Developer commentary
Added full developer commentary from most members of the team, featuring over 200 nodes.
Engine
Volumetric lighting
Updated volumetric lighting effects to require less samples, which improves performance while also looking better. We could measure speedup of up to ~46%. The new implementation also allows you to select different quality options and their look has been improved to work from more view angles
Other
- sv_max_allowed_developer is now set to 2 by default so developer cvar can now be changed during gameplay
- Fixed mat_fullbright now properly working with static props and overlays
- Various crash fixes (Thanks Strata!)
Map changes
We updated a lot of maps. Besides the usual bug fixes detailed below, here are some of the highlights
This corner of sp_a3_vactube_flings has been opened up. Players would often not find the cube dropper since it was hidden away, so we hope this change fixes that.
We extended the puzzle in sp_a3_vactube_cuberemove a bit
The button platform in control room 3 has been extended
More lights were added to this puzzle to improve visibility
A cable was added here to visually connect the door to the disk reader
This cut sign has finally added
Low quality graphics settings
We improved support for low graphics settings. Some materials, like water, appeared broken which are now fixed. Some materials would also fail to respect lower graphics settings and render at full quality. Some commonly used models will now render at lower fidelity when low graphics settings are enabled.
Model fixes
- Fixed visual artifacts on reflector cube
- Fixed desk lamp body glowing in the dark
UI
- Added quality options for volumetric lighting
- Added test chamber number to map selection dropdown
- Added option to set the main-menu background map to any chapter
- Audio device list can now show more than 8 devices
- Changed “Mute Audio When Minimized” to be a slider “Reduce Volume When Minimized”
- Fixed odd-even row coloring in video tab
- Fixed plush DLC button taking focus when you already have the DLC installed
- Removed option to disable HDR Tonemapping
All map changes
sp_a1_begin
- Updated lighting
sp_a1_fizzler_intro
- Fixed some visible nodraw
- Updated lighting
- Fixed misaligned textures
sp_a1_bts_wind
- Fixed softlocks
- Moved the copy machine towards the desk
- End transition now starts after hitting the floor to make it seem less like you died
- Updated cubemaps
- Fixed breakable cubes transforming into plush cubes when putting them into the laser
sp_a1_bts_wind_2
- Added cable to connect disk reader with the door
- Updated lighting in test chamber
sp_a1_end
- Added new overlay to the wall at the beginning
- Updated aperture overlay in elevator room to higher resolution version
sp_a2_outside
- Fixed some z-fighting in the beginning
- Fixed the water on low settings
- Updated water material in the bottom of the cavern to be less expensive
sp_a2_full_portalgun
- Fix water on low graphics settings
- Made pit deeper
- Added collision to pressure spheres
- Updated lighting
sp_a2_end_2
- Fixed softlocks and bugs
sp_a3_lake
- Fixed several self-trapping spots
- Grates now make grate footstep sounds more consistently
- Updated slope angle on shore
sp_a3_vactube_cuberemove
- Extended the puzzle
- Player now spawns facing towards the vactube ride
- Fixed vactube not casting shadows
sp_a3_climb
- Updated geometry up above
sp_a3_vactube_flings
- Updated geometry around cube dropper in an attempt that players will no longer miss it
- Updated cubemaps
sp_a4_finale
- Fixed chairs falling over on spawn
- Updated gameplay in control room 3
