Unnatural Investigations cover
Unnatural Investigations screenshot
Genre: Indie

Unnatural Investigations

Hotfix - Version 2.01

Bug


A game-breaking bug was found causing massive lag spikes every shot from any weapon.

Fix


Removed line of code that calculated distance from enemies which then relayed an alert if within a specific distance.

Intended Results


A lag spike on a shot fired should no longer exist

Summary


A small bug with a large impact was found which affected some high-end video cards and specific pc setups. A temporary fix was created which removed some quality-of-life code. Additional research will go into reimplementing back into the game.

Please reach out here or via discord if after the patch you still encounter this bug.

Version 2.00 Patch Notes


Summary


Version 2.00 is a complete overhaul of all key systems along with the addition of several new systems. The basic gameplay loop has remained the same, search for clues, analyze clues, prepare for the boss, and summon and take on the boss. This is the final major overall, all remaining patches will build on this version.

Updates


In-game, currency added



  • Loot chest
  • Find/obtain the clues
  • Beat boss

In-game store/shop



  • Buy traps, special items & clue specific tools
  • Tools are one use while traps and special will carry over

In-game feedback tool add



  • Use the tool to send bugs/feedback including images for better feedback

Training Level



  • A new level to help new players jump in and get a feel for how the game plays and what to expect

Five Level



  • Five new levels, each with its own theme and enemy types

New Enemies



  • Collectors - Special creatures that are part of a boss's special. Small, fast with ranged attacks
  • Cultist - Humans in the early stage of demonic corruption. Some have gained the ability to through fire/ice balls.
  • Demonic Energy Hunters - As you examine clue objects or search chest you will gain demonic awareness. Each level of demonic awareness will summon a higher-level demon. Demonic awareness is specific to each player, potentially there will be multiple DEHs on the map.
  • Demonic Insect - A flying creature from the demonic realm that spits poison.
  • Robots - Training humanoid robots found in the training area
  • Scavenger - Crawfish-looking demonic creatures
  • Thrall - Vampire-created humanoid husk
  • Vampire Rat - Gaint mutated rat that was created from drinking vampiric blood
  • Werewolf - Large wolf-like creatures
  • Wolf - Large wolves
  • Wraith - When a player dies more than 3 times a wraith will spawn and steal the player's soul. Other players can kill the wraith and then revive the player. If played solo, it's the end.
  • Demonic Zombies - Humans who have demonic blood running through their bodies

Bosses



  • Dark Werewolf - Large humanoid werewolf who wears bone armor
  • Flesh Ripper - Fast, arms with large blades, has special area attacks
  • Harvestor - Grotesque demon who summons Collectors to fight with it
  • Hells Butcher - Large demon, strong and has powerful attacks
  • Spider Robot - Training level boss
  • Vampire - Bat-like vampire, can go invisible, heal and return to the fight

Lore



  • Lore cubes have been added, they don't add any benefit to the game, instead are for those interested in the game's lore
  • Can be found on each level, hidden

Ammo Type



  • Acid, Fire, Ice, Holy, Unholy & Silver
  • Each enemy & boss is weak, strong, or absorbs a specific ammo type
  • Each ammo produces special effects (for example - fire ammo causes little fire particle effects when hits the enemy)

Control Center



  • Change ammo type, buy/equip gear and start analyzing clues

UI Updates



  • New UI, simplified
  • Data log
  • Enemy/boss data - You can find enemies/bosses' weaknesses and strengths
  • Can see relics, runes, and clues found
  • Shows the boss once clues analyzed

Player Death System



  • You can die three times, and on the fourth, you will be spawned in the holding bay under the command center.
  • There are cameras for you to view while you wait for your teammates to find and kill a wraith to regain your soul
  • If everyone dies 4 times before finding and killing the wraith or if you are playing solo, it's game over.
  • You won't get a payout if you permanently die.
  • You lose money for each death you have and can only be revived once

Specials



  • Single Ammo/Health kits are free with a cooldown, however, only one special can be equipped at a time.
  • Traps are useful and can be bought and placed using the same special system

Equipment



  • Like specials, there are headgear, two tool slots, and your special slot.
  • Tool slots are one-use items, you can't unequip, equipping a different tool will destroy the slotted tool.
  • Completing or changing levels destroys tools, but not special amounts or unused tools

Physically based damage



  • Enemies now have location-based damage, some take more from headshots

New Enemy deaths



  • Some enemies' heads will explode if hit
  • Some will explode
  • Some will dissolve

Enemy AI



  • Enemies now have needs
  • They will seek out and look for needs based on what type of enemy they are
  • Enemies now can hear
  • They can hear and investigate gunshots, footstep sounds, and other sound-related events
  • Enemies received overall improvements in all aspects such as sight, attack ranges, etc

Runes



  • Runes are tall red crystal pillars
  • There are only 3 per level and each needs to be destroyed to remove the protective barrier around the boss summon platform

Relics



  • You need to find 7 relics that lite fires around the boss summon platform
  • All need to be lit before the boss can be summoned

Removed



  • The original clue process has been removed
  • The original boss summon code has been removed
  • Some particles have been removed to reduce lag

Bugs



  • All bugs have been found during the internal test, we expect new ones to appear as more people play with different systems
  • Bugs will be fixed as found
  • Please use the feedback tool, steam or discord to report
  • Discord - https://discord.gg/23PnY5XFJD

Notes



  • This will be the patch notes format going forward
  • Bug Fixes & small tweaks will be posted every Sunday
  • Large patches with new enemies, levels, or systems will be posted last day of each month
  • Experimental builds are available for those who would like to test the feature before full releases (Go to discord to get password)
  • This is the largest patch, some features or additions may have been missed or potentially left out to allow for game surprises
  • Trello will have been updated when this patch goes live, check it out for a look into what's coming next
  • https://trello.com/b/haYuGjyQ/unnatural-investigations

Version 2.000 Coming Soon

The next version of the game will be coming soon along with a few videos. This version is a complete overhaul of most of the systems and will have 6 levels, 1 being a training level. This version will also feature 13 unique standard enemies and 6 bosses, 1 being a training boss.

More details will be posted when the new version goes live, currently, it's in testing to try and iron out any bugs before release.

Version Bug Update!

Re-uploaded a previous version and so far test have shown it works. Please reach out on here or discord if you continue to have issues.

Current Version Version Issue

The current live version of the game is bugged. The issue seems to be global affecting all players. A new version of the game is close to ready however not close enough to set live just yet. Working on a fix or rolling back to a working version until the new version is ready.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Progress Update

Just a small update on progress for the next build.


  • All systems have been reworked and are working
  • Previous known bugs have been fixed
  • Several new systems have been added
  • Final gameplay loop has been established


There is still more to be completed before this build will go live, however this is the last build where systems will be changed and after it releases focus will turn to new bosses and levels. Below are some of the task left before this build goes live.


  • UI Update (going for a simple but nice looking UI.)
  • Need more levels
  • Enemies and bosses need reworks
  • Once all is complete, several weeks of bug testing


New things coming in next build


  • Training level - This level will serve to help new players get in and understand the systems
  • Player death now means something - you can die 3 times
  • Enemy AI has been updated, they now have needs and can hear
  • New equipment system
  • Refined in game task (searching corpse, looking for spirits, demonic awareness.etc)
  • Two load outs, Light & Heavy, each get a different pistol and special
  • Removed health and ammo table, moved to special equipment
  • Traps, health kits & ammo placement has visible ghost showing were will be placed
  • Game lore and story will be in
  • Levels will be themed and set in different time periods with some chance of unique bosses
  • Hidden walls and special collectibles will be added
  • Light and Sound updates to levels, players and enemies
  • Interactables have been updated for easier use
  • Removed locked doors and replaced with quick action open
  • Several new systems added, more details on these in once new build is released


The overall gameplay remains intact in the new build. Mission is still the same, find clues, learn boss, summon and then kill.

Thanks everyone for continued support.

A1.0 Patch Notes

As mentioned in the dev update, this is the last patch of the Alpha 1 stage. During this stage, we tried out many different systems and a few modes. Lots of great feedback was received and now we move on to Alpha 2 which will take a bit longer to complete.

This last version of Alpha 1 has a few new systems. In-game shop for buying new gear with money you get from chest. General actions have changed to use tools that you buy and equip. Only the Investigation mission is in this build.

There may be a few bugs that we will iron out once we find them, and enemies may act strange (getting reworked for A2) in this version.

Looking ahead the update to A2 will take longer but should be a giant step forward in polish and overall gameplay.

Development Update 4

Development Update 4
News
Progress has been great, with both internal and external testing we have a solid set of systems and the core gameplay loop fully defined. We tested out several different modes and several different systems and we are ready to move to stage two of our alpha progress.

Alpha Stage 2
This stage of production will focus on the main mode, Investigation & Elimination. This has been the highest-rated mode and the original foundation for the game. During this stage focus will be on close to the final polish on the systems, enemies, and one level. Once complete, bug test and gameplay flow will be tested. After that, we will move to add in more levels with the goal of 10 levels.

What Will Be New

  • Ammo types will change and have effects on all enemies.
  • (For example - fire ammo will eventually light some enemies on fire causing damage over time)
  • Enemies are getting a big update, they will be smarter and more varied in attacks. They will also take damage based on where you shoot them. Some will fall faster to headshots.
  • Some minor tweaks to the corpse task

Next Patch
A new patch will be released soon with the last update for stage one Alpha, it will give you an idea of how the task will be and introduce the shop where you can spend money you find and earn in-game. The enemies will be a little off in this patch as no work has been done on them for this patch. This patch is meant to show the direction we are going with systems. The patch after this patch will completely change the maps, enemies, and a few systems and will be close to the final in terms of features.

Roadmap
A new road map will be created for Stage 2 Alpha and linked once ready. The plan is to in the next few months get the Investigation & Elimination mode feature complete. Once complete a new map each patch is until around 10 maps are fully complete. Enemies & Bosses will grow during this time too and once all the maps are in and all the bosses are in we will either pivot to release or move onto a new mode.

Feedback
Please continue to provide feedback.

Version 0.5 Update Notes

Version 0.5 Update Notes
News

Updates have been made to all the Investigation & Elimination levels. Some were completely redone, while others were polished.

Gameplay Changes
The investigation & Elimination levels start has been updated. Now players will start inside a truck. When ready a player must go to the door and interact with it. Once complete the game mode functions the same as before. This addition was created to prevent being attacked right as spawned in.

Bug Fixes
Fixed bugs related to enemy pathfinding
Tweaks
Bosses and enemies received small tweaks to speed and damage output
Notes
The next update will change some elements of the Investigation & Elimination but retain the same goal.
A new store system will be added, and XP will be removed and replaced with cash. Killing enemies, completing tasks, and completing the mission will yield cash. Cash will be used to upgrade gear, get new gear, and unlock perks. Some items will be one-time use, while others are permanent.


Thanks for playing, please provide as much feedback both good and bad it will help further develop the game.

Development Update 3

Development Update 3

News
Progress on the next major update is about 40% complete. This update will revamp and polish the 5 Investigation & Elimination missions. Some of the levels will be completely recreated while others tweaked and polished. Minor tweaks to area enemy spawns are part of this update.

Continued Roadmap
Check out the link below for the Trello page if you are interested in updates planned before the launch.

Sneak Peak
A revamp of the class system is in the works and will be a smaller update coming later. This update will streamline the classes into a better-managed system based on gear. Levels for specific classes will be removed, and replaced by the shop system. Killing enemies, finding clues, and completing missions will yield money which you will be able to use to upgrade your player. Upgrades will range from bigger tool belts allowing for multiple tools to be carried, more health, dealing more damage, speed boost, and more.

Feedback
Please provide all feedback on steam forums or our discord, link below.

Links
Trello - https://trello.com/b/haYuGjyQ/unnatural-investigations
Discord - https://discord.gg/23PnY5XFJD