Zero Caliber VR News

Zero Caliber - GRAND Update Hotfix #2 + mod support news

Hey everyone,

We've been monitoring community feedback non-stop after dropping the extremely important GRAND update - thank you all for the tremendous amount of feedback, you're all awesome!

We've already pushed a hotfix out, and now here's the second one!

[h3]HOTFIX #2 CHANGELOG[/h3]

Added a grabbing method setting for smaller items (magazines, attachments) - you can now set it to 'trigger'
Fixed and improved Index controller keybinding
Improved weapon grabbing from holsters
Improved weapon- and melee holster positions
Improved/rebalanced overall game difficulty
Fixed an issue where bullets were displayed even in empty mags
Fixed broken NPC eye texture
Friendly AI is now turned off by default in both single- and Co-op
Fixed a texture issue on the 'MERPTV' scope
Fixed several 'out of combat zone' issues that could potentially hinder the gameplay
Fixed a few POI issues that could potentially hinder the gameplay in single player
Fixed a texture issue on some military vehicles
Fixed flash suppressor hand position
Fixed grip attachment grabbing spheres
Fixed an issue on Night Shift that could result in a freeze/crash
Fixed missing input actions for WMR controllers (except for the Reverb G2*)

*We're working on a fix for HP's Reverb G2 controllers as well - in the meantime, you can use one of our community member's, Leb's awesome custom key binding.

These were, once again, fixes and improvements that could be done quickly and without taking too many risks before the Holiday Season - more fixes are coming in January!
We're still collecting feedback btw in this pinned topic: https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3720567164487211951/ and on our Discord, where we're also collecting suggestions and ideas!

[h3]MODDING SNEAK PEEK[/h3]

This hotfix isn't the only thing we've been working on - the modding toolkit is almost ready, and the 1st batch of modders have already started making maps for Zero Cal!
Alltime favorites, brand new environments - we're seeing some pretty wild ideas!

We'll be letting more and more modders in on the action as we're getting closer to the mod support update, so when it happens, y'all be swimming in custom maps!

If you'd like to join the early modder team, join our Discord and send me [Dan. | CM-PR] a DM!

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Developing games WITH our community has always been our jam, and that's not gonna change in 2023 either - with your help Zero Caliber will become the ultimate all-in-one VR shooter out there!

Thank you all for the continuous support, we wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
- The XREAL Games Team

Zero Caliber - Grand Update Hotfix #1

Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for providing so much valuable feedback about the recent megagigaGRAND update! We're really glad to see you're enjoying the "new" Zero Cal. :)

We knew there were bound to be issues remaining here and there, and we were ready - we've just pushed out a hotfix based on y'alls feedback:

[h3]*HOTFIX*[/h3]

Tweaked Index controller grip sensitivity when picking something up
Tweaked Index controller grip sensitivity while holding weapons
Fixed hand angle for Index and VIVE controllers
Difficulty rebalance - the AI now has less HP in 'easy' and 'normal' difficulties
Frienldy AI is now turned off by default (you can still turn it on when selecting a mission)
Moved the melee holster a bit further away from the ammo pouch
Fixed a few issues that could potentially break the game flow
The issue where Valve Index users' controllers were unresponsive during the Benchmark test. Just go to the SteamVR settings and change the Keybindings from Custom to Default.
Improved server stability

We're happy when you're happy - we've always kept community feedback at the top of our priority list, and that hasn't changed.

Please leave your feedback in this discussion, and what's MORE important, send us your suggestions as well! What feature/addition/change/polish would you like to see in the game?

Also, this hotfix contains only stuff that could be fixed easily and quickly, more fixes and improvements ( especially keybind customization, holster and ammo belt fixes) are coming based on your feedback - and of course, mod support is happening soon!

We love y'all!

Zero Caliber - the GRAND update is now LIVE!

Hey everyone,

The day has come... Zero Caliber just got infinitely better! The weapon handling, the vastly improved AI, new weapons, new melee feature, dedicated servers for Co-op, built-in voice chat and a TON more - you HAVE to try it to believe it!

The GRAND update is now LIVE!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The game has changed a lot. A LOT. We strongly believe that the gameplay got 120% better, 140 smoother and 200% more fun!
We've done all this to prepare the game for the upcoming mod support update - soon anyone will be able to make single player/Co-op missions and PvP maps for our beloved shooter! (Yes, PvP is still on the table!)

Now, given how many things got changed, fixed, finetuned and added, you'll have a lot to go through and get accustomed to (including new control schemes with the added jumping and crouching features). If you've played Zero Cal before this update, we strongly recommend you to replay the whole game as you'll encounter new and smarter enemies, better combat scenarios and revamped gameplay all around!

Dedicated servers and built-in voice chat are making a debut as well. We've got quite a few reports of peeps not being able to connect to each others' games in the past - now with dedicated servers, we hope this is fixed for good. We might need to adjust server locations or their capacities as we go, so if you experience any connection issues, please let us know!

Speaking of which... FEEDBACK. We need it. Our QA team tested the hell out of this build, but with so many changes there are bound to be bugs we had missed.
To make our life easier and feedback more organized, please put ALL your feedback into this pinned thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3720567164487211951/
The same goes for progress - we made sure there would be no progress loss, but if there is, please let us know in the same thread!

And finally, here's the full changelog. Well, most of it anyway, if you notice anything in the game that's not in here, please let us know in the comments. o7

[h2]GRAND UPDATE CHANGELOG[/h2]

[h3]WEAPONS | ATTACHMENTS[/h3]

Added 11 new weapons (Sig SG552, Beretta CX4 Storm, Famas, M249 (LMG), Barrett M82A1, M590 Shockwave, Thompson submachine gun, M1 Garand, Luger, Mp40, Ppsh-41)
Added 7 new melee weapons (Tactical knife, Bayonet that can be equipped as attachment, Machete, Small axe, Crowbar, Baseball bat & Baton) - they're available scattered around on all maps
Added a new melee holster where your tactical knife will hang out at all times
Pump action shotguns can now be pumped by one hand

[h3]AI[/h3]

Improved enemy behaviour: they're more sharp and they react/switch targets much faster
Improved cover usage: enemies can now shoot from different sides and angles when behind a cover
Enhanced decision making - AIs now prioritize targets based on 'danger level' (weapons used, distance etc,)
More realistic head movement: enemies now look at their target
Improved existing- and added new NPC animations
Enemies now get to cover much faster by sprinting
Enemies are actively looking for targets, they patrol and move tactical in combat
Enemies now have a melee ability (kicking and smashing), if you get too close to them
Improved aiming (more accurate and quicker)
Added range dependent attack modes

[h3]MULTIPLAYER[/h3]

Switched from P2P connections to dedicated servers for Co-op (better sync and perf)
Added native voice chat with a muting option
Fixed countless connection issues
Vastly improved netcode and stability

[h3]GAMEPLAY | CONTROLS[/h3]

Added a melee feature (including throwing, stabbing & cutting)
Vastly improved weapon handling and more intuitive weapon, item and interactables highlight system
Polished body IK that can now be turned off optionally (leaving you with hands only)
Improved climbing mechanics (it's much more polished now)
Improved 'step up' to the top of climbable objects
Added single handed “akimbo” reload for pistols
Vastly improved magazine grabbing
Added a much more intuitive weapon-, item- and interactables highlight system
Added a height measurement system (auto calibration & sitting mode)
Added holster position calibration
Added controller offset calibration
Improved weapon balance
Improved left hand mode
Locomotion side selection added to settings menu

[h3]CAMPAIGN MISSIONS[/h3]

Reworked and improved combat on all missions - 200% more fun!
Overhauled gameplay all around
New objectives on several missions
Rebalanced difficulties
Added more VR interactions to make the game more immersive and fun

[h3]GRAPHICS | UI[/h3]

Reworked and greatly improved environment on several maps
Improved VFX effects
Improved hand model - byebye balloon hands!
Added a better, more precise self-hit indicator system
Added a region selector popup window to make selecting the appropriate server region easier
Replaced the world map with a new mission selector in the lobby

[h3]SOUND[/h3]

Improved bullet flyby sounds
Improved bullet impact sounds
Added more ambient sounds on open maps
Improved headshot audio feedback
Added different, satisfying sound effects for headshot hits and kills

[h3]MISC[/h3]

Fixed and improved so many things we've honestly lost count
Vastly improved performance all around

[h3]POSSIBLE BUGS [/h3]

Index controller misalignment: if you see any peculiar behaviour, please delete the 'Options' (and only the Options!) save file in C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\ZeroCaliber\Saved\SaveGames
Height issue: if your height is off, please recalibrate your height in the settings
A few enemies might get stuck on the 1st Forest mission - just blast them from a distance if it happens
POIs might be missing on the 2nd Forest mission
Enemies might get too afraid and might not come out to play at the end of 'Lockup'

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We could've called the update 'Zero Caliber 2.0', but since we want to include mod support AND PvP before thinking about pressing the full release button (1.0) we went with 'GRAND' instead.
We hope you'll enjoy this version of ZC - we're really curious about what you think, so please don't hesitate to send your feedback our way either in the comment section below, in the dedicated feedback thread linked above or directly on Discord !

You can also stalk us on our social channels, great things are coming in 2023!

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xrealgames
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XREALGames
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XREALGamesVR/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xreal_games/

Thank you so much for the continuous support and for sticking around despite the scarce updates, we appretiate all of you!

See you on the battlefield,
-Dan & the whole XREAL Games Team-

Zero Caliber - Update on the update

Hey gang,

It's the 1st of December, and, well, the end of Fall.
We promised that THE update would be dropping in November, which is.. not quite what's happening.
(Although astronomically Fall lasts until 20-22 December, soooo 🙈)

Jokes aside, we caught an anomaly with the save files - we don't want anyone to lose any progress or weapons, but since the new build is fundamentally different from the current live version, there were bound to be save file incompatibilities. Well, we just caught one last minute, so we're currently trying to negate its effect on any existing progress.

Earlier this week it still looked like we're on track, hence why we didn't feel the need for a status update. Well, we were wrong, hence this status update. 🤡
We fixed one thing and broke a few other things (missing lighting/textures, disappearing AI, y'know, the usual). Our QA team is testing the build 24/7 making sure nothing breaks with the save files.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

That said, we know how crucial this update is, and we want it to go smooooth, so we're testing the hell out of it. Currently it looks like it's gonna be next week though - we're really really sorry for the delay, we'll update y'all once we locked down the RC build.

To get more frequent updates on updates, please consider joining our Discord server: https://discord.gg/xrealgames where we'll also be sharing early insider info about the upcoming mod support. ;)

Cheerios,
- Dan & the XREAL team

Zero Caliber - Preliminary patch notes of the next update

How's it going y'all?

In our latest "State of Dev", I've more or less layed down the basics of what you can expect from us in the coming weeks. Just to recap:

Code- and feature merge, bringing all the new fancy features and optimization of the standalone version back to PC without sacrificing graphics
PvP (with cross-play if everything goes as planned)
UGC/Mod support (for PvP maps at first, and potentially single player/co-op missions later)
Graphical- and gameplay enhancements on a good chunk of the existing maps

The 1st part of this huge update pack will contain 1) and 4), and it's still scheduled for November (so it's coming within weeks, whoopwhoop)!
While testing the RC build, 2 blocking issues popped up out of the blue: one of the overhauled maps started to crash 2/5 times in Co-op, and there's something fishy with the save files. These are the only major things that we have to fix, but since we've changed so much stuff under the hood, debugging them takes a bit more time than usual - we have a few leads though, so no worries!

Once the update is out and you start to get used to the improved mechanics and new weapons and their rebalance, we'll jump right into testing the PvP- and mod support builds.

Speaking of mods: WE NEED MODDERS! If you, or someone you know would like to experiment with PvP- and/or Single/Co-op missions for Zero Cal, shoot me (Dan.) a DM on Discord, or leave a comment in this topic: https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3495383439599909937/ so we can get back to you once the time comes! You might be able to get your hands on the mod support build early on so you can start realizing your wildest Zero Cal dreams before the update drops. ;)

Now, I compiled a far-from-complete, PRELIMINARY patch notes so you can feast your eyes upon what's coming!

[h2]PRELIMINARY PATCH NOTES[/h2]

[h3]MULTIPLAYER[/h3]

Switched from P2P connections to dedicated servers for Co-op (better sync and perf)
Added native voice chat with a muting option
Fixed countless connection issues
Vastly improved netcode

[h3]WEAPONS | ATTACHMENTS[/h3]

Added 11 new weapons (Sig SG552, Beretta CX4 Storm, Famas, M249 (LMG), Barrett M82A1, M590 Shockwave, Thompson submachine gun, M1 Garand, Luger, Mp40, Ppsh-41)
Added 7 new melee weapons (Tactical knife, Bayonet as an attachment, Machete, Small axe, Crowbar, Baseball bat & Baton)
Added a new melee holster where your tactical knife will hang out at all times