Steam + Q2 = no work.

[runic peak]

This is the 1st time ever I can't play the game. It doesn't work. No updates till this one broke the game for me. I'll describe everything in details and attach the links.
Yesterday at some point when I pressed "exit to lobby" I got a black screen and a message that I need to update to play. I quit the game and there was no update at all. I tried again, couldn't get it - no update. Then I remembered that I was on "beta" as last time there was an update my usual version of the game wouldn't work at all right away with or without vpn and so i was on beta since then. At some point i tried and the usual version worked but there was a reduced vibration for everything (especially shakers and paddles) which I didn't like and again switching to Beta brought back all the usual vibrations. So I switched from beta to usual.
This way I was able to see an update of 2.22GB, updated, and was able to play 3 games and it was time to go (late), everything was fine except the fact that it kept placing me to the west coast with 300 ping even though it was turned off.

Today I woke up and saw another update (attaching the picture) of just 30mb. Updated.
Here when it all started..
So as I'm in Russia, there are certain sanctions for meta.. and in summer ish I was able to play the game only with VPN on, but lately it worked always without it just fine, don't ask me why.. Idk.

So I tried as usual launch the game without vpn, usual version of it. I couldn't get in. Constant checking internet connection - wait - checking.. I waited for around 3 mins. In the days when the game for me was playable only with vpn on, the same was happening. So I closed the game, turned on VPN and launched it again. It took longer than usual (like when they have server problems) but I got in.
https://youtu.be/Wyhpi_C9FZU
You think here you go! And i thought the same. But nah.
I was able to invite a friend. I couldn't hear him. I tried to reset the mic - the general settings wouldn't open. Everything else was clickable, but not general settings.
I tried to load into a custom room to see if the mic would be working there. He loaded in, I went back to the menu. I could see him being in the joinable custom room, tried to join, was kicked back to the menu.
I restarted the game, tried again.. Same stuff.
Later I tried everything I could think of several times but nothing worked out:
Launch the usual version of the game without vpn - just black screen and music. (first it was showing writings, now nothing)
I went back to beta, download of almost 2gb. With and without vpn. Either nothing or after awhile it says it's required to update the game to ocntinue playing. But there is no update for beta.
So i went back again to usual game version and downloaded 2.22GB again.

I tried another country through VPN (was UK first, now I tried France. Who knows what if it changes anything even though no sense).
https://youtu.be/ak2mvRGvGxY
But it was all the same. I don't understand why I can't press the general settings but can click anything else.
I cannot see the region select as well, by the way. It's blank.
Then I decided to test my theory that I cannot play anything multiplayer but anything solo should be fine. I was right. But general settings still wouldn't open anywhere.
I tried creating a sandbox custom room, a custom room with classic map, my own sandbox map which is not published, training park, co-op bot battle, classic squads = each time after it tired to load me in (black screen) it kicked me back to the main menu.
Although when I tried arena bots and solo bot battle - everything was fine. I didn't try the tutorial but i'm sure it would work as well.
So idk what was there in the 30mb update but it broke everything for me.
I tried everything I could think of.
I need PCVR and my account.

Yes, there are two more things left that you could suggest and I thought of them:

1. try standalone. here is the thing. I've never played pop1 standalone and it would be really painful, but it's not even the case. Standalone anything only works with vpn on lately for me. About 2-3 or something like that weeks ago I noticed that my app library doesn't work and nothing really opens. Before I would be able to see my custom avatar in the room there or see games it suggests, new.. not lately. I can only see settings but nothing else. I can't even turn on vpn to try pop1 on my standalone as it's in the app library and i cannot see it. At some point I saw that my Q2 was 10 versions behind and decided to update it, that's when I downloaded a vpn app on it. Idk what happened that it stopped working. But as I only do PCVR it doesn't bother me really. here is the video for those who are interested how it looks https://youtube.com/shorts/V-6ovfFHBkk?feature=share (recorded on my phone like a pro as "camera" doesn't open on standalone to record what I see.
2. try oculus PCVR, the oculus app on PC.
   I dont' own the oculus pcvr version of the game. I have it on standalone since it went free just to have it, but never played.
   i cannot buy anything on oculus meta, as it requires (due to sanctions) a not Russian credit card which I don't have. Even if I was able to get this version, not much hope I guess. I was told that oculus pcvr users cannot update the game, it gets stuck.
   so... I'm gonna report the same to the bigbox official website as well (create a ticket).
   if you have any other suggestions, shoot.
   But my guess is just wait for the fix same as all those poor valve index users.

[ripe star]

there has been soo many bugs this update it’s insane. my personal opinion for bigbox is just to roll it back to the previous update

[dim zealot]

kudos for all the details. hope this gets fixed for you soon

[last swift]

I’m so sorry Fox ☹️. Sheesh, you’ve tried everything. I know how frustrating it is to have these issues (been there). I hope they fix it soon!

[lusty monolith]

WOW.. @runic peak I am so sorry. I guess I was the rare one that was actually able to update my PVCR oculus version without any issues last night. I even played a custom room, HOWEVER, I did not try any of the general settings so I may have some issues. I hope they get this fixed soon for you as you are a fulltime streamer for POP1. I just think BIGBOX is really making big mistakes on this game lately. That is why I don't play this game anymore really until they fix the issues. The new winter update won't be fun, if people can't play it. In 4 weeks, I think I have played this game twice. I used to love this game but things have just changed and it seems to have really been going down the last 6 months.

[jade roost]

Does this mean no stream until fixed?

[lusty monolith]

She is currently streaming but just streaming a different game.

[runic peak]

I tried with a new 16mb update. Nothing changed for me.

[lusty monolith]

Dang. I am so sorry Fox

[unreal cypress]

We must fix this. I need my coach.

[lusty monolith]

Right lol

[signal horizon]

@runic peak Unfortunately, we don't have a way to test your particular situation ourselves.

We just pushed an update to the latest (Beta Build Testing) channel, you might test it for us and see if it works

[runic peak]

I just was about to write here. So it works for me now.. after some researching I changed VPN and the games works now.
Although, sup with the billboards? I tried to load into a custom room to check, everything was fine in classics. When i switched to evolving, this is what I saw:D all over the map.
So idk why I had this issue, which SUPER weird and never happened before, but I'm glad it is solved now.
Thank you for trying to help

[signal horizon]

Ah! That's great if this works for you instead so we don't need a special build.

The billboards come from a separate server (they are not built into the game, we use a CDN for it). I wonder if it's possible you're blocked from accessing that server with the VPN?

[runic peak]

interesting. But I was in the room with @unkempt flame and he saw the same. Does it make any sense? He is in USA without vpn

[signal horizon]

Oh, that's weird... that's definitely a different issue then. We can look. Thank you.

[runic peak]

I was the one who created the room, but i don't think this makes any sense. thank you!