We apologise for the network issues and multiple updates. We've experienced some issues with our multi-build system that was not keeping platforms properly in sync. We should have solved the checksum mismatch issues and performance regression issues now.Dear Small Soldiers,
Please make sure your game version (in the bottom right of the Main Menu) is set to 0.2.4261.560 or above.
We have a new Crash detection system that has also allowed us to fix MANY crash bugs and glitches and found many more new ones due to the influx of new players. Thank you everyone who submitted a bug and reported what they could. This hotfix now contains a few more deep-engine crash issues.
PATCH NOTESHave a brilliant weekend! - JoeFIXES
- Fixed GPU particle crash issues when loading large levels.
- Fixed Achievements not triggering on Steam properly for some users.
- Fixed Server list showing Plague matches under the PvP game mode.
- Fixed Lobby Title not changing to FRIENDS ONLY LOBBY when started from the main menu.
- Fixed returning to Play menu from Find Server list going to Matchmaking menu instead.
- Fixed Collectors Box (Neon Packaging) being crazy rainbow colours for non-special characters.
- Fixed Free Roam showing in the Cooperative server list. If you want to play Free Roam you can start host a private lobby with friends.
- Fixed some English localization issues - Other languages recieving bulk updates in near future update!
- Fixed some issues with new Icons (Lobby Team select and Music Player)
- Fixed BlueprintFX screen not going away after travelling between rounds in PvP.
- Fixed Frame Rate Limit not applying at runtime when changing it on the menu.
ADDED
- Added a tooltip for how to unlock the Free Roam game mode.
- Added a tip to the new unlock screen for heads and skins that shows when what character is needed to be unlocked to use the item.
- Added Identifer to server list for Team Deathmatch servers.
Over the weekend, I had a breakdown. To be honest, I felt it coming for a long time, but didn’t talk about it to anyone. The reason for this post is that I hope it will make those who are suffering from mental health working in game dev, speak out.In response to that video, many developers from AAA's to indies reached out, and many true Hypercharge fans did too. I am incredibly grateful for all the kind and thoughtful messages.
If you receive constant abuse from toxic gamers about your game(s), please, please talk to your friends, family, partner, just someone about it. Do not hold it in.
For the past few years, I have suffered from panic attacks, sleepless nights, and just a lack of confidence. In fact, my anxiety got so bad that the doctor sent me to the local hospital to have a 48 hour ECG, blood tests, and I’m going for a visit to the cardiology centre to check things over soon. Stress is no joke.
My biggest regret is not talking to my team, friends, family, and partner about it. We as game devs receive so much abuse online that it’s basically the norm. Hell, I thought it was normal to feel like this!
And it’s not just toxic gamers demanding release dates, it goes way deeper than that. I’ve been threatened, made fun of how I look, the sound of my voice. It gets so personal… It wears you down.
So, the moral of this post? Game devs, community managers, marketers… You are awesome people. Keep working on what you love and try to stay positive. Focus on the positive fans. Do what makes you happy!
PATCH NOTESWell, that's it for now! Again, to our fans, thank you!ADDED
- Added new Play Menu System - We’ve watched enough people struggle on Twitch to realise that a new design is in order to ensure that people are able to find their way to the right game mode and setting that they want to play. With a fancy new design and much more improvements to come in the future, this is a big update and change to how everyone will interact with the game and find the content they want to play.
- Added new Lobby Menu System - We’ve also overhauled the lobby to cleanup all the multiple options, moving some of them inside the Game Rules instead of cluttering the overall screen. More updates also to come to the lobby design in the near future.
- Added new Join Friend and Friend Code invite system to the lobby. More information is given when trying to join a friend or when hosting a lobby.
- Added Team Deatchmatch as separate game mode instead of a hidden game rule option.
- Added it so Collectibles are given to all players when one player picks them up.
- Added improved balanced aiming locations for bots in PvP.
- Added Player Team override option to force players on a specific Team vs. Bots in custom servers.
- Added Power Node Power icons in build mode to help with knowing when power nodes need power.
- Added new Main Menu icons that better represent what the function of the button does.
- Added Spinner enemies to the tutorial.
- Added 8 MORE voice-sets for different character heads! (including Horseman and Shark)
- Added ReturnToMenu button to play menu.
- Added it so Free Roam is unlocked by default until players have played a bit of the game first.
- Added bot difficulty option to game rules.
- Added new logo to main menu and other places in the UI.
- Added more FPS and FOV values to UI adjustments.
- Added it so Plague players are now experiments.
IMPROVED
- Improved play menu functionality - will return to the last menu you used when returning to the menu from a session via disconnect, kick, leave or complete.
- Improved overall music system transitions and fades between sections to improve overall mix and playback behavior of new tracks & sections (less repetitive)
- Improved power node and core health display to better represent the current state of power on Cores and Nodes.
- Improved text size and scaling in multiple areas of the UI to help with readability and importance.
- Improved Primal footstep sounds based on community feedback.
- Improved design of some of the basic Turrets. More new improved designs coming soon.
FIXES
- Fix for LAN servers - Testing a work in progress fix for LAN servers. LAN can now be enabled from the Options > Gameplay menu.
- Fix for networked pickup related crash issue.
- Fix for failing rare transparent shader crash issue.
- Fix for rare late-loading texture related crash issues.
- Fix for missing safety checked particle destruction crash issues.
- Fix for MANY other generic crash related issues in the engine taken from future UE4 versions.
- Fix for game log being spammed with unnecessary information, making it easier for everyone to debug issues.
- Fix for some achievements not being able to be referenced correctly in order in the lookup table.
- Fix for dedicated server sessions, not shutting down properly after running idle too long with no active server or session connection.
- Fix for dedicated servers not pinging the master server for very long running servers.
- Fix for damage flashing after respawn.
- Fix for death text being too small to read.
- Fixed PlayerStartBoxes in Airhockey being incorrect for one player or bot in the team.
- Fixed broken tutorial NPC spawnpoints.
- Fix for multiple error message dialogs of the same type appearing after certain networking errors.
- Fixed unlock ordering of new maps to ensure the order of levels is preserved when unlocking maps for the first time.
- Fixed focus issue with quiet dialog because of menu intro.
- Fixed dialog focus issues on play menu.
- Fixed radar ability text reference.
- Fixed broken nav connection in Garden pool
- Fixed MissileTruck decals diorama setup.
- Fixed strange wire collision issues in Kitchen causing instant respawn glitches.
- Fixed dialog box focus issues on various error dialogs.
- Fixed diorama and in-game weapon packaging spawn locations not using the right mesh attachments.
- Fixed packaging decal material showing through walls.
- Fixed packaging decal name text on in-game and dioramas.
- Fixed packaging plastic collisions getting stuck in walls.
- Fixed notices not being re-enabled when unlocking a head from the Credits menu.
- Fixed NameText decals showing on default hypercharge packages.
- Fixed wrong plastic meshes spawning with certain packaging in-game.
- Fixed dedicated server sessions generating a host code and setting themselves to be Public or not.
- Fixed incorrect check of which maps can have a charger and prize machine in the maplist or the dioramas map list.
- Fixed server laser particle crash.
- Fixed packaging widgets texture crash on dedicated servers.
- Fixed duplicated HUD in party modes.
- Fixed other gamemodes HUD and spectator classes not being overwritten properly in child classes.
- Fixed camera shake having infinite range for meanbots and other enemies.
- Fixes in core engine - AActor, GetVectorValue, ProxyCrash, DecalInitCrash, LightProxyCrash from Sentry.
- Removed footstep and other animation notify FX from dedicated server.
- Removed assets from dedicated server package.
- Removed DLSS from dedicated servers.
- Removed frozen meshes on dedicated servers as they are not replicated.
- Removedsound fx from bots joining and leaving a server.
- Restored old plague mode scoring system.
PATCH NOTESADDED
- Added new Character Packaging system - Customise your packaging to match your Action Figure!
- Added new Character Packaging unlocks and Packaging name generation system.
- Added new unique Footstep, Jump, Land, Melee, Reload and Foley sounds for each Character Type.
- Added new unique voice acting for MANY new Characters. (Over 40 new voice types)
- Added new unique voice acting for Supporter Pack DLC character pack.
- Added new unique voice acting for Breaker & Mightus DLC characters pack.
- Added Invite Code system to all public and private servers. Can now have friends easily join public official servers from the In-game Menu > Invite Players > Copy Invite Code.
- Added new Crosshairs for weapons that didn't have unique crosshair designs (Shotgun, Ice Gun, etc)
- Added new Crash Reporter with proper networked destination - DCC now can automatically collect Anonymous Crash Dump files.
- Added Platform specific icon per Player and per Server. Now can see what platform/storefront other players are on.
- Added FriendsOnly server option for Private servers to the Lobby Widget.
- Added new unlock notification to the main menu buttons.
- Added Customisation Packaging Mode as default - New Unboxed button in top right can toggle back to unboxed state.
- Added Cross Platform Save system - Transfer saved between different versions of the game. (once they also contain this feature)
- Added current ranked position to the HUD in Plague mode.
- Added message on-screen when touching plague zone for the first time.
- Added SAV files from saved folder to crash report client saved files to upload.
- Added timeout to lobby to prevent idle servers.
- Added Gamepad Icons to improved Key Rebinding Menu.
IMPROVED
- Adjusted bot health value showing by default.
- Adjusted health of BroBot enemy.
- Adjusted health of PowerNodes - Batteries almost never fall out on easier difficulties, harder on Expert difficulty.
- Adjusted presence information to include proper translatesd map names.
- Adjusted default FreeRoam music state.
- Moved In-game text chat to top right corner of HUD.
- Moved Party Modes to Extras Menu.
- Improved soundmix for weapons and some other critical areas - especially fitting for small sized speakers
- Improved Enemy Safety component, checks distance from spawnpoint optional extra safety.
- Improved Audio engine memory and voice counts.
- Improved Core flash animation in top left of HUD.
- Improved design of Host Type widget to better reflect the current type of Server.
- Improved Death Screen animations and style.
- Improved location of on-screen messages related to game events.
- Improved names of default weapon abilities so they make more sense.
- Improved UI button feedback for general UI and customisation dialog.
- Improved on-screen message grouping to lower message spam.
- Improved Key Rebinding Menu with a better UI/UX and many bug fixes.
- Removed assets from dedicated server package.
- Removed DLSS from dedicated servers.
- Removed footstep and other animation notify FX from dedicated server.
- Removed frozen meshes on dedicated servers as they are not replicated anyway.
FIXES
- Fixed split-screen using Keyboard + Gamepad sometimes changing key prompt style of Keyboard player.
- Fixed incorrect HUD issue on Arena game modes.
- Fixed blurry/out of focus Unlock previews at the end of a round.
- Fixed LAN P2P Multiplayer.
- Fixed timeout for failed server connection taking too long.
- Fixed issues with HUD disappearing for some players on some levels.
- Fixed newly unlocked levels not adding to the map rotation in the correct order.
- Fixed bots and players Index when choosing a box to spawn in on round start - Fixes players not spawning in correct packaging.
- Fixed broken footstep and land SFX.
- Fixed default video settings for SteamDeck carrying over from other platforms issue.
- Fixed check on actors that track scoring events in Plague are actually of DefaultPawnClass, rejecting Infected pawns
- Fixed Copy Invite Code to clipboard on Linux platform.
- Fixed crosshairs values not respecting larger than 1080p screen resolutions.
- Fixed custom keybinds for controller not working in unison with the template system for gamepads.
- Fixed damage flashing on-screen after death.
- Fixed dedicated server particle crash.
- Fixed Diaramas pages feeling sluggish when turning the camera.
- Fixed DLC detection on Linux platform.
- Fixed end of round focus issues in split-screen.
- Fixed Gyro rotation issues on the menu with Steam Deck.
- Fixed error message dialogs closing too early.
- Fixed ordering of newly unlocked maps to ensure the order of levels is preserved.
- Fixed haptics not clearing on player death and level load.
- Fixed HostState not being updated enough when server details changed.
- Fixed HotRocks material being listed in DefaultUnlocks by mistake.
- Fixed hypercharge battery icon colour in UI.
- Fixed Jump markers being too dark due to fresnel.
- Fixed Kitchen missing blocker planes, improved shadows and lightmap optimisation. Fixed duplicate pickup spawn locations.
- Fixed laser detaching from the weapon when moving fast.
- Fixed map menu showing charger and prize machine for unused levels.
- Fixed missing internal functions in shipping build for some special FX systems.
- Fixed old error messages lingering for too long after leaving a server.
- Fixed Plague rounds to be limited by the number of player and bots currently in the server.
- Fixed plebs appearing in certain smaller levels like airhockey and shed arena.
- Fixed Radar not being recreated Cleaned up render targets between server travel.
- Fixed Rygar Head not being unlocked properly on Shed.
- Fixed some dialogs not displaying different messages when reused.
- Fixed split-screen players have access to menu controls.
- Fixed SteamDeck text input not showing Gamepad Input box.
- Fixed some split-screen input issues by restoring old functionality on Desktop platforms.
- Fixed turret names being the wrong way around.
- Fixed tutorial Gold Credits not having pickup message.
- Fixed Key Rebinding not working properly in combination with split-screen.
Look at that shiny packaging. You can smell its newness! It would be a shame to break out of it, right?
I don't think it was a shame to break out of it! Now you get to show off your packaging to your friends!
Now you look the part! Every single action figure type and skin comes with its own unique packaging.
Hold "Q" to bring up the voice command wheel. Each action figure now has their own unique voice!
You can now easily join your friends online lobby via their invite code found at the bottom right.
Just click "Join Friend" via the Play Menu and enter their invite code. Happy gaming, small soldier!
We've updated our Bug Reporter tool making it easier to report bugs should your game crash.
Have a lovely rest of your day! - JoeIf you're new to Hypercharge and already own a Steam Deck, here’s what Hypercharge offers, and what’s coming:
What is Hypercharge: Unboxed?- To better answer this question, we've put together an extensive FAQ. You can read that here.
What FPS does it run at?- 60fps. (We’re working on an option to run 30fps in battery saver mode.)
What Graphic settings can I play on?- Graphic settings are automatically set for the Steam Deck. (Will be lowered automatically in optional battery saver mode.) Some advanced effects will remain optional (Motion Blur, Ambient Occlusion etc.)
Does it have full Controller support?- Of course. (External Controllers supported, and Steam Deck touch screen is optional for Menu)
Does it have full Gyro support?- You bet.
Is configuration required to run the game?- No, it is optimized to run and look the best by default.
Does it have full Split screen support when connected to the dock?- Definitely. (Valve has stated that it will sell separately the Steam Deck Docking Station, coming late Spring 2022)
In closing, the Steam Deck is an amazing handheld gaming computer that lets you play Hypercharge on the go, wherever you go, in seamless 60 FPS action! If you have any further questions, please let us know. :)
For more information about the Steam Deck, please check out the official page here.
Have a brilliant weekend ahead - JoeFIXES
- Fixed game not loading on Linux with Proton.
- Fixed end of Round screen stealing the wrong players' input when in Splitscreen using Keyboard/Mouse + Controller.
- Fixed some broken LODs on a few characters.
- Fixed Stat Dioramas pages having a lower framerate in the menu.
- Fixed end of Round Unlock previews from having a lower framerate.
- Fixed Matchmaking not finding servers on the first attempt.
- Fixed Server Browser list not being sorted correctly.
- Fixed Dedicated Servers not having proper Player ID's registered.
- Fixed some issues with footstep and landing sound FX.
- Fixed Radar being blank after changing or restarting a level.
- Fixed Steam Name not being shown as primary for some players.
- Fixed empty main menu background being shown during load-screens.
- Fixed Demolisher taking too much damage from Turret Rockets.
- Fixed PowerNode's having the wrong health value on some difficulties.
- Fixed optimised lighting in Kitchen map (no more dark objects)
PATCH NOTESADDED
- Added new CyberRex Boss!
- Added new DAMBUSTER Boss! (Missile Truck)
- Added new map THE FUNDERDOME (Shed Arena)
- Added new Head, Skin and Material unlocks for the new level!
- Added new secret unlock.
- Added 5 new Music Tracks!
- Added Join Friend button to Play Menu.
- Added Invite Code to lobby screen.
- Added new Coin pickup Sounds.
- Added CyberRex and DAMBUSTER to dioramas page.
MOVED
- Moved to Unreal Engine 4.26 to take advantage of new performance gains and platform stability improvements.
- Moved to EOS for our multiplayer back-end. Servers are faster to load and instance. Dedicated server tool has also been updated to support private sessions.
- Moved Party Modes to Extras menu.
IMPROVEMENTS
- Improved handling of FX that cause motion sickness; lowered when adjusting Camera Shake or Weapon Sway scale.
- Improved Pause/Unpause for all actor sounds in the world when toggling pause.
- Improved multiplayer networking events.
- Improved performance of many actors in the game by caching more sub-components.
- Improved music track layout in certain maps/waves.
- Improved Volume Slider to use more sensible and audible values.
- Improved UI performance regarding text generation.
- Improved balance of new bosses, waves on the garden map, shed waves difficulty.
- Improved balance of game details related to health, weapons and enemies.
- Improved performance of instance meshes for debris actors.
- Improved prize machine (ATM) with new light animations and FX.
- Improved many interaction animations and particle FX.
- Improved nav and collisions around the sink in Bathroom.
FIXES
- Fixes DLC unlocks not triggering because of the ordering of engine Init.
- Fixes crash issue when travelling between levels.
- Fixes crash issue related to some commands being referenced on the render thread.
- Fixes glitch allowing clients to repair or build on a dead turret.
- Fixes options menu asking to save when nothing changed.
- Fixes build previews casting a shadow.
- Fixes game stalling and freezing issue related to camera shakes being stopped when not playing.
- Fixes being able to pick up a weapon at the same time as a bot.
- Fixes bots stealing a pickup that you are about to collect.
- Fixes accidentally buying multiple weapons and attachments when holding the purchase key.
- Fixes some sounds not stopping properly between levels.
- Fixes FOV issues for FP camera.
- Fixes some issues with pickups not being removed properly.
- Fixes camera clipping through the grass in third person.
- Fixes various muzzle flash location issues on NPC weapons.
- Fixes Controllers on desktop not always falling back to custom controller binds unless overwritten by base-players binds.
- Fixes many deprecation warnings and stability issues from the engine change.
- Fixes breakable components ignoring damage to an already broken group of break slots.
- Fixes emissive and lights being enabled on actors that die.
- Fixes motion blur not working properly.
- Fixes missing damage flashes in networking environments.
- Fixes Disable Prize Machine and Disable Charger game options.
- Fixes localisation issues in some areas.
- Fixes HUD sometimes not appearing when restarting the round.
- Fixes shield FX not reporting damage values to other FX related events.
- Fixes missed network message for disconnecting from a lobby.
- Fixes indicators being lagged by one frame when turning the camera quickly.
- Fixes players not being given stats for boss kills.
- Fixes offset on weapon and attachments pickups so they rotate correctly.
- Fixes invisible wave hud text.
- Fixes cancel find session not working properly.
- Fixes Play Menu issues and Find Game menu missing dialogs.
- Fixes Customisation menu not having focus when opening, fixed loadout menu random button causing buildables to random instead of just cosmetics.
- Fixes wave not starting when the boss is the only enemy in the list.
- Fixes in-game menu button being incorrect when in single player.
- Fixes Wave ending early if only boss is remaining.
- Fixes stages not being properly in the locked state.
- Fixes player highlight on DLC characters not working properly.
- Fixes LODs on Nebulon characters being stretched from far away.
- Fixes keys being held down when entering/exiting pause menu.
- Fixes for blurry end of round unlock previews.
- Fixes input platform not applying when changed in the options menu.
- Fixes stuck spot on Kitchen and closed the Super Secret Extractor Vent Clubhouse
- Fixes Player Lobby missing physics on DLC characters.Fixed Turret rockets knocking out batteries.
- Fixes Turrets targeting Missile Trucks and other enemies they can’t normally target.
Dec Doyle (Lead Programmer)
Moving to a new version of the engine after thousands of our own custom changes to Unreal is a challenge. Hundreds of community fixes for the engine, strange merges between multiple versions of files from different engine versions is how we strung together everything we needed for Hypercharge. After enough time had passed since we started working on this game, so many new features, performance improvements, new platforms and new technology have been added to this engine that we need to take advantage of. Some of these are just general all-around improvements to performance or how the engine handles a certain job. Others are almost necessary for us to ensure Hypercharge can run efficiently on all other platforms.
This is not the flashiest list of improvements for the average viewer, but for the team and the hardcore fans of Hypercharge, this will be a very welcomed update and allows us to really take this game to wherever we want it to go.
So after months of hard work, we’ve moved our game to one of the latest versions of Unreal Engine, and brought with it plenty of new fixes and improvements (and some great new bugs). This all goes hand-in-hand with new content for the game, of course.
Mental Health Matters
Last year, we posted a message about mental health, and why it matters. This year is no different. Just know that if you're feeling low this holiday season, you are loved and you are amazing. If you're struggling with mental health, please do not feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it. Reach out to a family member, a friend, or heck, even me. I've created a Steam group; Hypercharge Defence Corps. If you are alone on this holiday season, be sure to join up, leave a comment, and we'll try to get a game scheduled. Also, feel free to add me to friends. Us small soldiers must stick together! But honestly, it's okay not to be okay. Just please, please, reach out to someone and take the first step with whatever it is you're going through. You've got this. ❤️