A new build will be available shortly after this announcement with all of the following. The new modes are still rough around the edges and there may be some bugs.
New Game Modes
Zombies ate my Friends
This mode is a fun and silly mode with a fast-paced theme. If you are familiar with the old Zombies Ate My Neighbors game on the NES then you'll understand the concept of this mode. While it has similar systems it also has unique systems to help it stand apart.
This update has one level to play, a very short level with all the features.
More levels will be added along with a special unlockable console for returning to levels you completed.
Haunted
This mode focuses on investigation and exploration with some minor combat here and there.
The level is large consisting of four houses, a shack, a small hospital, and a large graveyard with a church.
Bug Fixes
Fixed bug with destructible doors not breaking
Tweaks
Tweaked some random locations for spawned spawners
Notes
This is the last update with new modes before the Launch
More levels will be created for most modes except Haunted
The new modes are still very early and may have bugs and not be feature complete
Check the links below to some videos made to help with each mode (not flashy videos, basic and to the point)
Links to How To's Investigation & Elimination Mode - https://youtu.be/aqtdbOCrTdY Hide & Seek Mode - https://youtu.be/lqaPmAIpEAI Zombies Ate My Friends Mode - https://youtu.be/uDkNViv4YyM Haunted Mode - https://youtu.be/geBM5Ai4e-Q
Also, check out this Youtuber who played the game and made a great video - https://youtu.be/tiyTx7HgzGc
Thanks for playing, please provide as much feedback both good and bad it will help further develop the game.
Development Update 2
News The next game update will have two new modes, Zombies Ate My Friends and Haunted. These are the last two modes planned for early access and should be ready to play soon.
Zombies Ate My Friends is a fun mode, silly and fast. This mode takes inspiration from the old NES game Zombies Ate My Neighbors. This mode will eventually have many small levels to play.
Haunted mode focuses on investigating with some minor combat. This mode takes place on a larger map with several houses, a graveyard, a church, and a small hospital. You have a small checklist of objectives, but not all need to be completed to the complete level. You will need to find the area that is haunted, then look for clues like temperature drops, black goo, and other signs that will help you determine what entity is haunting the area.
Continued Roadmap Once the last two modes go live all focus will move to polishing on the existing levels and the creation of more levels for Hide & Seek and ZAMF while adding more entities in the Haunted mode.
Bugs will continue to be worked on as well as any feedback received.
Also during the next game update, new youtube videos will be created to help with how to play each mode with links in the update notes.
Development Update 1
Development Update 1
News The early access launch didn't go well in terms of sales which we hoped would lead to more feedback, but we are moving along. Without feedback, we are continuing with the planned systems and modes we already have in the works.
The first new game mode Hide & Seek was released in the last patch. We have two more modes planned and several levels per mode. Game modes offer a different type of gameplay, Hide & Seek for example takes away all offensive weapons leaving your only option to run and hide.
These updates will be posted between game updates to keep everyone aware of what's going on.
Early Access Roadmap
Four Game Modes
5 levels per mode minimun
10 Investigation Bosses
There is no set time when full release will happen, if no more feedback is received and all the items on the roadmap are complete then the game will be released. If more feedback is collected the release date may be pushed.
Version 0.2.2 Update Notes
Version 0.2.2 Update Notes
Level spawn system update
Reworked random placement
Reduced objects in the spawn pool
New Enemy
Vampire Thrall - fast melee unit
New Level
Event DA - 73 - Small level to test base game mode in a closed area
New Game Mode Hide & Seek game mode added with one level. This mode takes away all offensive capabilities and puts you in a map with four roaming enemies. The enemies patrol parts of the map and if they see you will try to capture you. To complete the mission you need to escape, but to do so you must find 6 magical books to unlock the end door to the exit. If you get caught you will be teleported to a holding area where you can view the world and your friends as they navigate the area. If your friends collect a gold magic book they will release you. This mode is recommended for at least 2 people. This mode contains only one level, which will be used to gather feedback before more levels are created.
Bug Fixes
Fixed bug with Vampire boss causing it to stop moving
Fixed AI detection not finding a player
Fixed AI navigation calculation bug
Tweaks
Tweaked minor enemies' movement speed
Tweaked boss melee damage
Notes Please read the level description after you choose a level to get an idea of what to do to complete the level. New modes are coming, one level per mode More levels will be created as player feedback is gathered.
Thanks for playing, please provide as much feedback both good and bad it will help further develop the game.
The release date moved forward to August 1, 2022.
For a little context, we originally pushed the release to September to give us enough time to do a major system overhaul after the feedback we received during Steam Next Fest. However, we were able to make the updates and get the game back up to a playable state and more importantly to a point where feedback can shape the game.
Based on the feedback below are a few major things we updated.
Updated Controls - This was a big part of the update and something we were working on before the demo. The original controls worked great for the team and many others but were hard coded and left no option for those who want to play using different keys. Now the controls are fully customizable.
QTE System - We are still keeping this system on stand-by, but many players disliked this system for multiple reasons. We have moved back to a timer-based system currently which is working well but we wanted to keep the QTE system on standby in case we get more feedback wanting it. We may go with a hybrid approach later.
Player Controller - More of an update here, the controller is a bit more fluid and faster. We also removed the need for stamina and tweaked the walk and run speeds to compensate for the change.
Networking - We decided to go with a different networking solution which has decreased a good amount of latency issues we were having. With this change, the main menu, and host/join menus were updated.
Creatures & Levels - During the update, we also changed to a different version of Unity and with it a different render pipeline. Some bosses were demoted to basic enemies while others were promoted. All levels were created from scratch to accommodate the new enemies and summoning mechanics.
Summon System - We scraped the timed spawn system and instead went for a more hands-on approach. Several factors led to this change, one being the ability to bypass the investigation part by just summoning the boss and grabbing the right ammo. So now you need to find 5 relics before you can attempt to summon the boss, and 2 failed attempts after will result in a mission failure. Once you complete the investigation you will have 3 clues that will point you to the right creature to summon, and then you can check in which order you need to place the relics. We have a few more ideas for this system but are waiting for player feedback.
There were many other updates but those above were the biggest. We wanted to thank everyone who played the demo or were testers before launch, your feedback was great.
No one last thing, on to the release, the game is coming to early access for a reason. We want feedback to shape the game into something as many people as possible enjoy.
Thanks
Release Date Pushed
During this past Steam Next Fest the demo was downloaded by a good number of people and with it we received some great feedback. Based on the feedback and the state of the next major update we decided to push the launch date back.
Since the next update is large and changes many of the mechanics we decided that it would be best not to release the game, have a bunch of people play and get used to the current mechanics to later in a few months completely pull the rug from under them.
This update will also fix or add in a ton of features and improvements we received from feedback. The update will not change the core game-play loop, instead it builds on it.
Below are some of the changes coming with this update.
No Boss Timer
New Relic Summon System
Removed QTE System
New Options System Including Remapping Keys
Improved Networking
Rewritten GameManager reducing lag
Graphical Adjustments to Increase frame rates
Launching Unnatural Investigation in the best state is a priority and while it will be in early access we want it to feel like a complete experience.
Thanks for your interest, join our discord for more info.
Demo Released
The single-player demo was released today in preparation for Steams Next Fest which starts on the 13th. This demo is meant to introduce all the systems players will encounter in the base game. Unnatural Investigations is not a single-player game, however, you can play the game solo. During the early access phase the game will continue to grow system and level wise and during that time systems will be created to help scale the difficulty for less than four players (Ideal amount).
If you have any questions please post in the general discussion section or preferably join our Discord. https://discord.gg/23PnY5XFJD
