Kona

Patch 07-08-2017 (9 February 2018)

• added Chinese localization

Patch 2017-07-04 (07 July 2017)

• Linux: The black screen glitch in the main menu should be fixed
• Linux: The mouse should now appear and work correctly in the main menu
• Mac: Bloom and Depth of field are now disabled by default as we are working on fixing compatibility issues with both effects (can be enabled if you have no issues with these options)
• Shader quality can now only be set at “high” if your graphic cards supports DirectX 11+
• Fixed the ice spike attack bug when encountering ice wolves on the snowmobile, which would sometimes make the game crash
• Most random crashes (when loading a game, for instance) have been fixed
• Other minor bug fixes and optimizations
• We removed two loading screens (on bridges, when leaving the General Store area)
• You can now delete photos (by clicking on a picture, a small window will open and let you choose)
• Mouse smoothing option has been added in the controls options
• In the same option menu, we also added an option to enable/disable autosaves
• We fixed unresponsive mouse and trackpad clicks in menus (when you have a touch screen)
• The yellow arrow in the middle of radial menus is now aligned accordingly
• We fixed a screen resolution display issue for Mac and Linux, which always showed the same resolution. This prevented players who changed it of bringing it back to its default value
• The first journal entry of “The Hunt” is now triggered automatically.
• We fixed a rare bug in which the player would complete the game in daylight when loading a checkpoint at a specific moment and location.
• We fixed a rare bug that would let the combat music continue at the end instead of changing for the end credits song.
• We fixed the invisible mouse cursor on Linux
• Many textures and collision fixes
• Other minor bug fixes and optimizations

Patch 2017-04-04 (05th March 2017)

FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

• We fixed the headlight bug and hid a second one, just in case
• You can now keep all random pictures you take (new tab in the journal)
• We fixed the disappearing Iron Box bug (it should reappear in your inventory)
• We fixed “The Hunt” achievement (it will unlock when you reload a save in which you found all crossbow bolts)
• We added a light to be able to see the map in the car at night
• Radio interacting icon in the car is now hidden when holding the map
• Various minor bug fixes and optimizations

UPCOMING CHANGES & KNOWN ISSUES

• We will add an option to delete pictures in the journal
• We will add an option to disable quick loadings between areas
• We will add Russian language for texts, interface and subtitles
• NVIDIA will whitelist Kona in its driver to support Ansel and other NVIDIA features
• We will fix the bug with the notification stuck on-screen
• We will fix the bug of the night that never triggers

Patch 2017-03-17 (hotfix) (17th March 2017)

• Adds GOG Galaxy Achievement support

Patch 2017-03-17 (17th March 2017)

Kona has left Games in Development!

What’s new

If you played Kona on Early Access, you probably wonder what will change starting today. During early access, approximately 30% of the game content was available. Starting today, you can finally discover the rest!

You will also be able to find and drive a snowmobile and you can expect new encounters, among other things (we wouldn’t want to spoil the whole thing now, would we).

Patch 2017-01-27 (27th January 2017)

With this update, the game world and play time will remain the same as before. It simply is a more polished first hour (or so) of gameplay that won’t be erased in March when Kona finally launches. Still, you’ll find many drastic improvements.

You will also notice that all voices (French and English) are now in the game and that texts, subtitles and menus have been localized in Italian, German and Spanish thanks to Ravenscourt (Russian language is still part of the plan and we will keep you in the loop as soon as we are ready to add it to the game).

Finally, you can now use F to equip your flashlight and M for the map (it works in the car now). The key remapping feature for keyboards will come in another update we will publish soon.

Patch 20160616-01 (27 June 2016)

Interactors

Most of the feedback we receive is about our user interface. We’ve decided to change all interactors to make things clearer.
From now on, every interactor you will see will be a little square (see image). When you approach, the square will turn a little and you will be able to interact with the object. If you don’t know what action it might trigger, you will see a brief description or a small image of what the interactor does after a few seconds.

No More Combine Menu

We decided to remove the combine menu. Instead, when you have all required items, you will need to hold the interaction key (usually the E key or the A button on a controller) until the bar is full. Since our game doesn’t really focus on crafting, why not find a simpler way to do so!

Known issues

Here are some of the known issues that we are already working on fixing:

• The mouse scroll for texts works now. However, some the W and S buttons don’t work in all of them;
• When you have the lantern equiped (and sometimes with the flashlight) and you smoke a cigarette, the lantern is still in your hands until the end of the animation.

Patch 20160517-01 (18 May 2016)

• We fixed many bugs and worked on optimizations (as usual).
• Among other things, we fixed the treasure hunt maps that didn't appear in the menu. However, you will need to either find one of these or start a new game for them to work.
• Plus, we added a graphics option : Render Sampling. In short, this option allows you to raise or reduce 3D rendering resolution. Reducing it below 1 reduces quality but increases performance. Above 1, we can compare it to a powerful antialiasing. At the high cost regarding performances, the game looks way better.

Quick Update for Game Breaking Bug:

• We found out a game breaking bug at the Lachance's house, so we're sending a quick update to fix it!

Patch 20160408-01 (11 April 2016)

• As always, we fixed many bugs and worked on optimizing performances. Plus, a few things:
• Added more locations and characters to the journal. However, it might not work on certain old saves;
• Added a few burrows with talismans in them;
• Firestarters now have a weight and can be dropped;
• You now have a first-aid kit and a firestarter in the pickup trunk at the beginning;
• Added a few firestarters and matches to find in houses;
• You now keep the wired magnet after using it;
• Some “combines” now feature a glimpse of what they’ll look like once they are done

Known Issues/WIP

• Big "hangs" in loading scenes, working on it
• You might need to start a new game to access all journal features

Patch 20160331-01

• Adds original French voice overs

Patch 20160324-01 (25 March 2016)

Mac and Linux Requirements

• Please take a look at the full requirements on the game page
• Mac: We recommend playing on 2013 Macbook Pro, iMac and Mac Pro and newer models
• Mac: Since most Mac don't have powerful GPU, we recommend playing on low settings
• Linux: The same requirements as the PC version apply to Linux machines.

Known Issues

• The game may not auto-select discrete GPU on laptops. For more details; read this thread
• There are several hangs on scene streaming, we’re working on it;

Performance & Compatibility

• Kona is now on Mac and Linux!
• Added an option to remove window transparency (shader quality setting);
• Made several changes to occlusion culling; should improve frame rate on low settings;
• We added support for various screen resolutions.

Gameplay & Balancing

• Now possible to walk on non-deep water. However, don’t do it if you don’t want Carl to freeze to death;
• Added an option to turn off tooltips;
• Made on-screen feedback a bit more aggressive when the character’s temperature decreases;
• Temperature bar is now displayed when it’s filling up.

Fixed Bugs

• Fixed some animation glitches while manipulating objects and driving.
• Cutting locks no longer equips the map afterward
• Fixes various collision bugs

Upcoming

• We are playing with a texture streaming tech that should make the game run much smoother and noticeably reduce loading times.
• We are working on a big area that we plan to unlock in April.
• More translations & French voice overs.
• Many more bug fixes

Patch 20160318-01 (22 March 2016)

Additions

• Inventory: Added the ability to deposit and withdraw items from the pickup truck trunk.
• Display: Added ultra wide screens support
• Display: Added 4:3 screens support (still, we do not recommend playing in 4:3)
• Audio: Surround is now supported, but you should change the settings in the main menu, not in game.
• Audio: Added an option to reduce the frequency of voice overs. Mostly for streamers or people who prefer silence in general.

Adjustments

• We removed some useless voice overs.
• We moved some voice overs from "playing on trigger" to "playing on interaction"
• We changed the behavior of wolves so they do not "freeze" for 10 seconds, but they are still WIP
• We changed the two visions in order to make them clearer.
• We reduced the time it takes to freeze as it was too long.

Bug fixes

• The reader (F on keyboard, X on controller) would not refresh its position from one letter to another. It now does.
• Fixed an issue with tooltips not showing up.
• Fixed an issue with the temperature bar not showing up.
• Fixed some other smaller issues.

ZE FUTURE

We started working on Mac and Linux port. We should announce next week when we plan to release both versions. It should be soon enough. We are also working on a big update scheduled for the beginning of April. More on that later!
If there is anything you would like to see in forthcoming updates, feel free to write suggestions in the forums. We read them all.

Patch 20160310-01 (11 March 2016)

• Quick update to fix an important issue where the blocker after
  the bridge wasn't there. The area behind it is empty and
  therefore not interesting to the player.

Patch 20160309-01 (10 March 2016)

Notable changes

Important notes

• If the game crashes at loading
  Try disabling "Preloading" in the Graphics settings.

User interface

• Red color is now darker for better readability
• New Tooltips will communicate beta details and restrictions
• New status bars will communicate state of Carl
• Notifications are now easier to read

Wolves

• We have placed some wolves
• They are still WIP, but works
• Be careful with them :)

Gun and bullets

• We added a Lee Enfield 303 with bullets
• Use it with care

Level Design changes

• Longer introduction to introduce game mechanics
• Several changes to the General Store flow

Optimizations

• Some performance improvements
• Plus dozens of small bug fixes and minor tweaks.
• THANKS to everyone who reported bugs

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• Only TWO visions/ghosts to find. IT IS NORMAL for beta
• Initial loading is still really long. Working on it.
• The game takes a lot of memory. Working on it.
• Camera rotation may sometimes be too limited, use "Read" (F)
• Some texts are temporary
• IF THE GAME CRASHES, DISABLE "PRELOADING" IN GRAPHICS SETTINGS

Planned for next update

• More locations in the journal
• More picture interactors
• Characters and Photos sections revamps in the Journal
• Improved flow of the General Store
• Revamped captions interactors
• New map overlay to make exploration more enjoyable.
• French voice
• More optimizations YEAH!

Patch 20160223 (24 February 2016)

This version brings the first version of the Journal. It contains the General Store location cases and some objectives, but is still being worked on.

Notable changes

Important notes

• Default settings now set to "Medium". You may have to re-tweak your settings.
• If the game crashes at loading try disabling "Preloading" in the Graphics settings.
• You may have a better experience restarting a game if you want to test the Journal without bugs

New settings

• Added "Preloading" in order to workaround memory crashes on some machines. This is temporary.
• Added "Vsync". Set to 30 FPS if you machine can't go further than 45.

User interface

• Switches now have captions binded to them; clearer now.
• Notifications now tells when visibility is bad
• Notifications now tells when the game saves

Journal

• Revamped Objectives Panel: still WIP, but now displays your main objectives.
• Revamped Locations Panel: still WIP, but now displays location-bases objectives.

Optimizations

• New engine version helps with lighting performance
• Further tweaked quality settings for more controls
• Plus dozens of small bug fixes and minor tweaks.
  THANKS to everyone who reported bugs :)

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• Only TWO visions/ghosts to find. IT IS NORMAL for beta :)
• Initial loading is still really long. Working on it.
• The game takes a lot of memory. Working on it.
• Camera rotation may sometimes be too limited, use "Read" (F)
• Some texts are temporary
• IF THE GAME CRASHES, DISABLE "PRELOADING" IN GRAPHICS SETTINGS

Planned for next update

• More locations in the journal
• More picture interactors
• Characters and Photos sections revamps in the Journal
• Improved flow of the General Store
• Revamped captions interactors
• New map overlay to make exploration more enjoyable.
• French voice
• More optimizations YEAH!

Patch 20160216-02 (17 February 2016)

Notable changes

• Fixed a game-breaking bug that disabled the Pause Menu.

Patch 20160216-01 (16 February 2016)

Notable changes

New settings

• Settings: Added custom keyboard layout. Ui is temporary and may not be intuitive, but the
  underlying functions should work.
• Settings: Added FOV slider
• Settings: Added View Distance slider
  

  User interface tweaks

• Loading: Now 1080p-friendly, but still WIP
• Switches: Now back to normal interactor, less confusing
• Lights: Is now a light bulb, but still WIP
• Combine: Changed the icon to better represent "repairing"
• Under-the-hood massive clean up of sprites
  

  Optimizations

• Increased the crappiness of the crappy setting
• Tweaked quality options. Among other things, it is now possible to disable foliage
  animations and change view distance.
• SplashScreen: Moved initialization call to SplashScreen. We have moved some initialization calls to the splash
  screen. It might hang a bit on Parabole logo, but it's better than having the game stuck on grey screen.
• MainMenu: Removed some useless assets
• MainMenu: Reduced view distance
• MainMenu: Simplified particle shader
  Plus dozens of small bug fixes and minor tweaks.

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• Only TWO visions/ghosts to find. IT IS NORMAL for beta
• Initial loading is still really long. Working on it.
• The game takes a lot of memory. Working on it.
• The journal still doesn't work.
• The polaroid does not serve any purpose at the moment.

Planned for next update

• The mighty Journal!
• The manificient Photography interactor!
• More optimizations YEAH!

Patch 20160211-01 (12 February 2016)

Notable changes

• Lighting | Fixed overlit indoor scenes
• Mouse | Fixed issues with losing cursor
• Keyboard | Azerty option for keyboard is now supported
• Graphic | Added "Crappy" graphic settings
• Graphic | Added "Sharpen" setting for Mr. 4K :)

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• Same as previous.

Patch 20160209-01 (10 February 2016)

Notable changes

• General Store | Fixed security light over breakers
• General Store | Fixed an issue where wolves would get stuck
• General Store | Temporarly moved interactor over breakers
• Vision #02 | Locked the door to force user to complete it
• Loading | Music now fades before loading (avoid stutter)
• Menu | Reduced volume of intro music
• UI | Removed delay for interactors in the dark
• UI | Improved combine lisibility (still wip though)
• UI | Combine now always shows what's required.
• UI | Fixed bad locked/unlocked iconography
• Global | B no longer brings old document back
• Hack | Deleting savegames is now allowed with DEL key

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• The game may crash while accessing graphic options
• Sound can get corrupted after a while
• Initial loading is longuer than desired
• Carl cannot die just yet
• Journal is being revamped; expected release Feb 15th

Build 20160208-02 (09 February 2016)

Please note that the beta build is kept mostly spoiler-free.
It contains around 30% of the full, final game.

In case you run into any problem: support@parabole.ca

Known Major Issues / WIP Features

• Game | Cash register likely won't work with the mouse
• Game | Gisele's vision sometimes can't be completed
• Carl | Carl cannot die; proper death screen is missing :)
• Perf | Streaming environment has huge impact on performance
• Perf | Trees don't batch = low-end hardware can't handle them
• Photo | Photography is being rebuilt, please discuss in forums
• UI | Journal is being rebuilt, please discuss in forums
• UI | Map is unclear
• UI | Cannot delete savegames (contact us for workaround)
• UI | Cannot quit game (use alt-F4)
• UI | Settings panels are made of prog-art, placeholders