We're kicking off our first major update to Vox Machinae of 2021 today, with our Training Day Update. The main focus is on providing our new players with the tools to learn all about our grinders, weapons and modes. Experienced players need not fret though, there's plenty of meat on the bone of this release with lots of tweaks, improvements and features to help advance the state of the game. Take a gander, we hope you enjoy our latest! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/503701bea78c7da2ec302443bb5782c58df52bc5.png[/img][h1]Tutorials[/h1] Everyone has to learn the basics at some point, after all, a good understanding of VOX’s mechanics is key to prolonged enjoyment. We’re grateful to our many dedicated players who continue to take it upon themselves to spread the VOX knowledge base. We’d like to pitch in and make this process a little easier so we’ve developed in-game training missions and info briefings that cover a wide variety of topics. Here’s a listy taste of the training goodness: [list] [*] Advanced Grinder tutorials [*] Advanced Weapon tutorials [*] Briefings covering all game modes [*] Informative reticle briefing [/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/8e039da8d36a9a990404994fafb6696c823d0e76.png[/img][h1]Enhanced Music[/h1] Our iconic Hangar background musical track is receiving some more love, with additional variety depending on which menu the player is currently in. Cryptic Tundra now features its very own brand-new track, so prepare to get jammin’! Sound effects added for our convoy trucks, changing grinder weapons/loadouts, and ambient audio for our factories. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/d29421c3c2dbe9618dbd7c8b8a23658f14bc5787.png[/img][h1]Reticle Depth [/h1] Because VOX’s giant robots have arms with guns training on targets at varying distances, they must aim at a single point in space. This convergence ensures their beefy guns hit their intended target accurately. Some cases of convergence are especially tricky such as when leading a target, because you have to aim some distance ahead to account for travel time. With this update, the game can now figure out which is your intended target and set the convergence distance plane accordingly for a more natural aiming experience, even while leading. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/9bee4f84bfd0a189962ebadd915a1249f53df648.png[/img][h1]Multiple Master Servers are GO[/h1] Everyone who looks for an online match in VOX asks our master server for a nice up-to-date list of the matches and players currently active. In rare situations reaching the master server for a query can be a bit hit or miss, so we’re introducing additional master servers to better distribute global coverage for more robust access. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/ffae288df832848e925022526570b442e18e6bda.png[/img][h1]Radar Module Changes[/h1] We felt our radar modules weren’t getting the playtime they deserved, so we went in and retooled them to give players a better bang for the buck. Signal boost has been merged into Absorbent Coating, and you will now receive both effects while you aren’t moving too much. Target Recognition now shows overheated grinders and can detect enemy hammer missiles, too. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32651247/42e0c38aa68c93e3e87f9791f4ea721bbc17110f.png[/img][h1]Drill and Goldrush Tweaks[/h1] Drill’s fuel capacity has been increased to allow for farther reaching jumps between drills. Speaking of arial capabilities, its jets have been tweaked for added air control. In other news, we’ve instructed the Hangar technicians to slap thicker armour plating on the top surface of Goldrush. Players should now be able to take a few more dings to this previously “squishy” part of its body. [h1]Wrapping Up[/h1] And as always, our new update comes jam-packed with our usual bevy of fixes, improvements and tweaks to that winning VOX formula. We even sneaked in a few extra secret goodies, so keep a lookout for those buried deep within. Thanks for your continued support, we’ll see you on the battlefield. [h2]Full Patch Notes:[/h2] [h3]New Stuff[/h3] [list] [*] Added training missions for all Grinders. [*] Added advanced weapons training missions. [*] Added reticle training. [*] Increased armor on sections of Goldrush roof. [*] Increase Drill fuel capacity. [*] Increase Drill horizontal jet strength. [*] Jumping on a lightning spire now triggers lightning to strike. [*] Lightning charge now restores fuel even while using jets. [*] Friendly hammer missiles show on the radar as little x's. [*] Signal Boost module removed and its effects have been added to Absorbent Coating. The Signal Boost part now triggers while not moving and no longer requires shutting down. [*] Target Recognition module now shows overheated GDRs as blinking symbols on the radar. [*] Target Recognition module can detect enemy hammer missiles. [*] After ejecting, you can now see your damaged Grinder in the Hangar. [*] When not aiming directly over an enemy, the aiming reticle will set its depth to the most prominent enemy. The selection is based on how close the enemy is to your aiming direction, and how close they are to you. This helps weapons converge on a specific point in space when leading shots on moving targets. [*] Deployed multiple master servers to greatly reduce chance of seeing the "Master server not responding" message. [*] Updated game engine VR libraries, and changed recentering method to a more standard one (should help headsets with camera-based tracking). [*] Thrustmaster TCA Airbus now recognized in both Pilot and Copilot modes. [/list] [h3]Art and Audio[/h3] [list] [*] Added some mountain-crystals to Serpent Plains. [*] Audio tuning and balancing. [*] New unique music for Cryptic Tundra. [*] Add engine audio for Rebel and Piggy vehicles. [*] Hangar music gets more exciting when starting or looking for a match. [*] Added audio when changing Loadout and Grinder. [*] Added ambient audio to stockpile buildings. [/list] [h3]Bug Fixes[/h3] [list] [*] Fix cockpits and weapons disappearing on screen while the zoom scope is closing. [*] Fix effects not appearing on Hammer missiles that were launched before you spawn into the level. [*] Fix some visual glitches that could happen when multiple people are talking on the comms screen. [*] Fix side monitors getting stuck and not moving with hand grabbing. [*] Fix facing the wrong way when returning from Free Look mode. [*] Fix reticle not changing color when aiming at some parts of vehicles. [*] Fix emissive parts of levels not glowing in the distance. [*] Fix a rare error that could cause AI Buddy speech to stop working. [*] Fix cables on the left chair column not moving correctly. [*] Fix scoreboard sometimes showing 0 score for all teams. [*] Fix pilots disappearing into background on comms screen if leaning back very far. [*] Fix problem with Skyjacker weapon which caused inconsistent proximity detonate distance. [*] Fix modules not enabling sometimes (hopefully for real this time). [*] Destroyed armor plates will now be correctly in sync for Grinders that were already spawned before you join a server. [/list] [h3]Even More Things[/h3] [list] [*] Fixed swapped controller prompts for mouse forward/back side buttons. [*] Updated Vox Machinae logo on monitor splash screen. [*] Fix incorrect controller prompt symbol for motion controller trackpad in the menu. [*] Added auto-recenter headset on launch, can be disabled in Video settings. [/list]