Buckshot Roulette - Harry Fink
Greetings, High Rollers!

We were truly astounded by the amount of questions we received for you, so it took us a 🤏 longer than expected to go through them all to get our final list, but here we are today — at the first ever BUCKSHOT ROULETTE: A Q&A Session by Mike Klubnika. We kindly asked Mike to answer your questions and we’ll be presenting the answers with their wording and punctuation intact!

And we're kicking things off with the most frequent questions we received these past couple of weeks. Take it away, Mike:



  • Will there be a mobile or console release of Buckshot Roulette? VR?
    Currently there aren't any plans for mobile or VR, but Buckshot will be dropping on current-gen consoles later this year.

  • Will multiplayer have any new items exclusive to it? Maybe some insights about it?
    A lot is subject to change at the moment, but there are plans to have exclusive items as well as other additional mechanics for multiplayer. The new items aim to make the game more strategic for PVP, and other mechanics may or may not include the ability to place bets from your total winnings. Go big or go home.

  • Who is “God”? What was his reason for playing the Dealer? Is he dead?
    God is just your average 'creator of the universe' type of guy. Made a bet with the Dealer and all hell broke loose. Literally. Yea he's super dead.

  • Can you tell us some insights about the game’s development? Did you encounter any bizarre or funny bugs?
    I had one bug where the dealer proclaimed "0 LIVE ROUNDS. 0 BLANKS.", picked up the shotgun, did nothing, and placed it on the table. I knew it was all going to break but it still got a chuckle out of me when the game crashed as soon as I shot myself. There was also this one time when I added the deformed dealer mesh that he swaps to when he gets shot for the first time. I tested it once and totally forgot about it, so later that night when I was expecting a :) dealer and got a >:( dealer instead, it actually spooked me quite a bit.


    Mike shared his logs of that happening just for giggles, enjoy!

  • Will new items/mechanics/weapon types be added to the base game?
    Currently the main priority is multiplayer, but it is possible that the base game will receive some updates. The synthesizer would be pretty neat, and a daily run that is the same for all players, but which you can only try once, is also something I have considered.

  • Does the game take place in the same universe as previous games?
    Yes.

  • Is the player still alive in the game? Or already in a form of purgatory or hell?
    The player is alive. Hell comes later.

  • Who is Doctor? Is he an entity or a human being?
    Doc is a 'normal human'. Just one of the people responsible for keeping the game going. He spends most of his time outside though, just to protect his hearing.

  • Would you ever consider adding "modifiers" to the game? I.e. switching around the odds of the preset shell loads, double damage always active, no items, etc.
    It would be neat. I imagine multiplayer would especially benefit from modifiers and similar mechanics, and if it'll be a feature either on launch or later down the line, then it'll most likely be on both the base game as well as multiplayer.

Of course, we couldn't help but notice a certain fascination with the Dealer in our community, so the next batch of answers is dedicated to our beloved affable sharp-toothed meatball.


  • Does the Dealer have a body? Or is he just a floating head with hands?
    Nah. Dealer just floats around like that.

  • What kind of music does Dealer like? Maybe some genre?
    Sorting algorithm 'audibilizations' is by far the Dealer's most liked genre. Radix sort is his favorite.

  • Is there gonna be a vid about the Dealer backstory? Or maybe a little bit of a lore of why we are in this situation with the Dealer?
    There will be some updates down the line that will flesh out the story more.

  • How many times has the dealer gone to a dentist? How many teeth does he even have, both showing and hidden in the void of his mouth?
    Sure he went to the dentist. Was told to quit smoking. Total annihilation after that. 38 teeth.

  • What does the dealer think about all the people simping for him?
    Can't think of anything funny for this one lol

  • Does the dealer prefer non-alcoholic beer or a normal one? Which brand?
    Normal. Digita all the way.



And the last category for today are the questions addressed personally at Mike, the best opportunity to get some of the insights behind his inspirations and design!

  • What is your favorite game/book?
    My favorite game of all time is probably Outer Wilds. The DLC is one of the best horror games I've played so far, and I actually liked it more than the base game.

  • What inspired you to make Buckshot Roulette? What was the inspiration for the art style/sound design?
    Overall, the mechanics and their presentation are mainly inspired by Inscryption. Like for example the way the camera pans around to show certain parts of the table. Apart from that the overall atmosphere, sound design and vibe of the game is inspired by all types of media with gritty and industrial aesthetics.

    Pi (1998) was a big influence in just throwing various pieces of random electronics everywhere, and enough cables so that they're a fair tripping hazard. PilotRedSun's animations have that lo-fi look and sound to them that I really liked, and it made me appreciate how cool stretched textures can look. Part of the soundtrack is inspired by the work of Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada, while the nightclub tracks are inspired by various boiler room sets and the Hotline Miami soundtrack.

  • How do you set deadlines for yourself, keep scope creep in check, and know when a game is ready?
    I usually just pick a date and plan stuff out before I start doing anything. I personally don't really vibe with long game design documents that go over every single aspect of the game before development starts, so I just stick to the core mechanics, gameplay loop, story, and just go from there. I spend a lot of development time just polishing, so after a certain point I just look at the thing and go "yeah".

    I usually don't have issues with scope creep, but Buckshot Roulette is one instance where I decided to just fully embrace it. It's one of the reasons the game was actually released a month after the original deadline. I vibed with ideas like the signature machine, smoking dude, and the car sequence with the final score so much that I just decided to add them.



And that's a wrap!

Thank you to our Discord community for submitting all your lovely questions, even the thirsty ones (oh god so many, many thirsty ones)! We'll be sure to host more of these every so often, so if we didn’t answer yours this time don’t worry, there will be other opportunities to submit your burning questions down the line!. In the meantime, please, consider a cold shower or caressing some greenery. 🌱

Now, back to work. See you next time in the Community Highlight devlog... and maybe something else as well?

Remember, it's not a gambling addiction if you keep winning.
Best of luck to you, High Rollers.

Mike Klubnika, CR Channel &
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Crossout - Faley016


It’s time to reveal winners of the “What's this trial?” contest. The right answer is “Cannons: Hero”.

Congratulations to the lucky winners:
Each of the winners will receive 3 days of premium subscription. The reward will be added within 10 workdays.


For more information on Crossout, follow these channels:
May 30, 2024
Rappelz - Julia
On Mai 31, maintenance work will be carried out on the game servers. In connection with this game, it may not be available from 17:00 to 17:30 Moscow time.

Please note that completion times are indicative and subject to change.

Please apologize for the temporary inconvenience.
Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip - eatchillis
Get off the roads, becuase Terry is about to crash into a PC or Steam Deck near you! 🚕

Big thank for the patience and support. Unreal to finally release my second game lol. Really hope you'll enjoy it 🦀

Also, if you're having fun, it would genuinely help out a lot if you could post a review on Steam 📈🚀

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2238040/Tiny_Terrys_Turbo_Trip/

Atan - Stefan
Hello everyone!
We've been hard at work over the last few weeks and our team is glad to share the next update of ATAN.

This update has come with some major changes and new things:
  • NEW: The onboarding level called "Ch'ok", meant to teach you how to play the game
  • A polished version of our first level, "Olis".
  • Updated visuals.
  • Lots of fixes to our core gameplay systems.
  • Saving for checkpoints and level progress.
Our team hopes that you will enjoy this new update. Feel free to share your feedback in our Community Server.
Also look forward to our Full Release coming in two weeks on June 12th, 2024!

Known Issues
  • The saving of settings can sometimes be inconsistent. Even though settings have been applied, the settings menu might still say 'Low Settings'
  • Saving progress & unlocks can be inconsistent as well.
  • Leaping from rocks can cause the player to get stuck in certain parts of the level.
  • Incase you've played the game before, saving might be acting odd. We recommend going into the Settings -> Accessibility, and resetting your local save files.
  • The bow still holsters even though it hasn't been unlocked yet.
These issues are currently being investigated and will likely get fixed soon in a hotfix patch.

Patch Notes

GAMEPLAY
  • Onboarding level has been added to teach the core systems of the game.
  • Overall design of Level 1 has been improved.
  • Player guidance through level 1 has been improved.
  • Level 1 soft locks that have been found have been removed.
  • Player movement and camera have been improved to be overall smoother.
  • Stamina system has been reworked based on feedback.
  • Leaping has overall improved and is more consistent.
  • Aiming and shooting with the bow has been improved.
  • Swinging with the rope is smoother and more consistent.
  • Collision shapes have been improved for a better climbing experience.
  • New player animations have been implemented for different interactions.
  • New player IK results in improved climbing interactions with surfaces.
  • Rope has been iterated to be more consistent and smoother.
  • Anchors have visually improved so that they are more easily spotted.
  • Most gameplay elements have now audio associated with them.
  • New music tracks have been made and added in the levels.
  • Cracks in the sky have been iterated.
  • Some achievements have been added.

ART
  • New master materials are getting applied through elements of game.
  • Onboarding Level has received a first pass of set dressing.
  • Level 1 has received a second art pass, overhauling a lot of the elements.
  • Hero props have been added to Level 1.
  • Models relating to gameplay have been overhauled.
  • Post Processing shader has been added to enhance the look of the game.
  • Player model and mask have been updated.
  • Colossus model has been iterated and now has more elements to make it look alive.
  • New VFX such as waterfalls and fireflies have been added through the level(s).
  • The non-playable environment around the level has been optimized and visually improved.
  • Lighting has been improved in the level(s).
  • New assets for terrain and foliage have been added.

UI/UX
  • Key rebinding has been added.
  • Design for UI buttons has been updated.
  • Settings menu has been visually overhauled.
  • Stamina bar has been iterated.
  • Level select has been added.
  • Player respawning has been polished.
  • Save files can now be shared across multiple devices through Steam Cloud.
  • Checkpoints and level progress now gets saved.
  • Graphical & Audio settings should now consistently get saved.

And lots and lots of fixes!
May 30, 2024
SnowRunner - hylia
Hello Runners! 🚚
May is over, June is around the corner, and will come with great news: SnowRunner’s Season 13 will launch on June 4th on all platforms! Again, if you want to get a glimpse of the upcoming scouts and trucks a bit early, you can access it on the Public Test Server.

Season 13: Dig & Drill includes:
  • A new 2km² map set in Almaty. A rugged, remote corner of Kazakhstan where sprawling mountain ranges meet dense coniferous forests and giant mineral quarries.
  • Two new vehicles: the PLAD 450, an 8x8 powerhouse equipped to handle any job, and the AAC-58DW, a wide-body scouting SUV fit for any terrain thanks to its superior stability.
  • New activities: Help the local government rebuild their mining infrastructure by conducting geological surveys, rebuilding the cargo airport, delivering equipment and transporting valuable raw materials.

Embark on a new adventure in Expeditions’s free Breaking Ground update!

Use all your wilderness exploration skills to find your way through dangerous and barren hills and canyons. As an explorer, you're about to reveal to the world the existence of an unknown civilization.

Discover the Kanab Creek caves, and get ready to continue the adventure underground in future updates!

To help you with the 22 missions, two new vehicles are available:
  • SIRO 72 T8-H
  • AFIM Hornet 622T


A new specialist has also been added to your team, Marcus Kingsley, whose skills will be very handy. And it’s not all, as even more content is coming with future updates.

To know more about the future of Expeditions - upcoming content, features, vehicles, specialists, cosmetic elements and exclusive gameplay mechanics - check the roadmap, here!


Another good news!
Co-op will arrive on Expeditions’s Public Beta Branch in June, you can get a taste of it early.
To access the PBB, please refer to this little tutorial.


That’s it for this month!
It’s been a long ride since we started our journey with SnowRunner and it's not over! We still have a lot of beautiful things to share with you, but in the meantime, make sure to join our core community on Discord if you haven’t already, and to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news!

See you in the snow!

The Saber & Focus teams


Total War: PHARAOH - ca_pingu


Hello, Total War community!

The gods of the ancient world shine down upon us, for today we dive into the second instalment of our Total War: PHARAOH update series, this week highlighting the iconic historical cultures that you’ll march to war in the hope of becoming the undisputed conquerors of the Bronze Age.

But before we get to that; a quick reminder that earlier this month we unveiled some exciting new details about our expanded campaign map that now includes the highly requested regions of Mesopotamia and the Aegean. Click on the links below if you want to hear more: Total War: PHARAOH - Dev Update – Expanded Map​.

📜 Read the full blog here


We'll also be holding our next live Q&A in the next couple of weeks, this time focused on today's topic of new cultures and factions, so keep an eye out for more info on this very soon.

—The Total War Team

For the latest news and announcements, don't forget to visit our official social channels. Steam Discussions X Facebook Instagram Discord
BROKEN LIFE - Stealer
🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 My game demo is now available on Steam! 🎮

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551300

Dive into the adventure and let me know what you think. Your feedback is incredibly valuable as I continue to develop the game. Play it now and share your thoughts!

And don't forget to add the game to your wishlist! 🤗
May 30, 2024
The Braves - Mary
Brave Ones!

We invite you to take a short survey about the world of Singoru. Your answers will help us make the game even better.

Quickly fill out the form via the link: https://forms.gle/Pixcm8wrK3V8fzt8A


Thank you for participating in the survey!
The Rogue Prince of Persia - HiddenJoker
Hey!

We just pushed a new patch, mainly to improve the performance issues that have been reported so far.

Please make sure the game is updated to the latest version (#10631d04).

Fixes:
- Big round of optimization and clean up to improve overall performance
- Added more failsafes to save files to prevent weird behavior when resuming runs
- Fixed an issue that caused medallion effects to linger after restarting a run
- Fixed a crash that could occur during Baatar's fight
- Fixed a crash caused by summoners in Garden
- Corrected font issues with Chinese localization

We still have some optimization left to do to improve performance, so more fixes will be coming!

For players still experiencing this issue after this patch, please share your player.log (located in AppData\LocalLow\EvilEmpire\The Rogue Prince of Persia) on Discord or Steam Forums so we can keep on identifying the causes and optimizing.

Thanks a lot to everyone who has actively been reporting bugs, we really appreciate the help as we keep on improving the game!

We will be back very soon with more fixes and that test branch with new content we were talking about...

Cheers,
The EE squad
...