- Performance Patch Posted - 27 September 2017
Nice performance boosting patch is live today! Changelog below. We've also been working on a couple videos that will post tomorrow. I made the current trailer a month before we launched Early Access, so it is about 12 months old and the game has made huge progress since then. The old models, sounds, and gameplay footage just aren't representative of the polish that is in there now! NEW FEATURES AND FIXES Major performance improvements - reworked lighting system, blocks, object activation, and shadows to drastically smooth the frame rate. Fixed freezes in frame rate on game start and end. Added sounds and animations to liven up the ready room Fixed automatic positioning system so the workstation will match your playspace better by default Added analytics system to help figure out where players get stuck or have uncomfortable moments Added smoothing option to First-person camera on specta…
- Performance Patch Posted - 27 September 2017
Nice performance boosting patch is live today! Changelog below. We've also been working on a couple videos that will post tomorrow. I made the current trailer a month before we launched Early Access, so it is about 12 months old and the game has made huge progress since then. The old models, sounds, and gameplay footage just aren't representative of the polish that is in there now! NEW FEATURES AND FIXES Major performance improvements - reworked lighting system, blocks, object activation, and shadows to drastically smooth the frame rate. Fixed freezes in frame rate on game start and end. Added sounds and animations to liven up the ready room Fixed automatic positioning system so the workstation will match your playspace better by default Added analytics system to help figure out where players get stuck or have uncomfortable moments Added smoothing option to First-person camera on specta…
- Post-PAX fixes - 11 September 2017
PAX was amazing! So many nice people and happy workers for Bloq-O Industries. I recorded some testimonials and will be posting some new trailers here soon. Also used the 4 days of testing time to think about a couple bugs and figure out how to squish them. Here is the first fix, next up will be some more performance fixes: Fixed vest not facing the right direction Fixed occasional crash on when exploding block fragments reset Removed laser pointer as it was having trouble with switching between hands, and switched to just a laser coming out of your right hand whenever you push 'ButtonOne' - A on Oculus, top button on Vive. More work needed to polish this and get it working on both hands, but let me know what you think. Fixed a couple performance bugs that should help it run smoother, but it needs more...I see no reason it shouldn't be 100% buttery! Great to see the new leaderboards fill…
- Post-PAX fixes - 11 September 2017
PAX was amazing! So many nice people and happy workers for Bloq-O Industries. I recorded some testimonials and will be posting some new trailers here soon. Also used the 4 days of testing time to think about a couple bugs and figure out how to squish them. Here is the first fix, next up will be some more performance fixes: Fixed vest not facing the right direction Fixed occasional crash on when exploding block fragments reset Removed laser pointer as it was having trouble with switching between hands, and switched to just a laser coming out of your right hand whenever you push 'ButtonOne' - A on Oculus, top button on Vive. More work needed to polish this and get it working on both hands, but let me know what you think. Fixed a couple performance bugs that should help it run smoother, but it needs more...I see no reason it shouldn't be 100% buttery! Great to see the new leaderboards fill…
- The PAX Patch! - 1 September 2017
The team has been hard at work to bring you some big redesigns and feature additions in time for PAX West. There are so many changes that I'm only going to write high-level notes here. Enjoy these upgrades! BREAKTIME (v1) game mode launched - look for the 'Take a break' button and block gun FREE DEMO - making the PAX West demo build available for everyone! Training and 3 Deadline mode levels to whet your appetite. Beautiful new factory machines installed at Bloq-O Industries Customer & Order System redesign - 35+ different levels to conquer and many factory upgrades to unlock UI revamp - Restyled the UI and branding to be consistent and clear New Dressing room - see some of the factory machinery in action and get ready for your game (more functionality to come) Teleportation using your pointer tool- needed to navigate new spaces Improved lighting - worked on performance and visual quali…
- The PAX Patch! - 1 September 2017
The team has been hard at work to bring you some big redesigns and feature additions in time for PAX West. There are so many changes that I'm only going to write high-level notes here. Enjoy these upgrades! BREAKTIME (v1) game mode launched - look for the 'Take a break' button and block gun FREE DEMO - making the PAX West demo build available for everyone! Training and 3 Deadline mode levels to whet your appetite. Beautiful new factory machines installed at Bloq-O Industries Customer & Order System redesign - 35+ different levels to conquer and many factory upgrades to unlock UI revamp - Restyled the UI and branding to be consistent and clear New Dressing room - see some of the factory machinery in action and get ready for your game (more functionality to come) Teleportation using your pointer tool- needed to navigate new spaces Improved lighting - worked on performance and visual quali…
- Patch 7 - seeing a path to the finish! - 23 April 2017
Big progress this month, I fixed some old bugs, added a bunch of new features, and redesigned the flow to support new players and new platforms. Read on for the details… NEW TO SHIP IT? Please take a minute to rate the game and let me what you think! PATCH NOTES The beginnings of ‘career mode’ are in place now. There is a screen in front of you that will help guide you through learning the game and seeing the different challenges available. It is just the basic functionality, and my next work will be balancing the levels, improving the graphics, and refining the flow to keep it exciting as you learn each new game challenge. It worked really well at BetaCon last weekend, so I’m hoping it is helpful to new and old players. I will need to reset the leaderboards to adjust for the new level length and scoring system, so expect that soon. I’ll probably need to reset one more time after balanc…
- Patch 7 - seeing a path to the finish! - 23 April 2017
Big progress this month, I fixed some old bugs, added a bunch of new features, and redesigned the flow to support new players and new platforms. Read on for the details… NEW TO SHIP IT? Please take a minute to rate the game and let me what you think! PATCH NOTES The beginnings of ‘career mode’ are in place now. There is a screen in front of you that will help guide you through learning the game and seeing the different challenges available. It is just the basic functionality, and my next work will be balancing the levels, improving the graphics, and refining the flow to keep it exciting as you learn each new game challenge. It worked really well at BetaCon last weekend, so I’m hoping it is helpful to new and old players. I will need to reset the leaderboards to adjust for the new level length and scoring system, so expect that soon. I’ll probably need to reset one more time after balanc…
- Patch 6 inbound - 7 March 2017
Just got back from GDC and wanted to get out some of the bug fixes and features I've been working on for the last couple months. Please enjoy this prettier, better sounding, and more stable build! WRITTEN A REVIEW LATELY? Please take a minute to rate Ship It and let me what you think! PATCH NOTES I've had a number of demo events over the last couple months and used the opportunity to refine the new player experience. There is still some work to do, but the changes below should help the game be easier to pick up and also prepare for the next stage of development. Next update will likely be a stand-alone demo on Steam. NEW FEATURES Pointer/grabber finger - push the trackpad to start pointing, aim at a block or box, then pull the trigger the item will zip into your hand. It is a really fun superpower that my brain started to want whenever I'm sitting on the couch at home :-) This required…
- Patch 6 inbound - 7 March 2017
Just got back from GDC and wanted to get out some of the bug fixes and features I've been working on for the last couple months. Please enjoy this prettier, better sounding, and more stable build! WRITTEN A REVIEW LATELY? Please take a minute to rate Ship It and let me what you think! PATCH NOTES I've had a number of demo events over the last couple months and used the opportunity to refine the new player experience. There is still some work to do, but the changes below should help the game be easier to pick up and also prepare for the next stage of development. Next update will likely be a stand-alone demo on Steam. NEW FEATURES Pointer/grabber finger - push the trackpad to start pointing, aim at a block or box, then pull the trigger the item will zip into your hand. It is a really fun superpower that my brain started to want whenever I'm sitting on the couch at home :-) This required…
- Kaleidoscope VR and Coding Progress Update - 19 December 2016
No public patches in a while, but development is still moving on Ship It. Last week the game was featured at a few local events including the Portland, OR Kaleidoscope VR Festival and I've spent a bunch of time preparing a stripped down demo version of the game which can be played at conventions without any instruction. I'm trying to add a couple more features to it and then I'll make it available on Steam. I've also cleaned up a whole bunch of bugs, added a new item that can store a block for later, added animations to the block spawning pipes, and started work on some of my long-term feature plans. 'Special Order' mode is pretty much done, but it is a lot of new content and I need to deeply test it before making it public. One big change I'm considering is a more linear progression "career" mode that guides players through different challenges. This will hopefully include a daily chec…
- Kaleidoscope VR and Coding Progress Update - 19 December 2016
No public patches in a while, but development is still moving on Ship It. Last week the game was featured at a few local events including the Portland, OR Kaleidoscope VR Festival and I've spent a bunch of time preparing a stripped down demo version of the game which can be played at conventions without any instruction. I'm trying to add a couple more features to it and then I'll make it available on Steam. I've also cleaned up a whole bunch of bugs, added a new item that can store a block for later, added animations to the block spawning pipes, and started work on some of my long-term feature plans. 'Special Order' mode is pretty much done, but it is a lot of new content and I need to deeply test it before making it public. One big change I'm considering is a more linear progression "career" mode that guides players through different challenges. This will hopefully include a daily chec…
- The leaderboards were down!!! Patch 5 applied. - 20 November 2016
One of the last patches stopped submissions to the leaderboard, so sorry! They should be working again, so get in there and knock me off the top of all the boards! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW If you read this, I need YOUR help to spread the word by writing a game review. Just click the link, it only takes a minute. If you are really ambitious, make a video using the new in-game camera and share it on the community page in Steam. PATCH NOTES Major update incoming with Special Order mode, but Bryan noticed a simple but nasty bug that was preventing leaderboards from submitting! So here is the ASAP fix with some other helpful tools built in too :-) NEW FEATURES Handheld camera physics improved Added screen and keypad to control panel so it is easier for a single player to control and stream Updated text and scoring of missed blocks in Endurance mode Switched grip button to do point gesture, usef…
- The leaderboards were down!!! Patch 5 applied. - 20 November 2016
One of the last patches stopped submissions to the leaderboard, so sorry! They should be working again, so get in there and knock me off the top of all the boards! PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW If you read this, I need YOUR help to spread the word by writing a game review. Just click the link, it only takes a minute. If you are really ambitious, make a video using the new in-game camera and share it on the community page in Steam. PATCH NOTES Major update incoming with Special Order mode, but Bryan noticed a simple but nasty bug that was preventing leaderboards from submitting! So here is the ASAP fix with some other helpful tools built in too :-) NEW FEATURES Handheld camera physics improved Added screen and keypad to control panel so it is easier for a single player to control and stream Updated text and scoring of missed blocks in Endurance mode Switched grip button to do point gesture, usef…
- Patch 4 is shipped - 13 November 2016
Biggest update in Patch 4 is a fix for the console movement bug...no more console encroaching on your personal space :-) NEW FEATURES New handheld camera is ready. Turn on spectator mode by pressing 'c' on the keyboard, then press '5' to activate the handheld camera. Still a little work to do on its display, but the output is working. Added chimes to the tutorial when you complete a step Added music fade out effects Added super basic UI for spectator cameras BUG FIXES Fixed console crowding the player when sliding into the most conservative space inappropriately. Turns out it was a bug when your room size was big, like over 3mx2.5m. Tough to test all these different configurations! Fixed first few blocks coming out at the wrong speed Fixed conveyor belt speed changing due to legacy code PLAN Improved UX for manager camera mode. Coming Soon: Special Order mode - Currently testing and doi…
- Patch 4 is shipped - 13 November 2016
Biggest update in Patch 4 is a fix for the console movement bug...no more console encroaching on your personal space :-) NEW FEATURES New handheld camera is ready. Turn on spectator mode by pressing 'c' on the keyboard, then press '5' to activate the handheld camera. Still a little work to do on its display, but the output is working. Added chimes to the tutorial when you complete a step Added music fade out effects Added super basic UI for spectator cameras BUG FIXES Fixed console crowding the player when sliding into the most conservative space inappropriately. Turns out it was a bug when your room size was big, like over 3mx2.5m. Tough to test all these different configurations! Fixed first few blocks coming out at the wrong speed Fixed conveyor belt speed changing due to legacy code PLAN Improved UX for manager camera mode. Coming Soon: Special Order mode - Currently testing and doi…
- Patch 3 live - 30 October 2016
Patch 3 is ready, with a few new features and fixes. Not as much in this one because I spent most of my time hunting down the nasty bug from last week! NEW FEATURES New zombie work poster just in time for Halloween! Security cameras activated! Press 'c' on the keyboard to activate the manager camera. Press 1-4 to cycle through different security cameras. More UI and options coming soon. Added effects to manager voice and reduced music volume when he is speaking. Added safety goggles to protect workers eyes from dangerous exploding blocks. BUG FIXES Fixed save file breaking when logged in with a different Steam account on the same computer. Fixed race condition bugs with loading of save file. Fixed race condition bug with re-positioning of console. PLAN Improved UX for manager camera mode. Coming Soon: Special Order mode - Currently testing and doing basic balancing. Better looking displ…
- Patch 3 live - 30 October 2016
Patch 3 is ready, with a few new features and fixes. Not as much in this one because I spent most of my time hunting down the nasty bug from last week! NEW FEATURES New zombie work poster just in time for Halloween! Security cameras activated! Press 'c' on the keyboard to activate the manager camera. Press 1-4 to cycle through different security cameras. More UI and options coming soon. Added effects to manager voice and reduced music volume when he is speaking. Added safety goggles to protect workers eyes from dangerous exploding blocks. BUG FIXES Fixed save file breaking when logged in with a different Steam account on the same computer. Fixed race condition bugs with loading of save file. Fixed race condition bug with re-positioning of console. PLAN Improved UX for manager camera mode. Coming Soon: Special Order mode - Currently testing and doing basic balancing. Better looking displ…
- Rolled Back to patch 1 :-( - 28 October 2016
Tonight I showed off 'Ship It' to my local Unity User Group, and was sad to run into two big bugs! I've temporarily rolled back to the first patch which didn't have these problems. The two bugs I noticed were Some kind of error preventing the Deadline leaderboard from loading, and slowing performance to a crawl. Boxes didn't spawn right, game didn't start right, etc. Endurance and Training mode seemed fine. Console not adjusting to the room size correctly. I've noticed this on new installs, the game isn't detecting the room size correctly, and hence is sliding the console to the most conservative position, right next to the dispensers. It is still playable, but pretty annoying. Sadly it is working on my computer, so it is tough to troubleshoot a fix, i'll see what I can do. I'll post the updated patch 2 as soon as I can figure it out! The beta branch is open to the public now in case yo…
- Rolled Back to patch 1 :-( - 28 October 2016
Tonight I showed off 'Ship It' to my local Unity User Group, and was sad to run into two big bugs! I've temporarily rolled back to the first patch which didn't have these problems. The two bugs I noticed were Some kind of error preventing the Deadline leaderboard from loading, and slowing performance to a crawl. Boxes didn't spawn right, game didn't start right, etc. Endurance and Training mode seemed fine. Console not adjusting to the room size correctly. I've noticed this on new installs, the game isn't detecting the room size correctly, and hence is sliding the console to the most conservative position, right next to the dispensers. It is still playable, but pretty annoying. Sadly it is working on my computer, so it is tough to troubleshoot a fix, i'll see what I can do. I'll post the updated patch 2 as soon as I can figure it out! The beta branch is open to the public now in case yo…
