Just posting a quick status update. We're still working with Valve on a few backend changes that are necessary before we're ready to push the new content drop, but unfortunately things are taking a tiny bit longer than we expected. Just hang in there and we'll have the content out as soon as we can - hopefully sometime early next week.
Thanks for your patience! :)
New Major Patch, Location & Major Game Changes Coming August 9th!
Hello Survivors!
We've had an awesome month since Outbreak: Epidemic launched on July 9th! We spent the first half of that month working on patches to address the largest feedback from the community quickly, and now we're happy to announce the next major patch is on the horizon and scheduled for August 9th!
But we have other news to share as well about the long term plans for the game including transitioning from a F2P title to a more classical paid title (and why that decision has been made, including how Premium Content owners will automatically keep their access to the game). So buckle up and keep reading for all the news!
New Location - The Depths
After the survivors desperate attempt to call for help at the end of the Outbreak Scenario, they eventually learn that there's a military camp situated in a nearby urban center. With the undead roaming the countryside and a lack of a working vehicle, they take to the underground tunnels to try to find a way into the subway system underneath the city.
This leads them into the Depths, a dark and desolated underground system where they will learn horrifying truths about how the government tried to mitigate the epidemic.
On August 9th, you'll have access to a brand new Campaign scenario, two new Onslaught scenarios, and a new Experiments scenario. The campaign will take the survivors on a desperate quest to repair part of the underground subway system to make their way further into the city.
The new Experiments scenario increases the intensity by giving you 30 minutes to navigate the underground caverns to retrieve a desperately needed item before you make your escape. This guns blazing scenario will force you to move quickly, and carefully determine when you want to stop at a supply drop (scattered throughout the scenario) to re-arm. Be careful though, if you take too long, the caves will fill with gas and you'll be dead quickly.
Patch v3.0
This release on August 9th will come with Patch v3.0, which includes a large amount of small fixes and polish across the entire game (too much to list). It will also include heavily requested options like the ability to toggle your flashlight on or off during gameplay.
Transitioning from Free To Play to a Traditional Paid Title on August 9th
I'm also ready to announce that Outbreak: Epidemic will be transitioning from a F2P title with optional premium content to a more traditional paid title like all of the other games in the Outbreak series. When I was planning to launch Epidemic, my goal was to open it to a larger community and invite everyone to play what was essentially a demo, with the option to upgrade to the full version.
After gathering feedback and observing the game's progress over the last month, it was determined that this model ultimately wouldn't allow the development of the game to proceed at the rate I want in the F2P model. It became clear that I would need to go in a route of creating and marketing add-on content like cosmetics to ensure the game remains financially viable, and that effort (with only a single developer working on the game) would greatly interfere with the development roadmap and timelines.
Transitioning to a paid title will allow me to focus on developing the core game experience including new scenarios, while not needing to focus on cosmetic or add-on content too early in the development process. It's definitely understandable if some folks will be unhappy with this decision, but I hope you'll understand that it's the best for the game long-term so it can stay on track and new content can be delivered at a reasonable clip.
To be clear - there are no plans to transition back to a F2P title for this game. It ultimately makes more sense as a more classical paid title.
So how will the title work when the patch is released on August 9th?
For people who have purchased the Premium Content DLC, you will get access to the full paid game (as you've already paid for the upgrade). For anyone who has not upgraded to the Premium Content DLC and is only on the F2P version, unfortunately they will lose access to the title unless they purchase it. After speaking with Valve, this seemed like the best compromise for the title to ensure folks who have invested their money in the title get full access and their purchase remains valid.
Thank you!
Thank you to the entire community for supporting the Outbreak series and sharing such passionate feedback about the game. Epidemic has grown by leaps and bounds in the month since it launched and there's plenty of exciting new locations, content and more on the horizon. Thank you! :outbreakzombie:
We've had an awesome two weeks since Outbreak: Epidemic launched on Early Access! It's been a whirlwind of updates as I've tried to address the most prominent feedback and improve the game! We've had upgrades to gameplay balancing, the camera, the netcode and even a brand new Onslaught scenario!
So it's now time we set our sights on where we're going next. Development for the next major area is now under development. This means the patches won't be daily going forward as scenario development takes time and focus. You can expect to start seeing some screenshots of the brand new area in about a week or so. When will it be released? Too early to say, but I can tell you it won't be too long.
Hang in there and keep playing - and sharing feedback! Remember - if you enjoy the game and feel it deserves it, please consider leaving a positive review. If you hit issues, reach out to me anytime here or on Discord for support!
Thanks again for playing and get ready for a brand new spooky location later this summer!
Outbreak: Epidemic v2.2 Patch Released - New Onslaught Scenario!
We're happy to announce that v2.2 of Outbreak: Epidemic has been released!
This patch includes:
New Onslaught Scenario - Two Stores. Fight the undead in the middle of a strip mall converted to a medical camp by the military shortly after the epidemic occurred. Featuring a large outdoor area with vertical options, as well as two indoor areas you can seamlessly enter and battle the undead in. This location does not take place in the Campaign and is simply a fun bonus map to mix things up!
Adjusted detection range based on enemy types and other qualifiers to improve some areas where enemies would become confused or stuck.
Minor cosmetic bug fixes across the scenarios.
Outbreak: Epidemic v2.1 Patch Released!
We're happy to announce Outbreak: Epidemic v2.1 has been released!
This patch includes adjustments to increase the lethality of all non-reptile enemy types. Their movement speed is buffed and their detection range has been increased. To ensure this doesn't have any negative effects to spawn areas, you'll find the intros to the Tutorial, Outbreak and Darkness scenarios have been mildly changed.
Thanks again for playing and if you're enjoying the game, please be sure to consider leaving a positive review and sharing your thoughts! If you hit any issues, reach out anytime on our official Discord or on the forums and we can help out right away!
Outbreak: Epidemic v2.01 Patch Released!
We're happy to announce Outbreak: Epidemic v2.0 has been released.
This patch includes the following:
The player's laser sight will now smoothly update when moving.
The player camera now locks instantly to the player when rotating by default. This should greatly reduce the feeling of motion sickness. The old camera transition can still be enabled in the Options menu if you liked the slower transition effect.
Added a camera option to allow camera position transitions to be accelerated. You can enable this in the Options menu if you're interested.
The EXP & Leveling System has been overhauled to provide a more gentler leveling up curve at the lower levels. As you gain more levels, your progression will slow. You will see your new level reflected the next time you play the game.
Fixed an issue in the upstairs warehouse where enemies could become trapped on a chain link fence.
Leveling up is now reflected correctly mid-game, including having new buffs applied from the increased level.
Adjusted ammo amounts across the game.
Outbreak: Epidemic v1.9 Patch Released!
We're happy to announce v1.9 of Outbreak: Epidemic has released!
This patch includes the following:
When picking up stackable items, your inventory now more efficiently combines them with existing stacks before allocating to a new stack.
Slightly buffed ammo counts on Realism Mode across all scenarios.
Player facing the camera at all times is now enabled by default. This option can be changed in the Options menu. There will be no change if you've manually set this setting in the past.
Adjusted melee weapon damage in Realism Mode to ensure the Fire Axe and Sledgehammer are superior to the Knife for Renault.
Fixed numerous clipping issues on the multi-level warehouse.
Magnum damage now behaves properly on Realism Mode.
We're happy to announce Outbreak: Epidemic v1.8 has been released!
This patch includes:
Adjusted handgun damage on Realism Mode to typically take at least 2-3 headshots to kill most low-level zombies with the Handgun. Characters with Handgun buffs will kill faster, those with debuffs will kill slower.
Weapons of the same type can now be combined to share ammo directly from the inventory.
When selecting a gun in your inventory, an Unload button will appear that will empty all remaining ammo if you have room. As a reminder, you can also combine a gun with an empty slot to unload its ammo.
Reduced Onslaught Mode wave intermission times in co-op. There is now less of a break between waves in co-op to keep the game moving at a good pace. Single-player still has the longer intermission times to give the player more of an opportunity to survive.
Fixed issues where guns would not detect hits on enemies due to other collisions intercepting the shot.
Fixed an issue where using a puzzle item may be unresponsive if there is other interactables nearby.
