- Flying into 1.0! Goodbye Early Access! - 8 November 2023
Along with leaving early access, this update has some notable changes and improvements. Performance Increases Numerous physics and GPU optimizations. Level lighting. Some of the level light setups were heavier on performance with little to no visual gain. Lowered AI perception of the bots. Bots now only see about as far as the average human, and don't waste CPU cycles thinking about stuff happening on the other side of the map they can't even see. Remodelled/animated crates to improve their performance. Reworked Air Mines for better performance. Bug Fixes Fixed a bug on the challenge scoreboard. Fixed a few bugs related to remote player and object syncing in multiplayer lobbies. Fixed a bug where in target challenges the targets would stop moving.
- Balloonatics Big Update! - 20 October 2022
This update is a big one! It includes a number of new features and changes that have been planned or in development for quite a while, as well as a ton of bug fixes as we get ready to leave Early Access. One of the biggest changes is a complete overhaul of the bots. So much has changed with them that we’re giving them their own section in the announcement! We are also happy to announce the game works great on Steam Deck! Bots - Changes and Bug Fixes Bots do a much better job navigating around terrain and dangers. They actively avoid Kali’s wake, and react sooner to approaching dangers in levels that would be visually apparent to human players (such as the steam in the Ice Cavern). Bots are able to use their characters’ special abilities, and make decisions on when it is appropriate to use them. They are able to use all other weapons, and prioritize them based on what they can see within…
- Updates Coming Soon! - 7 October 2020
It’s time to suit up and get ready to take to the skies once again. After taking some time to work on our other title, Groove Gunner, we are working on several big updates to Balloonatics that we hope to release in the near future. We’ll have a more detailed update soon but here a summary of what you can expect in the next few updates... Game engine update from Unity 2017 to 2019 LTS, and a rework of many parts of the game to support the new engine features. Updates to OpenVR/SteamVR libraries and support for external cameras and mixed-reality rendering. Support for LIV. Substantial performance improvements - Multi-threading, physics optimizations, and other changes that will improve the performance throughout the game and allow for larger matches with more players. A higher minimum framerate should also help mitigate performance related motion sickness issues on lower end systems. Afte…
- Patch 11 - 24 June 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F8f02028634b9df012d705cfebb2c8cb89e3b5048.gif Usability Update for our VR Players We have included a way to rotate your playspace for all VR platforms. This will allow all VR players to play easily without the requirement of full 360 degree tracking, and will allow seated play for those who choose to or must play in a seated position.
- Patch 10 - 27 May 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F9deb6aee2a8dc72c432003f657a2e5afc3e26480.png New Weapon - Fake Crate! The Fake Crate is the perfect way to set a trap for your enemies. Enemies will think they are getting rewarded with a weapon but will instead be damaged by the explosion as they hit the crate. https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F1e69289b56ede7cf49cfa91f78eee31db33f324f.gif Weapon Select System We have implemented a weapon select system. No more looking at weapons and pushing E in non-VR. Instead, press 1, 2 or 3 to grab the weapon in the appropriate slot. Special weapons now spawn directly into your hand in Non-VR. This change was made to accommodate the weapon select system and to make it feel more natural for players.
- Windows Mixed Reality now Supported! - 21 January 2019
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fc4f25cf9cee9c7ef7477dc0a0a99fd6f0460cb5a.png We are happy to announce we have released an update to add support for Windows Mixed Reality to Balloonatics.
- Patch 8 - 20 December 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fc17bf08a90bc784a971152796b6697d8deafbfef.png In this patch we are finally introducing bots, and some exciting game format changes including respawning! Bots Bots have been added to party matches allowing you to play solo or with friends in any of the party match types. Bots use the same characters as humans, and need to collect their weapons and powerups just like human players. Free for all games will be topped up with bots up to 5 players. Team matches will split human players across teams before filling any remaining slots with bots. Online matchmaking will continue to use only human players for the time being. Game Format and Scoring Changes Rounds are now time limited (5 minutes). Points are awarded for damage, with bonuses for balloon pops and downing other players. Downed players will respawn with a full…
- Patch 7 - 22 November 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fd192e04dfa2ef7fb1bc9bd7a087d1d220ee45c72.png In this patch we have added a new arena, Sunrise Temple. We have also made a change to how balloon health and shields work. Sunrise Temple Tempt fate by flying through Sunrise Temple before things get too heated. This level offers plenty of cover, paths, and a deadly burning trap. Don't get caught in the open. Health and Shields Extra balloons now come in their own crate. Before players had to collect a balloon ball and then smash it on their basket to collect the balloon. Now you simply collect the rare crate to get your new balloon. Shield balls are no longer the only shield in the game. Shield crates have been added that will appear throughout matches. If you collect one, you will have a shield around your balloons that will deflect minor hits and block one large h…
- Patch 6 - 11 October 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fef6ecfaf451d3c8615927da20f848649b457ff8e.png New UI The new UI is designed to be more user friendly and not require the player to look at a small screen attached to their basket. Instead, we wanted a full screen where we could put more content and make it easier to navigate. https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F83b89546a4fad3e0272e72f5d320259cce8c9297.gif Lava Pit Level Updates The Lava Pit has new texturing and a few new design elements include 2 giant skulls carved into the surrounding walls. https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fdf77e13bc4650c33e3532341192f93ec0c2338a0.png Other Improvements Party leader can search for or start matches without waiting for party members to ready up. Fixed an issue loading the game for users that hadn'…
- Patch 5 - 30 August 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F2fda89c558eb85616283c7ccec7af479bf40c766.png This patch introduces updated basket designs, a HUD for non-VR players, and a new weapon! Changes and Additions Non-VR HUD - Non-VR players now have an always-visible HUD to display damage feeds, racked weapons, balloon health, turbo, and special status. A new VR HUD is in development and will be released in a future update. Bird Blades - A new weapon! Throw or launch a bird carrying deadly rotating blades. Improved Basket Design - Baskets have been redesigned to allow for future customization, with new textures and sizing consistency between VR and non-VR baskets. Basket Physics - Basket shapes and materials have been updated to reduce friction and make it easy to manueuver when you drive into another basket or obstacle. Basket Controls - Fan will transition faster b…
- Patch 4 - 9 August 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2Fc9c028fd1dbab3057979db2640143c03f31ed337.png Bots are on the way, but first we wanted to implement some changes to gameplay that we have been developing with our community of players. It was important for us to get these changes in before finishing bots. Gameplay Changes Shooting While Driving - Players can now grab and use weapons, throw items, and load/shoot the slingshot, all while driving. Weapon Rack - There is now a rack in the player's basket to hold collected weapons, making it easier to grab weapons while driving. Players are now limited to 3 items at a time. This results in weapons being used more frequently, less stockpiling, and overall much faster and fluent gameplay. Basket Sizes - Baskets are no longer sized to your play space in VR. All baskets are the same and allow for both standing and room sc…
- Patch 3 - 3 June 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F2bc1e7af62d2e2c68e65cf92e9e44129439b3310.png While we work on adding new weapons, game modes and levels, we're also still focused on increasing the performance and stability of the game. This patch includes some significant improvements in these areas that we have made over the past couple of weeks. Game and Performance Improvements Signifcantly optimized the graphical performance on each level with an average 50% decrease in draw calls per frame. Increased graphical performance of player baskets. Retextured some game items including basket fan, frames, walls and more. Many weapons and items now have Level of Detail rendering which decreases their polygon count as they move further from view. Empty weapons no longer stay in your basket. If you drop them in your basket they will despawn immediately. This declutte…
- Patch 2 - 17 May 2018
https://cdn.steampulse.org/steam/asset?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsteamcdn-a.akamaihd.net%2Fsteamcommunity%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fclans%2F31482738%2F07346b8ad3ba2a50636a4cd114c7868aaf95d484.png Today we are releasing another significant update for Balloonatics. Character Specials Every character in the game now has a unique special ability. Darwin: Big Friggin Bazooka - Deliver a laser guided missile with the help of your trusty laser eye. Thana: Shield of Bones - Spawn a shield made of bones that spins around your balloons making it difficult for your enemies to attack. Klause: Ice Day for a Cool Down - Blast enemies with your ice gun covering their fans with a block of ice. They won't be going anywhere for a while. Sicario: Into the Shadows - Turn invisible for a short time. Perfect for sneaking up on an enemy... or getting away from one. Merve: Banana Split - Launch a banana into the sky, then watch as it splits into a volley of bombs that fly towards ene…
- Alpha Patch 1 - 26 March 2018
For our first patch release, we have added a new character, Kali, improved all other character models and animations, reconstructed most of the UI and of course, fixed some bugs. We also spent a lot of this time getting the game ready for future phases. Characters Recreated every character model with more detail and improved model skinning. Added facial expressions to each character. Created animations for character select screens to suit each character. Added a new character, Kali. UI Added new character select screen. Added matchup screen to show match type and who's on each team. Added victory and defeat screens. Added a scoreboard to the end of the match. Players are now taken back to the lobby automatically after a countdown at end of match. New Scoreboard layout and design. New Challenges board layout and design. Challenges start screen has changed and is more informative. It will…
- Patch 1 - 26 March 2018
For our first patch release, we have added a new character, Kali, improved all other character models and animations, reconstructed most of the UI and of course, fixed some bugs. We also spent a lot of this time getting the game ready for future phases. Characters Recreated every character model with more detail and improved model skinning. Added facial expressions to each character. Created animations for character select screens to suit each character. Added a new character, Kali. UI Added new character select screen. Added matchup screen to show match type and who's on each team. Added victory and defeat screens. Added a scoreboard to the end of the match. Players are now taken back to the lobby automatically after a countdown at end of match. New Scoreboard layout and design. New Challenges board layout and design. Challenges start screen has changed and is more informative. It will…
- Balloonatics Takes Flight - 13 February 2018
- Balloonatics Takes Flight - 13 February 2018
- Pre-Release Announcement - 8 February 2018
We've had a few questions regarding whether Balloonatics is VR only. It is not! Early Access Release Date Balloonatics Early Access release is now scheduled for February 13th, 2018. We are working hard to squash some bugs and improve performance before release. Added 6 more challenges for a total of 12 solo challenges. We have remodelled and retextured 3 multiplayer maps. UI improvements to make matchmaking more intuitive. Improvements to allow better performance in VR with a wider variety of hardware. We’ve also started work on a new single player (and co-operative online multiplayer) game mode that we’re really excited about. We’ll be providing more updates on this soon. For more information hop in our discord channel and chat with the devs directly! https://discord.gg/6sGbRXM The Balloonatics Team
- Pre-Release Announcement - 8 February 2018
We've had a few questions regarding whether Balloonatics is VR only. It is not! Early Access Release Date Balloonatics Early Access release is now scheduled for February 13th, 2018. We are working hard to squash some bugs and improve performance before release. Added 6 more challenges for a total of 12 solo challenges. We have remodelled and retextured 3 multiplayer maps. UI improvements to make matchmaking more intuitive. Improvements to allow better performance in VR with a wider variety of hardware. We’ve also started work on a new single player (and co-operative online multiplayer) game mode that we’re really excited about. We’ll be providing more updates on this soon. For more information hop in our discord channel and chat with the devs directly! https://discord.gg/6sGbRXM The Balloonatics Team
