Investigations #16: Steam Deck Verified & Case Board Etiquette
Well, detectives, we are approaching the end of our Summertime investigations but the 1.0 release isn't far away and what better way to celebrate than having the Steam Deck version of Shadows of Doubt officially verified!
As some of you may know, one of the bigger features we’ve mentioned coming to 1.0 is a new case type named “Missing Persons”. Where did they go, who took them and can you save them? Your questions will be answered soon enough!
We are also happy to share a little bit of a post-launch roadmap with you all:
More pre-made cities
Steam workshop support instead of mod.io
Continued work on QoL features & bug fixing
Longer term:
Minor new content updates such as cruncher apps, in-game artwork etc.
A thanks is in order for the detective forces across our socials and in the Discord for all of your feedback. Some of our latest patches have been able to be refined much better due to your reports and experiences in our experimental builds. You’ve been integral to making the City a much better place to be in!
Recently, there has been an increase in notes left behind around the City. Candor News has recently sent this one over for further investigation. We need to determine whether this is some fanfiction or an indication of something much darker. What do you think?
Discord Detective Jawsh has been hard on the case lately but nothing gets by these expert caseboards ! Jawsh uses all of the bells and whistles available to come up with clean and concise deductions. Here's how the breakdown works:
Red is Wound Info/ Temp info
Green is Work Information
White is DNA/ID info (Wallets, Ids, Citizen Database info, birth cert, etc)
Yellow is Living Details
Blue is Items/Info found at location
Pink is People Linked to Area/Associates (Landlords, friends, etc)
Let’s wrap up this week with a trilby tip to fellow Discord Detective iChigoMado for their bravery in the field attempting to distract a killer with some chat. Find out if the negotiation went well here.
See you in September, detectives. Don’t forget to catch us on the beat over on X and in the Discord.
Shadows of Doubt V 38.10 Experimental Branch Patch Notes
Hey folks, as one experimental patch leaves and joins the default branch, we have a brand new experimental for you all.
Experimental Branch: These builds are only found on our ‘experimental’ steam branch. You can access this by right clicking the game in your steam library, choosing ‘properties’, then the ‘betas’ tab. The experimental build should be in the dropdown list. Experimental builds may be less tested than the default branch builds. Most experimental branch patches will make their way to the default branch after a week or two (barring any issues discovered).
Tweaks to AI routines for better timings
Tweaks to default controller controls
Fixed: Citizen job timings were incorrect
Fixed: Item duplication bug when using the decor editor and certain gadgets
Fixed: Corpses getting stuck in floor/inside of other objects
Fixed: Missing sniper window bullet holes
Fixed: Issue with loading into air ducts
Fixed: Controller virtual cursor tracking errors
Fixed: When the player knew a name & image of a citizen they were able to talk to them from a much further distance than normal.
Fixed: Sales ledgers are no longer pin-able
Fixed: More cases of AI getting stuck
Fixed: Inspecting citizens while holding the print scanner would reveal the purple scanning light in their mugshot
Fixed: Citizens turn off their crunchers after finishing work properly
Fixed: Some placement errors in decor mode
Fixed: Added some missing object name references
Fixed: A case of virtual cursor being active when a popup message is active when using a controller
Fixed: Improved object drop/put down positions for larger objects
Fixed: Updated/fixed player holding positions for: Katana, Box Cutter and Razor
Fixed: Boosted scale of held knifes
Fixed: Weapons dealer/black market trader passwords should now be different on cities generated in the city editor
Fixed: Broken link in the Employment Contract evidence text
Fixed: Disabled virtual cursor in the city editor while playing with a controller
Fixed: The far left side of the players arm no longer looks like it’s floating while the watch is selected
Fixed: It was possible for a bookcase to block a doorway in a pawn shop*
Fixed: Rare cases of a sniper being able to shoot while restrained
Fixed: Lessened the effects of the sync disk that altered player height as they could result in the player becoming stuck
Fixed: Activated gadgets would be destroyed if the player attempted to pick them up while they had a full inventory.
Fixed: Unemployed citizens could own employment contracts*
* Requires a new city generation to appear/spawn/see
Shadows of Doubt V 38.09 Patch Notes
A host of fixes that have come through the experimental branch for you all plus a new fix for some vent issues that should go a long way to making your sleuthing more enjoyable!
Also - we are now officially verified on Steam Deck which is fantastic as the hard work continues towards the 1.0 release.
More improvements to stuttering when navigating between areas
More memory leak fixes
Some object spawn position adjustments
Revised citizen names lists*
Fixed: Assigned inventory hotkeys are now loaded properly
Fixed: Janitors had invisible brooms
Fixed: Active killers could reveal rooms on the map under certain conditions
Fixed: Boarded up windows were only visible from one side
Fixed: Case of AI getting stuck outside of doors
Fixed: Blood pool interactable trigger area could obscure other evidence
Fixed: Explored air ducts are now saved properly
Fixed: Minor fixes/alterations to several ceiling lights
Fixed: In Steam OS the onscreen keyboard did not effect the text input when first selected
Fixed: Cancelling a search could cause items to be found in a following progress bar related interaction
Fixed: Tweaked some furniture placement rules to stop diner booths spawning in inaccessible locations*
Fixed: Inconsistent flooring styles on some ground floor lobbies*
Fixed: In ‘Dead of Night’ there was a very small chance the name on the note shared an identical city directory entry as another person
Fixed: While using a controller the back button prompt was displayed on the submit button in the bug report menu
Audio: Mastered version of soundtrack added
Audio: Menu music recut
bonus fix; Issue with loading into air ducts
* Requires a new city generation to appear/spawn/see
Investigations #15: A game of Bas-Boule?
Happy launch month, detectives. The team here are hard at work as we get closer to launch but we still have a roundup of what has been happening in the community over the last month for you all:
Last month, We began some fun detective polls over on our X page that will help us find out what kind of detectives you really are, so be sure to follow and participate!
In other news, Discord Detective Syrehus has begun setting up shop throughout the Fathoms in the city offering “medical” services to the homeless citizens. When asked about the lagality of such an operation, Enforcers had no comment. Check out the full breakdown and tour right here
A new craze involving the popular sport “Bas-Boule” has now taken over the city. Seek out 15 hidden bas-boule rookie cards throughout your new cities now. Have you found them all?
Finally, some fanart that doubles as a visual tutorial on how to use newspapers properly within the city. Brought to you by Discord Detective Ruby. You can totally read them…or yanno, use them to be a stealthy snoop. The choice is your gumshoes…
Thanks for investigating our first August Blog, detectives. Don’t forget to join in on more discussions and awesome content over on our Discord and follow on X for the latest on all things Shadows Of Doubt. See you next time!
Shadows of Doubt V 38.09 Experimental Branch Patch Notes
Hey folks, we have a brand new experimental patch up and ready for you all with a host of new fixes!
Experimental Branch: These builds are only found on our ‘experimental’ steam branch. You can access this by right clicking the game in your steam library, choosing ‘properties’, then the ‘betas’ tab. The experimental build should be in the dropdown list. Experimental builds may be less tested than the default branch builds. Most experimental branch patches will make their way to the default branch after a week or two (barring any issues discovered).
More improvements to stuttering when navigating between areas
More memory leak fixes
Some object spawn position adjustments
Revised citizen names lists*
Fixed: Assigned inventory hotkeys are now loaded properly
Fixed: Janitors had invisible brooms
Fixed: Active killers could reveal rooms on the map under certain conditions
Fixed: Boarded up windows were only visible from one side
Fixed: Case of AI getting stuck outside of doors
Fixed: Blood pool interactable trigger area could obscure other evidence
Fixed: Explored air ducts are now saved properly
Fixed: Minor fixes/alterations to several ceiling lights
Fixed: In Steam OS the onscreen keyboard did not effect the text input when first selected
Fixed: Cancelling a search could cause items to be found in a following progress bar related interaction
Fixed: Tweaked some furniture placement rules to stop diner booths spawning in inaccessible locations*
Fixed: Inconsistent flooring styles on some ground floor lobbies*
Fixed: In ‘Dead of Night’ there was a very small chance the name on the note shared an identical city directory entry as another person
Fixed: While using a controller the back button prompt was displayed on the submit button in the bug report menu
Audio: Mastered version of soundtrack added
Audio: Menu music recut
* Requires a new city generation to appear/spawn/see
Shadows of Doubt V 38.08 Experimental Branch Patch Notes
Hey folks, we have a brand new experimental patch up and ready for you all with a host of new fixes!
Experimental Branch: These builds are only found on our ‘experimental’ steam branch. You can access this by right clicking the game in your steam library, choosing ‘properties’, then the ‘betas’ tab. The experimental build should be in the dropdown list. Experimental builds may be less tested than the default branch builds. Most experimental branch patches will make their way to the default branch after a week or two (barring any issues discovered).
Further memory optimizations
Tweaked AI Fleeing behaviour
Tweaked AI crime scene behaviour
Fixed: Save game error that could result in duplicate objects
Fixed: Duplicate evidence being created for murders
Fixed: Missing citizen portraits on load game and certain other situations
Fixed: Missing fingerprints on bullet casings
Fixed: Patched some geometry holes within the included ‘Charlotte Heights’ city, along with some citizen outfit glitches
Fixed: Killer could reveal too much information about themselves or victims when questioned
Fixed: Handwriting toggle button not appearing for some handwritten notes
Fixed: Handwriting toggle button requiring 2 presses to activate the first time
Fixed: Weird behaviour with slider buttons that would cause the value to jump to the min/max; you can now also hold these buttons to alter the value.
Fixed: Visual glitch in Loom’s metallic texture
Fixed: Some minor physics error/console messages resulting from negatively scaled colliders
Fixed: Invalid string on the upgrades screen for non English languages
Fixed: Use of small caps on evidence window title was not displaying certain European language characters; have changed to normal caps for now
Fixed: Stopped AI being able to perform some actions while handcuffed
Fixed: Pawn shop neon sign missing mesh
Fixed: Citizens didn’t not awaken if you handcuffed them while sleeping
Fixed: Murders now should not happen in the main hotel lobby (caused weird AI issues!)
Post-Launch Support
Hello detectives, a word today about our upcoming launch.
The September 1.0 release marks a significant moment in the Shadows of Doubt journey. As a small team working diligently for the past 8 years on Shadows of Doubt, we are proud of the technical feature set we have been able to deliver in the game. We have welcomed some excellent ideas from our loyal and patient community and have tried to add as much as we possibly could into the game, while trying to ensure all existing systems are stable and working as they should with what is a complex interconnected codebase.
To reassure everybody, we have no intention of abandoning the game at 1.0. We've worked incredibly hard to develop Shadows of Doubt alongside you during Early Access, listening to your thoughts and feedback to introduce new content and address bugs and issues, and I'm incredibly proud of the 1.0 release. It's a reflection of what I always wanted to achieve with Shadows of Doubt: an immersive procgen sandbox that I hope really makes you feel like you are a detective in a living world.
After the launch of 1.0, we will continue to listen to feedback and address the most pressing issues. A game is never truly finished, and we recognise that there are always bound to be some sneaky bugs that slip through the net. We will be introducing a new public facing system that will allow for increased transparency on what is being worked on. We know communication is important and just with the amount of development work that has been needed we haven’t had the chance to be as active in the Discord as we would like but hopefully this will go a long way to addressing that and making sure you feel heard.
Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank you, the members of our community, who have been here on this incredible Shadows of Doubt journey, your support has been unparalleled.
Right time for me to get back to work.
/ Cole and the ColePowered team
V1.0 Coming September 26th!
Hey, detectives!
Close those case files and drop your fingerprint scanner – we’ve got some important news you need to hear…
Shadows of Doubt is leaving Early Access on September 26th!
That’s right, our sandbox sleuth sim is getting a full release next month and it is coming to both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Check out the release date trailer below:
Prepare for major new content!
Our full launch comes with a big update that would make any private investigator twitch with intrepidation. We’ll be sharing more details on what to expect in the coming weeks, but for now, please take our word that there’s some really cool stuff coming your way!
We also wanted to give everyone a headsup that we are going to be increasing the price of the game from $19.99 to $24.99 on the 23rd of August. This won't affect anyone who already owns the game before then but will obviously mean the game is more expensive from then onwards.
In the meantime, come join us on Discord for the latest cases, updates and to chat with other likeminded detectives.
Talk soon!
Shadows of Doubt V 38.07 Experimental Branch Patch Notes
Hey folks, we have a brand new experimental patch up and ready for you all with a host of new fixes!
Experimental Branch: These builds are only found on our ‘experimental’ steam branch. You can access this by right clicking the game in your steam library, choosing ‘properties’, then the ‘betas’ tab. The experimental build should be in the dropdown list. Experimental builds may be less tested than the default branch builds. Most experimental branch patches will make their way to the default branch after a week or two (barring any issues discovered).
Reduced stutter when traversing areas
More memory leaks fixed
More aggressive rain detail slider for lower end system performance gains
New Steam Deck default settings for better performance on it
Increased font sizes at lower resolutions 1280x800 and under
Fixed: Some instances of AI getting stuck
Fixed: Can no longer control city editor camera controls while confirm message is active
Fixed: Can no longer interact with city editor UI when confirm popup is active
Fixed: Low performance during the popup tutorial message on the load screen
Fixed: Game did not restart to controller select screen after resetting gameplay preferences
Fixed: Some missing references in various V-mails
Fixed: When citizens decided to shower they immediately stripped to their underwear, even in public (!)
Fixed: Error displaying enter/return control glyph
Fixed: Some text overflow issues
Shadows of Doubt V 38.06 Patch Notes
Hey folks, we have a bunch of improvements and fixes going live today. Thank you to those who tested it out on experimental first and gave important feedback!
More memory footprint optimizations
City data and save game size reduction*
Guest passes will grant you access to echelon zones
Investigating a stolen item on an echelon floor will grant you with a guest pass, enabling you to legally explore the floor’s communal area.
Some tweaks to red-level trespassing zones
You can now navigate the menu with the gamepad stick
New skip control prompt for cut scenes
Empty input fields for save games, cases etc are now not allowed
Fixed: The game saved cities with the wrong file name if you renamed them from within the map editor*
Fixed: Possibility of a basement area for a building contained a power room area which was too small to spawn a telephone router*
Fixed: Some alignment/scale errors for keyboard control glyphs
Fixed: Sometimes when the player took photos within air ducts, the ducts weren’t visible
Fixed: (At least one) occurrence of citizens floating through the air
Fixed: Commercial coffee machine was spawning in weird places*
Fixed: Citizens floating while sleeping on bedrolls
Fixed: Citizens didn't sleep in the correct position when sleeping on the right side of a double bed
Fixed: Top of wooden fence featured an missing mesh face
Fixed: Some very small inconsistencies when generating two cities from the same seed
Fixed: Opening the player’s character in an evidence window would cause an internal error
Fixed: Text in popup messages could appear too small
Fixed: Selecting a new perpetrator from your evidence board would not update the arrest resolve question properly
Fixed: Certain murder resolve questions not working properly when loading a save game
Fixed: Some first person model animation oddities
Fixed: Telephone door’s glass did not move properly with the door frame
Fixed: CCTV tower no longer can spawn backing onto another street objects (preventing access to its terminal)*
Fixed: Street names no longer being overwritten when customizing streets in the city editor. (Thanks to the patience of one discord user. 🙌)
Fixed: Fixed some sympathetic bugs caused by city editor UI not updating properly when clearing existing city data.
Fixed: AI pathing edge-case prevents citizens from spawning at their saved position and being unable to move.
Fixed: Edge cases of having way too many blood spatter objects spawned
Fixed: Repeating or confused objectives when you had multiple jobs open on different stages
Fixed: A very rare RNG bug that could freeze the city generation process
Fixed: The player now will get crushed if they are pressed against the top of an elevator shaft by the elevator
Fixed: Upon loading a game, the décor edit button was only displayed if you left and re-entered a relevant address
Fixed: String display issues on cruncher apps when language is not set to English
Fixed: Removed some instances of ‘DNT’ appearing in non-English languages
* Requires a new city generation to appear/spawn/see
Any issues please let us know and do join the Discord to get involved in the conversation
