Master Arena News

Dear Community,

After several weeks of waiting, we are pleased to officially released Master Arena's Alpha 2.0!
We want to thank you for your patience, and now, let's review its content.


Yes, the first version of the PERKS is finally here! To get to the heart of the matter, here is a screenshot showing the menu displayed in-game.



In the display order, here is a description of the available perks:

• Blinder: able to fire a flashbang
  
• Invisible: able to turn oneself invisible for a short lapse of time
  
• Gas: able to fire a corrosive gas grenade
  
• Teleporter: able to teleport oneself using a modified flash rifle
  
• Freon: able to fire a squall of freon grenades
  
• Healer: able to heal with its regeneration sphere and a modified plasma gun
  
• Shield: able to generate a protective sphere around oneself for a limited time
  
• Slo-mo: able to fire a grenade slowing down everything within its range
  
• X-Ray: able to see through the wall for a limited time
  
• Smoker: able to fire a smoke grenade

Those perks are available depending on three sizes:

• Runner:
  
  • Small-sized robot
    
  • Max health: 150HP
    
  • Base speed: 1000
• Standard:
  
  • Medium-sized robot (similar to the one used for the game modes without the perks)
    
  • Max health: 175HP
    
  • Base speed: 950
• Tank:
  
  • Large-sized robot
    
  • Max health: 200HP
    
  • Base speed: 910

Keep in mind that the power of dodges, wall-dodges, and bounces is also affected. So, for example, a standard robot will not be able to catch up to a runner with the same running path.



Depending on the selected size, several respawn delays are available. Once the time is selected, you can adjust your cash and stamina gauges. The longer the delay, the more your cash and stamina gauges will be filled.

With the cash, you will be able to customize your inventory. Do you want a rocket launcher? OK guys, it will be 200₿. Would you like to respawn with more HP? Well, just make your choice.

Please note that the perks system is currently only available for CTF game mode. These are the beginnings of the gameplay we want to incorporate in the game. Our wish is to make this mode more balanced and tactical than a "normal weapons" mode. So major changes will occur such as the removal of some perks, the creation of new ones, the introduction of items and tactical areas, and we are not afraid to completely review the concept. It's only the beginning!

Message from Dev_Jerem about this game mode:
Let's see if it works. After all those years developing Master Arena, it's finally time for the perks! It's a real pleasure to code this part. I just hope I'm not doing anything wrong. ːwinter2019happyyulː

• [h3]Headshot[/h3]

Now when a headshot is made, the robot's head breaks off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4dVOu0PEjM

• [h3]Gib and oil decal[/h3]

When a robot explodes, you will now see its libs bounce on the ground and the walls, leaving behind traces of oil from the massacre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-i1ekbgYTw

• [h3]UPDATE : CTF-BasketBall[/h3]

Structural change of the map, the bases are now asymmetric.

• [h3]UPDATE : DUEL-FUSE[/h3]

Structural and graphical update.

• [h3]NEW TRIAL MAP : RC-Overpath[/h3]

• [h3]NEW TRIAL MAP : RC-TownCenter[/h3]

For those who want to create maps with the map editor included in the game and share them, we realized a series of tutorials here. We show you how to set up different types of light, movers, spawn points, and how to go about sharing your map on Steam Workshop.



Other tutorials about how to set up your crosshairs and your HUD will be available in the next few days.


With this update, once you've downloaded Master Arena, you will be able to launch the game, the map editor and a dedicated server without needing to download anything else. Moreover, the next patches might be smaller because this update allows simple file replacement to fix bugs.


Here are the changes regarding weapons balancing:

• Electrogun
  
  • A 5HP decrease in head damage
    
  • Increase of ammo (50 vs 30 previously)
• Plasma
  
  • A 5HP increase in damage
• Rocket Launcher
  
  • Increase of ammo
    
  • Secondary Fire: Increase of the damage radius, doesn't use ammo
• Flash Rifle
  
  • Increase of legs, torso and head damage
    
  • Secondary Fire: The speed of the flashball was reduced and its damage increased
• Sniper Rifle
  
  • Increase of the damage for each body part.

You will find more details here.
The damage detection method is now faster and more precise.

Message from Dev_Jerem:
With this new balancing, the goal is to have adequate time to kill for each weapon. The next steps in the development will be the air rocket (which doesn't take into account the height of the player) and most likely an adjustment of the Shotgun.

The X-Ray for the friends has been added. From now on, you will be able to see your teammate through the walls (they will be in green).
For the spectator mode, this effect has just been updated for easier reading.




For those who want to create some maps, we tried to make the search for static meshes easier in the editor by adding tags.
First, the static meshes are sorted by type of environment (01 for a grey metallic one, 02 for a basketball type, and 03 for a white industrial environment).
Then they are by type which can be a wall, a ground, a light...
There can also be several tags for one static mesh. For example, in Environment_02, every static mesh is categorized by type (ground, wall, deco,...) but also by color (orange, red, blue,...)



***
This update is important for us for some technical points. If you have any bugs, issues or suggestions, do not hesitate to discuss with us on discord. Feel free to invite your friends to join us, share and like on socials networks.

See you in-game, Master Arena Dev Team.

Dear Community,

Thank you for your patience and your support. Today we release our major update!
Master Arena development is still in progress and it will not be abandoned. We hope this update reassures you. The development is still ongoing and other major changes will come with the next update.
In the meantime, here are the changes for today.

The User Interface has been completely redesigned and we added some settings. Overall, we tried to increase the menu’s readability.

• Play menu:

Solo: simplification of the choice of mutators (multi-selection easier) and more game modes available. Duel, Deathmatch and Trial games can currently be launched. As for the CTF mode, it is playable but bots are not ready so you will only be able to run around in the map. Other modes will be available later.

• Tutorials:

They are now accessible directly from the main menu page.
There are fewer tutorials than in the previous game version but “only” the weapons tutorials were deleted (we are still working on the secondary fire for some weapons so the tutorials will be available when everything is neat and tidy).

• Customization: There is now a color scale for the customization of the blue and red character.

• Statistics: Nothing added, just a redesigned

• Settings:
  • Display: FOV max at 130 (120 previously)
    
  • Audio:
    
    • Wwise sound engine removed (Due to online replication issue and the use of an old version of this sound engine, we decided to remove it and use the Unreal Engine sound system. It does not mean we will not use Wwise in the future, but for now, we prefer to use the classical way to produce sound in Unreal Engine while we don’t have a specialist for this subject).
      
    • Added volume control for Weapons / Movements / Items / Ambient / User Interface
  • Crosshairs: all the crosshairs have been redrawn to be sharper, less blurry
    
  • HUD: some settings were moved into the “Advanced Settings” page where you will find a lot more options for setting your Game Interface.

• Game UI: We redesigned in order to increase the readability. The bottom right and left objects were deleted. All the important information are now located in the bottom middle.

• End Game player stats: Redesigned and new stats

• End Game Scoreboards: Nothing changed except for the color (to be more in tune with the general feel of the new menu)

• IA: Some IA fixes, they are more reactive on normal weapon modes.

• Localization: As the main menu was reworked, the localization was reworked too. All objects are now localizable.
  Some languages are not fully translated, so if you select another language than English you might still see English words or sentences.
  The game localization was made possible with your help. So, thank you to all contributors.
  We are open to add other languages, to contribute contact us on Discord :)

• Map Editor

We decided to remove our "in-game editor” for an indefinite period in favor of the Unreal Editor. The game is compiled including the map editor. So, you have access to all game assets and maps. Please note that only map creation is supported, not mods creation.

To launch it, select “Unreal Editor for Master Arena” when launching the game from steam.
We will post some tutorials to help you use it. Meanwhile, you can search on youtube “UDK Tutorials”. If you need help or if you have any problems, please contact us on Discord. We will help you.

• Workshop:

Steam workshop is now available! You can upload and download maps made by the community.
The workshop functionality isn’t yet fully integrated, some features like “in-game automatic download” from the workshop are not available. But, if you subscribe to a map, Steam will download it and you simply have to start the game to test it from the solo game menu.

To upload your map to Steam workshop:

• Go to “WorkShopTool” directory located in \MasterArena\UDKGame\.
  
• Open “YOUR_WORKSHOP_MAPS” directory
  
• Set your files in corrects folders. Don’t forget to setup a .vdf file (check the example file).
  
• You need to edit UploadToWorkShop.bat to set your Steam logins and set the correct name for your .vdf file, and then run it.

For servers with custom maps, you can use RedirectToURL feature to permit players to download your maps faster. It is located in UDKGame.ini in [IpDrv.HTTPDownload] section. You simply need to change the redirect URL. By default, it is as below:

[IpDrv.HTTPDownload]
RedirectToURL=http://masterarena.com/CustomMaps/

(If you don’t have a web server, please contact Dev_Jerem from #shared-media channel on Discord, he will add your map to our web server)

• Capture The Flag

Here are some important changes.

The round score system has been removed. Now captured flag corresponds to a point. The game is still supporting rounds but its use is focused on the team side switch. Previously when the game switched you to the other side, your team color switched too. Now, you don’t change color anymore. The arena switches its colors with you. So now, if you start in the Red team, until the end of the match you will only play with Red players against Blue players.

The round transition was reworked. Now there is a summary with a flag capture timeline:

• Movements

A movement was added, the slide. Now on a ramp, if you press “jump button” when landed, you will slide.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

***
This update is important for us for some technical points. If you have any bugs, issues or suggestions, do not hesitate to discuss with us on discord. Feel free to invite your friends to join us, share and like on socials networks.

See you in-game, Master Arena Dev Team.

Hello everyone!

Here we are for a new update. Let's see what's new!

• Pickups dropped upon death

Before this update, when you fragged an enemy, he would drop his weapon. It is a good thing but not enough. At the end of a fight, the player who made the frag can be very low HP and be rushed by his enemy who knows it. To prevent this from happening, we decided to add some health pickups dropped by the dead player. Those health pickups add 15 health points and disappear after 10 seconds if not picked up.
This is implemented in order to have more interesting frags than classics rushes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flit1QVBBuc

• Damage Effect

The first level of damage effect feedback has just been implemented. Now, when you hit an enemy, his skin takes the coloration of your weapon color type. Basically, if you hit an enemy with a rocket, his skin becomes red for a short time.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1738119957

• Health

Max health is still at 150 HP but now, if you have more than 115HP, your health points will automatically decrease by 1 HP per second.


Some changes about combos. They have been tested during the last few days, it is officially released with this update.
In the past, there were two ways to do a combo:

• Fire a grenade, switch to the Sniper Rifle and hit it.
  
• Fire a grenade switch to FlashRifle and hit it.

The differences between those combos were the explosion radius and damages (more significant for a sniper rifle combo).
Today, you can forget this game mechanic. Reported by a lot of players, this mechanic is very hard to use in a real fight situation. So…it’s logical that we translate the combo explosion mechanic to the FlashRifle with an alt-fire. By pressing the alt-fire button when using the FlashRifle, a flashball projectile is fired. You then have to aim the projectile and press the primary fire to achieve a combo explosion!  (Yes, like Unreal Tournament, our father:) ).

Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsk0lbblN18 Did you notice it? We say  “Combo explosion” instead of “Combo”.
In fact, the combos with a grenade have not been abandoned but reworked to introduce two new mechanics:

• “Combo Flash”: Grenade + FlashRifle, when the FlashRifle beam hits the grenade projectile, all players near the explosion are flashed for a few seconds.
  
• “Combo Smoke”: Grenade + Sniper Rifle, when the Sniper bullet hits the grenade projectile, a smoke area is created for a few seconds.

Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5gdN2FuVj4 Those mechanics are implemented to add more tactics and unexpected events during a game (especially on Team Games) and may be subject to change.

And to finished, some weapons were balanced:

• Melee: Damages up to 6HP (previously 5HP).
  
• FlashRifle: Damages decreased (adaptation to new health meta).
  
• Sniper Rifle: Damages decreased (headshot balancing & adaptation to new health meta).

For more information, check our google doc.

• Matchmaking search fixed.
  
• Carnage pickup is now correctly dropped.
  
• Some loading delays on the main menu fixed.
  
• FlashRifle first person mesh position corrected.
  
• New Splash screen & game icon.

***
Help us to rise, follow us on your favorite social network!
Stay tuned!

Hello everyone!

Our new update is here. Let’s see what’s new!


Yes, we fully reworked our announcer. Now we have a female voice (@SaraSecoraVO) for game status announcements and a male voice (Ty Harper) for rewards events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGi9XerEz8s


Are you ready to run? Maybe you think you are the best runner of the Discord?
Prove it now! Beat Dev_Jerem world record on RC-FasterThanTheMist (68.5491 seconds).
Good luck!
RC-FasterThanTheMist isn’t a hard map, but you have to know all the movements to finish it.


Master Arena doesn’t support split-screen for local games with your mates, but on Master Arena, you will be able to spectate at the same time two players.

We repeat: On Master Arena you can spectate two players at the same time.
We repeat: On Master Arena you can spectate a duel like a boss.
We repeat: On Master Arena you can spectate one player and have a free cam at the same time.
We repeat: On Master Arena your favorite caster will be on safety position with the split-screen mode.

If you do not catch it, read it 10 more times.



How to use it?

• It’s easy, first join an online game as a spectator. Press ESC, now you can see a new button named “subdivide”. Press it! The menu will close and split your screen.
  
• To swap screen control, use “PAGEUP” & “PAGEDOWN” buttons.
  

/!\\ Warning, when you use this mode, you can’t go back on mono-screen mode. You have to return to the main menu and reconnect on the server.

Originally posted by Dev_Jerem

I hope you will enjoy it. I’ve limited this feature to 2 split screens due to its impact on the performances. But technically, it is ready for 3 and 4 viewports. If some casters have suggestions/ideas about it, the discussion is open. We can build something strong together.

Oh yes, again! DM-Mars is updated with some level design adjustments and level building.


First, some fixes. Version 1.0.3.6 was bugged with the Falling Jump, Super Jump & “One Tap Dodge” mechanics.
In addition, players can now reuse falling jump mechanic after a wall-dodge. It allows players to correct their trajectory if necessary.


X & Y axes are now independent.




Walking and damping animations added. Moreover, fire camera animations were reworked and the Sniper Rifle fire sound updated.

And to finished, weapons balancing for:

• Electrogun
  
• SMG
  
• ShotGun

For more information, click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBdvBx7dqDI

• Tutorials: Offzone & Video screen reworked. Video TextFields are now more contrasted.
  
• Fixed a Menu crash with the language selection.
  
• Fixed a Menu crash after going on “HUD> Enter HUD Settings” and back on server list (or anywhere).
  
• Stats Menu & Server list were accessible from an online game: this should not be the case (we need to disconnect you from the server to get the stats information).
  
• DM-SpaceDock: Some textures overlapping fixed.
  
• Fixed “Zoom/Unzoom” problem.
  
• First Elimination announcement fixed.
  
• Maps optimization: Precomputed visibility.
  

***
Help us to rise, follow us on your favorite social network!
Stay tuned!

Hello gamers,

Our DUEL TOURNAMENT start in few hours, do not hesitate to register!
https://esportsquare.net/tournament/dn4VJiuWPeOg

See you soon!