Diner Playtest Build

The private link to the Diner build will be up after this post! We're doing something a bit new with builds from now on, and are deprecating the HMD Select system in favor of an automatic system which should detect if you're running a Rift or a Vive. 

This is experimental so please let us know if you have problems, we've tested it on a limited number of systems and it seems to work. You will spawn in mid-air, just teleport to the ground to be able to navigate properly. 

If you haven't got a Rift or Vive, for the first time we're trying out a non-VR mode. You'll be able to operate a free flying camera with WASD to look around the environment. Currently in this mode graphics settings can't be changed (unless you care enough to look up UE4 console commands) as we only have a VR-compatible version of the settings menu -  and they unfortunately default to the lowest graphical settings. This mode will be more supported in the future, right now you can get stuck on some doorways (sorry!). Hopefully to the guys supporting who have yet to get their hands on a VR headset, it will give you a nice taster of what to expect.

By default the VR mirror / spectator mode is turned off. This does gain some performance, which is why we decided to turn it off by default, and most people are likely to be playing alone unless your dads enjoy watching you play VR anime games. You can turn it back on in the settings menu if you have an audience or would like to stream.

This build contains new expensive rendering features which we're looking to optimize, but everyone should hopefully be able to run the game reasonably well. We'll be posting up a performance feedback form soon. 

Known Issues

• The campus isn't complete, you may fall through the ground if you venture too far from the Gymnasium or Diner area! 
• There are a few 2D characters in the build, from a distance they can look weird, this is due to some outline / post process settings which we have to tweak. The 2Ds also don't seem to blink, weird, sorry!
• Doors don't really work too well in the Gymnasium still, the doors in the Diner are static and can't be interacted with. We'll be doing a door overhaul at some point and then our doors will become really nice to use and immersive.
• Teleporting while holding items can still cause wild physics explosions to happen.
• At the start of the game a small physics explosion can happen, have no idea why this is. If you begin the game and stools are toppled over, this is why. 

Please email us or join us at our private Discord to discuss and suggest new features you might want - we do consider personal requests from Patrons - or to report bugs, or just to hang out. Will post up the Discord link along with the build link shortly. 

I think that's it for now, expect a news post with our plans for a Fitting Room build this month over the coming days!

Love, the Virtual Novel development team