Zero Caliber VR News

Hey everyone,

It's that time of the year!
To bring a little spookiness to Zero Caliber, we've 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).
These Halloween pumpkins come with a little surprise: they blow up when shot (with a surprise sound effect). Use them to fight off the evil Tlalokiis!



If you just want to throw around pumpkins for the fun of it, look for them at the basketball court in 'Lockup' or at the beginning of 'Retaliation'.


A new SCAR variant can be found in the 'Armory' with a fancy Halloween themed skin!



Besides the new SCAR (which will be unlockable in the next update), we've made a spooky skin for a community favourite weapon: the M4!




We won't leave you without surprises in the next update either. ;)



---

We hope you'll enjoy this little Halloween event we've made! It will stay live until the next update.

If you fancy a more arcadey, but scary sci-fi shooter for Halloween, check out our other title, A-Tech Cybernetic! We've just released a new content update for it with an epic ending.



Have a spooky Halloween! XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

Since the last update, we've mostly been busy with fixing bugs and improving game mechanics.
The most noticeable addition is the new, overhauled recoil system, which will make aiming just a tiny bit more difficult.
Old recoil on the left-, new recoil on the right side:

We've also overhauled the rank icons, they'll now visually represent the hard work that goes into getting them. :)
Concerning the progression speed - we've heard your feedback about the grind, so we've chopped it in half: you'll get double the amount of XP and money per mission (compared to the amount of XP and money pre-update).

For VIVE Cosmos owners: basic controller support is live, please check if everything works correctly. Let us know in the Bugreports section if you encounter any issues!

You can check the full list below:

• New recoils - We've reworked how the weapons behave, it’s much more realistic now (subject to change based on feedback)
• New double magazines for the Uzi, P90 and the M1918 BAR
  
• New weapon skins for P90, M4A1, Python
  
• Shotgun clips are saved in the belt when moving between missions
  
• Sliders and stocks are released by the hand if you move the controller too far away
  
• Weapons spawned in the player’s belt have ammo chambered (they were spawned empty beforehand)
• Fixed a rare issue where knocking off scope attachments could cause iron sights to be incorrectly visible
  
• Fixed muzzle flash location when applying suppressors
  
• Fixed muzzle flash appearance when applying suppressors
  
• Improved Python handling and fixed barrel opening
  
• Fixed Ka5C slider - plate is now moving when shooting
  
• Improved Steyr Aug and KRISS Vector handling
  
• Steyr Aug rail fixed when applying attachments
  
• Improved turret handling
  
  

• Renamed ranks with new, visually pleasing icons
  
  
  
  
• XP is now capped at lvl100 - won't be accumulated after reaching the maximum amount
  
• Microphone 'always on' option - when enabled in the settings, the mic will always be activated, no need to manually turn the voice chat on
  
• Added a confirmation window on death screen before returning to lobby - no more accindentally leaving a Co-op session
  
• Fixed a rare issue where the host’s hand could get stuck in the air when secondary grabbing a weapon
  
• Improved player hand sync between host and client
  
• Iron sights in Co-op fixed
  

• Smart attachment Interaction
  Clicking the trigger button on the secondary hand attached to weapon activates the side attachment (flashlight, laser)
  
  
  
  
• Pressing the slider release button on the controller releases the slider if possible - interacts with scope attachments otherwise
  
• Improved reloading mechanics
  
• Visible hints added for each weapon when there is no bullet chambered (can be turned on/off in the settings)
  
  
  
  
• When using autogrip: in order to be able to use autogrip, the weapon HAS TO BE reloaded (on certain weapons only)
  
• Added the ability to sprint with sniper rifles and the BAR
  
• Toggle-grip is default now on HTC Vive while hold-to-grip on Oculus (can be changed in the settings)
• Fixed a rare issue when modifying settings respawned the player
  
• Hand pointer after grenade explosion fixed
  
• Player pointer fixes (in the armory, world map and at death screen)

• 3D model- and environment optimizations for better performance
  
• Fixed decals on several dynamic objects
  
• Several texture fixes
  

• New reverb system
  
• Improved soundscapes
  
• Dynamic movement sounds
  
• Updated Audio Engine
  
• New footstep sounds
  
• Combat chatter added
  

---

Unfortunately we've ran into sync issues in Co-op with the promised player customization system, we had to exclude it from this update. :(


It's still WiP, will be added in a future update.
Co-op is currently under heavy optimization, we're aware of the occasional FPS drops.

---

Thank you guys for the continuous support!
If you encounter any issues, please report them in the Bugreports section, or on our Discord server.

Have fun!
XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

Our beloved shooter will soon celebrate its official 1-year anniversary!
Zero Caliber was released in Early Access on 9th November, 2018, but it was born a little bit earlier - the first playable builds came into existence around this time 1 year ago..



To celebrate this, the upcoming update and the upcoming PvP’s beta - which is getting closer and closer by the day (probably December) - we’ve decided to have a 1-week-long sale for the first time since the game's launch.
Pro tip: might be a good time to get into the game and practice so you can jump into PvP as a veteran when the time comes. ;)

I’ve also put together a short list with all the goodies that are coming in the next update - the main new feature will be player customization!
Detailed patch notes are coming alongside the update, which is scheduled to go live around the 1st of October - re-scheduled to go live later (hopefully around 11 Oct. at the latest) due to optimization issues with the skin system.

Images shown below showcase WiP states and are subject to change.





After introducing weapon skins, we’ve started to experiment with custom player skins and accessories. The first batch of custom items will make it into the update: a mix of serious military equipment and goofy items just for the fun of it. :)
The items/skins will be unlockable through the progression system, or can be found hidden throughout all maps.

We’ve also reworked the rank names and icons - because who doesn’t want to show off his/her hard earned rank?





A lot of you requested a recoil update on all weapons: it is happening!
Every weapon got unique recoil behaviours in order to balance them out better - this balance will be vital in PvP as well.
The Uzi, P90 and the BAR got double mags (which are now fixed and work correctly), while the M4A1, Python and P90 got new weapon skins.



There’s now a confirmation window on the death screen before returning to the lobby - hopefully this will stop accidental exits from a session.
We’ve also added an option to have the mic always on - this will be useful for VR Arcades, and for regular players as well who doesn’t like turning the radio on every time they want to tell something.



We’ve improved the way of interacting with attachments (more on this in the final patch notes) and made it easier to remember to reload weapons: if hints are enabled, the sliders will be highlighted if there is no shell chambered - a helpful hint to remind you to reload your weapon.
Sprinting with heavier weapons like snipers and the BAR is now possible again.



We’ve updated the audio engine to its latest version which means improved soundscapes, dynamic movement sounds and all kinds of improvements all around.

---

Besides the things mentioned above, numerous fixes and improvements are also coming in the update.
The update after this one will probably focus on bugfixes and polish, but you can expect new content as well, plus a new, updated tutorial map.
PvP alongside dedicated servers are in the works, we’ll soon tune in with more information about the planned beta and everything you need to know.

After one year we still have a lot to do, we’re still full of plans and ideas! We’ll see how well we can manage our time. :)
Thank you all for the continuous support and patience!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

We've been quite busy after July's content update. It unfortunately introduced a few bugs that needed to be fixed as soon as possible.
The first hotfix went live two weeks ago, and now with this hotfix we're hoping that we managed to fix all the major bugs of the update.

But, you know us.. it wouldn't be us if we didn't cram even more stuff into one update. :)
As a result, Zero Caliber now has full Index Controller support (except for finger tracking) and native WMR joystick support. Oculus Touch controllers got the awaited toggle-grip option and as a bonus, performance got increased by at least 20%*!
*mostly noticeable in combat situations

• Valve Index Controller support Attention! The 'bolt catch' and 'magazine release' buttons are hand-dependant. Right controller buttons work on weapons held in the right hand, left controller buttons work on weapons held in the left hand.
  
  
  
  
• Native WMR joystick support
  
  
  
  
• Oculus Touch toggle-grip option - no need to hold the grip continuously; can be changed in the control settings
  
• Fixed crashes caused by recent changes
• Massive performance optimization, especially in combat situations - temporarily disabled projectile particle effects in order to better optimize it
  
• Magazines don't fall through the floor after dropping a weapon
  
• 'Second Wind' invulnerability when low on health is back
  
• Fixed an issue in Co-op where the client player couldn't move after teleporting back from out of the combat area
  
• Ally NPC name tags and icons now follow them correctly
  
• Fixed an issue where the players could grab on invisible attachments. This caused the players’ arms to stretch far away
  
• Items cannot disappear anymore while being force-pulled
  
• Client players in Co-op now respawn on checkpoints with the equipment used right before dying
  

Throwing grenades can be hit or miss right now, we're working on polishing the throwing mechanics.

---

Now that we're done with the hotfixes, we'll move onto the next phase of development. We're going to focus on polishing the game (besides adding new featuers), but that's a topic for another steam news. :)

As always, we'd like to thank you all for the support and your patience!
If you have any feedback on the Index Controllers, or the game in general, send it our way on Discord or on our Steam Community Hub!
If you find any bugs, please make a bugreport here.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us wherever.

Have fun!
XREAL Games Team

-> https://steamcommunity.com/games/877200/announcements/detail/1584626009213000602


Hey everyone,

The second part of the huge update's hotfix is now live on the public beta branch!
We've also included a basic Index Controller support. This isn't a full, finger tracking support, but Index owners now can fully enjoy the game, and use all the core features.
The full Index controller support will be included in the next big update.




Here's how you can access the public beta branch:

Right click on Zero Caliber in your library -> Properties -> Betas -> Public beta

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A PRELIMINARY UPDATE, AND WILL BE OUTDATED ONCE WE RELEASE THE HOTFIX TO THE LIVE BRANCH.

Here's what the update contains:

• Valve Index Controller basic support
• Magazines don't fall through the floor after dropping a weapon
  
• Second Wind invulnerability is fixed when low on health
  
• Fixed an issue in Co-op where the client player couldn't move after teleporting back from out of the combat area
  
• Ally NPC name tags and icons now follow them correctly
  
• Fixed an issue where the players could grab on invisible attachments. This caused the players’ arms to stretch far away
  
• Items cannot disappear anymore while being force-pulled
  
• Client players in Co-op now respawn on checkpoints with the equipment used right before dying
  
• Fixed crashes caused by recent changes

---

We're aware many of you experienced crashes after the latest update. We hopefully fixed it, but if you still experience the issue please let us know in the bugreports section, or on our Discord server!
Keep Index Controller feedback coming as well, we want to implement the best, most comfortable solution for you.

We'll gather your feedback, and if everything's fine then we'll release the hotfix to the live branch. Our main concern is the crashing issue, so please, if you experience any crashing, let us now (with system specs attached) via the channels i mentioned above.

Thank you guys, and have fun!

XREAL Games Team