đ˘ Major Demo Update â Just in Time for Launch!
Hello, colleagues!
Weâre thrilled to share that the demo for Hired 2 Die has been updated with a host of improvements and enhancements as we gear up for the official release on January 31st. Hereâs whatâs new:
Highlights of the Update
đ Enhanced Lighting & Performance Experience a more immersive atmosphere with updated lighting. Optimized performance to ensure smoother gameplay on a variety of systems.
đ Bug Fixes Galore Addressed numerous bugs reported by our amazing community. Thank you for your feedback!
đ Expanded Accessibility Added Chinese servers for better regional connectivity. Improved localization across supported languages.
đ Detailed Tutorial The tutorial has been refined to make it easier for new players to understand the gameâs mechanics.
đŽ Gameplay Improvements Adjusted level design and balance for a more challenging yet fair experience. Introduced new sound effects, including character-specific cough and exhaustion sounds, and additional audio for enemies.
đž Cloud Saving Your progress is now safer than ever with cloud saving enabled.
đ§ Stability & Connectivity Enhanced stability and improved server connections for a more reliable multiplayer experience. This update represents our continued commitment to delivering the best possible experience for our players. Weâre counting down the days to launch, and we canât wait for you to see everything weâve been working on!
Thank you for your supportâletâs make this launch unforgettable!
Devlog #016 | Final Touches
As we near the end of the development of Hired 2 Die, weâre thrilled to share some of the exciting final touches and polish weâre adding to the game. Letâs dive right in!
Traps and the Ringmasterâs Influence
The Ringmaster has prepared the stage for his final act, introducing new stationary traps to his casino. Among these are exhaust vents, consumed by mold, which release poisonous gas in desperate bursts at anyone lingering beneath them.
Be mindful of the moldâbreathe in too much, andâŚ
Youâll be snared in his strings forever!
Cutscenes and Lore
Weâve completed the last of the gameâs cutscenes! These include mid-contract events that immerse you further into the action, as well as concluding scenes that tie together the hard work youâve poured into the âHuntâ contracts.
Sometimes, the credits arenât the end.
Weâve also polished the gameâs lore, enriching the story of Intersection itâs intrigues and the distortions they house.
Canât you understand itâs perfection?
Whatâs that? Oh well, back to work⌠â
Hunt Contracts
Weâve finalized the balance for the âHuntâ contracts, making them the ultimate test of everything youâve learned throughout the game. These missions push your skills, strategies, and perks to their limits, culminating in an explosive and satisfying payoff.
Letâs blow this damned place up.
That was REALLY close.
A Big Thank You!
As we wrap up this devlog, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has followed Hired 2 Dieâs development journey. Your support has kept us motivated and inspired. Our next devlog will be the final one before release and will focus on something every worker yearns for: achievements!
From the Electric Monkeys team, we wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and an amazing new year. With the release so close, itâs going to be a fantastic one for us! Stay tuned for more, and thank you for being part of this incredible endeavor.
Thank You for Playing the Hired 2 Die Prologue!
To all our incredible players,
Weâre beyond grateful for the overwhelming support youâve shown Hired 2 Die: Prologue. Watching you explore the eerie halls, strategize with friends, and dive into the world weâve created has been nothing short of inspiring. Your dedication, insights, and enthusiasm fuel everything we do, and we couldnât ask for a better community to grow alongside us.
Over the last three weeks, weâve been diving deep into the feedback youâve shared about The House Always Wins map. Whether itâs through bug fixes, balance tweaks, or refining mechanics, weâre working hard to ensure that Hired 2 Die is the best it can possibly be when launch day arrives. Every comment, review, and suggestion is helping shape the game into something truly special.
Weâre also thrilled to share that weâre approaching an incredible milestoneâ20,000 wishlists on Steam! This is a huge moment for us, and we owe it all to you. Once we hit that mark, weâll be celebrating with rewards and surprises for everyone who has been part of this journey.
But we want to keep hearing from you! Whatâs been your most unforgettable moment in the Prologue? What are you most excited to see in the full game? Drop your thoughts below and letâs keep this conversation goingâweâre listening, and your voice makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this adventure with us. Letâs continue building Hired 2 Die together.
With gratitude and excitement, The Hired 2 Die Team
The Demo is Back!
Dear Hired 2 Die Players,
Weâre excited to share that the original demo of Hired 2 Die is now back! After releasing the prologue, we found that players from both the demo and prologue could join together, which brought some unexpected surprises. To make sure you always have the best experience, we briefly replaced the demo with the prologue, but now the demo has returned!
If you havenât had a chance to play the prologue yet, you can check it out here:
Weâre aware that some of our Chinese players are having issues with Hired 2 Die: Prologue, and our team is fully dedicated to resolving this as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Your patience and support mean a lot to us, and weâre working hard to enhance the experience for everyone. If you'd like to help, please feel free to share any details in the commentsâtheyâre incredibly valuable as we investigate.
Thank you for being part of our community!
Devlog #015 | Prologue
Welcome one, welcome all! In this devlog, we will dive into the next step toward the release of our game: The Prologue!
Before we get into the details, if you haven't already, we highly recommend checking out Devlog #013 for an in-depth look at the lore and characters featured in the prologue. In this post, weâll focus on what exactly youâll get for free with the prologue release.
The prologue introduces three unique antagonists: The Ringmaster, The Magic Eye and the Dummies.
The Ringmaster is an entertainer by trade. He's not interested in merely chasing you or causing harmâhis ambition is far greater. He aims to deliver the grandest, most unforgettable spectacle the world has ever seen. To achieve this, he drives his victims to the edge of madness, turning them into perfect actors for his twisted stage.
Next, we have The Magic Eyeâa blind, distorted figure that haunts the hotel section of the abandoned casino. Forever seeking the approval of its master, this distortion will stop at nothing to impose the sinister will of the Aethernusâ owner. At first glance, he may appear old and frail, but when he senses an unwanted guest, his terrifying true form emerges.
Hired 2 Die: Prologue will be releasing very, very soon. Be sure to check it out before the full game releases early next year!
If the news of our upcoming spectacle has piqued your interest, we kindly invite you to wishlist the prologue and the full game on Steam. By doing so, you'll receive notifications about news, release dates, and more!
Welcome, everyone! We're thrilled to announce a host of exciting new features coming to our demo. First and foremost, you can now play with up to 4 players!
Enjoy any contract with 1 to 4 players in co-op mode. Gather your friends and prepare for the shift of your lives!
PERKS AND LOBBY CUSTOMIZATION
Intersection has granted you the ability to purchase new anomalous furniture that empowers your character with unique abilities. These range from increased running speed to using cameras to help your friends and disable monsters.
Plus, these items can make your apartment look incredibly stylish!
RESULTS AND SECRETS
Your performance at the end of each contract is now graded. Discover the secrets hidden in each contract to earn an extra positive rank.
IMPROVED VOIP SYSTEM
Weâre introducing a new voice transmission system, now available for testing in the demo. Voices will better reflect your surroundings and distance from other players. Additionally, you can use the security system to communicate with other players. Simply find the CCTV in the room where the player you want to talk to is located, activate it, and start chatting.
NEW SECURITY CAMERA MECHANICS
Combat the distortions in your workplace with new tools. Use the UV Light positioned in security cameras to impair affected distortions.
Additionally, a zoom feature interacts with enemies and allies if you have the correct perk. Lights, which previously could only be controlled via the security system, now have switches in all rooms. Be mindful of the energy cost!
INTERFACE REVAMP
Weâve redesigned all game interfaces to better align with the game's atmosphere.
Tooltips have been added to important interface elements, making it easier for new players to get started.
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE
Graphics have been improved, lore notes added, and new creature animations, sounds, and behaviors introduced. For a comprehensive list of updates, check our patch notes here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1729140/view/5956653982580523321.
We are nearing the opening of the Aethernus Casino. Grab the demo and explore the new features as you await the devious games of the ringmaster in the upcoming free Hired 2 Die: Prologue!
UV Lights (interaction with Monsters and other Players)
Water Dispenser that restores Stamina
Improved Proximity Voice Chat (VOIP)
Improved Lobby:
Perk System (players can now buy furniture and decorations for their Lobby that grants them powerful new skills)
Radio - secret tapes can be found through the contracts (and the tutorial)
New Interactions (see below)
Gameplay:
Score/Results System based on your performance.
Balancing:
Objectives
Enemies
Energy Consumption
Stamina
Installables
Anomalies
Revival (added a way to revive without an injection)
Level Design Adjustments
New Interactions
Throwables
Drawers, Lockers
Usability:
Mini Map Improvements:
Objective Icons
Improved Area selection and usability
Overall Readability
CCTV Improvements:
Camera Movement
Zoom
New Settings:
General: Horizontal/Vertical Sensitivity
Graphics: VSync, Shadows, Effects, Anti Aliasing
Audio: Output Device, VOIP
Improved UI:
Splash Screen
Main Menu
Loading Screens
Pause
Lobby Menu
Room Creation
Contract Selection
Objectives TV
Tip System
Notes:
Lobby General notes
Level Enemy notes
Visuals:
Graphics Overhaul
Lighting
Materials and Textures
New Animations:
Enemies
New Visual Effects for Puddles, Incinerator and others
Enemies
Interactables
Audio:
New Sound Effects:
Enemies
Objectives
Installables
Interactables
Sound Mixing
Performance:
New Graphics Settings
Optimized GPU Load and Memory Usage
Optimized CPU Load and Memory Usage
Optimized Build Size
Devlog #013 | The House Always Wins
As a new year dawns, we're thrilled to update our community on the tremendous strides we've taken since our last Devlog. Let us present our latest endeavor:
"The House Always Wins."
Step into the the Grand Aethernus Casino, the domain of the cunning Ringmaster and his entourage. A street artist by trade and manipulator by necessity, the Ringmaster orchestrates daily shows with his troupe, luring patrons into the casino, skillfully fostering their indulgences to ensure they keep returningâor never leave at all.
The Aethernus, once an old hotel, now stands transformed into a four-story casino complex. It comprises a basement, a stage for the Ringmaster's performances, a casino where âThe Beastâ incredible feats of strength entice gamblers, and a hotel section where the enigmatic "Magic Eye" captivates guests with enchanting tricks and vivid retellings of the troupe's greatest achievements.
Regrettably, all things come to an end. A series of vanishing acts culminated in the tragic murder of one troupe member, abruptly halting the shows and causing the Ringmaster to disappear. The enigmatic agency known as Intersection took a keen interest in the building, purchasing it and enlisting your services to uncover its concealed secrets.
Gather your friends and embark on the quest to unravel the mysteries of the Aethernus Casino. But be careful! The Ringmaster still haunts these halls, craving one final, spectacular performanceâwith you as the new unwitting members of the troupe. Your employers suspect that an eerie distortion within the casino has the power to manipulate perceptions, inducing hallucinations and subjecting individuals to the Ringmaster's control after prolonged exposure.
There's an abundance of exciting features to reveal including new monsters, innovative mechanics, and forthcoming details about the release date. Stay tuned for our next devlogs.
Thank you for reading, and here's to a fantastic new year ahead. Don't forget to take a look and wishlist our upcoming prologue!