What changed
0 fixes3 additions4 changes0 removals
- Compatibility
- Gameplay
- Maps
addedI'll be honest: Large updates like this are scary. It's always fun to put out new things on the alpha and beta channels where people kind of expect that sometimes, things may break. But having everyone try an official new version is a different story. Like, the first time I tried this one was right after rebooting the servers, to give them more processors (they were becoming too slow) - and both, the global leaderboard and new game progression panel that are now quite prominently in the arena selection area came up empty. Ouch. Apparently, it was just one service taking a little longer to boot but still ... SCARY!!!
changedSo just in case this update breaks something severely for you - you can always go back to previous (it's one of the "beta-channels" ). But be sure to let me know, either here on the Steam forums , or Discord , or Twitter .
addedNew Teaser and New TrailerWith that out of the way, here's a shiny new teaser that also shows the new Beat Drop mechanic that is now officially in the game (and called Unique Rhythmic Punching in the trailer ... oh well ;-) ):
changedNew Teaser and New TrailerToo quick? I have another one that takes a little more time for everything - and this one also has a brief section with the updated Mutant Club arena that I mentioned in the previous posting:
changedNew Teaser and New TrailerThe Beat Drop mechanic, similar to shooting and slicing - but even more severely - illustrates one of the bigger challenges we have in Holodance: We have (a few) native songs, let you play with your local music, or use any osu! beatmap or one of the maps created by the BSMG . And you can catch, or punch, or slice, or shoot the orbs, drops, and drones. So the game gives you lots and lots of possibilities.
changedNew Teaser and New TrailerFor now, the biggest challenge with it, however, is finding maps that work well with it. Because with this mechanic, when a map has multiple events in a row at the same location, it just won't work. In general, BSMG maps will work better with this, and are also more interesting to play due to the directionality, than many osu! maps, especially if they have streams. But my favorite map with this so far has been Blaster & Extra Terra - Spacecraft, mapped by Pandize (Easy) , with one of the easier difficulties. You'll find plenty of me in that leaderboard.
Holodance changes
addedI'll be honest: Large updates like this are scary. It's always fun to put out new things on the alpha and beta channels where people kind of expect that sometimes, things may break. But having everyone try an official new version is a different story. Like, the first time I tried this one was right after rebooting the servers, to give them more processors (they were becoming too slow) - and both, the global leaderboard and new game progression panel that are now quite prominently in the arena selection area came up empty. Ouch. Apparently, it was just one service taking a little longer to boot but still ... SCARY!!!
changedSo just in case this update breaks something severely for you - you can always go back to previous (it's one of the "beta-channels" ). But be sure to let me know, either here on the Steam forums , or Discord , or Twitter .
addedWith that out of the way, here's a shiny new teaser that also shows the new Beat Drop mechanic that is now officially in the game (and called Unique Rhythmic Punching in the trailer ... oh well ;-) ):
changedToo quick? I have another one that takes a little more time for everything - and this one also has a brief section with the updated Mutant Club arena that I mentioned in the previous posting:
changedThe Beat Drop mechanic, similar to shooting and slicing - but even more severely - illustrates one of the bigger challenges we have in Holodance: We have (a few) native songs, let you play with your local music, or use any osu! beatmap or one of the maps created by the BSMG . And you can catch, or punch, or slice, or shoot the orbs, drops, and drones. So the game gives you lots and lots of possibilities.
I'll be honest: Large updates like this are scary. It's always fun to put out new things on the alpha and beta channels where people kind of expect that sometimes, things may break. But having everyone try an official new version is a different story. Like, the first time I tried this one was right after rebooting the servers, to give them more processors (they were becoming too slow) - and both, the global leaderboard and new game progression panel that are now quite prominently in the arena selection area came up empty. Ouch. Apparently, it was just one service taking a little longer to boot but still ... SCARY!!!
So just in case this update breaks something severely for you - you can always go back to previous (it's one of the"beta-channels"). But be sure to let me know, either here on the Steam forums, or Discord, or Twitter.
New Teaser and New Trailer
With that out of the way, here's a shiny new teaser that also shows the new Beat Drop mechanic that is now officially in the game (and called Unique Rhythmic Punching in the trailer ... oh well ;-) ):
Too quick? I have another one that takes a little more time for everything - and this one also has a brief section with the updated Mutant Club arena that I mentioned in the previous posting:
I have also Tweeted about these and appreciate your retweets!
The Beat Drop mechanic, similar to shooting and slicing - but even more severely - illustrates one of the bigger challenges we have in Holodance: We have (a few) native songs, let you play with your local music, or use any osu! beatmap or one of the maps created by the BSMG. And you can catch, or punch, or slice, or shoot the orbs, drops, and drones. So the game gives you lots and lots of possibilities.
But not all of the combinations are actually always fun for everyone.
What's so special about this mechanic? Hard to describe in words but if you were ever annoyed by the fact that punching and catching in VR rhythm games is more about location than about rhythm, this mechanic is for you: Because here, you have to beat the rhythm (pun intended) and you can't cheat it. And because it's still punching, you still get that visceral feel that's so cool about VR games.
For now, the biggest challenge with it, however, is finding maps that work well with it. Because with this mechanic, when a map has multiple events in a row at the same location, it just won't work. In general, BSMG maps will work better with this, and are also more interesting to play due to the directionality, than many osu! maps, especially if they have streams. But my favorite map with this so far has been Blaster & Extra Terra - Spacecraft, mapped by Pandize (Easy), with one of the easier difficulties. You'll find plenty of me in that leaderboard.
While in theory, some of this could be handled with smart filters and algorithms that analyze the patterns, machines are never as good as humans (fu Agent Smith ;-) ).
That is why Holodance 1.3 introduces ratings:
Song and Beatmap Ratings
After each session, you can now let the game know how you liked the song, what you thought about the gameplay, and how challenging you found this
