Nominate The Outlast Trials for 'Better with Friends'

Making of The Outlast Trials Documentary

Cheers to you, and to us getting nominated and hopefully winning the "Better with Friends" Steam Award of 2023!

• Fixed the issue where the Policeman Shirt cosmetic did not equip properly. You can be a cop now!
  
• Fixed an issue where players that experienced long load times would later get kicked out of their group when returning from a Trial.
  
• Fixed issue where some players would get stuck in the evaluation corridor exit when returning from a trial.
  
• Fixed jump-over action that sometimes made players get stuck in the "RELEASE THE PRISONERS" Trial.

• Fixed when players crash when booting on Steam Deck.
  
• Fixed Program X badge not being unlockable. Players will need to play and complete the last Trial in Program X to unlock the badge, even if they completed it before.
  
• Bind night vision key to loadout key so both change when rebound to another key.
  

• Fixed the issue in the "Release the Prisoners" MK-Challenge where there was a chance that pressing the button in the security room won't bring the tubes down, preventing you from progressing.
  
• Fixed an issue that occurred where players would no longer hear NPC voices after playing chess.
  

Reagents,

• Program 4: Courthouse New Trial.
  
• New MK-Challenges in Fun Park, Orphanage, and Police Station.
  
• Program Geister Halloween Event: Our second limited time event now with new exclusive rewards running October 27th - November 17th.
  
• New Cosmetics and decorations - Play Program Geister to unlock themed cosmetics.
  
• Weekly Programs: Play through Murkoff’s new Experimental Therapy every week starting after November 17th.
  
• New Sleep Room Minigame - Challenge other reagents in a timeless chess battle.
  
• Group Finder changes - Find players for the same Trial, and other options.
  
• New Prescriptions and Amps - Continue your progression and unlock new Prescription and Amps.
  
• New Conclusion - Where will Murkoff send the reborns?
  
• New Legendary Outfits - Available for the reborn.
  
• Player Reporting tools - New tool to ensure a great experience for all players.
  
• Other additions, improvements, balancing, fixes and much more. More details below...

New Program: Courthouse

Vindicate the Guilty

• Two new storylines added! Complete them by finding the evidence documents scattered inside the Trials.
  
• New objective gameplay including the acid bucket retrieval, lockbox puzzle rooms, and the introduction of a new objective enemy: the Scapegoat.
  
• Utilize the Tracker to pinpoint the elusive Scapegoat, then employ the Microwave Trigger device to... well, let's just say it's not the most pleasant news for its brain! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled to spot clues in your surroundings for help maneuvering the map.

New MK-Challenges

Time-Limited Halloween Event “Program Geister”

• Hallucinations?: You see something! Is it the side effects, trauma or something else?
  
• No Player Names: Player names are hidden. Total immersion for everyone!
  
• More Imposters: More Imposters will be present in the Trial. Watch your back.
  
• Enraged Enemies: Enemies are on high alert! Be careful...

Geister Token

Introducing Weekly Programs

• Introducing Weekly Programs, which revolve around thematic Trials and MK-Challenges, delivering fresh experiences.
  
• Some Weekly Programs present challenges; consider customizing your loadout to counter variators.
  
• Please note that Weekly Programs will be temporarily halted during the presence of Experimental Programs like Program Geister.
  
• The inaugural Weekly Program launches on November 17th.
  
• We're excited to share that some Weekly Programs are experimental, and we eagerly welcome player feedback to help us fine-tune and enhance your experience with this new game mode. We will be making a feedback chat for them in our 18+ Discord when the Weekly events launch!

Program X and Conclusion Update

• Program X has been refreshed for all users with a new set of Trials and MK-Challenges.
  
• Reagents who complete the therapy may be released into a new international conflict.
  
• 2 new Legendary Outfits have been added for the reborn.

New Sleep Room Minigame: Chess

• Challenge your fellow Reagents to intense matches of the timeless game of Chess right in the sleep room.
  
• Other minigame changes:
  
  
  • You can now cheer on your fellow Reagents participating in Arm Wrestling matches.
    
  • The names of the World's Best Arm Wrestling players are proudly engraved on the table.
    
  • New rating system to track your performance in Arm Wrestling and Chess matches.
    
  • Enjoy Arm Wrestling and Chess games in the Cafeteria as well.

New System: Performance XP

• We've introduced a new system that rewards active participation in Trials, catering to various playstyles, whether you prefer taking your time or you're a newcomer. This system also ensures that players who choose not to engage in the Trial face penalties. The new system doesn't reward actions such as rushing to complete objectives, speedrunning the Trial, or outpacing your teammates.
  
  
  • Player will now receive XP for their performance during Trials.
    
  • Player can earn up to 1000xp based on performance/actions during a Trial.
  
  
  • First Time Completion XP have been adjusted:
    
  • Trials now give 1000xp (was 1500xp)
    
  • MK-Challenges now give 500xp (was 750xp)
  
  
• This adjustment aims to enhance the experience and address the following scenarios:
  
  
  • Earn XP based on your contributions, even if you fail a Trial ("F" grade).
    
  • Encourage replaying previously completed Trials.
    
  • Penalize players for non-participation in the Trial.

Solo changes

• As mentioned in our development update, we previously experimented with unlimited respawns. Although it helped solo players complete Trials, it diminished the intensity of dying and removed some of the trademark tension of playing Outlast. As a result, we're reverting to the original 3 chances per Trial. However, we're introducing a new feature: Respawn Pills. Exclusive to solo mode, these pills grant an additional +1 chance. For struggling solo players, discovering these extra lives is now a way to survive in the most challenging Trials.
  
• Solo changes:
  
  
  • Respawning now restores 75% (was 100%).
    
  • Reinstated the previous 3 chances/respawns system.
    
  • New item: Respawn Pills can now be found in a trial. (In solo only)
    
    
    • Respawn Pills are extra chances allowing the player to go beyond the normal 3 respawns.
      
    • They can be found in some Syringe Boxes and Secret Rooms.

Group Finder changes

• Following community’s feedback, we are testing a new group finder matchmaking system where players have more control based on their preference. Matchmaking wait time might be impacted based on the selection, region, time of day and other elements.
  
• Access the matchmaking options via the Group Finder button in the Terminal:
  
  
  • Any Trial: You will be matched with players looking for a group (any Trial). Matchmaking time: Quick.
    
  • Selected Program: You will be matched with players interested in playing any Trial of the selected Program. Matchmaking time: Moderate.
    
  • Selected Trial: You will be matched with players interested in playing the selected Trial. Matchmaking time: Long.
    
  
  
• Please be aware that even after joining a group, the leader still has the option to modify the selection before initiating the Trial.
  
• We will monitor this change and keep improving ways to play with your friends and strangers.

Player Reporting

• Players now have the ability to report players for misconduct, including but not limited to bad behavior, exploits, and hacks.
  
• Appropriate measures will be taken as needed:
  
  
  1. Voice chat privileges may be temporarily revoked.
     
  2. Game access may be temporarily restricted.
  
  
• Our commitment to fostering a positive community means we will actively monitor and address instances where players intentionally disrupt the experience for others.

Progression

• Therapy Level cap raised to 56 (was 40).
  
• Added Tier 3 Prescriptions (Rx). 7 new prescriptions to acquire. (Visit Barlow to purchase)
  
• Added 6 new Amps. (visit Dorris to purchase)

Prescriptions

• Barlow the pharmacist has new prescriptions available to help reagents in their therapies.
  
• Added Tier 3 Prescriptions (Rx):
  
  
  • Stamina Recovery: Accelerated stamina recovery.
    
  • Deep Breaths: Faster recovery from exhaustion.
    
  • Advanced Regeneration: Health regeneration initiates faster.
    
  • Revitalize: Fully restore health when revived through syringes or respawns in solo.
    
  • Projectile Bait: Throw a projectile at a hiding spot to reveal hidden enemies.
    
  • Medic: Help up and revive teammates faster.
    
  • Resistance: Break free faster from traps and grappling enemies.
  
  
• All Tier 2 prescriptions are required to unlock Tier 3 category.

Amps

• Dorris the shadowy dame has restocked its contraband inventory with new amps.
  
• New Amps:
  
  
  • Recycle: Consumed medicine bottles will become throwable items.
    
  • Battery Charger: The Night Vision Battery gradually recharges when not in use.
    
  • Surplus: Start Trials with a random item in your inventory (medicine, antidote, bottle or brick).
    
  • Lock Breaker: Throw a brick to break open locked containers.
    
  • Night Crawler: Gain an edge in darkness. Your crouched walking speed is enhanced, and your night vision battery lasts longer.
    
  • Last Chance: The last enemy strike reduces your health to 1 HP instead of causing death.(Once every 5 minutes)
    
  
  
• Reworks:
  
  
  • Hide and Heal: Heal 1 bracket if you hide shortly after being damaged. Also start health regeneration immediately.

Rigs

• Engineer Noakes has recalibrated certain Rigs in his workshop after studying how Reagents were utilizing them.
  
• Blind Rig:
  
  
  • Increased deploy time to 5s (was 3s)
    
  • With "Deploy Technique" upgrade: 4s (was 2s)
    
  • Deployed mine lifetime is now unlimited.
    
  • Placing a new mine will now disable previously placed mines.
  
  
• Stun Rig:
  
  
  • Electric Boost Upgrade: Replenish 50% of Night Vision Battery instead of 100%.
    
  • Increased stun duration to 5s (was 3s).
    
  • With "Extended Duration" upgrade: 8s (was 5s)

Enemies/AI

• The Screamer has undergone significant changes. The stun effect has been eliminated, and players who are subject to the scream will experience a brief period of confusion instead. Additionally, both the detection range and the area of effect range have been decreased and fine-tuned.
  
• Enemies will exhibit increased leniency in their pursuit, thereby diminishing the likelihood of them miraculously discovering your whereabouts when you attempt to evade detection by breaking visual contact with them.
  
• Slightly diminished the AI's sensitivity to footsteps.
  
• Increased time between Pusher and Imposter can spawn from Monster Closets. ‘High Density’ variator is unaffected by this.
  
• Other various AI improvements and bug fixes.
  

Additions/Improvements/Balancing

• New stamina bar display setting available in settings. (Off by default in the Standard Preset)
  
• Rig cooldown timer is now displayed on-screen when trying to use the Rig that is under cooldown.
  
• Rig icon now displays remaining time for the last 10s of the cooldown timer.
  
• Rig icon now displays a visual feedback when cooldown timer ends and become ready to use.
  
• A text feedback is now displayed on-screen when the amp’s effect is activated.
  
• A text feedback is now displayed on-screen for some Rig Upgrade effects.
  
• Cell decorations: Chandelier renamed to Candelabra. (Thanks to player ‘Ubergeek’)
  
• The Program Name and Trial Name are now displayed in the Pause Menu.
  
• Player’s Loadout is now displayed in the Pause Menu.
  
• Player’s loadout is now displayed permanently in the HUD while in the Sleep Room (not in Trials).
  
  
  • Player can instantly reach the Loadout screen with a new hotkey while in the Sleep Room.
  
  
• The Terminal screen now showcases the loadouts of all players.
  
• Revamped the Badges menu:
  
  
  • Badges moved to its own tab. (Access from terminal)
    
  • Player must now claim badge rewards once completed.
    
  • Badges counter now display counter beyond “99” (up to 999).
  
  
• Badge completion will now be displayed as a notification during gameplay.
  
• Added new Badges (non repeatable)
  
  
  • Complete the Exam of Program 1.
    
  • Complete the Exam of Program 2.
    
  • Complete the Exam of Program 3.
    
  • Complete the Exam of Program 4.
    
  • Complete the Exam of Program X.
  
  
• Updated milestone of some badges:
  
  
  • Gotta Go Fast is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Bullseye is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Bamboozle is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Trigger Happy is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Anger Issues is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Recharged (previously Boost Me Up) is now 50 (was 100)
    
  • Downed But Not Dead (previously Step On Me Daddy) is now 50 (was 100)
  
  
• Revamped the Records menu:
  
  
  • Removed Badges from the Records menu.
    
  • Added Trials history (see your last 10 Trials results).
  
  
• Rebalanced price of Release Trophies (acquired after reaching a certain releases milestone).
  
• Picking up an Evidence Document now leaves an opened document at the pick-up location.
  
  
  • This feature enables players to ping the location of the acquired document to their teammates.
  
  
• Revamped the Evidence Document system: Players will now acquire a randomly selected document from the pool of uncollected documents, rather than drawing from the entire document set at random. This adjustment is designed to enhance players' ability to complete all storylines, making the process more straightforward and manageable.
  
• All players can now freely enter any cell in the Sleep Room without any restriction.
  
  
  • Previously, players encountered an invisible barrier at the entrance of other player cells.
  
  
• Legendary Outfits are now rewarded after completing the Release Protocol instead of completing Program X.
  
• New visual feedback is displayed over NPCs icons in the Sleep Room when they need attention from player.
  
• An icon/marker is now displayed on the Sleep Room officer when player has enough Release Tokens.
  
• Added Gamepad layout selection screen (more layouts will be added in the future).
  
• It is now possible to change the Toggle Run option independantly between mouse/keyboard and gamepad.
  
• Players will now keep the benefit of Health/Stamina/Battery Boosters for the duration of the Trial, and not lose the benefit after being killed.
  
• Added new text notifications when consuming a Health/Stamina/Battery Booster.
  
• Added visual feedback on battery bar when under the effect of the Battery Booster.
  
• Added visual feedback on stamina bar when under the effect of the Stamina Booster.
  
• Quest items (keys, tickets, etc.) are now displayed next to the player’s name (over the head display).
  
• Added a new setting to turn off head bouncing.
  
• Added a new “low pass filter on high frequency audio (tinnitus)” setting.
  
• Increased amount of batteries and medicines in all Trials.

Fixes

• Fixed navigation issues/bugs in Trials.
  
• Fixed an issue where menu prompts were sometimes not working correctly.
  
• Fixed an issue where player could sometimes fall out of the map when exiting the Shuttle.
  
• Fixed an issue where player could sometimes get stuck in the Pause Menu.
  
• Fixed an issue where it was not possible for users to map an action on the middle mouse button.
  
• Fixed an issue where it was sometimes difficult to revive a teammate near interactibles objects (ex: doors)
  
• Fixed issues with player shadows and player reflexions.
  
• Solo: Players will now respawn with activated night vision if the respawn point is in a dark zone.
  

New Trial Map - Courthouse

New Halloween Event - Program Geister

• Hallucinations?: You see something! Is it the side effects, trauma or something else?
  
• No Player Names: Player names are hidden. Total immersion for everyone!
  
• More Imposters: More Imposters will be present in the Trial. Watch your back.
  
• Enraged Enemies: Enemies are on high alert! Be careful...

New MK-Challenges

• Drill the Futterman: People are not toys. Stop Mother Gooseberry from making a human Dr. Futterman. Located in Fun Park featuring Gooseberry
  
  
• Release the Prisoners: Only Murkoff arbitrates justice; free the convicts falsely imprisoned for their conspicuous guilt. Located in Police Station featuring Coyle
  
  
• Gather the Children of God: Too much mother-love makes a weak child. Gather the children and bring them to the priest for a more strenuous education. Located in Fun Park featuring Gooseberry
  
  

New Weekly Programs

Making of The Outlast Trials Documentary Available Now

Hello Reagents!

CONSOLES

MATCHMAKING

1. Matchmaking per Trial would divide players among many pools (25+).
   
2. Players don't evenly play all Trials; some are more popular due to player progression.
   
3. This approach significantly increases matchmaking queue times.
   
4. Players might not find matches for certain Trials, leading to frustration.
   
5. This approach could potentially harm the game experience.
   

THE FUTURE...

NEXT MAJOR UPDATE - HALLOWEEN

• Introduction of Program 4
  
• New Trial
  
• New MK-Challenges
  
• Program X refresh
  
• Program Halloween (limited event with special rewards)
  
• New Amps
  
• New Variators
  
• New Prescriptions
  
• New Cosmetics
  
• New Cell Items
  
• New Sleep Room Minigame
  
• Tons of other improvements, balance, tweaks and quality of life.
  
• And much more!
  

ON THE RADAR

Reward efforts even in the event of failing a Trial

Penalize group players not participating in Trials

Improve the Trial selection process as a group

Keep improving the solo experience

Keep improving the AI behavior in some edge case situations

CONCLUSION

• Program Omega details:
  
  • Unlocks at the same time as Program X.
  • Group is required (2-4 players).
  • Therapy Level 20+ is recommended.
  • New Variator: Stay Together

• Please be advised:
  
  • This is an experimental special event.
    
  • Participating in this program is completely optional and not required to progress.
    
  • Exceptionally, this program is coop exclusive.
    
  • It will only be limited for a few weeks until it is vaulted.
  
  
• We are curious to hear your feedback about this first special event!

• Stay Together is applied to all Trials of Program Omega.
  
• Stay close to your friends or you will take damage.
  
• Voice chat range is limited, so stay close.

• Players now has unlimited respawns in solo, but will get a grade penalty for each respawn.
• Respawns (in solo) now restore 100% health (previously 50%).
• Enemies and Prime Assets won’t linger around objectives as much.
• General tweaks and rebalancing to AI behaviour when playing solo and cooperative in early game.
• We will observe and continue to gather player feedback and make improvements on solo play.

• You can now challenge other players while sitting at the table.
• Point at a player and press the interact button to challenge them.

• “KICK TO HELP” is now “HARD KICK”:
  
  
  • Players can now help teammates grasped by enemies without needing to acquire an upgrade.
    
  • However, helping teammates now exhausts the player.
    
  • Purchasing “HARD KICK” prescription greatly reduces the stamina cost of helping teammates.

• “LIFE SAVER” is now “STAY OF EXECUTION”:
  
  • Players can now save teammates being executed by enemies without needing to acquire an upgrade.
  • Saving teammates now exhausts the player.
    
  • Purchasing this prescription greatly reduces the stamina cost when performing this action.

• Players who acquired the previous prescriptions will automatically receive the newer version and it will be equipped. New players will have to acquire them as usual.
  

• “Poison” upgrade:
  
  
  • Affected enemies slowdown effect has been increased.
    
  • Affected enemies slowdown duration has been decreased.
    
  • Fixed missing reaction animation on some enemies.
    
  • Dev Comment: The poison upgrade wasn’t perceptible enough, so we increased its effect but reduced the duration. We also fixed an issue where poison wasn’t triggering the reaction animation on some enemies.

• Base Rig:
  • Increased base deploy time to 3s (was 2s).
    
  • “Deploy Technique” upgrade:
    
  • Increased upgraded deploy time to 2s (was 1.5s).

• Fixed an issue where X-Ray wouldn’t work properly if 2 players would use the rig at the same time.

• All players in a group can now navigate the Programs menu.
  
• Completed Trials via Coop play are now replayable even if requirements are not met.
  
  • Previously, players would still have to complete requirements in order to replay a Trial that was previously completed via Coop (selected by a leader who had access to this Trial).
• Stamina consumption while running decreased by 20% - you can now run for longer duration.
  
• Exhaustion time decreased by 20% - exhaustion now recovers faster.
  
• Recovering from bleed-out now restores 25% health (was 50%).
  
• Exit Trial objective marker is now displayed from further distance.
  
• Completing a Trial that wasn’t unlocked will now make it available for replay, instead of having it locked until the unlock conditions are met.
  
• “Slippers” amp now only works when walking on glass. Running will still trigger a sound disturbance.
  
• Walking on glass while having the “Slippers” amp equipped won’t register as a score penalty anymore.
  
• Added a new GAMEPLAY category in the Settings screen:
  • Toggle run (define the run input behavior).
  • Hide item after delay (auto hide the equipped item after a short delay to clear the field of view).
• “Toggle Run” setting now works correctly on gamepads.
  
• Increased the sound made by Pouncers in hiding spots.
  
• Added new voice announcements during the Exit Trial countdown to help players understand the remaining time.
  
• Added border art around Player Icons in all menus where player icons are displayed.
  
• Visual tweaks of the Settings menu.

• Fixed a memory leak introduced in the previous update.
  
• Fixed and updated some text, typos, and grammatical errors.
  
• Fixed an issue where the global handwritten Murkoff comment was not correct to the situation.
  
• Fixed an issue where Vouchers or Release Tokens were sometimes not correctly rewarded to players.
  
• Grades of Trials completed in Coop will now display correctly
  
• Fixed an issue where walking on glass with the Amp “Slippers” was still incrementing as “Triggered Sound Traps” in the Results screen.
  
• Fixed navigation issues and bugs in all Trials.
  
• Fixed some issues for grab animations that would occur in some instances.
  
• Fixed an issue where the equipped item would sometimes disappear when used while in Psychosis.
  
• Fixed an issue where sliding got players stuck and unable to move.
  
• Fixed an issue where enemies wouldn’t get stunned by thrown items in some situations.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could survive the Exit Trial post-countdown using the Healing rig.
  

• Reward efforts even in the event of failing a Trial.
• Penalize group players not participating to Trials.
• Improve the Trial selection process as a group.
• Keep improving the solo experience.
• Keep improving the AI behavior in some edge case situations.