Arvoch Alliance SE 2.0888-2.1988 Updates...

[Vice]

Version 2.0888 includes the following improvements:

- Larger cockpit displays and HUD readouts.
- 'Exit to Briefing' option added to in-game exit menu.
- 'Formation Proximity' option added to tactical console.
- Most textures/images updated to lossless full quality format.
- Enemy missile contrails would sometimes not be rendered, fixed.
- Codebase entirely rewritten in new development platform/language.
- Directional audio system implemented for various external sound effects.
- New explosion effects with debris that 'burns away' with an orange-red color tone.
- Fixed starting at planet descent training stage causing player to explode on initialization.
- OCRS (helmet mounted camera system) visibility setting added to 3D cockpit option menu.
- Heavily revised planetary terrain detail management system for improved performance and framerate stability.
- New 'Cave' environment added to multiplayer for Dogfight and Squadrons modes for close range PVP (no AI ships) combat.
- Base engine and thruster performance increased across the board by 50%-100% (see notes).
- Added ability to map controller axis input to roll and movement on X/Y/Z view control.
- Instant Action option replaced with Free Flight mode and optional unarmed drones.
- Ship layout icons added to Squadrons and Strike multiplayer mode briefing menu.
- Zoom control rate in external view modes now scales with tracked ship size.
- Training mode heavily revised for improved instructions and visual cues.
- Ship type icons and abbreviations added to multiplayer selection menu.
- 'Distance' parameter added to multiplayer battle scenario menu.
- 'Spacing' parameter added to multiplayer battle scenario menu.
- 'Clear Key' option would often set key binding to 'Z', fixed.
- 'Unload All' option added to ship configuration menu.
- New jump drive warping effect for most display modes.
- Mission briefing audio remastered to improve quality.
- New hangar shield effects for carriers and stations.
- Campaign mission format converted to plain text.
- Stats/status option now key and button mappable.


Notes:

Missions can also now be edited in the Vulkan version of the game, providing an additional level of difficulty control and scenario configuration within the campaign itself. Each mission file is now in plain text format and can be adjusted in a text editor or the mission editor as with other player created missions. Be sure to back up the original mission files if you want to preserve them and back up alterations as well to restore them after potential future updates which will put the originals back in place.

Since custom battle scenarios can be selected in the multiplayer mode, even as a solo player, the Instant Action mode has been replaced with a new Free Flight mode which allows a player to test fly various ship configurations and practice maneuvers without interference or mission objectives. Unarmed drones can also be optionally added for target practice and weapon testing. If drones are selected, the player can land at the nearby carrier once they've all been destroyed to return to the Free Flight menu to change ship type, loadout, and drone options.

Baseline engine and thruster power levels have been increased by 50-100%. This is to help rebalance performance between ships and individual engine/thruster systems as well as increase agility overall for all ship types.

[Vice]

Versions 2.0908-2.0918 include the following improvements:

- Terrain normal maps updated for an improved softer appearance in light response.
- TrackIR values reset as needed when changing view modes to prevent unwanted drifting behavior and to enable panning controls.
- Added ability to remap the external ship tracking view mode zoom key and button controls.
- Rock cliff terrain texture updated for more aligned appearance with other linked textures.
- Cube mapping for water effect updated to better show reflections from nearby terrain.
- Key and button remapping menu now highlights selected control input in green.
- Corrected equipment list descriptions for cannon relay and tractor beam.

Notes:

The zoom in and out controls in the external ship tracking view modes (player-to-target and target-to-player) can now be remapped on page 3 of the key/button configuration menu. I've also updated the control template to support mapping key, game controller button, and mouse button inputs for the zoom options and for easier future modification. The game will update 2.0908 and older builds up to the revised control template automatically.

Older builds prior to the latest 2.0918(b) may encounter a 'menu3.png' error at line 13988 or 14020 when an update is pending. This has also been fixed in the latest update.

[Vice]

Version 2.0928 includes the following improvements:

- New explosion animation and smoke effects.
- Improved explosion animation staging for better consistency and timing across a wider range of framerates.
- Ship, equipment, and weapon configuration last used in multiplayer battle modes is now automatically restored when returning to a battle mode.
- FXAA mode enabled as optional for non-optimized screen resolution modes.
- 'chattext.dat' message log placement option enabled.

Notes:

Explosions feature new and expanded animation frames with improved smoke effects. The overall look is more gritty, intense, and solid looking. The new system renders on fewer surfaces since the effects are more blended and unified, so there may be a slight performance improvement on some systems.

The last player selected ship, equipment, and weapon configuration used in a multiplayer battle mode (non-campaign) is now saved and restored for the next time a battle mode is selected. Ship configuration profiles for multiplayer can also still be saved and restored manually in the Ship/Loadout menu.

The FXAA mode is now optionally available when using non-optimized screen resolution modes. Other AA modes will still require the 'Optimized' setting due to render target requirements, but FXAA can now be enabled if a non-optimized resolution mode is selected.


**** Edit: A 'b' version of 2.0928 is available which corrects a few minor issues with the new explosion effects on systems with a low framerates (<17). Previously, the effects could be delayed and/or not render at the correct spacing and placement. This is just an optional update mostly for players that may have older/slower systems. It is available at the same download links.

[Vice]

Version 2.0978 includes the following improvements:

- Explosion staging system updated for improved effect pacing consistency on lower framerates (introduced in 28b).
- AI formation system updated to align ships ahead of carrier until player finishes launching/departing from carrier.
- 'Right Click to Set Nav Marker at Position' reminder message displayed when mouse highlighting an object icon on the nav map.
- Mission 7 briefing stage 3 updated to provide more specific instructions on completing the objective.
- Mission notes added to many campaign missions for additional guidance on completing objectives.

Notes:

In the campaign mode, AI squadron ships will now wait out in front of the carrier more consistently and in a wide formation until the player finishes launching. They will then join up in their assigned closer formation. This will help improve time-to-launch efficiency and reduce the potential chance that a ship might get temporarily stuck behind a structure of the carrier.

Mission 7 has been updated with more details on steps and tactics necessary to complete it. Many missions have also been updated to include 'mission notes' in the briefing text for further instructions and tactics for success.

[Vice]

Version 2.0988 includes the following improvements:

- Combined button with POV/HAT input binding could cause an error message, fixed.
- POV/HAT inputs now display an 'H' next to any mappings in the key/button configuration menu.
- Initialization configuration updated to provide smoother startup process when launching the game.
- Console shadow could disappear if console menu left open and exit menu opened then closed, fixed.
- POV/HAT inputs now display a green box next to their assigned control in the key/button configuration menu when activated.
- Starlight color could potentially be mismatched under rare conditions when switching from single player to multiplayer modes, fixed.
- Escort missions could apply multiple failure penalties if left to continue after initial failure, fixed.
- Issue that could cause error when mapped control device ID's are lost by unplugging fixed.
- Control device drop down selection menu could cause error message, fixed.
- Additional checks put in place for 'keymap8.sw' configuration file.

Notes:

This update should resolve error notices associated with the game attempting to import very old (1.X) or corrupted key and button configuration files. However, it may still be necessary to rename or remove an old 'keymap8.sw' file to allow the game to rebuild one using the new template, then map controls as desired. Additionally, if a control device was mapped and later unplugged before restarting the game later, it could potentially cause an error. This has also been fixed in this update.

[Vice]

Version 2.0998 includes the following improvements:

- Specular values adjusted to render a higher level of shine response on metallic surfaces.
- Up and Down arrow key indexes reversed to align with importing old key and button control templates from older versions.
- Tractor beam animation updated to be slower and smoother.

Notes:

Due to the reversing of the up and down key and button control indexes, some players may want to swap these controls in the configuration menu if they prefer an opposite up/down pitch control assignment. However, since this was previously backwards in earlier builds, players that updated from an older 2.X version and swapped them already may not need to change them for this update.

[Vice]

Version 2.1008 includes the following improvements:

- Default text font made wider for improved legibility.
- Instrumentation font updated to match default text font, including more defined color tones.
- Nearby capital ship location moved away from carrier slightly in mission 14 for better spacing.
- Improvements to nebula and gas giant cloud effects in external views.
- Wind correctly enabled for gas giant planets.
- Related fixes.

Notes:

The gas giant planet environment now renders cloud layers a bit softer to look more realistic and align with the overall darker environment. Wind is also now properly enabled. Friendly AI ships could disappear after completing an objective in a gas giant planet and transitioning to the briefing menu, then back to a gas giant environment could cause rendering issues. Both are fixed in this update. The default instrumentation character scaling/size value has been increased to 0.75 from 0.7 and the default vertical placement offset value for the gunsight readouts is now 0.01 (changed from 0) to better center the new characters on the display frames.

[Vice]

Version 2.1028-2.1088 includes the following improvements:

- Text system updated for improved performance and consolidated image indexes.
- Certain two button combinations could prevent proper input detection for mapped controls, fixed.
- Fly-by view placement distance calculation updated for consistency across a wide range of framerates.
- VR mode updated for new default placement and to add optional vertical placement value in 'vrsetup.txt' file.
- Throttle percentage input system updated to fix issue with lack of response from mapped control device buttons.
- Fix for error when attempting to target asteroid.

[Vice]

Version 2.1188 includes the following improvements:

- New custom cockpit display system implemented.
- Added ability to change brightness of all message log and menu text (see notes).
- Joystick animation movement in cockpit can now be changed to respond to roll input (see notes).
- Added ability to map axis inputs to button controls.

Notes:

The brightness of all in-game message and menu text can now be changed with a new custom file option named 'setfontbright.txt' placed in the \media folder. Simply create a file with that name in the \media folder and in the first line, indicate the multiplier for how bright you want the text to be. The default value is 1.0. So values above 1.0 will be brighter, below 1.0 darker.

By default, the cockpit joystick will respond to yaw/turn input from a connected flight control device. You can now change this to respond to roll input instead by a new line available in the 'joystickthrottle.txt' custom file option. The first 8 values specify the joystick and throttle structural positions and rotation multiplier as indicated in the customizing kit. A new 9th value is available which lets you specify the control input the left/right movement of the joystick will respond to. The default value is 0 for yaw/turn or enter 1 for roll.

You can now map axis inputs for key and button controls in the configuration menu. They will be displayed as 'A#' in the configuration menu where '#' indicates which axis channel has been mapped. When mapping, axis inputs must be moved by a default 50% of the range of their motion in either direction from center to provide a signal to map a control to. This range value can be changed via a text file placed in the \media folder named 'axisbuttonrange.txt' and in the first line, enter the percentage of movement you want axis inputs to respond at (default 50). This new control addition also means that you may see new 'A#' values displayed in the key and button configuration menu when a control device is idle if any axis inputs are not centered (ie throttle or rotary controls). Any controls that are not centered when activating the mapping mode will be ignored for no interference when mapping buttons and keys. You can also bind either a positive or negative movement direction on an axis independently. Axis inputs bound to button control functions will display '+' or '-' after their respective axis channel number depending on the direction of movement from center. So binding positive movement of axis 1 to an input will show 'Device #, A1+' in the configuration menu. You can then optionally recenter the axis and bind the negative range of movement to a different control, if desired.

The new custom cockpit displays system lets you add, place, scale, and rotate custom cockpit displays with information and/or images you choose to render on them. Up to 9 individual displays can be added with up to 9 indicators or readouts each (digital/text or bar graphs). You can include custom static images for reminders, notes, or just eye candy. You can also use an image as a background for readout/indicator frames rendered on top. You can then add individual indicators using either digital/text readouts or bar graphs to display various values related to ship systems. Some bar graph options will display on or off indicators, so you can make alert or status lights with those (including individual custom images for the lights). Full position, scaling, and rotation options are available for both the base displays and their indicators. For digital/text indicators, you can also set the spacing between individual characters.

Instructions are included in the 'CustomDisplays.txt' configuration file (which needs to be placed in a \media\hud folder) and an example is available in the sample files for the revised customizing kit: https://www.starwraith.com/arvochallian ... readme.htm

[Vice]

Version 2.1208 includes the following improvements:

- Elevation indicators added to 3D HUD mode ship and object contact blips.
- Selecting certain options in consoles could cause visual artifacts on some AMD graphics devices, fixed.
- Improvements to VSync screen mode framerate alignment (may improve performance on some systems).
- Training updated (stage 18) to reflect updates to inbound missile indicators on radar.
- OpenGL render path could produce artifacts in shadows on planetary terrain, fixed.


Notes:

The new elevation indicators will provide a visual reference for the vertical height difference between a ship or object contact relative to your ship's rotational orientation (not the galactic ecliptic plane). This way, you can better gauge how high or low a contact is relative to your ship's position and rotation.

[Vice]

Version 2.1208(c) includes the following improvements:

- Heat signature indicator shadow updated to remove minor visual artifact.
- Notes added to instructions and training stages indicating when Numlock on is required for certain key input controls.
- Divider bars added in Options, Fleet Orders, and Target drop down menus.
- Improvements to cockpit texturing and lighting.

[Vice]

Version 2.1228 includes the following improvements:

- Improved auto-targeting behavior (next ship) if asteroid is current target and is destroyed.
- New lighting system and effects implemented for explosions, weapon flashes, and tractor beam.
- New shader effect implemented for asteroid explosions to render a smoke/dust based explosion rather than fire based.
- HUD mode 2 gunsight updated to align with revised layout (arrows for horizontal/vertical velocity indicators).
- Added ability to adjust camera impact shake effect via external text file.
- User interface changes and improvements.
- Improved asteroid debris scaling.


Notes:

Through a series of updated shaders along with newly coded lens flare, placement, and activity routines, a more advanced lighting system has been introduced that provides new effects such as a soft blue flickering light source for the mining/tractor beam (reflecting off asteroids and other objects nearby) and improved particle cannon light flashes along with new lens flares and bright reflections for explosions. This new system more accurately applies variable illumination based on material/surface reflective properties defined in texture data as well as intensity and range variation.

You can adjust the level of camera impact shaking via a new external text file option (create a file named 'shakelevel.txt' in the save data folder, default location is '\Documents\ArvochAllianceSE'). The default value is 1.0 with a range of 0 to 10.0, which you can adjust up or down to whatever level of impact shake effect you want to apply.

There are several significant and minor improvements to the UI in this build. Scroll bars have been updated to a one color design, further distinguishing them from any up or down buttons that may be nearby and clearly indicating scroll range. A new inverse button highlight has been added for multiple menu option modes to help visually distinguish a current mode from other available modes.

Edit 01-15-2021: Update (b) is available as an optional download. It fixes an issue with POV/HAT inputs in the key/button configuration menu on page 3 that could cause the menu to freeze and/or controls not be properly listed. So it's an optional update for those who do use POV/HAT inputs for those controls.

[Vice]

Version 2.1288 includes the following improvements:

- IP address entry system expanded to potentially support IPv6 values on some system configurations.
- Control-V option added to IP entry fields in multiplayer menu to support copying and pasting IP values from Windows clipboard.
- Flaw in calculation that could cause some asteroids to be misplaced after travelling to new sectors during campaign fixed.
- Multiplayer connection system expanded to better support multiple ICS/NAT players on one IP connecting to remote host.
- Fix for long range shadow system that could occasionally render incorrect moving shadow band artifacts.
- Device name and ID system updated to better handle multiple devices with the same name.


Notes:

Devices with the same name as reported by Windows will now have a unique sequential number assigned to them from the second duplicate device on up for better distinction and control mapping.

[Vice]

Version 2.1408 includes the following improvements:

- Improvements to experimental VR system for scaling, positioning, and rotation.
- Star lens flare effects now properly follow the player's viewpoint in experimental VR mode.
- Radar blip elevation bars now adjustable with varying custom scale levels for cockpit.

[Vice]

Version 2.1488 includes the following improvements:

- Improvements to texture filtering in experimental VR mode.
- Default VR vertical head placement value set to -1.25 for improved initial alignment.
- Improvements to HUD shadows and new options added for experimental VR mode.
- Secondary radar blips no longer flicker when new contacts come in range.


Notes:

Two new parameters have been added to the optional 'vrsetup.txt' configuration file, 'HUDShadows' and 'HUDShadowM'. 'HUDShadows' sets the default distance placement of HUD shadows. 'HUDShadowM' sets the shadow placement mode of HUD shadows. By default (mode 0), shadows are placed with a standard alignment from center. Enabling this mode (1) will direct the game to try and align shadows relative to head movement and custom scaling values. This approach is less precise, but may help with some custom scaling and positioning parameters. The latest 'vrsetup.txt' file is available here: https://www.starwraith.com/arvochallian ... rsetup.txt

[Vice]

Version 2.1708 includes the following improvements:

- Minor performance improvements and lower memory overhead.
- Added ability to adjust positioning and scaling of HUD bar graph and shield indicators.
- Ability to use the F10 for VR centering added and can also be remapped to a different key or button within the game.
- Save data file output option updated to support custom target folder destinations.
- Additional checks added for control bindings that may not have a valid device ID.


Notes:

The 'Mouse Look' key and button index can now be used for centering the VR view when in the experimental OpenVR mode. If the game is in regular 2D mode, the key will default to mouse look. If the game is in VR mode, it will switch to 'Center VR'. The option can be remapped on page 3 of the key/button configuration menu.

[Vice]

Version 2.1728 includes the following improvements:

- Inverse text for active menu modes updated to reduce bold/outline appearance and soften edges for improved legibility.
- Multiplayer system updated to properly accommodate certain network device configurations and UDP port assignments (see notes).
- Added optional '%docfolder%' directive for save data folder system to support selecting system specific documents folder location.
- Custom sound file system for the '\alerts' folder updated to correct an issue that prevented new custom sounds from playing (now correctly aligned with 'ogg' format and specified filenames).
- Changes applied to executable that may solve startup issues that may occur on some system configurations.
- Font character table expanded to support wider range of characters for cockpit/HUD displays.
- Terrain self-shadowing enabled for the 'Very High' shadow detail mode.


Notes:

The multiplayer system has been updated to change the way the UDP port is established and managed. It could encounter a problem if a player tried to connect to their own server on their own network. This eventually lead to the need establish a new separate port value for the client. Previously, this was 28889. It is now 28890.

The save data folder system ('savedir.txt' and 'savedatasettings.txt') can now apply a system/account specific documents folder location with a '%docfolder%' (no quotes) directive in specified target folder lines. When applied, the '%docfolder' directive will be replaced with whatever the current documents folder location is on the system (example: 'c:\Users\UserName\Documents').

Terrain self-shadowing has been enabled for this build using the 'Very High' shadow detail mode. This adds another level of shadow rendering, so if you encounter unwanted performance implications or would otherwise prefer the previous render appearance, you can change the shadow detail setting to 'High' to set things back as they were.

[Vice]

Version 2.1748 includes the following improvements:

- Training voice sequences now pause when opening exit menu.
- Training voice sequences now immediately apply selected 'sound effects' volume level when changed in exit menu.
- Added ability to save/export current control device's button and axis mapping profile for later reloading (see notes).
- Default control device profiles updated to account for additional mapping options.
- Experimental VR mode updated to support command line activation of VR system.
- Primary weapon firing mode added to savedata value set.


Notes:

You can now save your current button and axis mappings for backup and reloading. To save your current control profile, first select the device you want to save mappings for from the top drop down list in the 'Axis Configuration' menu. You can also optionally use the left and right arrow buttons on each side to scroll through the available detected control devices. Once you've selected the device, then click on 'Save Current Device Profile'. A menu will open prompting you to enter the name of the profile you want to save. After entering the desired name, press enter. The profile will now be saved in the list of available custom profiles.

Then to load a profile, first select the device you want to bind custom mappings to from the drop down menu at the top of the 'Axis Configuration' menu. Once the device is selected, then click on 'Load Custom Device Profile'. Left click on the profile you want to select from the list. The custom mappings will then be applied to the current device. It's generally best to map the top device in the list of detected devices first, then map additional devices afterwards as this allows the game to sort through secondary mappings without overwriting mappings from devices higher on the list. Custom control profiles are stored in the save data folder (default location is '\Documents\ArvochAllianceSE'). You can optionally delete a custom control profile by right clicking on its entry in the menu, rather than left clicking. The game won't fully delete control profiles in case a player accidently deletes one they want to keep. Instead, it will simply rename them with a '-bak#' marker in the filename where '#' is the number of times a profile has been backed up in a given index. So you can optionally remove the '-bak#' letters in the filename to restore a profile. For those working on language translations, new lines added to the text.dat file are 602, 603, and 2366.

[Vice]

Version 2.1788 includes the following improvements:

- New control device profiles added for the new input system.
- New optional control device input system added to support more devices and options.
- Improvements to 3D cockpit movement response to control input and directional changes.
- Axis mapping system updated to remove requirement to clear an axis before remapping it.
- By request, a 'M' character will be included at the end of the set speed savedata value if speed match is active.
- Subtle orange color tones added to brighter elements of asteroid explosion sequence and new customizing options added.
- Added VR controller support for experimental VR mode (menu selection and basic flight control, see notes).
- Savedata value set significantly updated for new values, see customizing kit for details.
- Vertical height center locking option added to experimental VR mode (see notes).


Notes:

A new default control device input system has been implemented due to reports of a few devices not working with the earlier control input system (a single axis rudder and a button box) and to expand input options. The earlier system (now labelled 'Limited') will continue as normal to avoid altering existing control selections players have already set up and you can optionally change to the new mode manually in the Axis Configuration menu. The new system will be default for new installations of the game and is labelled 'Advanced'. It features additional axis channel inputs, higher POV/HAT limits, better device naming, and broader device support. When switching control input systems, you will likely need to remap axis inputs and possibly some button inputs. But once configured, the game preserves each configuration independently so you can later switch between the two and use whatever the last configuration was that you set up. You can also export your configurations to profiles in both modes for preserving and reloading later. Configuration/setting files using the new control input system will carry '-advanced' in their filenames to keep them separate from the earlier control system's files. With both control systems in place, if you run into a limitation with one, you can switch to the other and likely find options best suited to your control device configuration.

The customizing kit for the game has been updated to include details on the new savedata values. The page is available here: https://www.starwraith.com/arvochallian ... readme.htm

A new 'CenterLock' option has been added to the 'vrsetup.txt' configuration file for the experimental VR mode. It enables or disables the vertical height locking mode. By default (mode 0), the vertical height will be reset to the optional target vertical height location whenever the CenterKey is pressed. Enabling mode 1 will lock the vertical height to the value reported by the HMD and adjust centering from there. To restore previous functionality, change the value to '1'. The updated sample 'vrsetup.txt' file is available here: https://starwraith.com/evochronlegacy/c ... rsetup.txt

Support for VR controllers has been added to the experimental VR mode. Compatibility may be limited, but the system has been tested with Vive controllers as a functional baseline. Details and options are available in the revised 'vrsetup.txt' file available at the link above. By default, button 1 enables/disables the point mode to select menu options (a pointer laser will appear when active) and the handle/grip button toggles through the flight modes (joystick and throttle). The current flight mode for each controller is displayed above each hand in the game as a hologram. In joystick mode, the trigger fires primary weapons and touch pad button fires missiles. Controller movement adjusts the pitch and either yaw or roll (changeable in the 'vrsetup.txt' file, available at the link above). The controller's touchpad or joystick (if applicable) controls strafe thrusters. In throttle control mode, the trigger activates the afterburner and touch pad button changes the IDS mode. Controller movement adjusts the throttle level. The touchpad controls either roll or yaw and forward/reverse strafe thruster control in IDS off mode. Buttons can be remapped in the 'vrsetup.txt' file. Different control modes are available to support yaw or roll by moving a controller. By default, roll control will also be available on the other controller's touchpad/joystick X axis when in throttle control mode. In another optional control mode with roll available on the flight controller, yaw control will be available on the other controller's touchpad/joystick X axis when in throttle control mode.

New customizing options have been added for the asteroid explosion effect that provides access to values used in the shader system. These options let you apply custom color values throughout the range of the explosion sequence. You can set a desired base level value where color mixing starts and a multiplier that specifies how much color to add from that range up to maximum. You can create red/orange, green, yellow, purple, or blue type explosions using these options. As a secondary option, you can also apply any color sequence to all explosions in the game globally. Details are available in the customizing kit at the link above.


Edit 5-10-2021: Quick update rolled out (2.1788b) to change how 'generic' devices are handled in an effort to reduce the number of non-gaming devices from appearing in the list of available controllers in the 'Advanced' control mode. Since a number of unwanted 'generic' devices would appear in the list of detected control devices, the generic category is now excluded by default. This limits detectable devices to more gaming related categories. Detection of generic control device can be enabled by creating a text file named 'devicelimit.txt' in either the '\media' folder or the save data folder (default '\Documents\ArvochAllianceSE'). Other exclusion options described in the game's instructions in the technical notes section are still available.

[Vice]

Version 2.1808 includes the following improvements:

- New 'Sphere Capture' and 'Base Capture' multiplayer player-vs-player modes added.
- Added twist rotation animation to in-cockpit joystick (still switchable in 'joystickthrottle.txt' file option).
- Added ability to view current save data folder (hold mouse pointer over game logo in pilot profile manager).
- Red team base in multiplayer rotated to provide matching entrance angles for green team facing heading 0.
- Minor fixes.


Notes:

The 'Sphere Capture' mode is a team-vs-team and player-vs-player only mode where each team has to retrieve a sphere from the opposing base and then return it back to their base. The sphere is color coded for the team it is linked to and only needs to be run into to be retrieved. However, any retrieving player must fly into the opposing base through one of the five openings to retrieve the sphere in the middle. Once the sphere is retrieved, the player can then fly back to their base. Points are awarded when a player returns the sphere to the middle of their team's base while their own team's sphere is also at their base. If a team's own sphere is not at their base, then they must destroy the player carrying the sphere before they can score a point. This game mode is open for players to score as many points as they can in a selected time limit, kill limit, or whenever the host decides to end the game.

The 'Base Capture' mode is also a team-vs-team and player-vs-player only mode where each team has to capture the opposing base by remaining inside it until the indicator bar on the HUD reaches zero. Alerts will be displayed below the indicators bars when a base is being captured. If a capturing player is destroyed before a base is fully captured, then the base will slowly restore its level on its respective indicator. The first team to fully capture the opposing base wins.

[Vice]

Version 2.1828 includes the following improvements:

- Cursor now made to blink in create and modify pilot menu.
- All training voice audio sequences rerecorded for higher quality and clarity.
- Visual indicator and numerical value for signal input added to axis mapping menu.
- Higher precision mouse input system implemented for smoother mouse look and mouse flight control.
- Improvements to specular effects to reduce over saturation at some angles.
- Sound effects volume now automatically reduces during training.
- Alternate language filename options added (see notes).
- Minor fixes.


Notes:

Alternate filename options have been added for the 'optionsdata.dat', 'techdata.dat', 'text.dat', and 'traintext.sw' files. Simply add '-lang' to the filename to provide alternate text files for the game to load (example: 'text-lang.dat'). This way, you can apply custom text files for the game to load without overwriting the default files and without having custom files overwritten when updates are installed.

[Vice]

Version 2.1848 includes the following improvements:

- Added '-lang' filename options to 'bitmapfont32b.png', 'bitmapfont32c.png', and 'bitmapfonts.evo' character image sets in the '\media' folder.
- Collision and weapon impact shake effects left/right movement improved to be more balanced.
- Improved lens flare bypass detection in external views for capital ships and asteroids.
- Fix for button input bypass when mapping controls.
- Afterburner shake effect reduced.

[Vice]

Version 2.1878 includes the following improvements:

- Added ability to press Control-V to paste text into multiplayer text chat entry field.
- Rare chance of rotation inconsistency (form of gimbal lock) when at/near 90 degree pitch level fixed.
- Total playback indexes/channels of collision impact sound effects limited to reduce potential of crackling on certain audio devices.
- Overall color tones and sizes of many HUD/display background graphics reduced for a more subdued look and to improve text readout visibility.
- Tabs added to upper menu bar text descriptions, most lines and dividers either removed or connected to reduce clutter.
- Gunsight rim reduced in thickness and softened in color tones, shield indicators now moved to the outside of the rim in their own dedicated frames.
- Gunsight three character readout ID labels reduced in size and surrounding line graphics removed to reduce clutter (now on tabs and readouts contained in smaller frames with rounded corners).
- Additions to customizing systems to better support a wider range of different radar sizes, readout placements, and indicator offsets to accommodate new HUD/UI elements.
- Revised font coloring system to support custom colors for in-game links and buttons (see customizing kit for details).
- HMCS readout labels decreased in size to more closely match new forward gunsight readout labels.
- Radar display increased in size by about 20% for improved legibility and spacing.
- Cockpit displays given tabs to match gunsight, most lines/dividers removed.
- Target direction indicators revised for a softer, cleaner look.


Notes:

A significant portion of the this update focuses on HUD and UI improvements based on feedback over the last few years. For any players who wish to restore the original HUD elements, gunsight, and cockpit display panels, check the box available at Main Menu > Options > 3D Cockpit > Classic HUD. This version also provides a preview of many HUD/UI elements that are in development for Evochron Legacy SE as part of a possible future update for that game as well.

Edit 11-8-2021: An optional revised version is available that fixes an issue with centering the player's viewpoint in VR.

[Vice]

Version 2.1888 includes the following improvements:

- Windowed modes integrated into the 'Screen Mode' list in the main Options menu.
- AI combat tactics improved to reduce certain maneuvering and attack limitations at wide vertical angles.
- Jump drive timer moved to above gunsight rim and below MDTS indicator.
- Bar graphs added to jump drive timer, collision alert, and stealth status.


Notes:

The windowed modes have been integrated into the main Options menu under Screen Modes. The behavior of these modes is significantly dependent on the baseline display resolution being used, AA mode, and the selected window resolution. It is generally recommended to use the 'Standard' mode that covers an entire display surface for optimal image quality, AA modes, and task focus. But you can now enable one of the windowed modes directly in the menu. The default mode is a bordered format and supports repositioning in-game using the same alt key option that's been in the game for years. Simply hold the alt key and then click and hold on the small '+' symbol that appears in the upper right corner of the screen. You can then slide the window around to change its location. Standard Windows key controls also work in this mode, so you can press Alt-Space, then select 'Move', then use the arrow keys to move the game's window around. To enable the windowed mode, it's generally best to select the resolution you want first under 'Resolution' then activate one of the windowed modes. This guides the game to set the desired resolution first, then set the window frame size to match. If you try other sequences or otherwise run in to undesired display parameters, you can simply reselect a screen mode to reset things. A borderless option is available, but removes certain window control options and may have some unwanted stretching effects at certain settings. To enable the borderless mode, after enabling the windowed mode in the Options menu, open the 'swscreen.txt' file that is created in the game's save data folder and edit the last line to read 0 instead of 1. Then if you want the window to be at a different initial location than the upper left corner of the screen, edit lines 3 and 4 to specify the X and Y position you want to place the window at (since the manual control placement option won't be available in the borderless mode), then restart the game. You can switch to either a bordered window or standard screen mode without having to restart the game.

New bar graphs have been added below the text readouts for the jump drive timer, collision alert, and stealth status. The bar graphs will help visually indicate the remaining time before the jump drive comes back online, the distance to the nearest collision risk, and the percentage remaining for any stealth device or generator. They are color coded to match their respective readout color. For the collision indicator, the bar graph will be wide when there is significant distance between your ship and the nearest object and will be narrow when there is little distance. The collision indicator can also adjust quickly depending on the trajectory of your ship relative to the speed and distance you are approaching the nearest detected object at. You can optionally turn off these indicators using the 'hudtext.txt' file option detailed in the customizing kit.

[Vice]

Version 2.1908 includes the following improvements:

- Improvements to axis flight control system for better responsiveness and quicker access to rotational limits.
- Improvements to axis input mapping system in Key/Button Configuration menu to better support upper range channels.
- Improved water shader effect when dynamic cube mapping is disabled and/or effect detail is set to 'Low' or 'Medium'.
- In VR during training, the player must now click in the message log area to advance stages (preserving the functionality of the holographic VR menu without unwanted training stage advancement).
- For VR, new bypass options added for VR controller flight modes to ignore axis inputs whenever a controller is set to point mode.
- For VR, the in-game holographic menus can now be accessed with either VR controller (left inputs will override right if both controllers are in point mode, best to use each individually for menu selection when needed).
- For VR, new optional mode cap settings added to limit each controller to one specified flight control mode.
- Gunsight shield indicators updated to reduce clutter and provide more distinct status indication.
- Smoother transitions/softer fading through clouds and atmospheric layers.
- Missile lock brackets updated to fade in as a lock is secured.
- OBJ format added to supported custom object mesh files.


Notes:

New lines have been added to the 'vrsetup.txt' file option for the new flight axis input bypass settings. The file is bundled with the game (in the '\media' folder under the filename 'vrsetup-bak.txt' as a backup copy, remove the '-bak' to install or copy the new lines from the backup file over to the file you are using in the same folder to add or modify options). On a related note, you can optionally double click the grip or button input mapped to enable flight control and hold it after the second click to enable a 'hold' mode, then release the grip/button to disable flight control.