We've been working hard on Chippy's biggest update yet, and we're very excited to announce that you can test out a preview build today. This release features improvements to every single stage from the official campaigns, a UI overhaul, and (last but not least) local co-op! To play, you'll need to switch to the redux-preview beta branch in Chippy's properties in your Steam client. You can find detailed instructions later in this post, along with more information about the new content in this release. We're looking forward to hearing your feedback before we put this update out in the main branch!

Redux campaigns

In the time since Chippy's release, we've been taking into account your feedback about each of the 14 official stages. As we didn't want to invalidate the leaderboards frequently by changing those levels too often, we've been saving up a big bunch of improvements for one major update. You can look forward to utilising new powerups, enemies will have some new attacks in their arsenal, and we've added some new sound effects and speech lines. Balance has also been adjusted, and bugs have been fixed. [previewyoutube=4UQAQtsN5yc;full][/previewyoutube] The test branch will have separate leaderboards from the main build of the game while we check for bugs and get your feedback. After everything seems nice and stable, we'll push the improved campaigns to the main branch with new leaderboards. Don't worry, we'll make sure the old leaderboards (along with their replays) are accessible, most likely through the Workshop.

Co-op

For the second major part of this update, we are adding local co-op! You and a friend can now play through the entirety of both official campaigns, with either one or both of you on a gamepad. Steam Remote Play Together is also supported, so with a decent connection you can play over the net too! [previewyoutube=H5C78qittAg;full][/previewyoutube] To enable co-op, you (or your friend if using Remote Play Together) will need at least one connected controller. Pressing the Start button on that controller while on the campaign screen will switch to co-op mode, and Player 2 will be using the gamepad to play. To go back to single player, simply press Start again.
Co-op features separate leaderboards from single player, with replays fully supported. We're trying out a form of adaptive splitscreen: the screen will only be split if both players are far apart, and it will smoothly merge into one view when you meet up. If you like, you can disable this in the Video settings while in-game.

How to try it out

Before we fully release this update, we need your feedback to make sure there aren't any problems we've missed. You can test this new version today, by switching your game to the redux-preview beta branch: 1. Make sure Chippy isn't currently running 2. Right click on Chippy in your Steam client, select "Properties" 3. Click on the "BETAS" tab 4. In the drop-down, select "redux-preview - Work in progress redux campaigns" 5. Close the Properties window
Steam should now download the preview build of Chippy! When you want to switch back to the default branch, follow the steps above again, but choose "NONE" in the drop-down. For more information on how to use Steam Remote Play Together to play with a friend over the net, check out this guide.

Switch & Soundtrack

Besides the Redux campaigns and co-op, we've also been working on the Nintendo Switch version of Chippy. Hopefully we'll have some more news about that soon! Finally, we've had a bunch of requests for Chippy's OST to be released. To heed that call, Alex has been putting together a final mix of each of the songs used in the game, which hopefully will be out soon!

Get in touch

We hope you have a great time trying out co-op and the improved campaigns! If you have any feedback, or need some help, you're very welcome to join us on our Discord.

[ 2020-06-27 01:29:43 CET ] [ Original post ]