Let's run through these changes :)
- Graphical improvements
Earlier, the game used a very unoptimized sharpening material in the post-process. This resulted in not as sharp textures and blurring behind the moving vehicle. The new method, which is more engine based, improved greatly looks of the game and gave it much more refined look
- New UI
Whole game UI was redone. The purpose was mainly to fix the issues that you might have encountered while switching between the input devices. The other benefit of this change is the new, refreshed look of all the menus in the game.
After the implemented changes, the buttons stay in focus for the device. This fixes the lost input problem where you weren't able to select any button. Moreover, the whole loop of menus and interact widgets was reorganized and therefore leads to much more fluid gameplay. Now you don't have to back out to the main menu whenever you want to go back to options menu.
- Garage
Implementing this feature took a while, but I am so happy how it turned out. You now have access to the garage, which is placed on the main maps and marked on mini map, too.
The garage is your hub and access point to the customization and vehicle selection menu. It also gives you the option to fast travel between the maps. Again, the garage greatly improves the gameplay by not having to quit the game to main menu to change your vehicle or select a map. Hope you will like it :)
- Travel points
Switching between the maps is now integrated into the level design. Inspired by US National Parks' entrances, now you can simply drive to the end of the map and will be presented with the map selection.
- Physics
As always there is something to improve with the physics system. The newest changes eliminate shaky wheels when not driving. Also, the whole physics simulation now runs smoother and faster. This also eliminated bugs with tires glitching into the terrain when they were changed in the customization menu.
- Options
Alongside UI update, the options menu got solid rework. The wheel configuration was separated for more clarity and easier setup. Again, all of the UI elements now keep track of your input and result in smooth navigation.
- Other
- fixed lag spike on startup
- fixed collisions having wrong properties on the Winter map, resulting in lag spikes on smaller rocks
- fixed unnecessary assets being packaged with shipping build of the game, resulting in 50% game file reduction
- fixed loosing input from steering wheel and other devices
- tutorial is now updated with the new systems and features (if you want to rerun tutorial you have to delete tutorial save file from the game save directory)
- multiplayer is now moved to separate build (available in beta tab in steam game properties). I hope to get back to it in the future and make it more playable. Sadly, as of right now it blocks further development of the game as it interferes too much with current changes (especially wheel support) causing a whole bunch of bugs. For now, it is too hard to keep it updated and work on these things simultaneously.
- desert map is currently not playable, I was trying to save it but for now it does not work with recent changes, newly implemented features and graphical improvements. It will see a rework in the foreseeable future.
- fixed lag spike on startup
Hope you like the changes. There is still a lot to come :) As always, if you have any issues or suggestions, please write it down in the forums ! See you in the next update !
