Hey everyone,

The next Zero Caliber update is coming soon, and it’s gonna be a huge one!
We have mentioned a few things about it in our latest devlog (besides dedicated servers and the PvP game mode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrrAAi-ScM

It’s going to be both a content- and an optimization update.
We’re aiming for a mid-December release. Here’s a short summary of what you can expect:

The current tutorial map has been almost the same since the game’s release back in 2018. It was time to overhaul it, which will be benefitial for new players and Zero Caliber veterans alike.
The new tutorial will guide players through all the features that are currently in the game as well as explain the gameplay mechanics better.

Doing all this in a brand new, visually rich environment!



We’ll continue the storyline with an epic new mission in a brand new environment!



We’re also adding three new weapons: the USP, the MK18 and a new SCAR variant.
All three weapons are coming with unique weapon skins!



Poor shotguns will finally recieve proper reloading mechanics. Sarah Connor style included!




We have been knee-deep in the game's code to perform major optimizations which will have a major effect on the game's performance.
We're hoping that this, coupled with network optimization will hugely improve the multiplayer performance as well.

We have to mention the new projectile mechanics: the amount of damage a bullet does will now be calculated by incorporating distance as well. This means that each weapon will have an optimal range and will lose punch outside of this range. We're adding new enemy death animations to spice things up.
Virtual gunstock is coming as well!
We have addressed the issue where Rift S or Quest controllers might not be getting proper key bindings. This will be fixed in the update!
We have also fixed countless community reported issues.

This is just a very short list of the things that will be part of the update. The full patch notes will accompany the update itself.

As you might be aware, we have been working on dedicated servers for a while now. If, and only IF everything goes as planned, we might be firing them up in December.
In case of unforeseen technical issues, this will only happen later in January.

We're very close to testing the game's PvP game mode! We're trying to get everything needed for it done in December but once again, unforeseen issues might hinder our plans.
We will be posting updates concerning both dedicated servers and PvP on our social media channels, follow us if you don't want to miss the news about possible testing periods!

Youtube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord

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Thank you all for your continuous support and feedback!
XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

It's that time of the year!
To bring a little spookiness to Zero Caliber, we've carved a huge amount of pumpkins and placed them all over the night mission 'Retaliation' (you can find a few of them in the Lobby as well).
These Halloween pumpkins come with a little surprise: they blow up when shot (with a surprise sound effect). Use them to fight off the evil Tlalokiis!



If you just want to throw around pumpkins for the fun of it, look for them at the basketball court in 'Lockup' or at the beginning of 'Retaliation'.

A new SCAR variant can be found in the 'Armory' with a fancy Halloween themed skin!



Besides the new SCAR (which will be unlockable in the next update), we've made a spooky skin for a community favourite weapon: the M4!



We won't leave you without surprises in the next update either. ;)



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We hope you'll enjoy this little Halloween event we've made! It will stay live until the next update.

If you fancy a more arcadey, but scary sci-fi shooter for Halloween, check out our other title, A-Tech Cybernetic! We've just released a new content update for it with an epic ending.



Have a spooky Halloween!
XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

Since the last update, we've mostly been busy with fixing bugs and improving game mechanics.
The most noticeable addition is the new, overhauled recoil system, which will make aiming just a tiny bit more difficult.
Old recoil on the left-, new recoil on the right side:


We've also overhauled the rank icons, they'll now visually represent the hard work that goes into getting them. :)
Concerning the progression speed - we've heard your feedback about the grind, so we've chopped it in half: you'll get double the amount of XP and money per mission (compared to the amount of XP and money pre-update).

For VIVE Cosmos owners: basic controller support is live, please check if everything works correctly. Let us know in the Bugreports section if you encounter any issues!

You can check the full list below:

• New recoils - We've reworked how the weapons behave, it’s much more realistic now (subject to change based on feedback)
  
• New double magazines for the Uzi, P90 and the M1918 BAR
  
• New weapon skins for P90, M4A1, Python
  
• Shotgun clips are saved in the belt when moving between missions
  
• Sliders and stocks are released by the hand if you move the controller too far away
  
• Weapons spawned in the player’s belt have ammo chambered (they were spawned empty beforehand)
  
• Fixed a rare issue where knocking off scope attachments could cause iron sights to be incorrectly visible
  
• Fixed muzzle flash location when applying suppressors
  
• Fixed muzzle flash appearance when applying suppressors
  
• Improved Python handling and fixed barrel opening
  
• Fixed Ka5C slider - plate is now moving when shooting
  
• Improved Steyr Aug and KRISS Vector handling
  
• Steyr Aug rail fixed when applying attachments
  
• Improved turret handling

• Renamed ranks with new, visually pleasing icons
  
  
  
  
• XP is now capped at lvl100 - won't be accumulated after reaching the maximum amount
  
• Microphone 'always on' option - when enabled in the settings, the mic will always be activated, no need to manually turn the voice chat on
  
• Added a confirmation window on death screen before returning to lobby - no more accindentally leaving a Co-op session
  
• Fixed a rare issue where the host’s hand could get stuck in the air when secondary grabbing a weapon
  
• Improved player hand sync between host and client
  
• Iron sights in Co-op fixed

• Smart attachment Interaction
  Clicking the trigger button on the secondary hand attached to weapon activates the side attachment (flashlight, laser)
  
  
  
  
• Pressing the slider release button on the controller releases the slider if possible - interacts with scope attachments otherwise
  
• Improved reloading mechanics
  
• Visible hints added for each weapon when there is no bullet chambered (can be turned on/off in the settings)
  
  
  
  
• When using autogrip: in order to be able to use autogrip, the weapon HAS TO BE reloaded (on certain weapons only)
  
• Added the ability to sprint with sniper rifles and the BAR
  
• Toggle-grip is default now on HTC Vive while hold-to-grip on Oculus (can be changed in the settings)
  
• Fixed a rare issue when modifying settings respawned the player
  
• Hand pointer after grenade explosion fixed
  
• Player pointer fixes (in the armory, world map and at death screen)

• 3D model- and environment optimizations for better performance
  
• Fixed decals on several dynamic objects
  
• Several texture fixes

• New reverb system
  
• Improved soundscapes
  
• Dynamic movement sounds
  
• Updated Audio Engine
  
• New footstep sounds
  
• Combat chatter added

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Unfortunately we've ran into sync issues in Co-op with the promised player customization system, we had to exclude it from this update. :(


It's still WiP, will be added in a future update.
Co-op is currently under heavy optimization, we're aware of the occasional FPS drops.

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Thank you guys for the continuous support!
If you encounter any issues, please report them in the Bugreports section, or on our Discord server.

Have fun!
XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

Our beloved shooter will soon celebrate its official 1-year anniversary!
Zero Caliber was released in Early Access on 9th November, 2018, but it was born a little bit earlier - the first playable builds came into existence around this time 1 year ago..



To celebrate this, the upcoming update and the upcoming PvP’s beta - which is getting closer and closer by the day (probably December) - we’ve decided to have a 1-week-long sale for the first time since the game's launch.
Pro tip: might be a good time to get into the game and practice so you can jump into PvP as a veteran when the time comes. ;)

I’ve also put together a short list with all the goodies that are coming in the next update - the main new feature will be player customization!
Detailed patch notes are coming alongside the update, which is scheduled to go live around the 1st of October - re-scheduled to go live later (hopefully around 11 Oct. at the latest) due to optimization issues with the skin system.

Images shown below showcase WiP states and are subject to change.




After introducing weapon skins, we’ve started to experiment with custom player skins and accessories. The first batch of custom items will make it into the update: a mix of serious military equipment and goofy items just for the fun of it. :)
The items/skins will be unlockable through the progression system, or can be found hidden throughout all maps.

We’ve also reworked the rank names and icons - because who doesn’t want to show off his/her hard earned rank?




A lot of you requested a recoil update on all weapons: it is happening!
Every weapon got unique recoil behaviours in order to balance them out better - this balance will be vital in PvP as well.
The Uzi, P90 and the BAR got double mags (which are now fixed and work correctly), while the M4A1, Python and P90 got new weapon skins.


There’s now a confirmation window on the death screen before returning to the lobby - hopefully this will stop accidental exits from a session.
We’ve also added an option to have the mic always on - this will be useful for VR Arcades, and for regular players as well who doesn’t like turning the radio on every time they want to tell something.


We’ve improved the way of interacting with attachments (more on this in the final patch notes) and made it easier to remember to reload weapons: if hints are enabled, the sliders will be highlighted if there is no shell chambered - a helpful hint to remind you to reload your weapon.
Sprinting with heavier weapons like snipers and the BAR is now possible again.


We’ve updated the audio engine to its latest version which means improved soundscapes, dynamic movement sounds and all kinds of improvements all around.

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Besides the things mentioned above, numerous fixes and improvements are also coming in the update.
The update after this one will probably focus on bugfixes and polish, but you can expect new content as well, plus a new, updated tutorial map.
PvP alongside dedicated servers are in the works, we’ll soon tune in with more information about the planned beta and everything you need to know.

After one year we still have a lot to do, we’re still full of plans and ideas! We’ll see how well we can manage our time. :)
Thank you all for the continuous support and patience!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

We've been quite busy after July's content update. It unfortunately introduced a few bugs that needed to be fixed as soon as possible.
The first hotfix went live two weeks ago, and now with this hotfix we're hoping that we managed to fix all the major bugs of the update.

But, you know us.. it wouldn't be us if we didn't cram even more stuff into one update. :)
As a result, Zero Caliber now has full Index Controller support (except for finger tracking) and native WMR joystick support. Oculus Touch controllers got the awaited toggle-grip option and as a bonus, performance got increased by at least 20%*!
*mostly noticeable in combat situations

• Valve Index Controller support
  Attention! The 'bolt catch' and 'magazine release' buttons are hand-dependant. Right controller buttons work on weapons held in the right hand, left controller buttons work on weapons held in the left hand.
  
  
  
  
• Native WMR joystick support
  
  
  
  
• Oculus Touch toggle-grip option - no need to hold the grip continuously; can be changed in the control settings
  
• Fixed crashes caused by recent changes
  
• Massive performance optimization, especially in combat situations - temporarily disabled projectile particle effects in order to better optimize it
  
• Magazines don't fall through the floor after dropping a weapon
  
• 'Second Wind' invulnerability when low on health is back
  
• Fixed an issue in Co-op where the client player couldn't move after teleporting back from out of the combat area
  
• Ally NPC name tags and icons now follow them correctly
  
• Fixed an issue where the players could grab on invisible attachments. This caused the players’ arms to stretch far away
  
• Items cannot disappear anymore while being force-pulled
  
• Client players in Co-op now respawn on checkpoints with the equipment used right before dying

Throwing grenades can be hit or miss right now, we're working on polishing the throwing mechanics.

---

Now that we're done with the hotfixes, we'll move onto the next phase of development. We're going to focus on polishing the game (besides adding new featuers), but that's a topic for another steam news. :)

As always, we'd like to thank you all for the support and your patience!
If you have any feedback on the Index Controllers, or the game in general, send it our way on Discord or on our Steam Community Hub!
If you find any bugs, please make a bugreport here.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us wherever.

Have fun!
XREAL Games Team

-> https://steamcommunity.com/games/877200/announcements/detail/1584626009213000602


Hey everyone,

The second part of the huge update's hotfix is now live on the public beta branch!
We've also included a basic Index Controller support. This isn't a full, finger tracking support, but Index owners now can fully enjoy the game, and use all the core features.
The full Index controller support will be included in the next big update.



Here's how you can access the public beta branch:

Right click on Zero Caliber in your library -> Properties -> Betas -> Public beta

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A PRELIMINARY UPDATE, AND WILL BE OUTDATED ONCE WE RELEASE THE HOTFIX TO THE LIVE BRANCH.

Here's what the update contains:

• Valve Index Controller basic support
  
• Magazines don't fall through the floor after dropping a weapon
  
• Second Wind invulnerability is fixed when low on health
  
• Fixed an issue in Co-op where the client player couldn't move after teleporting back from out of the combat area
  
• Ally NPC name tags and icons now follow them correctly
  
• Fixed an issue where the players could grab on invisible attachments. This caused the players’ arms to stretch far away
  
• Items cannot disappear anymore while being force-pulled
  
• Client players in Co-op now respawn on checkpoints with the equipment used right before dying
  
• Fixed crashes caused by recent changes

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We're aware many of you experienced crashes after the latest update. We hopefully fixed it, but if you still experience the issue please let us know in the bugreports section, or on our Discord server!
Keep Index Controller feedback coming as well, we want to implement the best, most comfortable solution for you.

We'll gather your feedback, and if everything's fine then we'll release the hotfix to the live branch. Our main concern is the crashing issue, so please, if you experience any crashing, let us now (with system specs attached) via the channels i mentioned above.

Thank you guys, and have fun!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

I mentioned in our previous steam news that we’re going to release a hotfix for the huge update.
The first part of this hotfix is now live!

The second part is planned to go live next week, with Index Controller support* included!
*support for button mapping, not for full finger tracking

• Fixed player arm rotation
  
• Hands don’t get stuck in the air after picking up weapons in Co-op
  
• Hands don’t disappear after grabbing a weapon with second hand
  
• The menu and the pointer don’t appear on the same hand anymore
  
• Fixed floating magazines: no more levitating mags when grabbing them from the belt (?)
  
• Invisible ammo in certain magazines fixed
  
• Weapon smoke trails now work properly
  
• M2 turrets work properly on Timber Part 1
  
• When finding a mystery skin in Co-op, the unlock notification appears only for you - the skin still unlocks for the whole team
  
• Gameplay related improvements on the new ‘Lockup’ mission
  
• Fixed the blocked gateway after blowing up the wall on ‘Hail’
  
• AIs running in place fixed
  
• Fixed AI spawning, now they come to fight as previously
  
• Improved performance across all maps
  
• Fixed some rare crashes

ATTENTION: the public beta branch is now outdated, please switch back to the normal branch to enjoy the fixes!

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Please send us feedback on every possible channel.
The bugreports section and Discord is preferred. :)

The community’s reaction to the latest update was overwhelmingly positive, thank you everyone for the support!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

-> https://steamcommunity.com/games/877200/announcements/detail/1589127960896688598


I mentioned in our previous steam news that we’re going to release a hotfix for the huge update.
Before we do that on the live version, we want to make sure that it really is a hotfix and doesn’t break things in the game. :^)

While we do that, you can already access the hotfixed version of the game on our public beta branch.
Right click on Zero Caliber in your library -> Properties -> Betas -> Public beta

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A PRELIMINARY UPDATE, AND WILL BE OUTDATED ONCE WE RELEASE THE HOTFIX TO THE LIVE BRANCH.

If you decide to test the hotfix, please send us feedback on every possible channel.
The bugreports section and Discord is preferred. :)

Here’s what the hotfix contains:

• Fixed player arm rotation
  
• Hands don’t get stuck in the air after picking up weapons in Co-op
  
• Hands don’t disappear after grabbing a weapon with second hand
  
• The menu and the pointer don’t appear on the same hand anymore
  
• Fixed floating magazines: no more levitating mags when grabbing them from the belt
  
• Invisible ammo in certain magazines fixed
  
• Weapon smoke trails now work properly
  
• M2 turrets work properly on Timber Part 1
  
• When finding a mystery skin in Co-op, the unlock notification appears only for you - the skin still unlocks for the whole team
  
• Gameplay related improvements on the new ‘Lockup’ mission
  
• Fixed the blocked gateway after blowing up the wall on ‘Hail’
  
• AIs running in place fixed
  
• Fixed AI spawning, now they come to fight as previously
  
• Improved performance across all maps
  
• Fixed some rare crashes

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The community’s reaction to the latest update was overwhelmingly positive, thank you everyone for the support!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone!

We have two, very very busy months behind us. As a result, we can proudly present Zero Caliber’s biggest, most packed content update since its EA release last year!
We’ve brought you a new map - Lockup, a new weapon - Glock 18, the much-awaited loadout storing system, unlockable weapon skins, sharper graphics and a lot, lot more!
Really, when i say a lot more, i mean A LOT more.

This update is a HUGE one, please read through all the patchnotes below to see the full picture.
It’s impossible to summarize all the new content and improvements in a few words.

• New mission: Lockup. The Tlalokii have overtaken a maximum security prison. You're tasked with the covert mission of recovering sensitive prisoner lists.
  
  
  
  NOTE: You can find a basketball court mid-mission with functioning basketballs. Because even soldiers have to relax mid-combat.
  
  

• Extended Armory: with the amount of weapons and skins we have, it was time to extend our armory with new weapon racks, and a shooting range (which is still WiP)
  
  
  
  
• The new weapon racks contain all the available weapons, their skins, all the attachments and their skins and all types of magazines. And their skins. Yes. All of them.
  NOTE: You can choose which weapon skin you prefer and all the corresponding items will use that skin.
  
• Unlocking weapon skins: each skin has a rank requirement you have to reach. There are also hidden mystery skins throughout all maps (if treasure hunting is your thing - yarr!); they can only be unlocked by finding them.

• Store your favourite loadouts!
  You now have access to 3 life-size mannequins to store your favourite loadouts on.
  You can manually suit up your doppelgängers with your favourite setups, OR you can just press the appropriate buttons (either to store or to equip) to make the process faster.
  
  Store your gear, and they'll be waiting for you next time you launch the game.
  
  

• New weapon: the Glock 18, a legendary fully-automatic pistol.
  Did i mention it also has a drum mag? Brrrrt.
  
  
  
  
• Tactical shield level-up: when using a pistol and shield combo, you can reload one-handed for that extra badass feeling!
  
  
  
  
• Burst fire mode added for the following weapons: G36 (double shot), Glock 18 (triple shot) and the KRISS Vector (double shot)
  
• Most weapons have multiple new types of magazines: extended, double, drum, etc.
  
• All magazines have skinned versions and you can combine them with different weapon skins
  
• Grenades now have indicator trails when thrown, with lights and sound effect
  
• Shotgun clips can be used for easier reload: load 5 shells in at a time, then keep taking clips out of your ammo pouch instead of individual shells.
  NOTE: Why have shotguns without proper reload mechanics? Good question!
  Pumpable shotguns are finally coming in the next update!
  
• The last 15 weapons you’ve grabbed won’t disappear within a ~32m radius
  
• Revolver ejects bullets/casings correctly
  
• Turret release by distance fixed
  
• Stocks dynamically open or close depending on which state is closer (instead of always opening unless completely closed)
  
• G36 stock now works as intended

• Attention! The way of removing attachments has changed!
  Press and hold the trigger, then pull the attachment away (no need to use button combinations anymore).
  
  
  
  A short trigger press (no holding!) without pulling your hand away will change the modes on the attachment if applicable.
  WITH UNDER BARREL GRIPS: Little bit different, you have to secondary grab the weapon (grip) - then press the trigger and pull the attachment away to remove it.
  
  
  
  NOTE: Knocking off an attachment with another one still works!
  
• Smart attachment interaction when pressing the corresponding button - action performed in this order:
  1. Release slider IF backed
  2. Activate side attachment IF there is one on the weapon AND the slider isn’t backed
  3. Activate scope IF the slider isn’t backed AND there is no side attachment
  
• Attachment optimization resulting in much better performance
  
• Silencers can be removed from pistols
  
• Flash suppressor now works as intended

• Smarter AI behavior: the enemy will change states, run in and out of cover, run away or charge you depending on the situation around them
  NOTE: Friendly AI will get a rework soon!
  
• AI spawn optimization resulting in better performance
  
• Loading screen added

• Holster improvement: can’t remove other players’ holstered weapons.
  No more stealing. :’(
  
• Reviving other players isn’t instant anymore, it has a small (1 sec) cooldown.
  
• Force pull sync improved
  
• Improved weapon spawning to hand

• Trigger/grip interaction: we've separated what the trigger and grip buttons can do:
  Trigger: ammo and attachment interaction
  Grip: weapon grabbing
  
• Reloading while crouching: it is now easier to take out ammo from the belt while crouching (ammo pouch collider is around the player’s knees when crouching)
  
  
  
  
• Wrist and lower arm positioning and rotations are reworked
  NOTE: It is much better than before, but still WiP.
  
• UI laser beam improved: it is now independent from weapon length
  
• Completely reworked Comfort Mode setting for players prone to motion sickness - it is much more pleasant now. Also we now have three intensity settings under Settings>Game
  
• Comfort mode setup added to Lobby
  
• Player doesn’t glitch anymore when pressing full locomotion immediately after spawning
  
• Various force pull bug fixes
  
• Menu and pointer now supports main hand setting for left handed players
  
  NOTE: Index controllers are not supported officially. It's coming in the next update!

• Sharpened image to reduce overall blurriness - MUCH more sharp graphics
  
  
  
  
• No more head- and armless body after player death
  
• POIs are now fading when the player looks towards them - less obstructing
  
• Menu UI scaled down
  
• Impact decals are now attached to dynamic objects
  
• In the menu, after pressing Exit to Desktop, Cancel button now works
  
• New map has an experimental GFX feature (on VR platform): lens flares (bless Michael Bay!)
  
• ‘Retaliation’ map got the 'american-night' filter: instead of pitch-black, it has a nice blue ambient atmosphere
  
• Overall post processing FX improvements

• Updated gun sounds
  
• Burst weapon tail sound fixed, sound echoes after every burst even if the player doesn’t let go of the trigger

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Phew, what a list!
As you can see, we went a little overboard with all the things we wanted to pack into this update. It took a little longer than we wanted to, but we made it! - well, almost made it.
We’re aware this update isn’t completely bug free. Currently these are the bugs we know about, they will be fixed in a hotfix coming in the next few days.

• PSO scope disappears from the weapon rack under the Dragunov
  
• Co-op: if a squadmate finds a mystery skin then the whole squad recieves the skin
  
• Reloading weapons which were taken off the mannequins: several magazines get stuck at the belt
  
• End of 'Lockup' chopper scene shakes the camera unnecessarily
  
• 'Lockup' checkpoints: respawning at checkpoints takes a bit too long because of the map's loading time
  
• Incorrect impact decals are displayed on walls when shot at from some weapons
  
• Picking up random weapons and grabbing them in the secondary hand position makes the hand invisible in some cases

If you encounter any other bugs, please head over to our Bugreports section and report them - we read ALL the reports, even if we don't answer immediately.

We're eagerly waiting for your feedback about this update - please share your thoughts with us on either of the platforms listed in our Contact Us topic.

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That's all for now, go and have fun! :)
And thank you for the continuous support and patience, it's really appreciated!

XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone!

Only a week went by since our last update, but we aren't slowing down. The next update is almost in the testing phase!
If everything goes as planned, you can expect it to go live before the end of June.

It will include a brand new, smaller mission with a cool basketball court.



The promised weapon skin/loadout system is also coming with a reworked Lobby area with fancy weapon racks and a shooting range. The racks will contain all the weapons, their skins, all the attachments and their skins and all types of magazines. And their skins. Yes. All of them!
You'll be able to choose which skin you prefer and all the corresponding items will use that skin.

The AI will receive yet another behaviour update, it will be able to decide what to do depending on the actual situation.

We're fixing tons of bugs you've reported, thank you for that!

Taking off attachment will be even easier than now (grab-and-take off) without the need to hold another buton, and weapon holsters will be safe in Co-op (no more weapon stealing :) ).
Many guns will receive updated sound effects as well.

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These are just the most important parts of the next update, we can't wait to share it with you!
In the meantime, check out the full soundtrack we've added to the game in the last update.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spzOKUdtm0A&list=PLcLn1mwVYe5XxtT_kX34hxqiy1JR_F_ha

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Thank you guys for all the support!
XREAL Games Team