Hey folks,

We've been working on a fan-service 🧟‍♂️ ZOMBIE 🧟‍♀️ game mode, and we finally have an update date!
Since it's spooky month, we wanted you guys and gals to be able to slaughter zombies over Halloween🎃, so we're dropping the update on OCTOBER 19th! 🥳 🎉

Prepare for:

• Limited ammo (with ammo pickups)
  
• Solo & 2-player co-op mode (crossplay)
  
• 3 brand new maps
  
• 2 regular and 3 special zombie types
  
• 2 new melee weapons
  
• Randomized guns
  
• Secrets👀

Due to popular request, ammo will be limited for this game mode, so your aim better be on point! 🎯

You'll be fighting through 3 brand new maps to survive and escape the coming zombie hordes, while encountering 2 types of regular and 3 types of special zombos. 🧟 Between rounds you'll receive random guns with attachments from certain weapon categories, it's up to you which one you keep and which one you ditch. Keep your melee weapons close too, cause if you run out of ammo, your only choice will be to hack off some zombie limbs to survive!

You can go in solo if you're up for a challenge🪖 , or you can bring a friend for backup 🤼‍♂️ (2 player co-op), more eyes are always helpful as you look for secrets while progressing through the maps.👀
Also you can opt to stay on the map forever instead of escaping if you want to endlessly slaughter hordes of Zs! 🔥

We hope you're ready, it's gonna be sp00ky!

See you on the 19th! 🫡
Cheers,
XREAL Games Team

Hey everyone,

I pressed it. I pressed the update button!!! Modding, cross-play PvP and tons of QoL stuff. Buckle up, we have a lot to go through!


Ever dreamt of building your own single player/Co-op missions and PvP maps? Now you can build anything you want in Zero Caliber through mod.io (and Unreal Engine)!
Full guide here: https://mod.io/g/zero-caliber/r + on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/xrealgames
Worry not, you can also sit back (or stand up), and enjoy the work of other community members through the ingame mod browser. You can find it near the dressing room in the lobby!
Hint: download modded maps through the mod browser, then launch them through the Solo- or Squad Operations panel.

We can't wait to see all the crazy maps and missions you'll come up with! In the meantime, you can enjoy a few genre-defining classics in the mod browser already. ;)


PvP game modes are finally available, with cross-play enabled between the standalone and PCVR versions! You can find the 'Squad Operations' panel near the Armory entrance in the lobby.
We took extreme care to build platform-agnostic maps to avoid unbalanced matches between the two versions.
Disclaimer: cross-play is enabled only for PvP in the base game, but modded Co-op maps could be cross-play if the creator chooses to build them so.

We’ve added 4 new PvP game modes:

• Deathmatch (up to 8 players)
  
• Team deathmatch (up to 4v4)
  
• Siege (up to 4v4)
  
• Gungame (up to 8 players)

And 9 new PvP maps:

• Bunkers
  
• Cargo
  
• Dust
  
• North Assault
  
• Swimming Pool
  
• Hangar
  
• Raid
  
• Wharf
  
• Train (prepare for some crazy fast action on Train!)

We've honestly lost count of how many fixes and improvements we squeezed into this update, but here are the ones worth mentioning:

• Improved AI behaviour and pathfinding
  
• Improved combat behaviour on several maps
  
• Fixed and rearranged enemy spawn locations on several maps
  
• Fixed a rendering issue that affected enemy visuals
  
• Countless gameplay and combat improvements on the majority of missions
  
• Fixed a few POI related issues
  
• Improved collision settings on countless objects and environment elements
  
• Fixed quite a few checkpoints to avoid y'all getting stuck

• Full body can now be turned on/off in settings
  
• Settings extended with customizable controller mapping (Touch controllers only)
  
• Audio input can now be customized (and reset) in the settings
  
• Fixed snap turning for Index controllers in left-handed mode
  
• Improved friend invite and friend request systems
  
• Improved benchmark scene
  
• Fixed melee holster position
  
• Improved controls all around
  
• Improved voice-chat stability and fixed a few connection issues
  
• Fixed an issue with shotgun shells
  
• Sock 18 and M249 rebalance
  
• BAR handling improvements
  
• Fixed quite a few skin system related issues
  
• Fixed missing and faulty sound effects
  
• Fixed a few controller binding related issues

• Overhauled lighting on several maps
  
• Improved color balance and contrast ratios throughout the game
  
• Improved foliage all around
  
• Fixed several LOD related issues
  
• Fixed countless assets popping out of thin air
  
• Fixed shadows for several weapons
  
• Improved UI
  
• Fixed quite a few hand poses on smaller items
  
• Improved loading times between missions/multiplayer sessions
  
• Optimized several maps for smoother gameplay

• Added a brand new dedicated Aussie server for those down under
  
• Improved server stability
  
• Enabled cross-play between standalone and PCVR versions (PvP and mod only)

No update is perfect, and and this is no exception. :(


Anyone who used custom SteamVR controller bindings for Zero Cal will be reverted to default - this is necessary to fix an issue that would result in players getting stuck with faulty/broken controls. If you still experience broken controls, dig into Zero Cal's file system and delete the 'input.ini' file.
Join our Discord if you need help!


Yeah, so.. this is a bit awkward. We broke something last-minute and as a result, the game has a high chance of crashing when launched through Virtual Desktop.
BUT!
You should be able to switch to an experimental public beta build, aptly named "VirtualDesktopHotfix". We've made a few last-last-minute changes that might fix the crashing issue. This build is 100% compatible with the rest, meaning cross-play works all the same. We didn't have time to test the whole build, but in theory nothing else changed so it should work.

We're really sorry for this.. we could've postponed the update once again while we properly fix it, but I don't think I would've survived another delay. :')

-------------

Alrighty, I think that's all for now. This is a huge update with a lot of changes and additions, we'll be on the lookout for your feedback. Please channel ALL your suggestions, ideas and feedback into this dedicated thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3811784760599130247/

Or hop on our Discord[discord.gg] and let us know directly in the appropriate channels.

Have fun y'all, happy building and see you on the virtual battlefield! o7
Cheers,
-Dan & the whole XREAL team

Hey folks,

WE HAVE A DATE! Zero Caliber's modding and cross-play PvP update is dropping at 10am PST, July 20!
It took a bit longer than 2 weeks, sorry for that. This date is now 140% set in stone, I will press that big green update button no matter what.

☒ Mod support (single/Co-op missions and PvP maps), ingame mod downloader
☒ PvP with cross-play support
☒ Tons of QoL and aesthetic improvements
☒ Dedicated Aussie server
☒ & more

That's all for now, see y'all on the 20th!

Cheers,
- Dan & the XREAL Games Team

P.S: sorry for the news thumbnail, felt like a YTer today

Hey VR friends,

UPDATE (22/06/2023): We unfortunately had to delay the update due to a last-minute issue our QA team discovered today. After a lot of guilt-filled internal debates, we decided that we'd rather work a few more days on the build than to risk it for the biscuit.

The fix doesn't seem to be deterministic, though currently it looks like we can get to the bottom of it in 1 week, 2 weeks tops. I'll write up a new Steam news as soon as I know more.

Sorry guys and gals. :(
Cheers,
A Sad Dan

--- ORIGINAL NEWS ---

We finally have a date for the upcoming PvP/mod support update: June 22!

We're nearing the end of our pre-RC tests, meaning we'll be able to make an RC (release candidate) build early next week.
We still have a few hoops to go through, but so far so good!

Early headsup though, don't expect a top of the line modkit at first - since it's a new area for us, and since we're hacking it into a game that didn't have modding planned at the beginning, we're moving slowly with this one, which means that only PvP maps and basic single player/Co-op missions will be moddable.
Speaking of which, PvP is finally coming, we can't wait to get our arses kicked by y'all!

That said, modding will happen in Unreal Engine and through mod.io, so grab your wildest map ideas and get ready to mod the sh*t out of our beloved Zero Cal!

Cheers,
- XREAL Games Team

P.S: the update will contain many many fixes and improvements as always, mostly based on y'all's feedback. Much love! <3

Hey lads,

We've been pretty quiet recently, but don't worry: we're working hard to deliver the long-awaited (and promised) PvP game modes with full crossplay, and native mod support!

We're in the testing phase already, fixing and testing last-minute bugs and breaking polishing things - we expect to make a release-candidate build within 2 weeks, which means we might be able to release the update in June. Whoopwhoop!

Early headsup though, don't expect a top of the line modkit at first - since it's a new area for us, and since we're hacking it into a game that didn't have modding planned at the beginning, we're moving slowly with this one, which means that only PvP maps and basic single player/Co-op missions will be moddable.

That said, modding will happen in Unreal Engine and through mod.io, so grab your wildest ideas and get ready to mod the sh*t out of our beloved Zero Cal!

Cheers,
- XREAL Team

P.S: the update will contain many many fixes and improvements as always, mostly based on y'all's feedback. Much love! <3

Hey future modders,

As you may be aware, Zero Caliber will be joining the moddable games club very soon - first with modded single player/co-op missions, then PvP maps and then in the 2nd phase with weapons/other goodies.

We've already opened up the modding tools for early modders - now it's time let more people in on the action!
If YOU, or someone you know would like to build classic-, or crazy new maps for Zero Caliber, don't hesitate to join the early Zero Cal modding pioneers!

The whole modding process happens in Unreal Engine and through mod.io, but if this is your first modding endeavour, don't worry: our guides were made with beginners in mind. :)


To get access to the modkit and the private build where you can test your maps:

1. Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/xrealgames
   
2. Send me (Dan. | CM-PR, or Aconite | QA | DEV) a DM so we can add you to the closed modding channels
   
3. Grab the link to the modding guides and test build access info in said channels
   
4. Send us feedback about the modding process, share your ideas and suggestions

Besides letting modders jump in early, we're also looking for feedback - this is the first time we venture into modding territories, so we want to make sure our guides, modkit(s) and the whole modding flow are all user-friendly and easy to get into.

---

If you're part of a wider modding community, please consider sharing the news with your peers: we can't wait to see all the crazy (or classic) maps you'll be making!

See you on the battlefield,
-Dan & the whole XREAL Games Team-

P.S: And don't worry: we keep working on the base game, more fixes are coming based on community feedback (including the dreaded controller binding- and Reverb G2 controller issues.)

Hey everyone, but especially those who are affected by the 'SteamVR controller binding' issue,

As you may be aware, we've been fixing y'all up with polish updates (based on community feedback) ever since we'd dropped the 'GRAND Update' back in December.

That update brought a LOT of significant changes and improvements to the game. We knew there'd be hiccups here and there due to the update's nature (like how it was a complete backend overhaul), but you all have been incredibly helpful by providing feedback over the last few weeks.
We can't get back to everyone all the time, but rest assured: we have read every single review, discussion, report, email, comment, DM and reddit thread - it's humbling to see how invested you all are in Zero Cal. Thank you!!! <3

(I should probably get to the point now instead of rambling.)

We need a hand in tracking down a pesky issue that we seem to be unable to reproduce within our team.


We've got reports of controller bindings acting up. And when they do, they're acting up big time, breaking controller inputs completely.
We're aware of this phenomenon, and it's heartbreaking to see the game being borked for many players. As I mentioned, we're unable to reproduce it internally, no matter what HMD and settings we're using (Index, Rift S, Quest 2). Everything just... works.

If you're affected, please please please read the next part so we can finally get to the bottom of this once and for all! _/\_


We're currently diving in blind, but knowing the following information and having the following files should give us a headstart:

1. We need to know when did controls break for you (after the GRAND, or after one of the follow-up updates)
   
2. We need your save files. You can find them in \Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\ZeroCaliber\Saved\SaveGames - just zip the whole folder
   
3. We need your config files. You can find them in \SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Zero Caliber VR\ZeroCaliber\Config\SteamVRBindings - just zip the whole folder
   
4. We need the type of HMD and controllers you're using
   
5. We need to know whether you're using Virtual Desktop or not (in case of Quest 1-2-Pro)
   
6. We need to know whether you used any kind of custom key bindings before or sticked with the default one
   
7. We also need to know if you changed runtimes recently
   
8. Last but not least, and this might seem odd, we'd like to know how you launch the game. Like, do you launch from Steam, then put on the HMD, then grab controllers and turn them on AFTER launching, or are they turned on BEFORE launching, stuff like that.

Please send everything attached in an email to support@xrealgames.com with the subject being "SteamVR controller issue". Including your Steam username is a plus, just in case we'd like to get in touch for more info.
I know it's quite a lot, but the more info the merrier!

---

This, of course, isn't the only report we're addressing, but we have most other reported issues down. It's just this one we can't reproduce at all.
That said, please keep the feedback flowing!

Oh, there's another thing I wanted to touch base on: I've seen comments on how we try to friend players/contact them in DMs, oftentimes asking them to change their reviews. That's 100% true! Well, for the most part anyways.
It's not some shady tactic we're trying to pull off - we found that solving particular issues mentioned in a review or a comment, or just simply giving some insight on things is infinitely easier and quicker via a quick chat (instead of going back and forth in a thread or emails). This is exponentially true when it comes to reviews as 'developer responses' are pretty much useless.

So... if we ever send you a friend request, please don't think we're being shady. We're just trying to respond to feedback/solve your issue/give more info on certain topics. :)
And on that note, if you're enjoying Zero Cal, please consider leaving a thumbsup on the game's store page - positive vibes are the best cure against bugs!

See you on the battlefield,
-Dan & the whole XREAL Games Team-

Hey everyone,

Happy belated New Year! After a short break we're now back on track - let's open 2023 with an update powered by community feedback!
We've been monitoring your feedback both here on Steam and on our Discord ever since our "GRAND" Update dropped - the following fixes and improvements are all based on y'alls' findings.

In the previous build, the enemy AI could be quite annoying at times: spawing behind you or out of thin air in front of you - that should happen less often now (if at all), thus making the gameplay much much better! (And the same goes for peculiar enemy behaviour, like running into doors or sinking into the ground.)

In the last update we added an option to switch between the grip/trigger buttons to grab smaller items (like mags), and now we've made further improvements to make it even more user friendly. We've also improved the holster system to avoid misgrabs and the "clunkiness".
Another popular request was the music- it could get a bit repetitive before, so we've added quite a few extra combat/gameplay tracks to spice up the OST.

(The HP Reverb G2 controller binding issue should also be fixed in theory, but we currently don't have a working unit so we definitely need feedback on that one.)

Now, before you get to the full changelog, please consider answering this 10-sec poll for us - it's just a short survey on what would you like to see more of in Zero Cal: [[url=https://strawpoll.com/polls/2ayLkJ55vZ4]StrawPoll link[/url]]

• Improved friendly AI: they will now try to avoid you at certain areas instead of running through you/your weapon (it's approximately 60% better now)
  
• Significantly improved AI spawning: in-the-face and behind-you enemy spawning should occur less often (if at all)
  
• Significantly improved AI behaviour: enemies will not run into doors or sink into the ground anymore
  
• Significantly improved holster usage: grabbing different items from weapon slots/holsters should now be more comfortable/easier
  
• Fixed a rare issue where more than 4 friendly AI teammates could spawn at the same time
  
• Improved small item handling: grabbing small items should feel even better now
  
• Fixed a rare tutorial issue where players could get stuck in the first shooting booth
  
• Tweaked gameplay balance here and there
  
• Improved dedicated server stability

• Fixed an SG 552 graphical issue (magazines were popping out of the weapon model)
  
• Fixed POI visibility on several maps
  
• Fixed story descriptions in the main lobby world map UI (some of them were clipped before)
  
• Improved object/environment colliders on several maps
  
• Improved water textures/effects on several maps
  
• Minor visual improvements on several maps that no one will notice (probably)

• Added moooore combat/gameplay music: it shouldn't feel that repetitive now
  
• Improved music volume balance

---

As always, thank you so much for providing feedback (be it positive or negative), Zero Caliber couldn't be what it is without your help! Please keep them coming under this news post so we can keep track of everything.
And if you like what you see/enjoy the game, or just would like to help us out even more, please consider leaving a review on the game's store page. It'd mean the world to us <3

You can also stalk us on our social channels, great things are coming in 2023!

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xrealgames
  
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/XREALGames
  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XREALGamesVR/
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xreal_games/

Thank you so much for the continuous support and for sticking around, we appretiate all of you!

See you on the battlefield,
-Dan & the whole XREAL Games Team-

Hey everyone,

We've been monitoring community feedback non-stop after dropping the extremely important GRAND update - thank you all for the tremendous amount of feedback, you're all awesome!

We've already pushed a hotfix out, and now here's the second one!

• Added a grabbing method setting for smaller items (magazines, attachments) - you can now set it to 'trigger'
  
• Fixed and improved Index controller keybinding
  
• Improved weapon grabbing from holsters
  
• Improved weapon- and melee holster positions
  
• Improved/rebalanced overall game difficulty
  
• Fixed an issue where bullets were displayed even in empty mags
  
• Fixed broken NPC eye texture
  
• Friendly AI is now turned off by default in both single- and Co-op
  
• Fixed a texture issue on the 'MERPTV' scope
  
• Fixed several 'out of combat zone' issues that could potentially hinder the gameplay
  
• Fixed a few POI issues that could potentially hinder the gameplay in single player
  
• Fixed a texture issue on some military vehicles
  
• Fixed flash suppressor hand position
  
• Fixed grip attachment grabbing spheres
  
• Fixed an issue on Night Shift that could result in a freeze/crash
  
• Fixed missing input actions for WMR controllers (except for the Reverb G2*)

*We're working on a fix for HP's Reverb G2 controllers as well - in the meantime, you can use one of our community member's, Leb's awesome custom key binding.

These were, once again, fixes and improvements that could be done quickly and without taking too many risks before the Holiday Season - more fixes are coming in January!
We're still collecting feedback btw in this pinned topic: https://steamcommunity.com/app/877200/discussions/0/3720567164487211951/ and on our Discord[discord.gg], where we're also collecting suggestions and ideas!


This hotfix isn't the only thing we've been working on - the modding toolkit is almost ready, and the 1st batch of modders have already started making maps for Zero Cal!
Alltime favorites, brand new environments - we're seeing some pretty wild ideas!

We'll be letting more and more modders in on the action as we're getting closer to the mod support update, so when it happens, y'all be swimming in custom maps!

If you'd like to join the early modder team, join our Discord and send me [Dan. | CM-PR] a DM!

---

Developing games WITH our community has always been our jam, and that's not gonna change in 2023 either - with your help Zero Caliber will become the ultimate all-in-one VR shooter out there!

Thank you all for the continuous support, we wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
- The XREAL Games Team