Hi everyone.
I've been getting more reports lately that the SteamVR keyboard isn't showing up when attempting to create a new pilot. I will be releasing a patch soon that will have a built-in virtual keyboard instead of relying on the SteamVR keyboard. It will have a few other miscellaneous fixes including the rudder-binding fix.

Until then, try restarting SteamVR, Steam and/or your computer if the keyboard fails to show. Sorry for the inconvenience!

The patch should be up within the next couple days.

Hi everyone.
I've been getting more reports lately that the SteamVR keyboard isn't showing up when attempting to create a new pilot. I will be releasing a patch soon that will have a built-in virtual keyboard instead of relying on the SteamVR keyboard. It will have a few other miscellaneous fixes including the rudder-binding fix.

Until then, try restarting SteamVR, Steam and/or your computer if the keyboard fails to show. Sorry for the inconvenience!

The patch should be up within the next couple days.

The current public version of VTOL VR has been tested to work with Windows Mixed Reality devices. Here's some notes:

- It works by launching through Windows Mixed Reality for Steam
- The thumb controls are mapped to the touchpad, regardless of the option on the settings menu. Keep the thumbstick mode option set to DISABLED for now. In the future, the game will detect which device you have (Vive/Rift/WMR) and set the input options automatically.
- SteamVR has reserved the left and right thumbstick buttons for certain commands. Left thumbstick button: Steam Dashboard. Right thumbstick button: switch controller handedness. Unless this changes in the future, it means that you won't be able to use the thumbstick in VTOL VR as intended since pressing on the thumb-control is used for important functions in the cockpit.
As I mentioned, only the touch-pad works in the game at the moment anyways.

If you have a Windows MR set and find any platform specific issues with the game, please let me know! It will help alot!

Thank you,
Paolo

The current public version of VTOL VR has been tested to work with Windows Mixed Reality devices. Here's some notes:

- It works by launching through Windows Mixed Reality for Steam
- The thumb controls are mapped to the touchpad, regardless of the option on the settings menu. Keep the thumbstick mode option set to DISABLED for now. In the future, the game will detect which device you have (Vive/Rift/WMR) and set the input options automatically.
- SteamVR has reserved the left and right thumbstick buttons for certain commands. Left thumbstick button: Steam Dashboard. Right thumbstick button: switch controller handedness. Unless this changes in the future, it means that you won't be able to use the thumbstick in VTOL VR as intended since pressing on the thumb-control is used for important functions in the cockpit.
As I mentioned, only the touch-pad works in the game at the moment anyways.

If you have a Windows MR set and find any platform specific issues with the game, please let me know! It will help alot!

Thank you,
Paolo

VTOL VR is 15% off for the Steam Autumn Sale!

Since the last update, I've been working on tools that will make creating content for the game a whole lot easier. These tools will be built into the game and will allow the community to create and share custom missions and maps.

The first tool will be the mission editor. Until the map creator is done, you will be able to use the mission editor to create custom scenarios in the existing island/ocean map.

I've also been working on the model for the upcoming flyable Fighter/Attack jet. It will be an updated version of the jets that your wingmen currently fly. There's still many things to do for it, so it won't be available until early 2018.

I've recieved reports that a small number of players have experienced getting a black screen after returning from a mission in the latest update. It's unclear why it only happens to a few people, but I believe I've found the source of the problem, so it should be fixed in the next update.

There's also an issue where the hardware rudder binding will only detect one of your attached devices, so if you have several joysticks/controllers, it may not read your rudder pedals. This issue has also been fixed for the next update.

If you'd like to keep up to date and chat with me, check out our discord channel here: https://discord.gg/azNkZHj

Thanks for following along, and if you're in the US, have a happy Thanksgiving weekend!

VTOL VR is 15% off for the Steam Autumn Sale!

Since the last update, I've been working on tools that will make creating content for the game a whole lot easier. These tools will be built into the game and will allow the community to create and share custom missions and maps.

The first tool will be the mission editor. Until the map creator is done, you will be able to use the mission editor to create custom scenarios in the existing island/ocean map.

I've also been working on the model for the upcoming flyable Fighter/Attack jet. It will be an updated version of the jets that your wingmen currently fly. There's still many things to do for it, so it won't be available until early 2018.

I've recieved reports that a small number of players have experienced getting a black screen after returning from a mission in the latest update. It's unclear why it only happens to a few people, but I believe I've found the source of the problem, so it should be fixed in the next update.

There's also an issue where the hardware rudder binding will only detect one of your attached devices, so if you have several joysticks/controllers, it may not read your rudder pedals. This issue has also been fixed for the next update.

If you'd like to keep up to date and chat with me, check out our discord channel here: https://discord.gg/azNkZHj

Thanks for following along, and if you're in the US, have a happy Thanksgiving weekend!

It has been over a month since the last public update, but I hope you'll find that the wait was worth it. (By the way, VTOL VR is 20% off until Nov 1, so tell all of your friends! Happy Halloween!)

Here are the highlights:

We've updated to a newer version of the game engine which, among other things, brings huge improvements to performance.

There's now a GPS targeting system, along with GPS guided weapons such as bombs and an anti-ship cruise missile. For a video tutorial on how to use the new system, click here.

Mission 6 (Darkness) is now available to be played in "The Island" campaign.

There are now options for alternatives modes of rudder input: left thumb control, or hardware rudder pedals.

The AV-42C now has two additional hardpoints where you can mount weapons.

There's many more improvements, changes and fixes!
Here's the full change log:

Alpha v0.0.4

================

• Updated to Unity v2017.1.1
  
• Added The Island Campaign
• Mission 6 (Darkness)
  
• Added basic weapons training mission
  
• Added target bearing indicator to TGP screen
  
• Added sub-label to weapon indicator on HUD with additional info
  
• Added TGP sensor mode options (Day, Night, Color)
  
• Added GPS Target System
  
  • GPS Targets MFD page
    
  • GPS Send/Acquire in TGP page
    
  • GPS target and selection icons to map
    
  • Current GPS target icon in HUD
    
  • GPS target designation in map MFD page
    
• Added GBU-38 500lb JDAM
  
• Added GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
  
• Added Mk-82 x1 rack
  
• Added Equipment hardpoints 5 & 6
  
• Added AGM-89 Anti-ship cruise missile
  
• Ships can be destroyed/sunk
  
• Added indicator lights for when weapon is in range and ready to fire
  
• Added some collision avoidance behavior to AI plane in formation
  
• Added option for left thumb controlled rudder
  
• Added option for hardware input for rudder
  
• Added input binding menu to settings (only for rudder so far)
  
• Animated rudder pedals and pilot feet
  
• Improved AI VTOL takeoff behavior
  
• Added view fading between scene changes

• Changed TARGET page label to TGP
  
• Updated Mk82 x2 rack
  
• Tweaked RIM-67B performance
  
• Adjusted SAM flight behavior to improve effectiveness of leading into the ground
  
• TGP is automatically set as SOI when Head mode is activated
  
• TGP PIP mode will focus on GDS pipper when target is acquired with gun
  
• Reattached weapons will now be automatically armed
  
• Discovering a subcomponent of a unit will discover the parent unit (ex: locking on the gun of a ship will put the ship on the map)
  
• Increased GAU-8 rate of fire to the proper 3900rpm
  
• Replaced temporary launch detector models with new model

• Fixed occasional g-force death while being launched by catapult
  
• Fixed audio source position for some cockpit switches
  
• Fixed NVG tooltip
  
• Fixed Mk-82 mass
  
• Changed some material settings to fix certain stuttering issues
  
• Fixed Missile cruiser forward radars were indestructible
  
• Fixed some more incorrect behavior in equipment configurator
  
• Fixed buttons remaining pressed in if interaction is disabled on press
  
• Fixed overlapping denial message on equipment rearming station
  
• Fixed tutorial objective not advancing if the required state was already achieved before it started
  
• Fixed environment selector not displaying the correct default option
  
• Fixed environment select buttons not making sound

It has been over a month since the last public update, but I hope you'll find that the wait was worth it. (By the way, VTOL VR is 20% off until Nov 1, so tell all of your friends! Happy Halloween!)

Here are the highlights:

We've updated to a newer version of the game engine which, among other things, brings huge improvements to performance.

There's now a GPS targeting system, along with GPS guided weapons such as bombs and an anti-ship cruise missile. For a video tutorial on how to use the new system, click here.

Mission 6 (Darkness) is now available to be played in "The Island" campaign.

There are now options for alternatives modes of rudder input: left thumb control, or hardware rudder pedals.

The AV-42C now has two additional hardpoints where you can mount weapons.

There's many more improvements, changes and fixes!
Here's the full change log:

Alpha v0.0.4

================

• Updated to Unity v2017.1.1
  
• Added The Island Campaign
• Mission 6 (Darkness)
  
• Added basic weapons training mission
  
• Added target bearing indicator to TGP screen
  
• Added sub-label to weapon indicator on HUD with additional info
  
• Added TGP sensor mode options (Day, Night, Color)
  
• Added GPS Target System
  
  • GPS Targets MFD page
    
  • GPS Send/Acquire in TGP page
    
  • GPS target and selection icons to map
    
  • Current GPS target icon in HUD
    
  • GPS target designation in map MFD page
    
• Added GBU-38 500lb JDAM
  
• Added GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
  
• Added Mk-82 x1 rack
  
• Added Equipment hardpoints 5 & 6
  
• Added AGM-89 Anti-ship cruise missile
  
• Ships can be destroyed/sunk
  
• Added indicator lights for when weapon is in range and ready to fire
  
• Added some collision avoidance behavior to AI plane in formation
  
• Added option for left thumb controlled rudder
  
• Added option for hardware input for rudder
  
• Added input binding menu to settings (only for rudder so far)
  
• Animated rudder pedals and pilot feet
  
• Improved AI VTOL takeoff behavior
  
• Added view fading between scene changes

• Changed TARGET page label to TGP
  
• Updated Mk82 x2 rack
  
• Tweaked RIM-67B performance
  
• Adjusted SAM flight behavior to improve effectiveness of leading into the ground
  
• TGP is automatically set as SOI when Head mode is activated
  
• TGP PIP mode will focus on GDS pipper when target is acquired with gun
  
• Reattached weapons will now be automatically armed
  
• Discovering a subcomponent of a unit will discover the parent unit (ex: locking on the gun of a ship will put the ship on the map)
  
• Increased GAU-8 rate of fire to the proper 3900rpm
  
• Replaced temporary launch detector models with new model

• Fixed occasional g-force death while being launched by catapult
  
• Fixed audio source position for some cockpit switches
  
• Fixed NVG tooltip
  
• Fixed Mk-82 mass
  
• Changed some material settings to fix certain stuttering issues
  
• Fixed Missile cruiser forward radars were indestructible
  
• Fixed some more incorrect behavior in equipment configurator
  
• Fixed buttons remaining pressed in if interaction is disabled on press
  
• Fixed overlapping denial message on equipment rearming station
  
• Fixed tutorial objective not advancing if the required state was already achieved before it started
  
• Fixed environment selector not displaying the correct default option
  
• Fixed environment select buttons not making sound

The next update is underway with many additions and improvements.

The first main change is an upgrade to the latest version of the Unity engine. The update brings substantial optimizations to UI performance, which benefits VTOL VR greatly since the UI system is used on the HUD and labels around the cockpit. Improvements to Unity's profiler also helped me track down other performance issues, and the result is that VTOL VR will have a more stable framerate in situations where there are many AI aircraft near the player.

The second main change is the introduction of the GPS targeting system. This system will let you mark targets or waypoints on which you can deploy weapons such as GPS guided bombs and missiles.

As the weapon systems grow deeper, so does the need for trarining/tutorial missions. These take time to create, and more will be available as development progresses.

Thank you for your patience and continuing to support VTOL VR during early access!

Paolo

PS: I can't direct replies to particular comments under these announcements, so if you have questions, please post in the Discussion section. Thanks!

The next update is underway with many additions and improvements.

The first main change is an upgrade to the latest version of the Unity engine. The update brings substantial optimizations to UI performance, which benefits VTOL VR greatly since the UI system is used on the HUD and labels around the cockpit. Improvements to Unity's profiler also helped me track down other performance issues, and the result is that VTOL VR will have a more stable framerate in situations where there are many AI aircraft near the player.

The second main change is the introduction of the GPS targeting system. This system will let you mark targets or waypoints on which you can deploy weapons such as GPS guided bombs and missiles.

As the weapon systems grow deeper, so does the need for trarining/tutorial missions. These take time to create, and more will be available as development progresses.

Thank you for your patience and continuing to support VTOL VR during early access!

Paolo

PS: I can't direct replies to particular comments under these announcements, so if you have questions, please post in the Discussion section. Thanks!