Multiplayer Issues with CDS Titles

HunterLaneSBVR

Hey everyone,

You may have noticed that since our recent update, some multiplayer title functionality has changed. For titles that have migrated over to our content distribution system, these developers must also ensure their title does not use any Steam integrations to function.

"Steam friends" is an example of a feature that we do not support on CDS titles.

However, you'll notice some titles multiplayer does work, SkyfrontVR for example. This is because the developers either do not use Steamworks to function their multiplayer or they've built a workaround.

For these titles you should be able to use in-game features like Quick Play for example to find others to play with.

Some developers may have forgetten a few things so we're asking for your help to identify and problem titles so we can reach out to those developers!

We’re making this a top priority and will be releasing updates regularly so that you all stay in the loop.

Thanks in advance everyone!

vrcorner

Hi @HunterLaneSBVR, This is a terrible idea. SpringboardVR should test everything before it release to operators. When we use then it should be a well tested title, it's production and customer facing!!!

vrhead

vrcorner

I agree, for something that was supposed to make multiplayer more robust and simple, the new CDS seems to have broken it. This really points to the lack of testing and QA. Why force the new system and remove the previously functional and stable Steam integrations that were working perfectly?

For example, as a new arcade, I cannot get Loco Dojo running in multiplayer, which forces the new CDS system. This title was recommended in the past as one of the easiest games to set up multiplayer, but now it's broken. It's unacceptable that the CDS could be rolled out with such game breaking issues.

I have much more trust in Steam than SpringboardVR for making sure that my games launch properly and are connected in multiplayer. Please allow operators to choose between the new CDS system or Steam keys and make sure that there's always a functional backup method when an update breaks everything.

KatePlayItVR

I'm really sorry Springboard but this is not ok, as another issue that affects our customers. It's embarrassing to us and makes us look like we don't know what were doing. I'm already finding myself apologising to enough customers about other issues such as videos and age changes. There is only so much we can take as your customers before we begin shopping around for a different product.

Why was there not a UAT period? Has it come to the point where you need to think about back-tracking? Go back to none CDS functionality until you are sure everything works as it should. Select some Arcades from different places and different set ups that can test things for you, running the new system and the old system in tandem until you're sure the new system works!

It's not acceptable to roll something out even with the best intentions, then ask us to test it in live and let you know what the issues are as we end up giving a poor experience to our customers.

HunterLaneSBVR

Hey everyone!

We are actively testing all titles… out of 69 titles uploaded to CDS, we’ve found 2 that aren’t working with Multiplayer.

Those titles are, Clash of Chefs and Racket NX. We’ve been in touch with these developers to try and figure out if this is a server configuration issue or some other problem.

If anyone has found other titles that don’t seem to be working, please let us know and we will get in touch with that content creator ASAP!

ActionVR

Snow Fortress does not appear to be working either, unless there is a trick to it that I am unaware of.

HunterLaneSBVR

ActionVR

I'll look into it and reach out if needed! :)

HunterLaneSBVR

Also got work that Clash of Chefs should be fixed within the week!

(If you all haven't tried this game by the way you're missing out!)

virtual-area

Any news on racket nx multiplayer?

HunterLaneSBVR

virtual-area

We are in the process of getting them switched back to the Steam version to restore multiplayer!

votrerealitevirtuel

Perhaps, for the future, one of two things could be done.

1) Advance notice of a couple weeks to operators so we can be aware to be on the lookout for certain titles or remove them to personally test before reactivating them on the stations.

2) When a title get switched, have it automatically deactivate on all stations with a notice to have the operator check, re accept and now with the knowledge that there may be issues so they arent caught with their pants down.

However, i do agree that these are things that should be part of the QA checklist over there for when making the switch to avoid problems.

virtual-area

Today our old Steam keys for Racket NX were deactivated by the publisher?! So what should we do?

Wait for new Steam keys? Install via CDS again and loose multiplayer?

matthew

virtual-area

We're working on it with their team right now! Working on getting their build thats available working with multiplayer correctly

KatePlayItVR

Hi,

We've just had a girl's party in where two of them were playing ABC Paint in a multiplayer room. They spent ages creating a masterpiece just to have a random player from somewhere else join and ruin their art by painting all over it! That's not a very happy experience. Please can this be fed back to the developers and note for future reference that a lot of multiplayer games benefit from private local rooms set up.

Thanks, Kate

William

KatePlayItVR

Hey Kate,

That's great feedback and thanks letting us know.

Totally understand how that can be disheartening for a group of kids(or people in general) that were otherwise really enjoying their experience.

I've just now passed this on to the ABC Paint team.

This kind of stuff is great to know, especially with popular titles. Or those you think could really shine in LBE with some tweaks.

A lot of devs are eager to boost their presence in LBE and are willing to make changes.

Let us know of any others you think might fit to those categories.

Thanks again!

KatePlayItVR

William

@William that's fab to hear. Thank you for passing that on!

thevrclub

KatePlayItVR

I just tried out Snow Fortress, looks like a great game but the multiplayer friend invite system is still broken. Edit: the 'quick match' multiplayer is broken too, looks like it assigns each player a random name/number so there's no way to know who is who in the list.

Any chance we can switch this one back to Steam keys if the dev is unwilling to update the game for the CDS?

KatePlayItVR

Any update on Snow Fortress multiplayer? We were looking at this for a winter-themed game, yet are apprehensive if multiplayer isn’t working.
On the trial we just did, we struggled in part in this game with the play space being outside our designated space, and therefore couldn’t quite reach items in the menu area due to our walls. Has anyone else found this?

HunterLaneSBVR

KatePlayItVR

Hey Kate! We’re still working with the Snow Fortress team to get this fixed, I’ll update the content issues mega thread once we get it fixed!