3 DECEMBER 2016
Since the 0.4.4 build was published at the end of September we have been working closely with partners to iterate on the character, game mode, and networking systems for Gang Beasts and are now testing release builds for the Gang Beasts 0.5.0 beta.
We plan to publish the 0.5.0 beta when testing ends, this should be in December but we can't set a specific date in December currently (as critical issues could still be found in testing).
To force server compatibility we need to publish the 0.5.0 build concurrently with the Gang Beasts Dedicated Server tool and significant updates to servers.
Please note the 0.5.0 build will replace the 0.3.4 and 0.4.4 Steam Early Access builds and game servers will be intermittently unavailable for an hour following the release of the 0.5.0 build (as servers are modified and restarted)
Please note the Dedicated Server Tool will only support Windows operating systems initially
Other Information
Currently we're working with Coatsink and SuperGenius to fix some stability issues with character costume parts and part combinations, other work has also been done to optimise the audio system, fix missing SFX, music and other audio, and fix issues with the character system. We have also been working to standardise game menus and in game messaging.
We have also been working with Coatsink to test Steam achievements and localisations, and to make the online multiplayer more stable and accessible (including key work on server automation, polyinstancing, local and online lobbies, VoIP, and support for concurrent local and online multiplayer game sessions).
We will make a post with specific information on modifications and content in the 0.5.0 beta build (including which stages have online multiplayer support) when the build is published later this month.
Costumes
The character costume system has been populated with the 179 costume parts (109 examples are shown in the image) made for the game to date, it is still missing some older costumes that need geometry modifying to make them compatible with the new costume system.
Please note some costume parts have been made specifically for enemy AI gangs (we plan to make these parts unlock-able in AI game modes)
VR
We have setup a Steam sub-forum named Oculus Keys for Gang Beasts Early Access owners to request Oculus keys for Gang Beasts.
Support for VIVE, Oculus, and PSVR head mounted displays is planned but only Oculus Rift support has been published to date (Oculus support is at a later stage as Oculus made extensive technical and hardware support available for implementing and testing VR support).
Online Support on Steam Early Access
Online gameplay in Gang Beasts is only supported in the "unstable" alpha builds on Steam Early Access, online support will be added to the default Steam builds when the 0.5.0 build is released later this month.
Information on switching to / from "stable" and “unstable” branches
To download the "unstable" branch on Steam right-click on the "Gang Beasts" game name on the Steam library page and select "Properties" from the window that opens, from this window select the "BETAS" tab and then the "unstable" option from the dropdown menu (the menu labelled "Select the beta you would like to opt into:". To revert back to the last 'stable' branch select "NONE- Opt out of all beta programs" from the same menu.
For reference switching between unstable and stable branches of the game forces the selected build to download to the Steam client (replacing the previously selected build).