VZX Player News

Hi,

we invite you to try a public beta which is available at the beta branch:

"public_beta"

To opt in:

• right-click VZX Player in the games list (in Steam)
  
• select "Properties"
  
• select "Betas"
  
• click the drop-down to select "public_beta"
  

You'll know you've succeeded in when it says version "0.9.6.0".

[h2]What's new?[/h2]

• Hopefully much reduced VRAM usage when loading many visuals (see link to detailed analysis below)
  
• Thanks to reduced VRAM usage, all visuals where it makes sense are now gamma corrected
  
• Shift/Ctrl/Alt modfiers for number keys to reach visuals 11+, 21+ and 31+
  
• Bug fixes for AMD GPUs in the DLC packs
  
• Other engine improvements for upcoming releases
  

[h2]About this version[/h2]
This is primarily a regression test. As in - make sure nothing's broken. But the VRAM improvements are actually a bit exciting. Having those makes it possible to add more content later also.

[h2]NVIDIA GPU VRAM analysis report[/h2]
While written for the pro player, it should be the same story for VZX Player:
https://www.vzx-visualizer.com/vzx_creative/vzx_pro_player_visual_vram_optimization_results.pdf

[h2]I have something to report![/h2]
Check the list of known issues available here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/981590/discussions/0/4524512587349456763/

If it's addressed there, you don't have to report it.

[h2]It's not on the list, where do I report it?[/h2]
Join our discord server ( http://vovoid.info ) and report it in the channel #development.

We appreciate all the help, while our test lab has been improved this year, we would still classify it as limited.

Bug fixes:

• Particles in "Space Spectrum" didn't render properly.
  

If this version causes problems for you, you can go back to a number of previous versions.

They are available under Settings -> Betas along with release date.

[h2]Does this new release cause problems?[/h2]

With every new release there is the risk for some hiccups. We have tried our best to test and had a long beta test period, but there can always be something.

Also remember you can refund DLC if it is not working as intended.

We would like to try to help you fix any issues. Please report issues in our discord server. In 95% of cases bugs affect others too. Using the review system to write a negative review to report bugs/crashes is not very good for you since it makes it difficult for us to get back to you - many people ignore Steam notifications.

[h3]What you can do right now about problems[/h3]

• Previous releases is available in "betas" in the Steam settings for VZX Player so you can still run "what worked before" until we have been able to fix the problems in the new release.
  

[h2]About this version[/h2]
This release is primarily about the new DLC pack "The Next Generation".

If you are interested in more advanced features, the "Pro Player" which is part of "VZX Creative" (also here on Steam) is worth checking out.

[h3]New Visual Pack: The Next Generation[/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2470570/VZX_Player__The_Next_Generation

Or if you already have our previous packs, get a discount from the "complete the set" bundle:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/15307/VZX_Player_Complete/

This pack features 7 new visuals. They all use our new graphics engine with better lighting, raytraced reflections and more.

This pack uses more system resources than previous packs, but in turn you get a really nice looking set of visuals.

[h3]Pearls[/h3]


[h3]Through The Gate[/h3]


[h3]Lightning Conductor[/h3]


[h3]Quanta Eternal[/h3]


[h3]Spectrum Pillars[/h3]


[h3]Interstellar Lighthouse[/h3]


[h3]The Visitor[/h3]

[h3]Bug fixes[/h3]

• In the pack "Particle Bliss", the "Cosmic Wave" visual has had its shaders modernized and bug fixed for some AMD cards
  
• A rare bug in the audio sub process backend has been fixed.
  

[h2]Thanks to beta testers[/h2]

The beta user pool wasn't that big this time, but to those involved - thank you!

[h2]Thanks to our translatore[/h2]

Also a lot of thanks to our translators!

On Friday the 21st of April, 2023, it's been exactly 20 years since we first released a GPU-accelerated music visualizer.

To celebrate this anniversary, this weekend all VZX products will be 50% off.

We've also recorded a chat (podcast style) between the two developers who started the project which can be found on youtube. In it you can also see a preview of the "Lightning Conductor" visual which will be in the upcoming DLC pack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcI_dldzZ8E

Bug fixes:

• Some visuals (mainly with particles) wouldn't work on recent AMD drivers.
  

If this version causes problems for you, you can go back to a number of previous versions.

They are available under Settings -> Betas along with release date.