Fly with us! Adorned with wreaths, they rise so high, Micro drones grace the winter sky. In quiet hums, their paths unfold, A dance of wonder in the cold. Enjoy the winter season and try out our festive wreath mini-game!

[ 2024-12-11 14:35:01 CET ] [ Original post ]

The reviews are in: the brand-new Hisingy Firefly is being praised as the ultimate starter micro drone! Were thrilled to announce the launch of its virtual counterpart in Liftoff: Micro Drones at the same time! Thinking about gifting a Firefly this Christmas? Let them take it for a virtual spin in Liftoff: Micro Drones before they take to the skies!

Changelist:

• Added Hisingy Firefly drone ( + EX skin)
• Added Coreless 8520 Motor
• Added Hisingy 55mm 2-blade Propeller
• Changed arrangement of drone selection menu: showing more drones on the same screen

The road to V1 continues

In recent updates, we've teased some exciting developments for our V1 launch. From unveiling the night version of Melon Pan Park to showcasing a brand-new track builder in productionset to debut in both Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing and Liftoff: Micro Dronestheres plenty to look forward to. This time, were thrilled to offer you a sneak peek at the night version of Silverscreen. No more popcorn!

[ 2024-11-20 15:34:05 CET ] [ Original post ]

Get ready to hunt for all the sneaky treats in our Halloween challenge, but watch outsome surprises might give you more of a fright than a bite! Join our ghoulishly fun Trick or Treat mini-game. Wishing you a spook-tacular Halloween! May your night be filled with treats, tricks, and micro drones buzzing around with frightful fun!

[ 2024-10-25 11:24:27 CET ] [ Original post ]

We are excited to introduce the Mobula 7 micro drone by HappyModel to Liftoff: Micro Drones. Its a fan favorite, and now it has a virtual twin ready to zip through your screen as part of this update. Enjoy!

• Added Mobula 7 frame
• Added Happymodel RS 0802 Motor 20000KV

We are on Reddit too!

Hey Redditors! Many of you know the r/Liftoffgame subreddit, created by passionate fans nearly a decade ago. We're grateful for their dedication, but it's clear the subreddit hasnt been getting the attention it deserves lately. Thats why weve swooped in to revive it, making it officially part of the Liftoff community! Now under the care of the Liftoff dev team, this space will be buzzing with fresh content, direct support, and deeper interactions. It's our new digital hangout (alongside our Facebook group, Steam forum, and Discord channel) designed to bring us all closer together. Those interested, you are welcome: r/Liftoffgame

Another look

To those who don't like to get teased by use, by warned: look away! Our team has continued work on crafting an exciting new look and atmosphere for the night time version of Melon Pan Park. Not only has the playground been replaced by a skatepark, the whole cityscape is getting a neon city vibe that oozes late-night energy.
This version will be released in our future V1 update, we hope you're as pumped about it as we are! Let us know if you'd like to see more sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content in our upcoming dev updates!

[ 2024-09-27 15:05:27 CET ] [ Original post ]

Each time we make a new level, we do it with the believe that we are crafting our best level yet. Its only when its in your hands that we find out if weve actually succeeded. Your response to Melon Pan Park has been immense, thank you for making us feel on top of the world! Melon Pan Park stands as a shining example of what community support can achieve. Your wish for a simulator completely tailored to a micro drones experience, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, makes dedicated content like this possible. Thank you for championing our vision and dreams of building the ultimate micro drone simulator.

Exciting Developments

Weve begun developing the night-time versions of Silverscreen and Melon Pan Park, and with the addition of three new micro drones, Steam achievements, and a brand-new track builder, the content and features for the V1 update are now completely locked in. While major updates before the V1 release (expected by the end of this year) are unlikely, we promise to keep you updated on our development progress. To kick things off, heres a teaser of the Melon Pan Park night version, which is currently in development

[ 2024-09-12 11:41:23 CET ] [ Original post ]

For months, the whispers have spread like the warm scent of fresh-baked melon pan, and now, the gates to the park are open. Get ready for the sweet new Melon-Pan Park level!

Changelist

• Introduced Melon-Pan Park - Playground level.
• Added 3 official racetracks, 1 hoverdrone track, and 3 item collection setups.
• Added bots for the Silverscreen races.
• Updated some old track items to be better looking (traffic cones etc)
• Fixed a bug where tape assets were not functioning properly; they now correctly sag under their weight.

Melon-Pan Park

Its everything youve been craving: an Japanese urban jungle where wide-open streets meet shadowy alleyways, where towering concrete blends with vibrant life. At the center, a playground paradise draped in cherry blossoms, with working slides that twist and turn, and a merry-go-round that spins with nostalgia. Not hyped yet? Check out some of the videos our playtesters have made over the past few weeks. Freestyle edit by Zhylia_FPV [previewyoutube=lMoZtpeSd4o;full]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMoZtpeSd4o[/previewyoutube] Preview video by Josh of All Trades [previewyoutube=3zOX-Y28Wa4;full]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zOX-Y28Wa4[/previewyoutube] Reaction stream highlights by Infinity Loops [previewyoutube=50xSev2qbBc;full][/previewyoutube]

[ 2024-08-30 13:09:34 CET ] [ Original post ]

It's been a few months since our last update, and we're excited to bring you up to speed on all the exciting new developments! First of all, we're thrilled to announce that our team has moved into a brand new studio! After eight years in our previous rental space, we spent two months working from home while our new studio was being set up. Now, we're fully up and running in our very own studio space.
We have already enjoyed racing our micro drones trough the new studio. Would you like us to turn this into an actual Liftoff: Micro Drones level? Let us know!

V1 plans

During that time we have set up a plan of action for the next milestone: our official V1 release where we transition the Liftoff: Micro Drones from an Early Access project to a full release. We have two mayor goals in mind for this V1 launch update: A track builder, not just a port of the old track builder from classic Liftoff, but a brand new toolset build from scratch, focusing on the feedback and suggestions collected over the years. In our first team meeting at the new studio, we finalized the plans, and development is already progressing well!
Here are some features you can expect from our new track builder, which will also be included in classic Liftoff:

• Completely redesigned user experience, featuring improved tools and drag-and-drop functionality
• Freeform navigation
• Multi-object selection and manipulation
• Item duplication
• Additional grid-based placement options

Additionally, we are excited to share that the launch of V1 will include the highly anticipated Melon Pan Park level. We're thrilled to give you an exclusive first look beyond the initial teasers we shared. This new level is designed to be the ultimate compilation of all the requests we've received: an outdoor playground set in an urban city environment. It will be our most intricate and detailed Liftoff: Micro Drones level to date, offering abundant opportunities for both freestyle and racing.


The big question on everyone's mind is: "When will we get this?" We'll continue working until everything feels just right, so we don't have an exact launch date yet. While we are aiming for a release in late summer, it's possible that it may be pushed to sometime after.

Thats not all

Of course, that's not all we have in the works. We're continually developing a variety of new features and content, including the brand-new Hisingy drone, which will be added in an update before the V1 release. Additionally, we're excited about post-launch updates. While not set in stone, we're exploring ideas such as new game modes, competitive features, achievements, daily missions, etc.

[ 2024-06-26 11:42:11 CET ] [ Original post ]

Similar to its sibling, the Stargazer, the new Hisingy Sunray is designed as an amazing beginner drone and as a guilty pleasure for more experienced pilots! It's good looking, super fun to fly and even comes with its own backstory! Drones like this help make the hobby more appealing to a wider audience, and we're excited to feature it in Liftoff: Micro Drones.

Changelist

• Added Hisingy Sunray drone
• Added Hisingy Quantum Leap 1002 Motor 15300KV
• Added Hisingy 45mm 2-blade Propeller
• Fixed issue with Liftoff Pro sign in panel in the main menu.

[ 2024-04-26 12:03:18 CET ] [ Original post ]

Introducing the highly anticipated Aquila16, brought to you by our partners at BETAFPV! Enjoy the flight!

Changelist:

• Added BETAFPV Aquila16 drone
• Added Beta-45mm 3-Blades Propellers
• Updated: complete revamp of the battery simulation system
• Fixing some much needed back-end functionality (sorry for the big download)

Battery simulation

We have enhanced the battery simulation for increased realism. Previously, the amp draw was too low, resulting in batteries behaving like timers. Now, your choice of battery significantly influences the simulation. Low-capacity or low C-rating batteries may prematurely die or overheat. Battery sag has been refined for greater responsiveness, exhibiting a slight voltage drop when the load increases, recovering swiftly, and a slower, more enduring drop when pushed excessively. We are excited to get your feedback on this new battery simulation!

[ 2024-04-23 14:42:51 CET ] [ Original post ]

Prepare yourselves for 9 days filled with egg-citement! Each level of Liftoff: Micro Drones holds a delightful surprise, concealed by a playful bunny. Follow the trail left behind by this mischievous rabbit to find your chocolate treasure. Hurry, for this egg-stravaganza ends on the 20th of April!

Update 0.6.8 changelist

• Introducing new time-based events that will be featured annually.
• Incorporating an optional visualization for level boundaries. (Sealand)

More surprises await!

The introduction of a level boundary visualization, promises more outdoor environments for Liftoff: Micro Drones. In the spirit of celebration, we're excited to unveil another teaser for the upcoming Melon Pan Park.

[ 2024-04-11 10:34:08 CET ] [ Original post ]

We've just released a quick update that improves a few things in Silver Screen and adds a missing tri-blade propeller for the Explore Blazer. We truly appreciate the tremendous enthusiasm you've shown over the past few days. Rest assured, we're hard at work to bring you more exciting features in the near future!

Changelist

• Added Hisingy 60mm Triblade propeller.
• Updated the Silver Screen level selection thumbnail.
• Fixed several collider and flickering issues in the Silver Screen environment.
• Updated some textures in Silver Screen to add more visual contrast.

Behind The Scenes: new pilots!

We're thrilled to unveil the contributions made by our intern, Lev, which provide a sneak peek into a potential future addition to Liftoff: Micro Drones and classic Liftoff. Lev's remarkable efforts have laid the groundwork for a potential inclusion of a pilot-selector feature. Read all about it here (eye-candy included)

[ 2024-02-23 12:18:25 CET ] [ Original post ]

This update provided an answer to the age-old question: why is Silver Screen named that way? Get those motors spinning and explore a massively upgraded Silver Screen level, making the biggest Liftoff: Micro Drones environment even bigger. Don't forget to grab some popcorn for the ride!

Changelist:

• Updated the Silver Screen level
• Added 2 more races to Silver Screen.
• Updated values for the TinyHawk III blueprint.

but... but I want more!

We hear you! Why settle for just one level when you could have two? We are excited to say our upcoming Liftoff: Micro Drones level is currently in production and is already starting to look really cool. With Silver Screen out of the way we are happy to share a small hint, the new level will be named:

[ 2024-02-19 15:50:47 CET ] [ Original post ]

The first update of 2024 is upon us and will pave the way for more things to come. In the meantime, enjoy the latest addition: the Hisingy Explore Blazer, a remarkable educational drone, perfect for beginners venturing into Liftoff: Micro Drones.

Changelist

• Added Hisingy Explore Blazer frame & blueprint
• Added Oomph 950mAh 1S Battery
• Added Hisingy 60mm 2-Blade Propeller
• Added Brushed 8520 Motors 40000KV
• Fixed default values for level mode and hold altitude to be more responsive
• Changed rates on the Tinyhawk 3 plus blueprint and parts
• Updated drone selection menu to show more drones
• Visual glitches resulting from post-processing settings have been resolved. Any silverscreen glitches should now be eliminated

Explore Blazer

Get ready to meet Explore Blazer, the educational drone crafted by our fantastic partners at HISINGY! Explore Blazer promises an electrifying flight experience that's perfect for newcomers to the drone scene. And guess what? By bringing Explore Blazer into the mix with Liftoff: Micro Drones, we're rolling out the red carpet for thousands of students who already swear by this incredible drone. Welcome!

2024 plans

In 2024, get ready for the highly anticipated full release of Liftoff: Micro Drones! We're just one step away from making this dream a reality: introducing the track builder. This is going to be our core focus for the upcoming months. But that's not all! Before and after this V1 release, we've got plenty more in the works. From additional micro drones to a monumental upgrade for the Silverscreen level that will release in the next few weeks, and not to mention our next exciting level, set in a much-requested flying location. ;) We're just getting started!

[ 2024-02-07 17:44:33 CET ] [ Original post ]

Check out the new Tinyhawk III Plus, brought to you by our friends at Emax! Join us in extending a warm welcome to Emax as they are the next brandpartner to join the Liftoff: Micro Drones family!

Changelist:

• Added Emax Tinyhawk III Plus frame and blueprint
• Added Emax 1S 650mAh battery
• Added Emax Avia propeller
• Added Emax TH motor
• Added new music track - Vibing

Silver Screen opens soon!

You've been flying around the parking lot, facing a closed cinema door. Get ready! Silver Screen will soon open its doors to all Liftoff: Micro Drones pilots. Here's a first sneak peak inside.

[ 2023-12-11 17:47:47 CET ] [ Original post ]

Fly with us! Adorned with festive wreaths, micro drones take flight, crafting a captivating narrative across the wintry sky, celebrating the Winter Holiday festival in Liftoff: Micro Drones!

[ 2023-12-10 09:00:44 CET ] [ Original post ]

A big update with a small changelist: the inclusion of the fan favorite Mobula 6 by Happymodel has expanded the array of accessible micro drones to 14! And this is just the beginning, as we have an array of additional options in store for you in the upcoming updates. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our latest brand partner, Happymodel, for their trust in Liftoff: Micro Drones. Working with them has been an absolute delight, and we eagerly anticipate the continued growth of our partnership in the times ahead.

[ 2023-10-25 13:16:00 CET ] [ Original post ]

Dare to gather all the hidden treats in our Halloween challenge, but beware, not every surprise is sweet! Enjoy our spook-tacular Trick or Treat mini-game! Beneath the ghostly moon, our micro drones hum "Have a haunting Halloween!"

[ 2023-10-24 08:00:29 CET ] [ Original post ]

Introducing the formidable BETAFPV Cetus X, the big brother Cetus now making its presence known, giving you even more reasons to keep flying the virtual worlds of Liftoff: Micro Drones

Changelist

• Added the Cetus X drone
• Added new BETAFPV 1103 motor
• Added new propeller
• Added double stack BETAFPV BT2.0 lipo option for some drones.
• Added 'focus mode' for digital camera noise
• Fixed disappearing objects in Hoverton High
• Adjusted colliders in Silver Screen
• Adjusted range of audio in Prom Night (pro tip: hit the DJ laptop!)

[ 2023-10-05 10:48:28 CET ] [ Original post ]

The 0.6.0 milestone update marked a significant leap forward for our project, and your response has been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for your support! We're now advancing to version 0.6.1 with a minor update that incorporates changes and improvements based on your valuable feedback. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us after each update!

Changelist

• Updated the analog noise effect to be a bit more authentic and pleasing to the eye.
• Updated the signal origin in every environment for a more enjoyable camera noise effect.
• Updated the Hisingy battery to only be available for the Hisingy frame.
• Fixed the button click sound on the dialog box of the tutorial.
• Fixed an infinite reset loop or black screen issue when resetting during the tutorial about game modes.
• Fixed the cursor being visible while flying while flying in a freeflight session with the default track.
• Minor updates to the Tutorial menu UI.

[ 2023-09-19 08:46:59 CET ] [ Original post ]

Update 0.6.0 marks a significant milestone in the Liftoff: Micro Drones journey, as in introduces an extensive tutorial covering everything from fundamental flight skills to advanced racing techniques. Additionally, we're excited to introduce the initial phase of the Silver Screen level along with a fresh analog and digital camera effect that enhances the authenticity of Liftoff: Micro Drones like never before!

Changelist

• Added Silverscreen level (will be expanded later)
• Added several Race and Item Collection tracks.
• Added a new interactive tutorial. The tutorial can be selected from the main menu.
• Updated camera noise effect to be more realistic.
• A digital noise effect is also available (toggle in Game Options).
• Fixed several inputs not functioning.
• Slightly Increasing the new drag factor that was introduced in the previous update.

[ 2023-09-16 12:01:25 CET ] [ Original post ]

We're thrilled to introduce the highly anticipated Stargazer along with some subtle flight behavior tweaks in this exciting new update for Liftoff: Micro Drones.

Changelist

• Added: Hisingy Stargazer
• Added: seasonal events: Christmas, Halloween. (more to come)
• Added: The FPV Angle Mixing feature is available in the flight controller settings. Toggling this feature on will affect the H-ALT, LEVEL and HRZN flight modes to also correct on their roll when yawing while pitching forward or backwards.
• Fixed: Multiplayer connectivity issues.
• Fixed: spectating in 3rd person view now works correctly.
• Fixed: Camera noise is working again.
• Fixed: Rate profiles saving.
• Fixed: Loading screen tips on mac are now showing properly.
• Fixed: Invisible collisions due to objects not rendering in various environments.
• Fixed: Several occlusion culling issues, where objects would disappear when flying behind objects.
• Fixed: Startup screen brand logos now show centered on the screen.
• Fixed: Sign in to the multiplayer in non-multiplayer related menus.
• Update: increased the overall drag factor to eliminate some observed drift behaviour.
• Updated: The quality settings in the graphics menu have been reduced to three options (Low, Medium and High) instead of five options.
• Updated: Slightly tweaked text color in the loading screen, flight controller settings and controller calibration menus for better readability.
• Updated: The environment selection now shows small clips to better visualise the current selection.
• Updated: The environment loading process has been optimised on slower hard drives. Environment loading should be a lot faster on these devices.
• Updated: Lighting in many environments has been redone to give a more consistent look.

Stargazer

The HISINGY Stargazer, an acclaimed micro drone, now joins Liftoff: Micro Drones. With its stylish design, modular construction, and remarkable user-friendliness, the Stargazer is set to bring the excitement of FPV to a broader audience. We are excited to welcome them into Liftoff! [previewyoutube=aVdU_91XiLg;full][/previewyoutube]

Physics and flight behaviour tweaks

Through the development of the original Liftoff, we've learned that achieving a satisfying flight simulation requires an iterative approach involving the community's testing and feedback. As Liftoff: Micro Drones is in early access, we're committed to refining the flight experience. Your feedback highlighted drifting issues with the micro drones in Liftoff. This update addresses this by increasing the drag factor.

[ 2023-08-10 14:15:25 CET ] [ Original post ]

Liftoff: Micro Drones has always aimed to be the catalyst that propels your dream of flying, by offering an easy-going entry point into the hobby of FPV. A company that shares this vision is HISINGY and we are excited to partner with them to introduce the Stargazer, the most sought-after beginner drones on the market, in Liftoff: Micro Drones. But calling it just a drone would be an understatement. The Stargazer is an immersive experience that introduces the exhilarating world of FPV to new pilots, evolving its capabilities alongside your flying skills. Soon, Liftoff: Micro Drones will become your ultimate Stargazer-life-hack, accelerating your progress by offering a digital twin to practise with in the virtual worlds of Liftoff: Micro Drones. The Stargazer will be released soon in Liftoff: Micro Drones as a free update to every Liftoff and Stargazer fan. Here's what to look forward to: [previewyoutube=aVdU_91XiLg;full]https://youtu.be/aVdU_91XiLg[/previewyoutube]

[ 2023-07-12 07:40:55 CET ] [ Original post ]

Presenting you with a long list of improvements and fixes, the new Liftoff: Micro Drones update is finally here! And while it only took us 7 years, for the first time in the history of liftoff games, your virtual lipo is finally connected to your drone ;) But hold on tight, because there's more to come, including exciting new content. Stay tuned for future updates!

Changelist

• Added: voice chat to multiplayer.
• Added: French as a supported language. The language can be changed in the game settings.
• Added: support for custom music playlists. Supported file formats are mp3, wav and ogg.
• Added: save, load and delete profiles for your rates. Rate profiles are available in the flight controller settings from the pause menu.
• Added: report function in multiplayer.
• Updated: blocked players through the Steam platform will not be able to enter a multiplayer game with you any longer.
• Updated: entering a multiplayer game when a blocked player is present in that game will now ask you whether you want to enter the game or not.
• Updated: switching game modes or drone configuration while in-game doesn't require a reload of the whole level anymore.
• Updated: the game engine has been updated. This should increase performance somewhat. This fixes some input latency issues on Linux while using Vulkan rendering.
• Updated drone visuals: lipo batteries now have cables. This is done procedurally.
• Updated: added more race A.I. opponents for all races.
• Updated: multiple smaller memory efficiencies during multiplayer to reduce potential stutter.
• Updated: race checkpoints and other in-game triggers now show their outline clearer when touching other objects.
• Updated: improved level loading process so it should be a bit faster. The loading speed improvement depends on the level complexity.
• Updated: Liftoff: Micro Drones now runs natively on Apple Silicon.
• Fixed: several audio sources would not be linked properly to their respective volume category.
• Fixed: several small memory leaks with requests to the Liftoff Pro service.
• Fixed: Liftoff: Micro Drones should not start with a resolution of 0x0 anymore.
• Fixed: the Liftoff Pro credentials file could sometimes get corrupted and cause connection issues when trying to enter the multiplayer.
• Fixed: throttle issue that could result in inversed thrust when going down.
• Fixed: replays for item collection and hover drones should be properly displayed in the replay selection screen.
• Fixed: adjusting the target frame rate from the pause menu now is applied immediately upon change.
• Fixed: scroll speed issue on UI elements. Several UI elements should now react snappier when scrolling through them.
• Fixed: several UI elements now show properly on Mac.

[ 2023-05-24 13:55:46 CET ] [ Original post ]

Our favourite level Sawdust Inc. finally gets a night time version and it's a complete visual redesigned that doesn't just change the look and feel, but also the layout and gameplay. Make sure to bring your boots. Sawdust Inc. has seen better days. A once thriving store, now a decrepit and abandoned building, left to crumble under the wrath of nature. The sky pours down rain relentlessly, flooding the old store and causing the water level to increase by the minute. As you race through the area, steer clear of the barricades that are holding back the deluge, you have been warned!

[ 2023-02-28 09:32:27 CET ] [ Original post ]

2023 is finally upon us! Our goal for the year is that with a little hard work and a lot of coffee, we'll have this project wrapped up this year. And like any good wrapping, there's good stuff to be found inside!

The road to V1

The end of the road towards an official release is in sight! The following things are planned and in the works for the release version:

• A scripted in-game tutorial system for new pilots.
• A night-time variation of Sawdust Inc.
• A track builder and Steam Workshop integration. Build and share racetracks with other players!
• Empty versions of the existing environment for you to build in, including a "Drawing Board" style space.
• A brand new environment, being teased in the blogpost banner ;)
• General polish and fixes

When?

The items on the roadmap will become available as part of a few updates. As for the actual launch version, announcing a release window is like jumping off a cliff and hoping you'll fly... or at least that's what it feels like. But we feel bold and brave and will make a reckless "we hope for spring" statement. More importantly, the V1 release is far from the end of the project, it's actually just the start really. We fully commit to supporting and updating the project after this V1 release, as we have done with our other Liftoff simulators. We want to thank you all for supporting the Liftoff simulators. When Liftoff: Micro Drones launched in Early Access just over a year ago, we would not have imagined such a great and supportive response from the community. Thank you for being awesome!

[ 2023-01-05 12:35:58 CET ] [ Original post ]

This update is another love letter to the community, every single point in the changelist was requested by you! Enjoy :)

Changelist

• Added Fractal 65 and 75 Ductless frames.
• Updated flight physics: The Experimental Branch physics are now released to the main version of the game.
• Quick rates, Actual rates, Raceflight rates and KISS are now available in the flight controller settings.
• When changes have been made to the camera angle and/or flight mode during flight, you are now asked whether to save these changes to the drone configuration upon leaving the game session.
• Updated the order of levels in the level selection screens. San Lipo Drive has been moved back so that it's not the default environment due to its perceived difficulty flying in it.
• Fixed issue with multiple labels in the flight controller settings all showing 'MID'.
• Fixed issue with not saving the 'Start' and 'End' values of the throttle settings in the flight controller settings.
• Updated the pilot position in Hoverton High daytime and in the In Transit daytime and night time versions so that there's more room to trippy-spin the pilot ;)
• Slightly reduced the forklift horn volume.
• Fixed issue in the manual calibration menu, where the 'Invert' axis toggle would something apply the wrong value.
• Fixed issue with the 'Disarm' command not working.
• Fixed multiplayer connection stabilization issue.
• Hidden some extra secrets in some levels ;)

FPV Gnomes

Those who have explored the Liftoff: Micro Drones levels In great detail might have found the occasional hidden FPV gnomes in each level. Now you can win a real life FPV Gnome and all you have to do is follow us on Twitter and retweet our contest tweet that's it!. We will announce the winner in exactly a week. We will use a random number generator to pick the winner. Good luck! :D

[ 2022-09-21 14:50:43 CET ] [ Original post ]

The Liftoff team is at Gamescom to celebrate the Liftoff franchise and its amazing community. To share the celebration, we have activated a double XP week! Playing any Liftoff game available on Steam will earn you double the amount of XP points in-game. Note: A free Liftoff Pro Account is required to earn XP. XP points are shared between Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing and Liftoff: Micro Drones, so gathering XP in Liftoff: Micro Drones will help you to unlock gift boxes in classic Liftoff much faster!

[ 2022-08-22 08:00:37 CET ] [ Original post ]

These past few months the team at LuGus Studios has carefully gone over every single line of code of the physics and flight behaviour systems in Liftoff: Micro Drones. While at its core Liftoff: Micro Drones uses the same simulation technology found in other Liftoff simulators, many systems have been redesigned with the micro drone class in mind. A few small errors in the system have been fixed and some parameters have been tweaked. We are now ready for testing them on a temporary Experimental Branch.

What and why?

While Liftoff: Micro Drones is still in Early Access, we want each public version to offer an enjoyable and stable experience. This puts a lot of pressure on our development team whenever we are pushing for crucial updates that can have a big impact on the game. The Experimental Branch allows us to release experimental features (such as physics updates) much faster for testing, without having to worry too much about polish yet. It also allows us to break the game to a certain extent if needed, and try out features that we are not sure should make it to the final game yet. For the development team it means we have more freedom, for the player it means they can have an even bigger impact on the development and progress of the game. By testing the Liftoff Experimental Branch and giving us feedback, you help us, and weigh in on the decisions we make for the future of Liftoff: Micro Drones.

Experimental Branch: what you need to know

• The Experimental Branch (EB) should be used for testing purposes only.
• At any time you can switch back to the main version of the game. We recommend doing this after testing.
• Versions on the game on the EB can be expected to be unpolished, buggy and unbalanced.
• It is to be expected that not all game features work on the EB.
• Features and updates available on the EB are not guaranteed to make it to the main branch of the game.
• The dev team cannot give dedicated support for experimental game versions available on the EB.

How to get access to the Experimental Branch

[olist]

Right click on Liftoff: Micro Drones in your Steam Library

Click Properties

In the Properties menu, click the BETAS tab

Select Experimental Branch in the dropdown menu

Restart Steam to trigger the download. Happy testing! [/olist] In order to switch back to the normal version of Liftoff: Micro Drones, follow the same instructions, but instead of selecting Experimental Branch in the last step, select NONE - Opt out of all beta programs.

What feedback do we need?

Very simple, our primary question is: does this feel better? Yes/No? Answering that question will allow us to learn if our fixes and tweaks have worked. If the answer is a clear YES, we can push these improvements to the public version of the game. Any additional feedback is more than welcome! We'd love to know in more detail how you feel about the flight behaviour, where exactly you think things feel strange, at what scale things feel different etc. If you encounter any bugs, weird behaviour, or if you have more general remarks about Liftoff Experimental Branch, please contact us through: The dedicated Steam Forum The official Liftoff Discord server The Liftoff Community Group on Facebook Thank you very much for your help, and happy testing!

[ 2022-07-12 10:47:40 CET ] [ Original post ]

We're excited to introduce the Fractal 75, one of the most durable yet sharp and lightweight 75mm ducted FPV frames, to Liftoff: Micro Drones!

Changelist

• Added: Fractal 75 frame.
• Added: Transparent propeller skins.
• Updated: Splashscreen has a new coat of paint.
• Fixed: The password reset form now works again.

Fractal 75

We're excited to introduce big brother Fractal 75, one of the most durable yet sharp and lightweight 75mm ducted FPV frames! Don't believe us? Check out the review video from Infinity Loops. A big thank you to Heads McFlyawhoop for testing and approving our virtual recreation! :) [previewyoutube=gMD83s1qREo;full][/previewyoutube]

Steady progress!

Looking back at the first eight months of the project, we are really happy with how things are moving with Liftoff: Micro Drones. While this graphic doesn't show the complete picture and leaves out 90% of the work that has been done, it does provide a top-down overview of the progress made so far. Though still in Early Access, Liftoff: Micro Drones is already a more solid package to enjoy, and we are excited how the project will further change with the next steps.

Talking about the next steps

We have one more Fractal Engineering related update right around the corner. Next up, we are going to focus on taking the next leap in flight physics development. We might have an experimental version of an improved flight simulation available for testing very soon. We'll be looking for talented pilots willing to give it a spin and provide feedback directly to the team. In terms of content, after crushing it with the development of Sealand and Sawdust Inc, the art team is now focusing their attention on more frames and parts (as seen in this update) and the development of a new level for classic Liftoff. Once that's done, we'll jump back to Liftoff: Micro Drones levels.

[ 2022-07-06 11:34:48 CET ] [ Original post ]

Play Liftoff: Micro Drones this summer and have a chance to win a up to $1000 worth of FPV store vouchers.

Participating is easy

[olist]

Required: have a Liftoff Pro Account (free).

Play races in multiplayer. [/olist] That's it! Multiplayer race results are automatically saved to the leaderboard. The Liftoff team will check who has the most #1 leaderboard times at the end of the month to crown a winner. In case of a tie, we will look at the overall placement of these top players. Our message to top contestants: it's not just about having the fastest time on a track, its also about competing on as many tracks as possible. Make sure to check the monthly leaderboard to find your ranking.

When

Winners will be crowned twice this summer, based on the monthly leaderboards of July and August. We will award a $500 Rotor Riot store voucher at the end of July and another $500 voucher at the end of August. Winners will be contacted using the Liftoff Pro Account email.

[ 2022-06-29 13:05:34 CET ] [ Original post ]

We hope you're enjoying Sawdust Inc as much as we do! As promised, here's the next update with a cool new addition: the Bubito. Tested and approved by BubbyFPV :)

Changelist

• Added Bubito frame
• Added BetaFPV 1s 300mAH battery
• Added Redot Pico camera
• Added Bushmaster 802 Motors
• Added first Sawdust Inc races A.I. data sets.
• Fixed collision bookshelf Sawdust Inc

Bubito

BubbyFPV designed this micro-class BNF drone as one of the smallest drones on the market, using the best quality components. The Bubito is the ultimate indoor ripper, perfect for practicing freestyle in tight indoor spaces. Check out the real deal in the video below! [previewyoutube=gpWaCCy0g1Q;full][/previewyoutube] What micro drones would you like to see added in the future? Let us know in the comments!

[ 2022-06-20 15:19:09 CET ] [ Original post ]

The changelist might be short but the content is big. Today we release, in our opinion, the best Liftoff: Micro Drone environment yet! Welcome to Sawdust Inc.

Changelist:

• Updated AI dataset
• Added Environment: Sawdust Inc.

Sawdust Inc.

We are excited to invite you all to Sawdust Inc., your favorite furniture store, with exciting showrooms, office spaces, a trendy wood workshop and a warehouse. *Insert cheesy quote, in 3...2...1: "A picture is worth a thousand words, but a community video is even better" [previewyoutube=PP6OeXxjrz4;full][/previewyoutube]

What's next?

Liftoff: Micro Drones has grown a lot these past few months are we are not done yet. From a content point of view, we plan on including a lot more micro drones for you to pick from. We are excited to reveal our next collaboration! Designed by Bubby FPV, the Bubito is the ultimate indoor ripper, perfect for practicing freestyle in tight spaces and soon also an amazing addition to Liftoff Micro Drones! Expect this new micro drone in one of the next Liftoff: Micro Drones updates.

[ 2022-06-16 13:09:35 CET ] [ Original post ]

Quickfixes

• Removed: an internal drone configuration blueprint that was meant as a test setup.
• Fixed: several broken skins were exposed on all propellers. These have been removed.
• Fixed: sharing drones on the Steam Workshop are now properly working.
• Fixed: the propeller damage display doesn't throw any more errors.
• Fixed: toggling the game options for race guides and race triggers now reflect in real-time.

[ 2022-05-20 08:15:48 CET ] [ Original post ]

Liftoff: Micro Drones update 0.5.2 is here and builds upon the foundations laid by the Milestone update. Today we expand the singleplayer racing experience, by introducing race bots and race guides. Enjoy!

Changelist

• Added: bots for all race tracks. These can be found in the Race, Infinite Race and Hoverdrone Race game modes.
• Added: race guides. This option can be toggled in the game options.
• Updated: several UI text elements now look more crisp.
• Updated: the Nano frame Grunge skin and Nano battery Smudge skins now has the proper amount of color channels. We will include more skins for parts and frames in future updates.
• Fixed: name of the Hoverdrone race in Sealand now has a proper name.
• Fixed: the Liftoff Pro registration would show an error, even though it succeeded.
• Fixed: Nano frame skin and Nano battery had invalid properties that would make the game crash during loading.

Bots: learning from the best

You'll never feel alone in Liftoff: Micro Drones, the simulator now features bots in singleplayer race modes. The secret to our bots is that they are completely player-driven. They learn to fly using real player data and adapt to your flying skills, to offer you an interesting challenge each time. Do you feel the bots are too easy or too hard to beat, just finish a few races and they'll quickly learn and adapt.

Be social

Please say hello on our community channels, we are excited to meet you! The Liftoff dev team is very active on the multiple Liftoff community channels, always happy to answer your questions, share some development insights and tease what's next. Make sure to join the community on Facebook and Discord.

[ 2022-05-17 20:35:22 CET ] [ Original post ]

The release of our Milestone update performed above expectations, it's been very stable. Nonetheless, update 0.5.1 aims to further polish the newly introduced features and content.

Changelist:

• Updated the race score screen in multiplayer to show the global leaderboard instead of the monthly.
• Updated the multiplayer menu to show the sign in as a split panel instead of a single large panel.
• Added a notice in the leaderboards menu that scores are only kept saved in multiplayer sessions.
• Added the game option to enable/disable checkpoint visual triggers.
• Fixed issue with the popup always having a small box visible behind the original popup message.
• Fixed issue with leaderboard scores in the race score screen overlapping.
• Fixed issue where the global leaderboards wouldn't show the player's best actual score over the course of the monthly leaderboards.
• Fixed pixel border masking issue in the leaderboards menu.
• Fixed multiplayer room play bar being positioned too high. It now sticks to the bottom of the screen.
• Fixed the player score panel not being cleared in multiplayer after a race when no player finished.
• Enlarged the player activity icon while in-game.
• Updated the progression bar styling to be more consistent with the general UI style.

[ 2022-05-09 13:50:07 CET ] [ Original post ]

We are super excited to release the first Milestone update for Liftoff: Micro Drones, pushing the game a massive step closer to its V1 release. This is a big one: optimisations, simulation update, Sealand, leaderboards, replays and more!

Changelist

• Added: Sealand day and night environments. Each environment has interactive elements, 3 new race tracks, a hover drone track and 3 balloon collection courses.
• Added: The replay feature. From the main menu, in the 'Tools' section, you can now watch saved recordings of your flights.
• Added: Leaderboards! Watch your best race and lap times in the leaderboards menu. Cycle through on a monthly bases, or view all-time best scores. The menu is accessible through the main menu, in the 'Tools' section.
• Updated: Optimised drone stat calculations, this should result in more authentic simulation.
• Updated: Made more motors selectable in workbench, allowing for more configurations.
• Updated: Unity game engine. This should give an overall increase in performance.
• Updated: All multiplayer menus have been merged into a single menu, saving a few loading screens.
• Updated: The multiplayer score screen now shows leaderboard times as well, below to your personal best times.
• Updated: The multiplayer room creation menu now shows the environment being selected.
• Updated: Set your desired flight mode and assists directly from within the flight controller menu.
• Updated: The current flight mode and active flight assists are now shown prior to arming the drone, allowing you to better pre-select the desired flight mode before taking off.
• Updated: Larger player avatars are now downloaded, so that they look crisp.
• Updated: Optimized the drone HUD to be less CPU intensive.
• Updated: Optimized several content files to be more loading efficient. This reduces installation size (-3GB) and decreases loading times when flying on a track.
• Fixed: The flight mode and active flight assists are now saved between drone resets. This prevents from having to reselect the right flight mode again after each drone reset.
• Fixed: Many minor bug fixes.
• Fixed: On macOS only - shader issue with the plant in the San Lipo Drive environments not rendering its leaves correctly.

Welcome to the Principality of Sealand

Have you ever power looped a whole nation? [previewyoutube=9zf8LJzAcQA;full]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zf8LJzAcQA[/previewyoutube] With official government permission from the Principality of Sealand, we are excited to see you all discover the coolest micro nations in the North Sea! Sealand brings a complete new experience to Liftoff simulators: not only do you have to consider that drones don't swim and seagulls don't chill, at night you also have to deal with some stormy weather. Nothing a pro pilot can't handle ;) E Mare Libertas!

Soon: Sawdust Inc.

Last month we teased a new level called Sawdust Inc, and we are excited to reveal another section of this level. Sawdust inc is going to feature the bigger indoor Liftoff: Micro Drones environment to date, with 4 discting areas, from a wood workshop and a warehouse, to offices and a furniture showroom. Here's another screenshot of this exciting new level that will become available in Liftoff: Micro Drones in the near future.

[ 2022-05-02 14:34:04 CET ] [ Original post ]

The Liftoff team has been hard at work behind the scenes. We have some great things for the project coming soon. Today we add the Cetus Pro from BetaFPV to the simulator, a really sleek and lightweight setup that many burgeoning micro drones pilots have enjoyed as a starter setup. We are also excited to reveal what's next for Liftoff: Micro Drones. Make sure to check out new level reveal "Sawdust Inc."

CHANGELIST

• Added new Cetus Pro frame and blueprint
• Added new BetaFPV 1102 18000KV Brushless Motor (Currently only usable on Cetus Pro)
• Added new BetaFPV BT2.0 450mAh Battery
• Added new 1635 Tri-blade propellers
• Updated Driblet Antenna and blueprint icon
• Minor bugfixes

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE BRING?

Expect the following things in the near future: - The addition of official leaderboards and a replay feature. - A rework of the simulated parts system. This is mostly an internal improvement that will allow us to add more exotic parts in the future. - A new level called Sawdust Inc. We are excited to show you the first (work in progress) screenshots of this level.

[ 2022-03-09 09:18:49 CET ] [ Original post ]

We are ending the year in style with a final Liftoff: Micro Drones update for 2021. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm, it makes a massive difference! Stay tuned for an amazing 2022!

Changelist

• Tweaked drag values, this should result in a more locked in feeling.
• Introduced damage calculation differences for frames with and without prop guards.
• Update the damage indicator with colors, should be easier to notice prop damage.
• Level selector has been added to the singleplayer finish screen, quickly jump to the next level or track when finishing a race.
• Some ground surfaces should now slide more.
• More drone customisation options: added a motor category
• Added 3 brushed and 10 brushless motor variations. These impact flight behaviour.

Flight behaviour tweaks

Last weeks throttle update was a success: you tried it out, liked it (awesome!) and provided us with additional feedback. This feedback all pointed in the same direction, tweaking the drag value might push it another step closer to perfection. In this update, the drag coefficient has been slightly increased, this should make the micro drones feel more locked in: sharper cornering, less drifting, and a slight decrease in overall speed. Your favourite Micro Drone should now be a lot more controllable, without losing that magic fun feeling we already offered in previous versions. Wed love to know what you think!

More content and customisation

The current Early Access version already offers solid fun experience, but cant hold its ground in terms of content compared to classic sims like Liftoff, that have had a 6 year head start. Introducing new content to Liftoff: Micro Drones is a long-term endeavour that starts with this update. Included are more parts to customise your setup, now you can change the motors of your favourite Micro Drones, impacting not just the way your drone looks but also flies. Early next year we hope to introduce a few additional frames, and soon after well be teasing the next level that's currently in production.

[ 2021-12-16 15:57:00 CET ] [ Original post ]

This update introduces 2 changes that have been at the center of the feedback we have received from you. We noticed pilots new to Liftoff simulators were unaware of some of our shortcuts (example: "V" to change camera "A" to change flight mode). It was clear we needed to make information of these shortcuts more easily available. Before, you could only access our Button menu by going to Options in the Main Menu. We have reworked the systems to be more easily offered at different locations in the game: more specifically you can now access the Button setup menu in the Pause menu, while playing the game. Another point of feedback was the flight behaviour. Different pilots look for different things, have different experiences, opinions and preferences. Collecting feedback as early as possible is key to making a successful simulator, that's what Early Access is all about. Our goal is to work incrementally and keep tweaking and improving physics and flight behaviour for years to come, as there's no such thing as a perfect simulation. This update introduces some first tweaks to throttle controls and should also make the drones feel slightly more powerful. Your feedback on these changes should help us define the next step in flight behaviour improvements. Disclaimer: some of your fleet setups (and Workshop uploads) might need to be tweaked again.

Changelist:

• Reworking our Button setup menu to be consistent at different places in the game.
• Making the Button setup menu available in the Pause menu, easy to access during gameplay.
• Providing a first tweak to the flight behaviour: drones might feel slightly more powerful and will require less throttle input to start hovering.
• Decreased project size by 2Gb.

[ 2021-12-08 14:00:35 CET ] [ Original post ]

Thank you!

Liftoff: Micro Drones is a love letter to the FPV community and we have gotten nothing but love back. Our launch was super exciting and we are glad you joined us to explore and improve this new adventure we have started. Its been so great to finally fly together in our virtual micro drone environments! Thank you so much! The wealth of responses is heartwarming, and the dedication from the community to provide us with valuable feedback and suggestions is all we could have wished for. Liftoff: Micro Drones is very much a project in the middle of development. It's currently incomplete and contains a fair amount of bugs. To everyone who dedicated time to write us a post, email or chat in-game: thank you, we are listening! The past few days we have redefined our priority lists for the next few days and weeks. Our current focus will be on fixing bugs and polishing the current experience. This update is the first in a series of quick-fix updates we have planned for the near future.

Changelist

• Button/switch assignment should now be saved correctly.
• Fixed incorrect chat layout
• Fixed glitchy drone visualizer while selecting a new level in the pause menu
• Small UI fixes and improvements to the Getting Started wizard.
• Disabled unsupported voice chat functionality.
• Renamed "Balloons" game mode to the more accurate "Collect"
• Fixed issue where a drone icon would not be generated immediately when duplicating a drone
• Changed default colors of the Fractal blueprint
• Fixed flipped textures on the back of some gates
• Fixed orientation of remote antenna used by virtual pilot. Signal should now be improved.
• Menu option "disable drone trails" renamed to the correct "show drone trails".
• Enabled on-screen HUD by default.
• Fixed a UI issue where the player could get stuck during MP room creation when interacting with the account options.
• Made RC connect/disconnect popup easier to read
• Fixed some small UI mistakes in drone editor
• Visually Updated Nano frame
• Visually Updated Nano Camera
• Adjusted Fractal 65 frame info to match the frame type (Squished-X)

What's next?

More fixes and updates based on your feedback. More specifically, two items are currently a priority:

• tweaked throttle range for some Blueprint setups.
• Making the Button Setup window available in the Pause Menu, so you don't have to return to Main Menu.

[ 2021-12-02 19:18:10 CET ] [ Original post ]

Its finally here!

The long awaited Liftoff: Micro Drones is now available on Steam at an early backers price! Experience the world of FPV like never before! Any indoor area becomes an exciting aerial playground. Explore, customize and compete in detailed indoor environments in single and multiplayer, or have fun with hover drones and various game modes. Liftoff: Micro Drones was built from the ground up to provide the next step in Liftoff simulation, introducing better graphics, user experience, performance, interactivity and simulation quality.

Included in Early Access

• Realistic Micro Drone flight behaviour
• Drone customisation
• 3 environments, each with a day and night variation
• 6 micro frames
• Hover drones!
• Freeflight, Race, Infinite Race, Dropout Race, Hover Race and Collect mode.
• Exciting multiplayer sessions
• Lofi soundtrack by Nightime Burnout

[previewyoutube=98ESbj3Koss;full][/previewyoutube] Disclaimer: This is an Early Access version, it is not content or feature complete. We do not recommend it to those who are looking for a full experience.

[ 2021-11-30 19:19:47 CET ] [ Original post ]

Liftoff: Micro Drones, the latest game in a series of the popular Liftoff drone simulators, will be available in Early Access starting from November 30th. The Early Access version will be exclusively available on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux. Liftoff: Micro Drones is an authentic standalone drone simulator, dedicated to the magic of the smallest class of drones. The simulator will use the latest Liftoff physics developments, modern graphics, a slick and up-to-date user experience, six unique micro drones, drone customisation, three realistic environments in two variations each (providing 6 different experiences), different game modes such as Race, Hoverdrone Race, Freeflight and Party Popper. The Early Access version will feature single player and multiplayer experience. Additional drones, parts, environments, game modes and features are expected to be added as free updates later on. Additionally, features expected for the future full release are a dedicated tutorial, more game modes, a track builder and a progression system. The Early Access version of Liftoff: Micro Drones will cost 14,99. This one-time purchase price covers all future updates. Supporters get instant access to this early version of the game. The release version of Liftoff: Micro Drones is expected to cost 19,99 at launch. Disclaimer: The Early Access version is not a finished product. Early access is recommended only for those who are willing to support an in-development project and want to get an early look at the game. The Early Access phase will be used to gather feedback and suggestions and will help us shape the final release version of the game.

[ 2021-10-29 09:14:37 CET ] [ Original post ]

Classic FPV is all about exploring landscapes, lengthy race tracks and diving tall buildings. With micro drones, however, it's all about exciting indoor environments, where the position of a single table or chair makes all the difference. Liftoff: Micro Drones is completely built from the ground up to offer that ultimate micro drones experience. A flight session will feel quite different from one in the other Liftoff games, as it should. That different design approach will especially be apparent in the environments. We've completely rethought our design philosophy. Environments in Liftoff: Micro Drones present intricate indoor spaces, that offer different flight paths from ground level up to the ceiling. These wont be generic and lifeless spaces: they tell a story, look better, and are interactive. Liftoff: Micro Drones will offer two variations of each environment, a day and night version. More than just a visual variation, these two versions also offer different flight opportunities by changing arrangements and decoration. A school gym turned into a prom night, a clumsy warehouse worker ruining both his work environment and his reputation, a slumber party bringing some chaos to a sleek designer house... Every little change makes a huge difference, making you feel like you're actually experiencing a complete new level each time. Here's what that looks like: [previewyoutube=x9x57R-yET0;full][/previewyoutube] The first Early Access version of Liftoff: Micro Drones is planned to be released on Steam at the end of this year and will offer the three environments shown in the video above, each with two variations. Over time more environments like this will be added as free updates to the game. The day and night version of each level will be part of the base game.

[ 2021-07-01 10:40:14 CET ] [ Original post ]

LuGus Studios, creators of the Liftoff brand of drone simulators, are announcing the latest instalment in the series. Liftoff: Micro Drones is an experience dedicated to the micro drone class. Liftoff: Micro Drones focuses on indoor flights with tiny drones that fit in the palm of your hand. At this scale, even an everyday living room becomes a fascinating aerial playground that is begging to be explored. Inspired by years of community feedback and suggestions, Micro Drones, like previous Liftoff games, will feature both singleplayer and multiplayer experiences, fully customizable drone setups, and a trademark focus on realistic flight experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98ESbj3Koss The new simulator will be released via Steams Early Access program: even before the official release, fans of the series can get an early look and can be involved in shaping the future of the project. Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing went through a similar process, to great success. Based on community input, over 100 updates helped shape the game exactly into what its players wanted, giving the team at LuGus Studios confidence in continuing that approach. Future updates for Micro Drones will bring a track editor, Steam Workshop integration, extra game modes, and new frames and environments to explore. Liftoff: Micro Drones is slated to be released in Early Access on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux in late 2021. A first reveal trailer was released to the public last Thursday.

[ 2021-05-10 18:25:51 CET ] [ Original post ]