Sandrock: Quick update on console development progress

[样]

Howdy Builders,

Since the launch of 'My Time at Sandrock,' we've been getting feedback from all of you who snagged the console version. Some of you are wondering why the PC version got a bunch of patches, and the console one's been sitting in the dust. Worried about if we're care consoles enough? Nah, we're here to stay, and we hear you loud and clear.

We've got your concerns and are actively working to fix things up. Now, because console platforms have a different review and update process than PC, you haven't seen many updates roll out just yet. But we're on it, promise.

This post is a quick update on what's happening behind the scenes for the Sandrock consoles. There's an update in the works for PS5 and Xbox X|S. By the time you're reading this, the PS5 patch might already be live, and Xbox X|S is gearing up for action. These updates tackle some issues, but there's more to come.

We've categorize our efforts for the console version into three parts: optimization (with some smoother experience upgrades), fixing bugs, and adding some fresh content. Today, let's dive into what we're doing on the optimization aspect.

1，Programming Performance

We've caught wind of some UI lag concerns when toggling. Our team is deep-diving into the logic to smooth things out. There's definitely room for improvement, and we're on the case.

Regarding objects doing a sudden pop ins on Consoles – we're testing a fade-in, fade-out trick for dynamic transitions. Still in the research, but if it works out, it should make object appearances much smoother, upping the immersion feelings.

NPCs seem to be taking a toll on frame rates, so we're experimenting with LOD techniques to ease the rendering load of distant NPCs, aiming to give your frame rates a little boost.

And then there's the late-game save file size issue. As your in-game world gets more intricate, performance can take a hit. To tackle this, we're introducing LOD management to streamline the update logic for distant or off-screen objects, such as increased NPCs, machinese, plants, pets, etc. Aiming to give you better frame rates.

2，Visual Optimizations

We’re planning on optimizing the LOD (Level of Detail) in relation to players’ viewing distances so that it’s more reasonable and can have better performances.

In the current game, many dynamic objects, like those that players built during the playthrough are not considered in the scenes. It’ll put pressure on the game’s performance once it exceeds a certain amount. Thus, we plan to embed LOD scripts into these dynamic objects to reduce the performance costs.

In addition, due to certain limitations on the Nintendo Switch platform, we’ll need to optimize specifically.

For instance, to increase the framerate, we’re now planning to disable some of the unnecessary items from a distance into the display. We’re also working on adding highlights to NPC’s eyes to create a more vivid look.

3，Quality of Life Improvements

We’ve recently added two new game designers to the porting team to work on some of the QOL changes that players have been asking for. Mainly the Nintendo Switch, like the blurred UIs, are being discussed and addressed by our designers and customer support team.

While we've touched on some optimizations, there's more in the pipeline. The team has compiled a table showcasing ongoing efforts. Rest assured, we're committed to enhancing the overall experience

Task Priorities [imgur.com]

Of course, the above section only covers the optimization part. We are still addressing bugs and working on new content, and we'll communicate these developments with players soon. The different review processes on console platforms have slowed down our ability to deliver updates as swiftly as on PC.

In terms of the next update, we're facing a bit of a dilemma. Ideally, we'd love to swiftly address the current issues, roll out a patch, and fix everything. However, we've got some exciting new features on PC—such as the baby system and newly added NPCs side quests—that we're eager to bring to consoles as soon as possible. It's a delicate balance of priorities. If we concentrate on fixing everything in the current version, it might postpone the arrival of the new content. On the other hand, resolving all issues together would be the optimal scenario. Therefore, addressing some of the current hiccups might need to wait for the new version.

We haven't decide the final plan yet, but the whole team is actively working on the current version. We're also in talks with the publisher, soaking in their insights, to figure out if there's a silver bullet solution.

Thanks a ton for your support, and big props to everyone for your understanding. Once we've got more news in the pipeline, we'll be sure to keep you all posted.

Happy Building!

[样]

Could you please share your preference on our next move? Would you like us to prioritize a hotfix to address current issues or focus on bringing in new content?

[rospec]

This is not related to consoles, but there are still crashes for AMD Graphics card users like me when not playing in FullScreen Mode. I suggest you fix that ASAP.

[dsds0821]

I'm also an AMD graphics card user. When playing games in windowed and fullscreendmode, the games tend to crash easily. Is it possible to release a hotfix to fix this issue?

[Natural Gamer]

Originally posted by 样:

Could you please share your preference on our next move? Would you like us to prioritize a hotfix to address current issues or focus on bringing in new content?

Fixing bugs/glitches/errors/crashes should ALWAYS be top priority before anything else!!

[Alfariel]

Originally posted by rospec:

This is not related to consoles, but there are still crashes for AMD Graphics card users like me when not playing in FullScreen Mode. I suggest you fix that ASAP.

you "SUGGEST" to fix it "ASAP"? XD Man I dislike people like you a lot, instead of asking you demand (passively, if I may add), and that´s not how things work, you´re not the only player, you´re not the only one that has issues, the team does a great work prioritizing things, and they´ll work on the issues presented and listed on the platforms they provided at their respective time. They´re humans, just in case you forget.

[Skrei]

Originally posted by 样:

Could you please share your preference on our next move? Would you like us to prioritize a hotfix to address current issues or focus on bringing in new content?

Fixing Bugs and optimizing the game should be the number 1 priority. People payed for the game and should get a mostly bug free working product.

I bought the game on Steam and on X-Box Series X and have only played on PC because the game has so many performance and graphic issues (extreme pop in, stuttering, low frame rate objects like the windmills in the distance etc.) on console.

The game runs perfect on my PC on the highest setting but I would also love to play the console version. But the technical state of the console version kills all immersion and fun for me. So for now I will only play the PC version and hope that the console version will get better over time.

That is my argument for first fixing bugs and delivering new content after that. The game already has a very good amount of content.

ps. Sorry for my english. It`s not my first language.

[LiarsSlaughter1]

I would prefer that you release bug fixes and performance optimization first for consoles. I and probably a lot of people would prefer to play a smooth game then have more content in a lagging/buggy game. You also might risk losing people on consoles if you don't. For example, a friend of mine does not want to buy My Time At Sandrock on the switch (and doesn't play on pc) because he had a bad experience with My Time At Portia on the switch

[Fanriya]

PS5 Player. As long as we talk about optimization/minor bug and not game breaking bug I think it's ok to wait a content update to have this.

[rospec]

Originally posted by Alfariel:

Originally posted by rospec:

This is not related to consoles, but there are still crashes for AMD Graphics card users like me when not playing in FullScreen Mode. I suggest you fix that ASAP.

you "SUGGEST" to fix it "ASAP"? XD Man I dislike people like you a lot, instead of asking you demand (passively, if I may add), and that´s not how things work, you´re not the only player, you´re not the only one that has issues, the team does a great work prioritizing things, and they´ll work on the issues presented and listed on the platforms they provided at their respective time. They´re humans, just in case you forget.

Did I say I'm the only one having problems with the game??? Game crashes are serious problems, in case you don't know, this type of crash has been reported since July and still haven't fixed yet. If that's not patience, I don't know what is. And why did you even reply to me for no reason? Just to diss people for answering a question the devs themselves asked and making them aware of a serious problem? Or your hobby is just to be an a$$hole in the internet? And replying to someone with meaningless words is the worst. Like you.

[jonatandc]

Un middle december in christmas… ps5 match with steam version? You said that in christmas steam and ps5 will have = content in https://steamcommunity.com/app/1084600/discussions/0/3883851232914867252/

[imyy]

If nothing game breaking in current version (PS5), then I would prefer new content update + bug hotfix altogether (if this method can bring the Christmas update to be released earlier)

December is the month where most of us will have more time for the game, so hopefully we can get the new update sooner by merging the update.

Edited: If I’m to pick between one of these, definitely new content first. You shouldn’t call it a “1.0 full release” in the first place, when you yourself clearly know that it’s not the same 1.0 with the PC version. Honestly, until now I still feel that this console full release is deceiving. I already knew on the lack of content before i bought my PS5 version because I check the steam community and discord announcement closely. But many of the other players don’t. Moreover, in one of your announcement, you have “promised” for the new content update around Christmas. So hopefully you could keep your promise.

I understand you have limited resources, but as a buyer, I am getting tired with all the empty promises (since EA time). I really love this game. It has so much potential. So please do not disappoint us anymore.

I gonna put on hold my ps5 gameplay and go back to my PC file at the mean time (although with my laptop I could only play with low resolution and experience a laggy game). Yea that’s just how much I love Sandrock.

[♥ Aubergine]

First of all... I'm having the time of my life with Sandrock on Nintendo Switch. My PC is unfortunately too old to run most games now, and I also love the experience of being able to enjoy games on handheld mode. That being said...
I believe hotfixes should be the main prioriry right now. The game is AWESOME, and none of these performance issues could ruin the experience. It's not like it's broken or unplayable, but quest bugs, such as Pen/Elsie's horse following us around post-quest forever, can be a lot more annoying than textures being low-res and such.
I don't believe any other developers are so caring and community-driven like this. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. I'm thankful for this wholesome game and its team. Thank you for hearing and seeing us.

[Carnagath]

Every single person on the team should be working on bringing all of the content to console before anything else. You shouldn't have launched the game with missing features. When you have such a lengthy early access period, then finally announce that the game is ready, it shouldn't be missing content, I think it's pretty clear this should be first priority. After that, bug fixing and platform-specific optimization should be the focus. I know you are a small team with limited resources, but you really should have delayed the console release until it had all the features. I own the game on PC and PS5 and decided to start my full playthrough on PS5. 40 hours in, I feel like an idiot. Please don't do this again.

[样]

Originally posted by jonatandc:

Un middle december in christmas… ps5 match with steam version? You said that in christmas steam and ps5 will have = content in https://steamcommunity.com/app/1084600/discussions/0/3883851232914867252/

Yeah, that was the original plan, but, things may change due to feedback and the situation. Now, we're in a bit of a pickle with bugs and time. So, here's the deal: we're here for you. If you think we should tackle those pesky issues first, cool. If you're itching for some fresh content, we'll give that a shot. Unfortunately, we can't juggle both because of the review process. What's your call?

[rosiegolde]

Okay. Coming at this as someone who got the Switch version - when you guys decided to push release back from September to November, you probably should have just pushed it to next year.

And it’s not just because of the bugs - all games get hot fixes for hiccups; it’s because this game deserves so, so much better than the performance it has currently on Switch.

The blur. The dull colours, lack of textures. Missing most of the cutscenes waiting for screens to load. Memory usage crashing the game. Limitations on building which is the whole basis of the story?

And I do get it - the porting process sucks, the verification process sucks, the hardware is outdated, if it’s not built for Switch from day 1, it’s never going to be amazing.

I put 188 hours in, so I feel pretty confident in saying it’s a mess. And the other thing - is that this mess is basically a quarter of the experience of what’s on PC. I can understand not launching multiplayer if it’s genuinely not ready and not up to par, but the single player 1.0 content should have been the same across the board on launch day. And now it’s, do we fix things or give you the content? If we opt for the fixing of things, does that mean the content update promised at Christmas gets pushed back?

Also, it’s kind of a kick in the teeth to see all the DLC packs launch in the eshop. You guys managed to make sure the money making content was ready to go but not the in game stuff we paid for already.

Now, having said all that. I love this game. Tonight I’m going to try and get one of the new Steam Decks, and Sandrock will be the first game I buy, again. So I mean, if there’s actually some big thing happening, trying to convert handheld gamers away from Switch, then congrats I guess it worked on me 🤣

But seriously, you did a disservice to your game launching it on Switch in this condition. Some people think it plays fine. Some people just see a repeat of Portia and you’ve probably lost them as fans/players/customers. The answer to your question is not one or the other - the answer is, you work your ass off to get the fixes out asap whilst simultaneously bringing the content up to date with 1.0.