HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! (Never too late to say that.)
A new chapter starts for everyone, including at Death, INC. Let's dive right back to work then.
Last December, we have released our last content patch which had a lot of various changes that the community and our team asked for. So far so good. Thanks to everyone that has played it since. It was a pretty major patch.
The next one will be the end of the early access for HAVE A NICE DEATH. Finally 1.0 version! it was a nice trip with all of you and we are proud of everything that has been accomplished. From new Thanagers, rework of some systems, to finally DESTROYING the infuse mana curses... lot of changes. We hope you all are very excited for March 22.
Since it is the 1.0 version, we have taken some step back and looked to polish everything that felt a bit wobbly. This includes some balancing changes, from tiny changes like enemy behavior to make them more reactive, reworked some pickups... quite a lot of things than can go unnoticed but should amount to a better final experience. Then, the best part of the patch will be geared toward the END. Yes, finally you will be able to discover who is behind all of the trouble at DEATH INC and doesn't want Death to go on vacations?
Maybe you have already figured it out, as there have some clues in the game. The discord was very active and shared some ideas. But, do you think you're right? In any case, you will discover a brand new world: New Sorrow, new Thanagers, new enemies and surprises. We are also adding as expected new cloak weapons, new spells and much more! Another thing we have been working on (you can stop asking for them now) are Achievements!
There are many more stuff being worked on, but we will let you discover them by yourself :)
To finish, and not wanting to sound like a broken record, Thank you for your support during this Early Access. The team is really thankful to the players and we are glad we could make this game together.
See you on March 22!
Simon
Gameplay Overview
Learn the ins and outs of everything in the darkly charming 2D action rouge-like, Have a Nice Death, and how to be the afterlife’s best boss! Launching on March 22, 2023.
Life in the Afterlife: Tools of the Trade
Running Death, Inc. is hard work and takes special tools! With more than 70 different weapons - a variety of Scythes, Cloaks, and Pitbook spells - there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a little sign-on bonus for our new recruits - some build ideas to get the blood flowing. Guaranteed to increase productivity by 1000%.
Life in the Afterlife: Tour of Death, Inc.
In this new trailer for Have a Nice Death, you can take a carefree tour of Death Inc., your new home away from home... forever!
Death Inc. is the Underworld’s leading mega corporation in charge of processing souls into the afterlife. As a sprawling corporate empire, Death Inc. has many morbidly-themed departments -- like the Industrial Pollution Department, which oozes with charm, and the Physical Illness Department that’ll take your breath away.
Each department is run by a powerful executive, known as a “Sorrow”, but unfortunately for you, they've been running rampant -- leaving you with more work to do, so you’ll have to overcome their deadly abilities and show them who’s boss.
Let’s take visit each department, shall we?
Department 1: Hall of Eternity
Sorrow: Brad
To put things right in the Hall of Eternity before you get started on the misbehaving departments, make sure Brad, the Chief of Security, gets back to work!
Department 2: Industrial Pollution
Sorrow: Mr. Gordon Grimes
Since the Industrial Revolution, this department has really blossomed and shows no sign of stopping. Head of Industrial Pollution, Mr. Gordon Grimes, dove headlong into his work… and into a vat of the most toxic substances possible.
Department 3: Physical Illness
Sorrow: Mr. Hector Krank
The department that some try to avoid with extremely annoying exercise, the Physical Illness Department has seen spikes in recent years, no doubt in part to Mr. Hector Krank’s over-the-top efforts.
Department 4: Addictions
Sorrow: Maxxx
A secretive but all the same devastating department, Addictions is run by Maxxx, the enigmatic and unsettling Sorrow.
Department 5: Modern Warfare
Sorrow: Major Warren Pliskhan
A department of less conversation and all action, Modern Warfare has been a catastrophically constant performer at Death Inc., but Sorrow Major Warren Pliskhan has his sights on even more bloodshed.
Department 6: Toxic Food-Processing Department
Sorrow: Waldo
A relatively new department in Death Inc., that’s shot up the ranks. Waldo wears a smile, but he is all work and no play… because his play is his work.
Department 7: Natural Disasters
Sorrow: Ms. Catherine Imamura
A department that has existed since time immemorial and shows no sign of downsizing, Natural Disasters is run by the powerful and confident Catherine Imamura.
Department 8: Time
Sorrow: CLASSIFIED/REDACTED.
Time and time again, he's made the department quite complicated to understand, hiding his incompetence as a majority shareholder...
Inevitable Time Department is a Category Alpha quantum aberration built around a time paradox. It is a maze-like vessel filled with sand, dust and tic-toc sounds, that is difficult to represent and always busy due to the nature of the universe. Its existence is millennia-old and its work creates complications. There's a mysterious Sorrow who runs the department.
Tour of Death, Inc.
In this new trailer for Have a Nice Death, you can take a carefree tour of Death Inc., your new home away from home... forever!
Death Inc. is the Underworld’s leading mega corporation in charge of processing souls into the afterlife. As a sprawling corporate empire, Death Inc. has many morbidly-themed departments -- like the Industrial Pollution Department, which oozes with charm, and the Physical Illness Department that’ll take your breath away.
Each department is run by a powerful executive, known as a “Sorrow”, but unfortunately for you, they've been running rampant -- leaving you with more work to do, so you’ll have to overcome their deadly abilities and show them who’s boss.
Let’s take visit each department, shall we?
Department 1: Hall of Eternity
Sorrow: Brad
To put things right in the Hall of Eternity before you get started on the misbehaving departments, make sure Brad, the Chief of Security, gets back to work!
Department 2: Industrial Pollution
Sorrow: Mr. Gordon Grimes
Since the Industrial Revolution, this department has really blossomed and shows no sign of stopping. Head of Industrial Pollution, Mr. Gordon Grimes, dove headlong into his work… and into a vat of the most toxic substances possible.
Department 3: Physical Illness
Sorrow: Mr. Hector Krank
The department that some try to avoid with extremely annoying exercise, the Physical Illness Department has seen spikes in recent years, no doubt in part to Mr. Hector Krank’s over-the-top efforts.
Department 4: Addictions
Sorrow: Maxxx
A secretive but all the same devastating department, Addictions is run by Maxxx, the enigmatic and unsettling Sorrow.
Department 5: Modern Warfare
Sorrow: Major Warren Pliskhan
A department of less conversation and all action, Modern Warfare has been a catastrophically constant performer at Death Inc., but Sorrow Major Warren Pliskhan has his sights on even more bloodshed.
Department 6: Toxic Food-Processing Department
Sorrow: Waldo
A relatively new department in Death Inc., that’s shot up the ranks. Waldo wears a smile, but he is all work and no play… because his play is his work.
Department 7: Natural Disasters
Sorrow: Ms. Catherine Imamura
A department that has existed since time immemorial and shows no sign of downsizing, Natural Disasters is run by the powerful and confident Catherine Imamura.
Department 8: Time
Sorrow: CLASSIFIED/REDACTED.
Time and time again, he's made the department quite complicated to understand, hiding his incompetence as a majority shareholder...
Inevitable Time Department is a Category Alpha quantum aberration built around a time paradox. It is a maze-like vessel filled with sand, dust and tic-toc sounds, that is difficult to represent and always busy due to the nature of the universe. Its existence is millennia-old and its work creates complications. There's a mysterious Sorrow who runs the department.
Have a Nice Death Launch Price
Have a Nice Death is nearing the official 1.0 launch date of March 22, 2023! Throughout the Steam Early Access period, the game has expanded with tons of new content. Four major updates, including our recent Executive Decisions update, added new worlds, bosses, difficulty levels, and a slew of quality-of-death features. Death may be little, but his game is BIG. The 1.0 update will include another full world, set of features, and conclude the narrative journey of Death. As we get ready to move out of Early Access to release a full game, we're now announcing that on February 13, 2023 at 9:00am PT, Have a Nice Death will be available for $24.99. Any purchase made before that time will still get the full game at the Early Access price.
The full release of Have a Nice Death will include all of the delightfully morbid content, including content from previous major updates, that fans have loved in the Early Access version of the game. Additionally, it will introduce a haul of new features, including one new world filled with new bosses, mini-bosses and enemies, along with new story content that will bring the epic conclusion of the main storyline. Players may also find new clues about the culprit behind all of Death's woes. Mortals who have played the Early Access version will be able use their save file(s) for the 1.0 release of the game.
Below is the detailed list of features for the launch version of Have a Nice Death releasing on March 22:
Welcome to Death Incorporated – Discover and explore the seven darkly-charming, procedurally-generated departments of Death Inc., where you’ll meet a diverse cast of memorable characters—like your affable pumpkin-headed assistant, Pump Quinn—who are always willing to share the latest office gossip.
Reap What You Sow –Sharpen your skills (and scythe) through fast-paced hack n’ slash combat, utilizing over 70 unique weapons and spells you can find and upgrade to create devastating combinations.
Death Never Sleeps –Since Death can’t die, use what you’ve learned and earned to overcome the numerous minions and bosses in each department of Death Incorporated... over and over. A performance review after every run guarantees that you’ll unlock interesting items and upgrades that will help you progress on your journey.
When Life Gives You Curses – Taking more power for yourself is a controversial move in Death Incorporated’s company culture. For instance, adopting a Curse upgrade for yourself might result in the Labor Inspector granting your subordinates enhanced powers, or worse, raising the cost of koffee and other items that are vital to your work output.
Prove You’re the Best Underworld Boss – After completing your first adventure across Death, Inc. there's still work that needs to be done to prove you’re the best boss there is. From completing special challenges and trying out recently-unlocked difficulty modes that feature unique modifiers to earning rewards to complete your Pitbook by getting all the weapons, spells, curses and upgrades – your “to-do” list is far from completed.
You Call the Shots – Make your playthrough the most optimal experience that’s right for you, boss. With various accessibility options at your disposal, including adjusting sound and language settings, and full controller remapping functionality support -- you’re free to fully customize your experience before hacking’n’scything away.
Life in the Afterlife: Your First Day as CEO
Prepare for your first day as CEO of Death Inc., where it's up to you to don your robe and pick up your scythe to show everyone who is boss. Have a Nice Death launches for Steam and Nintendo Switch on March 22, 2023.
Have a Nice Death is a hand-drawn 2D Action Rogue-Lite where you play as Death, Founder and CEO of Death Incorporated—a sprawling corporate empire that processes souls for the afterlife—who currently finds himself teetering on the edge of burnout. His top executives, the Sorrows, have been running rampant on Earth’s surface, blatantly ignoring company protocols, leaving him buried in an underworld-sized mountain of paperwork. Now, in order to regain control of his company and soul-ply chain, as well as secure a much-needed vacation, he will need to traverse the various departments of Death Incorporated and remind his unruly subordinates who’s boss.
When the player has upgraded the Billhooks to the second level, damage to the Scythe and the Cloak weapons will increase each time the player will leave the elevator
If the player starts a run, doesn’t dash, doesn’t talk to an NPC, and doesn’t let the Pyroghost hit him first, the player will become invincible
When the HP of the player is reduced by 30 from the modification of the Breakdown XV, the player can go to the training room to regain the missing HP
The time stops running during boss fights if the player takes the Boss elevator (reception area)
When the player reaches the following sorrows: Mr. Gordon Grimes, Mr. Hector Krank, and Major Warren Pliskhan from the Boss Elevator, the theme music of the Brad boss fight will be played in the background
On rare occasions, the game may freeze indefinitely after game over or restart, possibly due to corruption of the save file. If the issue occurs once on a save file, there’s no known way to save the file. The player may even win the run, but the next time they die/reset the issue will occur again.
In cloak storage floor, the weapon cairn doesn't contain any weapons
The player could lose all his currencies by upgrading the spell Moskillto to level 2 or above.
The player could not take another weapon if he had the spell Moskillto upgraded to level 3 in his inventory.
IMPROVEMENTS
Status has been reworked (in coding) to improve performances
Early Access Hotfix - 2022/12/22
ADDED/UPDATED
Sounds on Crisis Flames VFX and Level Up Screen
Update Localization
Update floor colors
FIXED
Issue where the player may have a broken death screen, due to the number of penalties (Thanks to
*Big Jaekuk** for the clue)
Issue with some of Jocelyn's contracts not being counted when taking the new Boss elevator
Omega Pump Quinn not being counted for some of Jocelyn's contracts
Transformed Twinsie's description not displaying the modifications
Issue with Death behavior when keeping pressed the Scythe button during a loading
Issue with the camera in the Physical Illness Department
Omega Pump Quinn's mines not exploding every time
In Crisis 7, the last update of a weapon in Forge costs much more than normal
Aleistar's ejection
Frenzy damage curse not affecting some spells
Selenite not applying damage to spells
Missing dialogues of Barnaby Proudfoot
Missing or wrong NPC's voices during Musical quest
Soulary hidden behind the art in the Natural Disasters Department
Wrong background in Will Hung and Omega Pump Quinn’s area
Legendary Weapon GPE in cairns are invisible (no VFX or icon)
Issue with some data displayed in the food description of the Contractor's menu
In the shop, when the player finds an item on sale, the price displayed is the correct one but the player can’t purchase it until he gets the amount of soulary BEFORE the sale
Jerry's Shoe quest item is misplaced (sorry Jerry)
When the player uses the spell Lyberis Skulls, it creates some fps drop when it hits an enemy
The Curse slot does not reset if the player takes the curse then upgrade the Shop
Upgrade Tree didn't have sound
SFX of changing to Difficulty 11-15 is quieter than Difficulties before and doesn't follow the crescendo
Due to the new modifications of the Parasol 2.0 basic combo, the SFX of the attacks are out of sync
When Waldo uses his soda attack (in phase 2), the VFX of the liquid seems inconsistent and low quality in comparison with the others
Known Bugs
Issue with the Burn Out screen when nullifying a penalty.
Issue with the behavior of the curse Death-Priest (current mana value is reset).
Players may regain the control of Death when canceling a contract from Jocelyn.
On the Cloak Equipment Storage, the cairn may be empty.
Food effect not disabled properly
Easy mode not discounting Selenite
BALANCING
PERMANENT UPGRADES (Upgrade Tree)
Changed the value of Level Upgrades
WEAPONS
Selenite
Reduce the damage buff from 100 % -> 50 %
Fixed the damage buff not applying to Spells
Poison Mist
Changed the radius of Poison Cloud
Reduce the number of ticks
Aleistar
Fixed ejection
Brutumhammer
Removed one projectile from the attack
Change damage 35 - > 20
Daggust
Change damage 20 -> 30
Whirl Daggers
Change damage 5 -> 10
BOSS
Brad
Changed the bonus defense duration 30s -> 15s
Gordon Grimes
HP 2650 -> 2800
Waldo
HP 2500 -> 3000
Major Pliskhan
HP 7500 -> 8500
Catherine Imamura
HP 10000 -> 12500
Horace Sinistrocirrus
HP 6500 -> 7500
Omega Pump Quinn
Rebalanced combat to make it harder
RJ Barron
HP 1550 -> 1650
Denzel King Dengue
HP 1350 -> 1900
X4-H
HP 1650 -> 1750
Slyma
HP 1200 -> 1500
Camille Flage
HP 4200 -> 4700
ENEMY
Sparky
HP 85 -> 150
Flambush
HP 600 -> 800
Bubbaboom
HP 20 -> 30
Hambleurgher
HP 170 -> 200
Roaster
HP 240 -> 285
Spookmen
HP 175 -> 200
Veteran
HP 385 -> 450
Smoker
Hp 250 -> 225
Imposter
HP 200 -> 300
Steam Deck Issue & Workaround
With the Executive Decisions Update, we encountered an issue on Steam Deck where Death stays in the Charged Attack stance preventing progress. The problem seems to come from the main attack key being held down with the keyboard/mouse controls, and only appears with the *7.0-5 version of Proton*. Here are two temporary workarounds that you can use while we work to resolve the issue:
1st option: If you want to stay on the version 7.0-5 of Proton (we assume you forced it in the Compatibility settings)
Start the game
While on the Title Screen or In game, go to the options
Go to "Controls" tab
Click on "Keyboard"
Click on "Main attack"
Change the input by another one with the virtual keyboard (Steam + X)
2nd option: Disable the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool
Select Have A Nice Death on your Steam Deck’s library
Go to the settings (the gear icon)
Select “Properties”
Select “Compatibility”
Disable the option "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool"
We're currently working on a hotfix to resolve the issue asap.
When the player has upgraded the Billhooks to the second level, damage to the Scythe and the Cloak weapons will increase each time the player will leave the elevator
