Zero Caliber VR News

Hey everyone!

We're slowly but surely approaching the Holiday season.
Originally we wanted to release a pretty nifty update in December (with voice chat, dedicated servers, cross-play & more), but it looks like that's not gonna happen this year.

What is going to happen though is the long-awaited Closed Beta test of the PvP game mode! That's right, it IS happening!

[h2]GENERAL INFORMATION[/h2]

Besides testing the new game modes, the test will serve as a pre-stress test for the dedicated servers and for the brand new voice chat feature.
We're limiting the number of participants for now, so that we can keep all the new stuff under control.

Servers will be based in the NA and EU regions for the Closed Beta period.

[h3]HOW?[/h3]

The whole thing will be managed through our Discord server, so if you'd like to participate, please join us there. :) https://discord.gg/JyK2gVh
Testers will be picked randomly from those who fill this form (and are on our Discord): https://forms.gle/xK9CNU4eSrvfH3dG7

[h3]WHEN?[/h3]

The tests will start THIS WEEK. More details will be announced on Discord.
We know it's a sudden announcement, but we wanted to make sure we have a test-ready build first.

We'd like to keep the servers up for at least 3 days, but if they're stable enough and we don't see any game breaking bugs then we'll leave them running until January.

[h3]WHAT'S IN IT?[/h3]

We have 4 maps ready for the test with a unique game mode for each:

• Death Match: up to 10 players
  
• Team Death Match: 5v5
  
• Duel: 1v1 or 2v2
  
• Siege: 5v5 (PvPvE)
  

+ The new voice chat is debuting with radio and proximity features.
+ This will be the first time we're firing up the dedicated servers for a broader audience. Fingers crossed server hamsters won't poop themselves.

[h2]WHAT'S NEXT?[/h2]

We know PvP is not for everyone, and we hear you. :)
Even though we couldn't squeeze any single player content in this December, we're tirelessly working on story missions, hands, character body, cross-play with that other store we aren't supposed to name and other exciting things.
We expect a lot from dedicated servers as well - we strongly believe most Co-op related bugs will cease to exist once we implement them in the live version.

To make things more clear for everyone, we'll put together a roadmap in January with everything we're planning for 2021.

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Alright, that's all for now.
We hope everyone is staying safe and doing well with everything going on. 2020 is almost over, 2021 will surely be better, right? Right?

Anyway, thank you all for your continuous support and as always, have fun!
-Dan and the whole XREAL Games Team-

Hey everyone!

I'm working on our next devblog, it's gonna be really exciting!
In the meantime, please consider nominating Zero Caliber VR for the "Labor of Love" award, it would mean a lot to the team. :)

Your continuous support brought joy to an otherwise pretty awful 2020, so thank you!!

Sincerely,
Dan & the whole XREAL Games Team

Update 04/11:

• Fixed a control issue related to WMR controllers (snap/smooth turning)
• Fixed an issue where people couldn't see/join each other's Co-op servers
  

Hey everyone,

This is it! This is the update before the update that everyone is expecting!
While we do everything we can to keep delaying the PvP, we thought it’d be cool to bring the Jack-o'-lanterns back just in time for spooktober.
We carved a huge amount of pumpkins and placed them all over the night mission 'Retaliation' (you can find a few of them in the Lobby as well). Shoot ‘em!



For real though, we're really hard at work to bring you new and exciting features.
Besides some light-hearted fun, this update contains significant fixes and improvements as well.
We discovered an error in the Co-op server creation process that made the created server invisible for others. This is now fixed, and so is the error in the initial setup that would cause an infinite loop during the benchmark.
If you still experience benchmark issues (getting stuck), please refer to this topic.

We also implemented basic bHaptics support. https://www.bhaptics.com/



Check the full patch notes below! Eagle-eyed players might notice that some of these fixes are related to the upcoming PvP game mode. More on that at the end of this post!

[h3]GAMEPLAY | CONTROLS[/h3]

• Initial setup loop fixed
  
• Increased shotgun damage
  
• Fixed visual displays for Touch controllers on the Tutorial
  
• Basic bHaptics support (Tactot, Tactal and Tactosy for Arm)
  

[h3]MULTIPLAYER[/h3]

• Netcode optimization
  
• The scoreboard stays visible after opening it - previously you had to hold down the scoreboard button
  
• The scoreboard always pops up on the right hand - just like the menu
  
• Fixed an error that would let players create more than one Co-op session at the same time resulting in connection issues
  
• Fixed an issue where the server did not kick offline players
  

[h3]WEAPONS | ATTACHMENTS[/h3]

• Fixed visual trigger bugs on BAR, AWP, Colt 1911
  
• Fixed missing basic AR4 and Python magazines from the rack
  
• Fixed an attachment scaling issue in the armory
  

Have you tried this awesome spooky skin yet?



[h3]MAPS[/h3]

• Lockup - lot of environment fixes to prevent the possibility of getting stuck
  
• Retaliation - minor visual fixes
  

[h3]VOICE CHAT [/h3]

• Even though the voice chat isn’t enabled just yet, you can spot a few signs foreshadowing its arrival (like an option to turn it on in the settings - it's currently greyed out for this reason).
  

[h3]PVP | DEDICATED SERVERS[/h3]

They're coming, we promise!
We're going to dedicate a whole devblog to the PvP and dedicated servers next week, so stay tuned!
Our current plan is to include an easily accessible beta in December's update. (There will indeed be a December update!)
Don't get us wrong, the PvP is far from being done (and from being 100% polished), but we don't want you to wait any longer.

I'm gonna just leave this here:



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Alright everyone, that's all for this update. It's not much, but it's an important step towards the December update.
Have fun, and keep the feedback coming, I'll try to get back to everyone. :)

-Dan & the XREAL Games Team-

Hey everyone!

We kind of forgot to properly number our past updates, so let’s call this one v0.12.0.
After our previous update, we were going to release a hotfix to fix a few fixes we fixed earlier.
Then we went full XREAL Games and added a bunch of stuff up until the point we couldn’t call it a ‘hotfix’ anymore - so it became a content update instead.

Besides the new map, we added the option to turn friendly AI off - this has probably been the most requested feature by the community.



Set the difficulty to hard, and friendly AI off - challenge guaranteed on all maps!

We fixed the sound output- and item unlock issues, and overhauled the game’s haptic feedback system. Controllers go brrrr!
We also improved the so-called 'weapon smoothing' to add a bit more weight to the weapons. They behave more realistically this way, and the smoothing helps with aiming as well.

Another important improvement is the new batch of graphics optimizations, which will maybe hopefully finally stabilize the game’s performance for everyone.
If you are still experiencing abysmally low fps after the update, please reach out to us at [email protected].

We could go on and on about all the little fixes and tweaks forever, but ain't nobody got time for that.
Full patch notes:

[h3]MAPS | WEAPONS[/h3]

• A brand new mission: 'Night Shift' Part 1 - Prepare for a rocky ride, and remember: red things go BOOM! Night Shift is located at the top left of the world map.
  Also, there might be a new weapon skin hidden somewhere.
  
  
  
  
• Minor gameplay fixes across all maps
  
• Improved attachment removal to prevent accidentally ripping off attachments in the heat of the battle
  
• Almost all weapons got downscaled to better match their real life size.
  

[h3]GAMEPLAY | AI[/h3]

• Option to disable friendly AI on all maps - This makes the game way more spicier!
  
• Destroyable covers - they're debuting on the new map. Let us know if you'd like to see them used more!
  
  
  
  
• Better weapon smoothing - weapon handling is a bit more realistic now with better weight simulation. It makes aiming easier.
  
• New enemy type: Auto-turret, also debuting on the new map.
  
• Bought weapons and attachments will no longer disappear. You might have more bought weapons than before as a side effect.
• Rewards for reaching Rank 100 will now properly unlock.
  
• Fixed XP calculations - harder difficulties yield more XP again.
  

[h3]CONTROLS[/h3]

• Improved and more sophisticated haptic feedback with different rumbling patterns for different actions.
  
• There is now an option to turn haptic feedback (vibration) off completely.
  
• Fixed controller mappings in the tutorial - there is no outdated information displayed anymore.
  

[h3]GRAPHICS[/h3]

• Reworked shadows
  
• Tons of graphical optimizations. Please let us know if you notice any positive or negative change in performance!
  

[h3]SOUND[/h3]

• New in-game option to select your preferred audio output device. The game sounds are no longer forced to the headset for Oculus users. Look for it in the audio settings!
• New pistol sounds and reworked silencer sounds, especially for the weapons with built-in silencers.
  
• Louder sounds for almost every player interaction for a more immersive experience.
  

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I probably missed a few things from the list, but that's most of it for this update.
"But where are all the other things you've mentioned in the recent devblog?" you might ask.
We're still working on all of those things, they are just not ripe yet.

Except... PvP! We have a beta version ready to be tested. Well, more like an alpha really. We're still figuring out how it's all gonna be done, but the most likely scenario is an invitation based test run through our Discord in September.
I'm not saying you should join us there but... you totally should. (:

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For those who own the game on THAT other store we aren't supposed to name: please come-by our Discord (linked above) and look for an announcement about the matter.
That, or follow us on Twitter for more frequent updates.

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That's all for now. Thank you for your attention, and thank you for supporting us!
Have fun!
-XREAL Games Team-

Hey everyone!

We have released Zero Caliber’s latest update recently - its reception was incredible!
We received so many compliments and positive feedback, it’s unreal. Thank you!

As you might be aware, the whole team has been working remotely for the past few months due to the COVID-19 situation - unfortunately this made developing and testing a bit more complicated than expected.
This doesn’t mean we’re slowing down though, quite the contrary! We’re working harder than ever to bring you the next update as soon as possible.

Since we’re really good at meeting our deadlines (said no one ever), we’d rather not promise any exact dates just yet. One thing is for sure: you don’t have to wait another 4 months for the next update. :)

Now let’s see what we have up our sleeves!

[h3]NEW MAP - ‘NIGHT SHIFT’[/h3]

We know you’re eagerly waiting for new content. Now that we’re a bit more comfortable with the game’s performance and graphics, we can focus on new missions.

In the next one, the Tlalokii are back at it once again - they’re going to get you into a rocky situation!
The bad guys are hiding somewhere in the Rocky Mountains - you’ll be tasked to infiltrate their camp and teach them some good manners.



Destroyable covers are making a debut as well!

[h3]NEW HANDS[/h3]

Balloon hands. There, we said it.



The current hand model is a bit larger than optimal, so we are going to swap it to a better-looking, smaller one. Actually we’ve been wanting to change it for a long time now, hopefully we can get it done in time for the next update.
We’re going to show the new model in the next devblog, so stay tuned!

[h3]WEAPON SCALE[/h3]

With smaller hands come smaller weapons.
As you may have noticed, our weapon models are upscaled compared to their real life counterparts - a lot of you wanted us to downscale them. It is now happening!
Back when we released Zero Caliber, the two most dominant VR headsets were the HTC VIVE and the Oculus Rift CV1. Their resolution was great at the time but still, without upscaling, all the little details on the weapons and attachments would’ve been lost.

Now that screen resolutions are getting better and better, there is no need for this (VIVE and Rift CV1 owners don’t have to worry, all the little details will remain the same!).

Not to mention that the new hand model would be too tiny to hold the big boys.

[h3]OPTIMIZATION[/h3]

Even though we’re more comfortable with the game’s performance now, we’ll keep optimizing it more and more.
Shadows are next on our list, currently having the biggest impact on performance.

[h3]AI[/h3]

We’ll improve the flanking maneuvers used by the enemy AI.
They can, and do flank right now as well, but their movement can be choppy at times - in the next update they’ll be able to flank and use covers much more effectively… in theory.
We have to manually implement this improvement to each combat situation, which takes a lot of time. We’ll see how this goes.

[h3]PvP | DEDICATED SERVERS[/h3]

YES!
Just to reassure you that PvP does exist, here are a few clips stitched together from our latest test session:



Testing the PvP game mode before it’s widely available for everyone will be crucial - this is why we’re going to have a Private Beta first.
We’re still actively discussing the ‘when’s and ‘how’s internally, but one thing is for sure: participants will be selected via our Discord server, so if you don’t want to miss it come join us there! ;)
Dedicated servers are a must for a smooth PvP experience - we’re working on them as well. Hopefully Murphy will be on our side this time and everything will go smooth as butter.

We plan to have 3 maps ready for the Private Beta: 2 PvP, and 1 PvPvE map.

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This isn't everything we're working on, but a sizable chunk of it. Fixes and improvements all-around are always part of every update.
We’re going to keep you in the loop, so keep an eye out for our future Steam devblogs!

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As always, thank you for your continuous support and feedback! -XREAL Games Team-