COMMENTS FROM THE STUDIO
Hey Folks,
As mentioned in our last Dev blog, we've been quietly working on core feature updates, focussing on delivering gameplay improvements, and pushing Sessions core to its full potential. Over the last year we have re-established our core team on Session, and we now have the programming base to push on!
In light of the much awaited updates, and focus on core gameplay fixes, this Dev Blog will read more like a changelist. Instead of relying on reading though, we recommend you jump in the game and get your hands on your controller to experience the sum of these changes first hand!
What has been delivered for this release?
Camera Overhaul
We’ve had some core camera issues since launch, making it harder to consistently land your tricks & lines. The focus on this overhaul has been on keeping the player & gameplay options clearly visible & on screen at all times while also ensuring you can see what’s coming so you can adapt accordingly!
Camera positioning & realignment speed overhaul while On Board
Ensure the camera provides visibility on what’s ahead to better help prepare for tricks, lines, and landings
Retain player on cam at all times - including on turning & at speed
Camera while grinding follows the player around curves
Camera logic & flow on banks, quarter pipes, and liptricks - it helps to see where you’re landing!
Provides height on cam to provide improved landing visibility
The camera has better world avoidance techniques
Camera follows the player on bail instead of the board
Camera menu options updated / simplified
Improved skate feel & fluidity
This deliverable is more the sum of many core changes, and not all benefits of this work are clear in the gameplay at this point in time. The bulk of the work done is on the code foundation that will facilitate future fixes in both feel & fluidity of the skater. This will also contribute to the flow and friction of the skater, and board, in relation to the game world!
The New Physical Animation update is ALWAYS on, it was previously off by default.
We rebuilt the physics assets on the player characters - changing their posture and reaction to player inputs
Flow & Friction pass #1 - The foundation to the future Flow update this Summer!
Other feel & fluidity bug fixes
Fixed Goat Feet bug when skating fast
Fixed Mongo Push Bug - causing the player to bail and bug when not completing a full push
Frame rate Updates
We had previously supported non-optimal frame rate settings in Session, leading to extensive variations in gameplay bugs due to our gamecode structure. Reducing these options allows for a more consistent gameplay experience.
Removed - 45 / 90 / 120 FPS
FPS settings are 30 & 60 now - with 60 being ideal
General Bug Fixes
Skateshop - DLC Merch Cannot Be Sold / Removed From Inventory
Shop/Apartment - Equipping New Griptape Resets Board to a Blank Deck
On Board - Skater Turns Too Sharp When Skating Fast
On Board - Skater Flung Across Map After Respawning Near a Wall
Landing - Big Drop Landing Causes Instant Fall When Getting Back On Board
Missions Game loses focus when triggering talk prompt for NPC and walking away
Prog - Unable to Sprint, Set Marker or Push After Changing Map While Prompt is on Screen
Object Dropper - Object Dropper HUD Persists During Cutscenes
Loc Scoop+Flip tutorial mission uses inconsistent trick name for 360 Flip.
Beyond these updates & fixes, we’re also happy to be providing a content update with this release!
Free Content
All players will be receiving the re-release of the New York Sewer map.
If you didn’t manage to get to the TMNT Sewer map while the content was up - we have re-released the map, minus the TMNT branding, for all players. Just head to “Extra Network” → “Sewers”. If you did manage to unlock the 122 ⅛ Sewers during the promo, you will now have access to both versions of the map, but wont lose the TMNT branded version of the map - nor the gear or Turtles.
Finally - This version of the Sewer map will be available for all players and will not be removed!
What’s Next:
We’re already knee deep in the code of the Goofy Stance update - working on much awaited gameplay updates and improvements for the community & Session core team!
Keep your eyes peeled on our social channels for more info as we proceed, and don’t forget to post your clips & tag @sessiongame for your chance to win some cool prizes from the team!
Peace,
The crea-ture team
