Status Report October 2023
Hello there, and thank you so much for checking in!
This month’s Status Report will include a statement on Unity’s changes, information on new Physics Systems, a Contest announcement, and updates to our regional infrastructure.
Last month, Unity published some changes to their payment plan that left many developers concerned about the effects it would have on not only their ongoing projects, but existing ones as well. Because ChilloutVR is developed in the Unity game engine, these changes had the potential to affect us as well.
However, due to significant pushback from both individual Unity developers and large game studios, Unity has since reconsidered these changes and released a much more acceptable plan. More information on that can be read in Unity’s blog post here:
https://blog.unity.com/news/open-letter-on-runtime-fee
We want to reassure our users that these changes do not affect ChilloutVR in any way for the foreseeable future. Not only does ChilloutVR not meet the minimum requirements, projects that predate the next LTS version of Unity that is expected to ship in 2024 do not retroactively apply either.
With that said, Unity’s hasty decisions show a clear disregard and lack of understanding for their customers. Regardless of the reasons, it does not excuse the way in which it was initially handled. As such, it is difficult to trust that Unity will not make the same mistake again. So to ensure that we are not quite as restrained by the engine our game is built on, in the event that becomes a concern, we will be taking steps to not be entirely dependent on something out of our control. To be clear, this does not mean we are planning to migrate game engines at this time, but keeping that door open for the future in a way that would provide for a smooth transition could prove to be useful in the long run.
Thank you to everyone who gave us messages of support and encouragement during this situation, and to the many developers and passionate gamers who voiced their opinion that led to a much better outcome. Unity is what keeps us together, not tears us apart.
In a previous Status Report, we announced some new features being worked on that would open up many new possibilities regarding physics and movement for creators. We’re happy to say that at least some of these new systems will finally be coming to the experimental branch very soon, even as early as this month or the next! Here’s what you can expect:
[h3]Buoyancy and Swimming[/h3]
Allows for the definition of fluid volumes with a specified density, stream direction, and speed. This will allow for objects to dynamically float and move along with a current. In addition, a swimming system with diving functionality for players will follow later in order to extend the system. This component will be available for Worlds and Props, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter.
[h3]Gravity[/h3]
Allows for the definition of localized gravity zones in various shapes that can influence a player or objects direction and rotation at different strengths. For example, it will be possible to create your own personal planet that can be seamlessly traveled around as if it appears to be one large plane, or even a space station to float around in, among many other possibilities. This component will be available for Worlds and Props, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter.
[h3]Climbing[/h3]
Allows for objects and surfaces to be marked as climbable, including Avatars and Props, which will allow both desktop and VR users to climb on them. This component will be available for Worlds, Props, and Avatars, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter two.
Each component will be freely available and included in ChilloutVR’s CCK upon release, so no need for additional downloads or purchases other than updating your CCK. We’re looking forward to seeing how creators make use of these new tools!
We’re calling on the community to share photos and clips from their favorite moments in ChilloutVR!
This can include anything from fun hang-outs, big community events, and even clips from streams or videos! If you’ve had the opportunity to capture a precious memory or clip-worthy moment, we’d love to share that with the world.
Submitted content will be used for promotional material, such as updating the media included on our Steam Store page, other upcoming store pages like the Oculus/Meta Store, and general promotional material, to thoroughly represent the game and its community.
Rules for submissions are as follows:
Video clips will be compiled into a longer video to showcase many different creators, so please be conscious of the length.
Please submit your content to the following email with the same email used for your ABI account: [email protected]
The submission period will last until November 1st, so don’t wait if you wish to participate!
We are currently working on some major upgrades to our regional infrastructure that will resolve a number of issues. Here’s what can be expected this week:
A brief downtime will be required to perform some of these upgrades. An accompanying announcement will be issued in the community Discord server, and @AbiStatus Twitter account, with more information at the appropriate times.
As always, thank you for your continued interest and support of ChilloutVR's development.
You’ll notice that a new social account on Twitter is listed below, and briefly mentioned above, which we will be using to announce any scheduled maintenance or network related issues that the community should be aware of. So please give that a follow to stay up to date on relevant news regarding those topics.
A separate account for game and community related posts will also be available soon, which will be used to announce game updates, events, and general information. More information on that to follow in an upcoming status report.
That’ll be all for today. Tune in next month for more updates like this, see you next time!
[h3]Social media[/h3]
Find us on social media with the links below:
Discord: https://discord.gg/abi Twitter (company): https://twitter.com/AlphaBlendNET Twitter (status): https://twitter.com/AbiStatus YouTube: https://youtube.com/@AlphaBlendInteractive Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChilloutVR
[h3]Support Alpha Blend Interactive[/h3]
Like every company, we need financial support to be able to push updates and improve our product. We are grateful for every bit of support we get.
If you want to support us you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/AlphaBlendInteractive
We are more than thankful for your support!
[h3]Not on our Discord server yet?[/h3]
Use the link above to join our discord server and get in touch with our wonderful community, get help with creation-related topics and find people to play with.
This month’s Status Report will include a statement on Unity’s changes, information on new Physics Systems, a Contest announcement, and updates to our regional infrastructure.
Unity
Last month, Unity published some changes to their payment plan that left many developers concerned about the effects it would have on not only their ongoing projects, but existing ones as well. Because ChilloutVR is developed in the Unity game engine, these changes had the potential to affect us as well.
However, due to significant pushback from both individual Unity developers and large game studios, Unity has since reconsidered these changes and released a much more acceptable plan. More information on that can be read in Unity’s blog post here:
https://blog.unity.com/news/open-letter-on-runtime-fee
We want to reassure our users that these changes do not affect ChilloutVR in any way for the foreseeable future. Not only does ChilloutVR not meet the minimum requirements, projects that predate the next LTS version of Unity that is expected to ship in 2024 do not retroactively apply either.
With that said, Unity’s hasty decisions show a clear disregard and lack of understanding for their customers. Regardless of the reasons, it does not excuse the way in which it was initially handled. As such, it is difficult to trust that Unity will not make the same mistake again. So to ensure that we are not quite as restrained by the engine our game is built on, in the event that becomes a concern, we will be taking steps to not be entirely dependent on something out of our control. To be clear, this does not mean we are planning to migrate game engines at this time, but keeping that door open for the future in a way that would provide for a smooth transition could prove to be useful in the long run.
Thank you to everyone who gave us messages of support and encouragement during this situation, and to the many developers and passionate gamers who voiced their opinion that led to a much better outcome. Unity is what keeps us together, not tears us apart.
New Physics Systems
In a previous Status Report, we announced some new features being worked on that would open up many new possibilities regarding physics and movement for creators. We’re happy to say that at least some of these new systems will finally be coming to the experimental branch very soon, even as early as this month or the next! Here’s what you can expect:
[h3]Buoyancy and Swimming[/h3]
Allows for the definition of fluid volumes with a specified density, stream direction, and speed. This will allow for objects to dynamically float and move along with a current. In addition, a swimming system with diving functionality for players will follow later in order to extend the system. This component will be available for Worlds and Props, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter.
[h3]Gravity[/h3]
Allows for the definition of localized gravity zones in various shapes that can influence a player or objects direction and rotation at different strengths. For example, it will be possible to create your own personal planet that can be seamlessly traveled around as if it appears to be one large plane, or even a space station to float around in, among many other possibilities. This component will be available for Worlds and Props, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter.
[h3]Climbing[/h3]
Allows for objects and surfaces to be marked as climbable, including Avatars and Props, which will allow both desktop and VR users to climb on them. This component will be available for Worlds, Props, and Avatars, with removable filter settings available to limit or disable functionality for the latter two.
Each component will be freely available and included in ChilloutVR’s CCK upon release, so no need for additional downloads or purchases other than updating your CCK. We’re looking forward to seeing how creators make use of these new tools!
Media Contest
We’re calling on the community to share photos and clips from their favorite moments in ChilloutVR!
This can include anything from fun hang-outs, big community events, and even clips from streams or videos! If you’ve had the opportunity to capture a precious memory or clip-worthy moment, we’d love to share that with the world.
Submitted content will be used for promotional material, such as updating the media included on our Steam Store page, other upcoming store pages like the Oculus/Meta Store, and general promotional material, to thoroughly represent the game and its community.
Rules for submissions are as follows:
- Must be taken within ChilloutVR
- No major visual game modifications
- No mature content of any kind
- All included content must be owned and allowed for sublicensing and promotional material by the creator’s license
- Videos must be in the form of short unedited clips
- Photos must be unedited in a 16:9 aspect ratio
- No visible game UI
Video clips will be compiled into a longer video to showcase many different creators, so please be conscious of the length.
Please submit your content to the following email with the same email used for your ABI account: [email protected]
The submission period will last until November 1st, so don’t wait if you wish to participate!
Network Updates
We are currently working on some major upgrades to our regional infrastructure that will resolve a number of issues. Here’s what can be expected this week:
- The AS region will be available again
- The US region connectivity and instance creation issues will be resolved
- The EU region will be Migrated to the new infrastructure system for increased reliability and performance
- The game Server, and possibly game client, will be updated to combat the auto-reconnect issues
A brief downtime will be required to perform some of these upgrades. An accompanying announcement will be issued in the community Discord server, and @AbiStatus Twitter account, with more information at the appropriate times.
Final Notes
As always, thank you for your continued interest and support of ChilloutVR's development.
You’ll notice that a new social account on Twitter is listed below, and briefly mentioned above, which we will be using to announce any scheduled maintenance or network related issues that the community should be aware of. So please give that a follow to stay up to date on relevant news regarding those topics.
A separate account for game and community related posts will also be available soon, which will be used to announce game updates, events, and general information. More information on that to follow in an upcoming status report.
That’ll be all for today. Tune in next month for more updates like this, see you next time!
[h3]Social media[/h3]
Find us on social media with the links below:
Discord: https://discord.gg/abi Twitter (company): https://twitter.com/AlphaBlendNET Twitter (status): https://twitter.com/AbiStatus YouTube: https://youtube.com/@AlphaBlendInteractive Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChilloutVR
[h3]Support Alpha Blend Interactive[/h3]
Like every company, we need financial support to be able to push updates and improve our product. We are grateful for every bit of support we get.
If you want to support us you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/AlphaBlendInteractive
We are more than thankful for your support!
[h3]Not on our Discord server yet?[/h3]
Use the link above to join our discord server and get in touch with our wonderful community, get help with creation-related topics and find people to play with.