We just released an update for the game in order to fix some problems people have been reporting. Nothing major. Just small tweaks.
The biggest change is that I made the helmets work both ways. It's mostly a convenience tweak. Working out who should wear which helmet was a bit of a stumbling block for most people, so I just made them work interchangeably. That's how I roll, people!
UPDATE: I made a slight modification to my previous rule change. The player now has to solve the helmet puzzle correctly in Chapter 2. But from then on the helmets can be used interchangeably. You might see this as the game breaking its own logic, but I see it more as the game editing out content the player has already seen. Since the player has already proved he/she knows how to use the helmets twice, there's no reason for them to solve that puzzle again and again and again after that. The game presumes what they want to do, and gets on with it.
Anyway, here's the contents of the latest patch:
• Engine: Fixed bug in task manager
• Game: Tweaked UI
• Chapter 4, 5 & 6: Made the helmets work interchangeably
• Chapter 4: Added dialogue
• Chapter 1, 2, 4 & 6: Fixed typos
Don't be shy if you see something strange or buggy in the game.
Cheers,
- a
August Update
Greetings and salutations!
To be honest, we haven't really worked a whole lot on the game this month, because we've been busy enjoying the summer. Summer in Sweden only lasts for about 15 days, so you'd better make the most of it...
We've also been working on a small game, that will be announced in more detail at a later date. It's a sort of palate cleanser, after the huge undertaking that was The Dream Machine. Stay tuned.
We're also running a sale right now, so if you haven't already picked up the game – now's the time!
Don't be shy if you see something strange or buggy in the game.
Cheers,
- a
July Update
Why hello there!
How's things? We hope you're busy enjoying the summer sun, if you're on the northern hemisphere. If you're on the bottom of the planet, why not pop over across the Equator and join the party with the rest of us? There's plenty of room up here.
If you're not in a party mood and would rather sit inside and play a game or two, then may I make a suggestion? Play The Dream Machine! It's a spectacular game with lots of stuff in it. It's got clay, cardboard, words, puzzles etc. Everything a growing boy/girl/other needs.
Oh, and it's also received a very recent update, which may or may not make the proposal sound more appealing to you. I don't know. Tastes vary.
Anyway, here's the contents:
• Game: Tweaked UI
• Game: Improved game start-up procedure
• Game: Increased minimum walking speed to 1.5
• Game: Changed how the game loads language files
• Game: Added 'View Credits' option to main menu
• Chapter 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6: Tweaked dialogue
• Chapter 2 & 4: Tweaked background music
• Chapter 5: Improved performance in Martin's hallway
• Chapter 5: Improved performance in Selma's hallway
• Chapter 6: Improved graphics quality
• Chapter 6: Added interactions
• Chapter 6: Fixed typos
Don't be shy if you see something strange or buggy in the game.
Cheers,
- a
Summer Sale Update
Citizen!
It's now been about a month and a half since we released the last chapter of The Dream Machine. We hope you've had the chance to play it and we hope you enjoyed it!
Since the release, we've been busy fixing the reported bugs, making sure everyone has as smooth an experience as is possible. Things seemed to have calmed down a bit during these last few weeks, though, so we're moving back into our old groove of updating the game on a somewhat monthly basis. There's still a lot we'd like to add or tweak, so expect this to be an ongoing effort for some time to come.
Also, the Steam Summer Sale is upon us, so if you haven't yet picked up the game, now's the time!
Don't be shy if you see something strange or buggy in the game.
Cheers,
- a
Chapter 6 has launched!
UPDATE 3: If Chapter 6 is still locked for you, read this.
UPDATE 2: A solution has been found. You might need to restart Steam.
UPDATE 1: The issue were Chapters 6 hasn't unlocked to those who bought the bundle is being investigated. Hopefully we'll resolve it soon.
Dear Friends!
It is our extreme pleasure to announce that the final chapter in The Dream Machine series has gone live on Steam. We hope you'll enjoy it and don't be shy if you find anything wonky.
I hope you'll excuse me if I cut this message short. I have some sleep to catch up on.
The Machine loves you all!
Cheers,
- a
Chapter 6 status
Citizen!
Still some things left to do. Stand by.
In the meantime: What do you think will happen in Chapter 6? Any theories?
Cheers,
- a
The Final Countdown Discount
Citizen!
We're less than a week away from launching the sixth and final installment in our epic series, The Dream Machine. We can't wait to get this game into your hot little hands. That's why we have the entire game on sale this week. This has been the most fun and difficult thing I've ever done.
If you're still on the fence about this game – now is the time!
It's now exactly one month left until release. Writing that makes me both nervous and excited, as I'm sure you can imagine. It'll be a pretty hectic month, but that's part of the fun.
Today we're releasing a NEW TRAILER for the game: Youtube Link . It contains some shots from Chapter 6 to whet your appetite. Consider that a spoiler warning if you absolutely don't want to see anything from Chapter 6 pre-launch. Feel free to share the trailer with everyone you know.
As if that wasn't enough, we also just released an update to the game. It contains quite a few things, though most of them are under-the-hood stuff in preparation for the launch.
• Game: Changed main typeface
• Game: Increased max walking speed to 2.0
• Game: Increased default walking speed to 1.5
• Game: Made sure correct background displays during closeups
• Chapter 3: Color corrected Victor's climbing animation
• Chapter 3 & 5: Tweaked dialogue
• Chapter 4: Tweaked Mr Morton's notebook text
• Chapter 5: Tweaked vampire closeup
• Chapter 4 & 5: Made some dialogue options undimmable
• Chapter 5: Fixed floor 1 elevator bug
• Chapter 5: Fixed floor 2 background color glitch
• Chapter 5: Fixed bug that happened while viewing a close up with helmet on
• Demo: Updated demo
We'd like to squash as many bugs as possible before Chapter 6 comes out, so we'd really appreciate if you drop us a line if you encounter anything that seems buggy in the game.
The day has come for us to put an end to this long and awesome journey. We're well aware that the period between releases is too long, but there's only two of us making a very ambitious game by hand, so things take time. Hopefully you'll consider it worth the wait once you get to play it.
The Machine Loves You!
Cheers,
- a
March Update
Citizen!
I should have gotten this update out the door a bit sooner, but we've been busy working on an announcement that I hope will delight and excite. Expect Chapter 6 related news very, very soon, dear friends...
In the meantime, this month's update mostly focuses on behind the scenes stuff and some tweaks to the end of Chapter 5. The changes we made to the dialogue system have now been fully implemented, and I don't expect I'll spend time on that moving forward.
Which is just as well, because things are about to get busy...
For those who think we're wasting time releasing these updates, I've added a question to the FAQ. It's at the bottom.
Here's the full patch contents:
• Game: Split asset file into smaller chunks
• Game: Reduced the game's memory footprint
• Chapter 1, 4 & 5: Tweaked living room background
• Chapter 1: Tweaked Edie dialogue
• Chapter 3: Fixed graphical glitch with coal chute hatch
• Chapter 4: Made some dialogue options undimmable
• Chapter 5: Color tweaked backgrounds
• Chapter 5: Fixed mob interaction
• Chapter 5: Added vampire dialogue
• Chapter 5: Clarified roof hole hint
• Chapter 5: Added end dialogue option with Willard
• Chapter 5: Tweaked end dialogue with Willard
• Chapter 5: Clarified Willard hint
• Demo: Updated demo
Don't be shy if you see something strange or buggy in the game.
