It's been a few weeks since we launched the replay mode update. We've had some good feedback from our community so we've added and fixed some minor stuff!
Changes
- Advanced camera controls. With these you can now create camera paths and change the depth of field distance. - Fixed broken replays with modifiers. - Some UI SFX added and tweaked.
We're working hard towards our big update around the end of this month, so stay tuned for more!
We're back with another update! Being able to record and play replays has been a much requested feature right from the start of Early Access and we're now happy to say that we've added this to Descenders. We've seen some amazing stunt compilation videos and gifs already but this should definitely help creators push their flair to the next level, we can't wait to see what you all manage to create with the replay tool. Let's get into the list of changes.
Important note for Xbox One players: This update is currently in the hands of the porting studio and will be available to you in approximately one month from now. When we launch the update on Xbox One it will also include the content of the next update, which we're currently working on. Somewhere this week there will be an update on Xbox One -- that's to fix the bug some people had with the broken sponsor office.
Changes:
Replay Mode: - In the post-game screen you can now choose to save a replay of that particular run. - Recorded replays can be accessed by going to 'Extras->Replays' in the main menu. - Replay mode features time controls, camera controls, and different interface options. Experiment with them and please let us know if you feel something is missing.
New Bonus level: - 3 out of the 5 current environments have had a bonus level added in the past. This update introduces a 4th! See if you can find it, it's definitely no child's play.
New unlocks: - Added several new items of all rarities to unlock.
Misc:
Forest boss jump checkpoint placement improved.
Forest boss jump ring of fire moved slightly.
UI for selecting build crew re-worked, preparing it for the addition of characters.
Several sound effects added and tweaked.
Moved the 'leave team' button in the sponsor office so it isn't pressed accidentally as easily.
Advanced Tutorial and Key Redeem options moved to the 'Extras' menu in the main menu.
Bugfix: audio dropping when braking at high speed fixed.
Community If you want to keep up to date with the known issues and our current plans, join our Discord, or have a look at the Roadmap! As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts!
How are you finding the Ring of Fire Update? Managed to reach Volcano yet?
We've been hard at work on a bunch of new stuff for the game, and while some of it needs a little more time in the oven before it's ready (expect *another* massive update next month), we have some special stuff for you coming next week -- September 18th to be precise.
The Replay Update, Coming September 18th
When we first envisioned Descenders, we wanted players to have the tools to record and compile their own cool videos of their runs. With this new update, those tools are finally here.
From next week, you'll be able to save any replay at the end of a run, then go fiddle with it to your heart's content. Via the in-game Replay Browser, you'll be able to:
- Play back your replays - Apply slow-mo, fast forward - Move the camera anywhere you want - Remove the UI for cleaner shots - In-game photo mode
We can't wait to see the clips and photos that you lot have to share!
Oh, and maybe there's a whole new secret bonus level to find in the game. Just imaginate...
Descenders Community Day
Want to meet the Descenders team, hang out with fellow Descenders players, and be the first to play the Descenders multiplayer?
On Saturday October 6th, we'll be hosting the first ever Descenders Community Day at RageSquid HQ in Utrecht, Netherlands! You can expect the following:
- Hang out with the devs and ask them anything! - Loads of free food, drink and great Descenders tunes - First play of the Descenders multiplayer, only for attendees - Goodies! Including some cool Descenders-branded bits and bobs, and a special in-game kit available only to attendees
If you'd like to come along, simply join the Discord at discord.gg/descenders, and ask us about details!
Descenders at PAX West
We were showing Descenders at PAX West earlier this month, and had tons of fans pop along to show us how it's done. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and thanks to everyone who hadn't seen the game before, and bought a copy on the spot <3
See you all next week for the next update! Mike, Rosie, Roel, Lex, Elwin and Pip xxx
It's time to turn up the heat! Introducing 'Volcano' as Descenders' new 5th environment! Getting there will be no easy task but once you're there it will take your breath away... or your health... that's up to you. Apart from the new environment we've made lots of other changes so let's get right to it.
Important note for Xbox One players: This update also includes everything that was introduced in last month's Steam update, patch notes for this can be found here. This includes the teams rework, daily challenges, and a rework to the way bonus objectives are generated, among other good stuff. Check it out.
Changes:
Volcano: - A new 5th environment, a completely different challenge, and unlocked by playing the game in a very specific way - the only hint we'll give is that it involves fiery rings of fire. ;) - Volcano drops the 'stunts' parameter when generating a level and uses 'tectonics' instead. Hold on tight, this is gonna be a bumpy ride.
New Bonus level: - You've probably found the bonus levels we placed in highlands and peaks. This update introduces a MEGA interesting new one, see if you can find it.
New Freeride options: - People have been asking us to introduce the build crew to the freeride mode of Descenders, so that's what we did. - When setting up freeride parameters you can now go to a little menu with a dropdown list showing all of the build crew modifiers. note: you need to have used each specific build crew member at least once in a regular session before you're able to use that one in freeride. - We've split off the 'generate level from seed' and bonus levels and have given both their own place in the freeride menu. - Bonus levels can now be played from the freeride menu, instead of having to enter it's level seed. note: you need to complete a bonus level's objective before you unlock it for play in freeride.
New unlocks: - Added several new items of all rarities to unlock.
Misc: -Fire nodes are added to the world map, these are levels with their generation parameters maxed out to full intensity. -Changed a few keybindings that used the D-pad on controllers. They now have a modifier key to make sure that menus are still navigable by D-pad. -Daily sponsor tasks now auto-claim after you've completed them. -Daily sponsor tasks can be seen in the pause menu while in a session. -Added 3 new achievements. -Newsfeed now auto scrolls to next news story over time. -Upgraded the item unlock screen so that it now shows you a 3D preview of what you've gotten. -Greek translation added. -A couple of new bike particles have been added. -Pausing the game now fully pauses time as well. -(Steam only) Level seed history is now saved to a text file, you can find this file next to the game's executable. -Bugfix: leaderboard UI can now handle different alphabets and characters. -Bugfix: flashlight going off on the first night level fixed. -Bugfix: fixed a couple of small bonus-objective related issues. -Bugfix (Xbox One): leaderboard now fetches 10 items instead of 9. -Bugfix (Xbox One): flow leaderboard fixed. -Bugfix (Xbox One): friends/global leaderboard distinction fixed. -Bugfix (Linux): sponsor office no longer gives an empty screen when your computer is set to a different language other than English.
Known issues
(Xbox One) After completing the Volcano boss you should be able to play it in Freeride mode, a bug currently prevents the unlock. This will be fixed in a hotfix soon.
Braking at high speeds kills the sound effects.
No-path levels have a chance of generating bonus objectives that are very hard or impossible to complete.
Community If you want to keep up to date with the known issues and our current plans, join our Discord, or have a look at the Roadmap! As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts!
Hey everyone! Are you ready for the hottest update in Descenders history?
By now, lots of you have managed to whip, jump and scrub your way through Highlands, Forest, Canyon and Peaks, and are now looking for an extra challenge. That's where the Ring of Fire Update comes in.
Here's what to expect on August 7th:
Volcano
With this new update comes a brand new world. Volcano is the 5th Descenders world, and it's, well... it's a bit tricky. Volcano drops the "stunts" parameter, and instead introduces "tectonics", making for a rather bumpy ride. Oh, and there's lava everywhere, in case you hadn't guessed.
The Volcano world is based around the Pacific Ring of Fire area, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are prevalent -- but the Ring of Fire name also doubles up as a hint about how to reach Volcano.
See, you can't just enter Volcano by beating Peaks. There are special requirements to complete during a run, and if those requirements are met, Volcano will open up to you. Just keep an eye out for those Rings of Fire, and maybe you'll figure it out :)
A New Secret Bonus Level
By now you may have discovered a couple of special bonus levels in Descenders -- one hiding in Highlands, and one hiding in Peaks. With this latest update, a third secret bonus level has been added.
What is it? Where can you find it? Oi, stop asking questions! We're pretty sure you're going to be mega fans of it, though.
New Freeride Options
You guys are always asking for new options to be added to the Freeride sandbox mode, and we are always happy to deliver.
The latest edition to Freeride Mode allows you to pick the crew members you'd like to take into a level, so you can crank your character up and take on some seriously extreme slopes with slightly less chance of death. Note the use of the word "slightly".
New kits, bikes, all that jazz
As per usual, with this new update comes new unlockables to, well, unlock. You'll find a host of new items that can be equipped to your bike and rider.
And that's about it! We can't wait for you to check out Volcano -- it's going to get pretty hot under the collar around here...
It's update time! We've overhauled the way teams/sponsorships worked, added a daily challenge mode, daily quests, and more! The road to sponsorship and the way you progress once sponsored has been changed. Therefore we've reset everyone's team. Your unlocks and Rep will not be taken away. It's a big one so let's get right into the changes.
Changes:
Teams rework: - Obtaining a team no longer happens when reaching 1000 rep. Instead you'll have to complete 3 sponsor nodes on the world map instead before you get an offer. - Sponsor nodes now give you a choice; you'll be able to start up an Arboreal, Enemy, or Kinetic track, regardless of which team you're in. - Once sponsored you'll be able to complete daily sponsor tasks. These are refilled back up to 3 once per 24 hours. Completing sponsor tasks progresses you in your team, unlocking sponsor gear along the way. - We've added the much requested option to leave your team! When leaving your team your sponsor progress will be reset to zero. Your Rep will not be reset, and your unlocks will not be taken away, but if you obtain a Kinetic sponsorship you won't be able to wear your Enemy gear, until you switch back to Enemy.
Daily Challenge: - In the Ride menu, you'll now find the Daily Challenge option. This starts up a regular session, except that you only get one chance per day. - The seed for this session is the same for all players and changes every day. - Scores for the Daily Challenge are stored on a separate leaderboard and are viewable in the Standings menu.
Bonus objectives rework: - A common complaint was that bonus objectives often weren't doable on your current track. Our intention was that players could choose their next track based on the bonus objective they were given. In practice this didn't work very well so we shuffled some things around. The bonus objective will now be generated during track generation, it will randomly pick an objective from a pool of objectives that you're certainly able to complete on the current track.
New bonus level. By now you've probably found the construction site in Highlands, can you find the new one as well? This one features a new type of objective as well.
Session markers in freeride mode. Pressing 'T' or 'LeftStick' will plop down a marker in freeride levels, you can then respawn from there whenever you like.
Mixer plugin updates. Should fix performance problems.
Level generation build crew (all the yellow ones) are now included in level seeds. The old seeds will still work.
Switched a few keybindings around on controller. Check the keybindings menu for new bindings for: toggle UI, skip song, and reset camera angle.
Diminishing returns applied to stunts. Doing the same thing over and over will now award less Rep.
Initial game loading sequence sped up.
New team items added (by completing sponsor cards once sponsored).
New generic unlocks added to the random item pool.
Speedrun timer now in milliseconds.
Stoppie nerfed, Fakie buffed, Stoppies & Wheelies now have diminishing returns applied.
Construction site now has a separate finish line, so you are not forced to complete the objective.
Update platforms: The update has been pushed live on Windows and Mac. Linux will be pushed live later today, or tomorrow at the latest. Xbox players will receive this update, combined with the next update, next month. This is due to the complicated and time costly nature of porting and updating on console.
Community: If you want to keep up to date with the known issues and our current plans, join our Discord, or have a look at the Roadmap! As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts!
