, we are soon going to focus on filling the third position, too.

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]

We’re already hard at work on our next major update, B100. We’ve been working on it in parallel with the regular updates, for quite some time. We don’t know when it will be ready for announcing yet, but the aim is by the end of this year. We’ll have you informed as soon as we have solid information.

Until then, we’ll be on a lookout for any critical issues in B99.4 and patch accordingly if needed. We hope you guys will enjoy this update!

-Your DV Team