Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

Christmas came early, because it's update time!!!

But first let me take a selfie. I mean, let's look first at Game Developers Session 2019. On this conference we were showing our game and the feedback was awesome! Since this session was mainly for game developers and press, we have received priceless advice and suggestions. which will help us make the game even better!





Enough about GDS. Here comes the juicy stuff!

With every update we are always trying to push the visuals even further without sacrificing performance. And as the old saying goes: Do or do not, there is no try! So we did.

Thanks to some performance optimization in volumetric lighting we were able to add this effect to most of the street lights, thus creating better atmosphere during night.



We have also added effect called distance depth of field. This effect makes further objects a bit blurred, which results in more smoother image.



Icons for statuses, buffs, shelter perks, categories, addictions and willpower have been completely redesigned.





We have added new story location.



It is finally here! Combat takes place in conversation mode. The system is turn-based. It depends on your weapon, strength, armor, health, oponent's health, etc.

Combat can currently happen in these situation:

1. Bullying other hobos (attempt to get their stuff).
   
2. Being caught by chasers and policemen (attempt to avoid prison).
   
3. Dealing with drunk NPCs. From time to time, hobos can now get drunk and some of them can get quite aggressive

Currently there is more than 25+ weapons. Each weapon has its own durability, critical chance and attack and defense bonus. Weapons can be crafted, bought or gained through quests.


List of newly added perks:

1. Adrenaline - In combat, you can use willpower to heal 10 HP.
   
2. Weapon master - Durabilty of your weapons is drained at a slower pace.
   
3. Masochist - Getting hurt makes you feel good. Receiving hit in combat restores your morale.
   
4. Scrapper - In combat, you can use willpower to hit your opponent twice in a row with no retaliation.
   
5. Weaponsmith - You can craft makeshift weapons.

Example of combat

• New outside and inside npcs
  
• New unique profile pictures for some inside characters
  
• Added healthbar of NPC to the conversation interface
  
• Fixed issues with selecting items in shops
  
• Fixed dislocated street lights near business area
  
• Fixed issues with texts after language was switched
  
• Fixed issues with idle animation during conversation
  
• Fixed possibility to crouch during conversation
  
• Fixed decals glitching around church area
  
• Fixed Drag&Drop in quick slots
  
• Fixed dislocated UVs on some buildings
  
• Fixed autosave error in lobby
  
• Fixed possibility to trade with players who are inside
  
• Increased number of default bandages from 1 to 5
  
• Improved texture resolution and mesh quality of pillars
  
• Cars replaced with higher quality alternatives
  
• Added new quests and services
  
• Added possibility to turn on double vSync
  
• Added notification for when a status is maxed out
  
• Added sound effect for fall damage
  
• Fixed disconnection of lockpicking sfx volume with global sfx volume
  
• Repaired missing props
  
• Reworked Drax surrounding
  
• Improved specularity of various materials
  
• Improved colliders in Zizkov
  
• Improved AI navigation
  
• Small code optimisations

Enjoy the new update and merry Christmas! ːsteamhappyː
- Perun Creative

Hi everyone!

It's update time ːsteamhappyː

We are currently focusing 100% on creating narrative part of the game. We have made huge progress in this area, but there is still lot to do. The story revolves around interaction with various factions (Guzzlers, Criminals, Baron, Junkies, Fort,...). Each faction has its own background story, unique characters and story line.

In the past few weeks we've been working on implementing those factions in the game. This means creating 3D models, adding new locations, writing quests etc. Small part of this is already available in this update. However new NPCs are not yet interactive, because their narrative content is not finished.

New location - Fort




New location - Guzzlers




Over 25 new characters. Others are already in the production.


Writers went crazy. 40+ new quests and that's far from all :D


We have news regarding combat, one good and one bad. Lets start with the less pleasant one. Due to a complexity and limited time we had to abandoned freeform combat system. We have worked on this for sooo loooong, however we were still far from completion and since our primary focus is story there was no time left for us to finish this feature in its original form. Nevertheless we came up with an alternative fighting system. Combat takes place in conversation mode. The system is turn-based. It depends on your weapon, strength, armor, health, oponent's health, etc. It isn't as great as freeform fighting, but on the other hand it opens possibilities to connect combat with dialogues e.g. options followed by threats, dealing with aggressive npcs etc. Also choosing this alternative approach means that combat will be in the game much sooner. This means weapons, new perks, fights with chasers, policemen, hobos and more in the next update ːsteamhappyː

Sneak peek of weapons


Combat (Alpha version!) #1



Combat (Alpha version!) #2

• Reduced CPU performance overhead of 3D characters
  
• Reworked system of 3D hobos (day/night behavior removed)
  
• Lots of small performance improvements in code
  
• Fixed issues with resetting animal's and hobo's data after changing worlds
  
• Fixed issues with missing hobos
  
• Improved hideout performance
  
• Added weapon slots in the inventory
  
• Improved conversation system (more robust and stable)
  
• Fixed possibility to start conversation while the player is beat up
  
• Improved reflections on multiple places
  
• Fixed light blending in prison
  
• Fixed world bounds around Zizkov
  
• Reworked response system of NPCs + new responses
  
• Reduced size of the fire barrel
  
• Improved fire barrel lighting
  
• Fixed incorrect position on map when inside
  
• Fixed issues of random talks with hobos
  
• Fixed possibility to buy already sold items for half the price
  
• Fixed issues with reduction of patience points in conversation
  
• Fixed problems with missing options after conversation minigame
  
• Fixed AI navigation under train station
  
• Lots of small game balancing improvements
  
• Added new services for Bear

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Hi everyone!

it is update time ːsteamhappyː

One of the main new feature in this update are so called favours for other hobos. By completing those requests you will gain their trust, which unlocks you lots of new possibilities and actions.



We have improved color scheme in conversations so that it is easier to distinguish purpose of each option.

• Repaired game crashing after visiting laundry
  
• Fixed broken snow settings on some materials
  
• Fixed issues with character parameters after loading
  
• Fixed various props which were glitched
  
• Reworked synchronisation in hideout
  
• Added new quest sign in the map
  
• Various fixes in item database
  
• Improved vegetation LODs

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

new update is here!!!

"Aw Jeez! Where the hell is Fester? He's the one in the pawnshop? Oh no that's Anatoly. So maybe he is here! Nope that's not him either..." Does this sound familiar? Well you don't have worry anymore, because in this update we have improved map a lot.

There is now new map mode called "organizer" in which you can see all your current quests, known NPCs and discovered points of interest (shelters, fire barrels, shops, doctor etc.). However there is one drawback for the current players. You have to "rediscover" NPCs and points of interest in order to see them in the map, because there was no possible way for us to back track your discoveries from the older saves.







Rest places in hideouts are now upgradable. This gives you the possibility to improve your parameters and make your hideout even cooler.



Speaking of hideout, we have added new decorables for hideout which generate light. No more darkness, no more stumble! ːsteamhappyː

• Added take all in bins
  
• Added possibility to upgrade components with resources from stash
  
• Reworked resources update system (for fixing typos in conversations, bugs in quests, game balancing...) with more reliable system which is network independent
  
• Fixed issues with removal of upgraded items from inventory
  
• Fixed returning of upgraded items to stash
  
• Fixed incorrect item titles after switching language settings in the game
  
• Repaired game crash after loading corrupted profile through steam cloud
  
• Repaired synchronisation of custom actions animations between players
  
• Repaired thread collisions between autosave and standard save
  
• Repaired rare thread collisions in hideout synchronisation
  
• Repaired shrapnel counter when multiple players are in the same bin
  
• Fixed collision between interaction icons and players
  
• Fixed exit animation of chasers on clients
  
• Repaired issues with stealing quest items on clients
  
• Fixed serialisation issues when having multiple hideout bonuses
  
• Fixed issues with synchronising position on Y axis of hideout components
  
• Fixed incorrect title in the trade dialog
  
• Fixed infinite money trade between players
  
• Fixed "Dog Walking" quest

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Hi, everyone, ːsteamhappyː

you guessed it right. New update is here! So, let's get into it.


We have finally added trade between players. Feature that was looong time on our to-do list. You can not only exchange items, but also MONEY, yep you are reading it right. If you need to transfer part of your cash or some items to other players, then all you have to do is simply go to that player, initiate trade and once the other player accepts your invitation then the trade is on.





Another new feature which was for a long time in our pipeline is crafting from stash resources. Once you are in your hideout, crafting is taking items from stash into an account. This means that you don't have to manually take out resources from stash in order to craft some item.



Tick tock tick tock... have you ever wondered what the time is in the game? Well you don't have to anymore. We have added clock in the diary, so you can easily determine the current part of the day and how much daylight you have left.



Reputation system was redesigned. Currently this system is not used on all NPCs, but only on few of them (Fester, Furgrim etc.) The system will be fully functional in the next update.




We have added 24 new quests. Some of them are quite complex with lots of branching and alternative paths on how to solve them. The complexity of some of those quests was the main reason why we had to postpone release of this update. We had to greatly improve our internal tools and internal processes in order to achieve our goals while making sure the output is bug free and fun to play.

Fun fact: since the last update our current quest map has grown so much, that it won't fit on our monitors anymore :D



Quest-related object interactions are now highlighted with yellow color. This helps players navigate through the world more easily when working on a quest.

• Fixed issues with opening multiple instances of the game at start
  
• Drinking lounge was completely reworked. It no longer gives items. Instead it increases your morale at a cost of increasing alcohol level
  
• Added new props and insides which were required for the new quests
  
• Added lots of new faces for inside characters
  
  
  
  
• Reworked spawn mechanism of chasers. Decreased spawn interval during the night
  
• Increased local detection radius of chasers
  
• Added pee behavior for dogs
  
• Fixed UV issues on models of craft bench, Valoun's shelter and Drax's
  shelter
  
• Fixed missing bottle in drinking animation
  
• Fixed AI's navigation issue around pit
  
• Fixed transitions issues between flashlight animation and other interactive objects
  
• Fixed typos in en version of the map
  
• Fixed slider issues when buying unique items
  
• Fixed possibility to interact with the environment when the map is on
  
• Fixed issues with stealing quest items from lockers
  
• Crafting bench near prior relocated directly into the hideout
  
• Fixed the issue of snow generating on interactive items
  
• Vending machines were rebalanced
  
• Improved GUI in crafting bench

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

new update is here!!!


In this update we have completely reworked stealing (pick pocketing, stealing from lockers etc.). Instead of the regular minigame it is now based on time. In order to steal something you have to be quick, before someone sees you. With every level you will get faster and better.

On the streets there are now new types of NPCs. We are calling them chasers (various residents and workers of the city). They are spawned randomly and they can detect your crimes. If they catch you then they can call police on you and you might end up in the prison for your crimes. So you have to be careful and quick when stealing.

If someone sees you while you are committing crime, they won't chase you right a way. First they will give you a warning and you have to immediately stop. If you won't stop or you will start stealing again after you were warned the NPC will chase you. This behaviour also applies to policemen.



Oldster was also reworked. He has charisma bonus, more trust points with street NPCs and perk tactic right from the beginning. However he has also slower stamina regeneration, takes more damage from all sources and has 0 cold resist by default.

• Fixed crafting bench GUI
  
• Added new quest - Dog handler in training
  
• Added few new indoor npcs and locations
  
• Added new perk called intuition
  
• Added new sounds when failing/winning minigame
  
• Fixed issues with synchronisation of interactive items after reaching maximum capacity
  
• Improved colliders in Zizkov and in business area
  
• Improved crime detection system
  
• Fixed issues in crime detection with multiple players
  
• Repaired head ik transition
  
• Fixed issues with smoking animation on clients
  
• Smoother movement of NPCs
  
• New interactive icons for lockers, bins and insides.
  
• Fixed incorrect LODs of dynamic trees
  
• Replaced two newsstands with snack stalls
  
• Fixed texture issues on various props
  
• Fixed incorrect label on locks when the player was missing perk
  
• Minor game balancing and tweaking
  
• Added missing charity sign
  
• Fixed incorrect exit point from prison
  
• Chinese translation greatly expanded, however still not on 100%

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

after 3 months we are releasing another massive update!

Since the last update we have upgraded our engine from version 2017.4 to 2018.3, which is the latest stable version of the Unity engine. This upgrade fixed a lot of internal errors, which we were unable to fix in the previous versions. Also it allowed us to do better optimisation with the code. So as the result the game is now less CPU heavy, loading and saving is now even faster then before etc.

We have also replaced our previous texture streaming technology with superior solution from Graphine. This replacement resulted in much better texture clarity, while maintaining the same or better performance.

We have been working hard on improving overall visuals of the game. This means that we have been fine tuning our textures and their physical properties. Global illumination together with color grading have been improved.

3D models of Zizkov area, Church of Saint Maurice and Bridge street were replaced with improved and more high poly models.





Also dynamic puddles have been improved by adding rain droplets effect to them.



One of the new awesome feature in this update are dogs. There are currently 3 types of them: german shepherd, rottweiler and polish tatra sheepdog. To get a dog you must complete a new quest from Drax.

Each dog has patience points (similarly to other NPCs) and bond. Interaction with the dog can give you various bonuses like increasing your morale, receiving warm buff etc. However these interactions cost patience points and require different amount of bond with the dog. In order to increase pp of the dog you must feed him. To increase bond you must train the dog. However the increment is not permanent and decreases over time.

To see how the dogs look in action check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ4x0wi-0_o

Hideout in this update underwent massive changes. Stash is no longer individual per each hideout, but instead there is one stash which is shared between all of them. Hideout bonuses are no longer defined by the amount of components placed in hideout. Instead there is a new system of conditions/challenges.





Also we have added 56 new buildable hideout components in this update. From garden dwarf to arcade machine. There is a huge diversity between them.



And that's not all. Some of those components can be actually used. This means that you can build usable toilet, shower, kitchen, altar and more. You can watch all of them in this demonstration video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1s7zInhjco

Crafting bench has been expanded. No longer it is only for gear repairing. You can newly craft here and dismantle items. In fact some of the new items can only be crafted here.

• Improved AI navigation
  
• Fixed errors with loading the same quests
  
• Fixed issue with unlimited lottery tickets
  
• Improved visuals of multiple props
  
• Increased amount of street trash in quest Street Sweeper
  
• Fixed loading and condition validation error in quests Street Sweeper and Digger
  
• Fixed floating quest items
  
• Trees are now affected by indirect lighting resulting in better visuals of the vegetation
  
• Repaired issue after leaving gear repair
  
• Improved 3D background in the main menu
  
• Fixed snow accumulation on collectable quest items
  
• Added new GUI for character selection when joining or creating the game
  
• Fixed OS language dependent issues in conversations
  
• Repaired errors in conversation with npc Valoun, Skrabisova, Master, Anatoly, Vanga, Kotler
  
• Repaired issues in clouds shader
  
• New error logging system with lower performance impact
  
• Fixed category switch in inventory on gamepad
  
• Fixed issues with spawning/removing NPCs in coop
  
• Fixed AI behavior of hobos on client
  
• Removed incorrect ambient sound from Anatoly's shop
  
• Fixed hideout stash synchronisation
  
• Fixed issues in multiplayer after player reconnecting to the server
  
• Improved synchronisation stability
  
• New randomised system for offered items in Anatoly's shop. Previous items can be now bought in the opposite shop.
  
• New 2D background in Anatoly's shop
  
• New and more robust system for saving/loading hideout
  
• Repaired drag & drop in inventory
  
• Repaired issues with unusable rest places after load
  
• Fixed issues with locker synchronisation after leaving them
  
• Fixed issues with hideout upgrading UI
  
• Improved visuals of the help HUD
  
• Improved colliders near the bridge street and business area
  
• Improved game balancing
  
• Updated indoor NPCs
  
• Repaired animation transition of conversation GUI
  
• Fixed lighting problem during transition from sun to moon
  
• Fixed issues with incorrect representation of health in HUD
  
• Fixed flickering in help HUD
  
• Added type icon on usable items
  
• Added new visual of hidden recipes
  
• Increased starting size of stash from 10 to 20
  
• Repaired problems with returning items once the stash is full
  
• Space between conversation options was decreased
  
• Fixed problems with re-initialisation of the game started outside steam
  
• Repaired icons of character parameters
  
• Increased gear durability
  
• Reorganised items sorting
  
• Lots of new items
  
• Improved flashlight animation
  
• Not awakening when freezing while resting in hideout was fixed
  
• Non-deactivating flashlight after removing from quick slot or after replacing with different item was fixed
  
• Fixed possibility to build components on the upper edge of the hideout area
  
• Fixed non rotating interaction icons while in building mode
  
• Repaired issues with notifications after closing minigame

Enjoy the new update! ːsteamhappyː

- Perun Creative

Yep. The title is correct! Version 0.63 is truly almost here! ːsteamhappyː ːsteamhappyː And it will be big. I mean reaaally big!

The update is already feature complete and since the last week we have been in the QA phase in which we are trying to polish and fix all the issues which we encounter. Stable public release will be released by the end of the week. However the update is already available in the experimental branch on steam.

If you want to access the public experimental version before the stable version go to steam, right click on Hobo: Tough Life and select properties. In the properties window go to the tab called betas and select there experimental branch. Then just wait until the update is downloaded and you are ready to go! However bare in mind that in this branch not everything is 100% stable and polished. You might even encounter some serious bugs. So If you want the best experience wait for the stable version.

Patch notes containing information about all the changes and new features will be published together with the stable version. But don't worry in the mean time we will be releasing plenty of materials (like videos, screenshots etc.). So don't forget to follow us on our social media like facebook twitter, youtube or discord

-Perun Creative

Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

today we are releasing another update! However this one is primarily focused on polishing and bug fixing.

• Fixed minigame issues in conversations
  
• Fixed translation errors in conversations
  
• Fixed incorrect sound in the minigame
  
• Improved Netcode stability
  
• Fixed issues after disconnecting in coop
  
• Fixed error after adding bag to inventory
  
• Repaired reset of patience points, shop content etc. in next seasons
  
• Fixed drag and drop
  
• Fixed snowflakes color when using laser pointer
  
• Reduced freezing in the begging of the game
  
• Added crime detection after failed stealing from NPCs
  
• Fixed camera issues after leaving conversations
  
• Added possibility to register in the Labor Office without the quest from Maisner
  
• Repaired EN version of the map
  
• Improved Oldster 3D model
  
• Added VSync settings to the menu
  
• Fixed issues with stucked notifications
  
• Fixed minigame generator
  
• Updated texts
  
• Updated item database
  
• Improved game balancing
  
• Increased day length

- Perun Creative

Hi everyone ːsteamhappyː

Christmas is almost here, but that doesn't stop us from developing new features for you!

• Current lock picking was replaced with a brand new minigame.
  
  
  
  
• Stealing is now detected as a crime by near policemen. Once the crime is detected, the policeman will start chasing you. There are different levels of crimes. For example stealing from a locked bin is not the same as breaking the shop. If you are not careful enough you might end up in jail. Therefore it is wise to wait till the night and use other players as a watchers, who will inform you if the policeman is nearby.
  
  
  
  
• Finally we are releasing first part of the quests. These quests are mainly targeted for beginners and their main purpose is to learn core mechanics of the game.
  
  
  
  However this doesn't mean that these quests aren't for skilled players. Even the entry quests offer rich dialogues and brand new gameplay. For example one of the quests unlocks temporary jobs in the labor office. This means that once in a while you can clean trash in the streets or do construction work and for that you will get some extra money.
  
  

• Added blank map, so that you can use quest navigation even without map item
  
• Fixed incorrect rotation of the player in the map
  
• New and improved graphics of the map
  
  
  
  
• Diary and crafting notification system
  
  
  
  
• Reworked sleeping system
  
• Added new npc - hobo Maisner
  
  
  
  
• Instant teleport of npcs when starting conversation replaced with movement transition
  
• Added IK blending for npcs
  
• Added new movement animations to npcs
  
• Repaired outside map colliders near Prior
  
• Fixed lock state synchronisation
  
• Fixed takeall issues in coop
  
• Fixed issues with changing resolutions in options
  
• Fixed floating bins in business area
  
• Fixed hobo's drinking animation
  
• Added shadermaps for semi transparent objects
  
• Fixed mismatch between hideout's buffs Cure and Faith
  
• Faster and more stable synchronisation of lockers
  
• Faster processing and synchronisation of items
  
• Sprint on gamepad/controller is no longer activated by holding left trigger, but instead it is activated by moving the trigger to the max on Y axis
  
• Reveal of content in rubbish bin using willpower is now synchronised
  
• Fixed disappearing progress of other players in rubbish bins
  
• Added notification for start/end of weather calamity
  
• Added missing fences in Zizkov
  
• Fixed various errors related to NPC spawn in coop
  
• Fixed possibility to self send network message
  
• Fixed NPC spawn and navigation around Prior
  
• Fixed colliders in business district
  
• Fixed player fading when entering newsstand or fastfood
  
• Fixed npc's LOD fade
  
• Repaired showing of notification about entering end season zone, when you are not inside that area
  
• Polished bloom threshold
  
• Repaired empty output logs after game crash
  
• Fixed loading/saving problems with rest places in shelter
  
• Hobos no longer disappears during weather calamity
  
• Improved visualisation of level up notification
  
• Added alternative text on shops during weather calamity
  
• Key J now opens quests diary directly
  
• Improved quest diary visuals
  
• Fixed issues with help bar while comparing gear
  
• Added removal of addictions after death
  
• Updated item database
  
• Overall polishing of game mechanics and game balancing
  
• Fixed incorrect stealing difficulty of items on client
  
• Fixed GUI glitch when selecting non-active buff
  
• Changed behavior extrapolation on clients
  
• Repaired incorrect weather resistence when using Fahrenheit degrees
  
• Added quest sounds

Since the last update we have also released a new video about development. This time it is about our own text editor which we use for creating conversations and quests. So if you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8wMQds6BqE

Merry Christmas and enjoy the new update!
- Perun Creative