It's been a little over a month since the first closed beta ended, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the beta testers. The feedback you all gave was truly invaluable. I've been able to polish the game in ways that would've taken me months to achieve on my own. Thank you so so much for everything! ❤️
I’ve addressed all the bugs you reported and implemented most of the feedback I received. For those in the Within the Cosmos Discord server, you’ve probably seen my weekly changelogs/patch notes detailing the progress that I've been able to do. I'm really excited for you to test this more polished version, and see the improvements since the first beta.
The previous beta was a tremendous success, and I genuinely loved the experience, largely because of the amazing people who took part in it. Also, while I do as much testing as possible on my own, a larger group is essential to catch issues I might miss. These two reasons are why I've decided to run another closed beta, and I aim to double the amount of testers this time. Priority will go to those who are active in the community forums or social media and who have expressed a genuine interest in Within the Cosmos.
If you're a previous tester, I'd really love to have you participate in this beta as well.*
You can apply here via this Google form. This survey will close on 19 January at 00:00 UTC. The beta itself will run from 17 January at 00:00 UTC until 20 January at 00:00 UTC.
Over the next couple of days, I will reach out to those selected via email with an invitation to the beta Discord server, and instructions to download the beta.
Access to a portion of the game, including the starting area and the first city.
Most gameplay mechanics, and features are in place.
Your feedback will help refine the gameplay loop, improve performance, and identify bugs or areas needing polish.
If you have any suggestions for Quality of Life improvements or changes, please feel free to share them!
How to Join:
Fill out the Google form to apply. I’ll review applications and select testers based on the information provided.
Thank you so much to everyone who applied last time, I hope you'll apply again! There were many of you that I wanted to invite previously, but due to my limited experience in running betas, I had to keep its scale manageable, but I’m excited to expand this time.
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and see how you enjoy the improvements!❤️
- debdev
* For previous beta testers: If you don't want to go through the effort of re-applying through Google forms, simply message me on Discord, and I'll send over the beta key when the beta begins :)
December 2024: Post-Beta Update
Hey everyone!
It’s hard to believe that the beta ended a week ago already! I want to thank everyone who applied, I wish I could've selected more of you, but I had to manage the scale of the beta to see how much I can handle, as I've never done something like that before. Also, a special thank you to those who participated in the beta. ❤️ Your feedback has been invaluable, and I’ve spent the last week working hard to implement your suggestions and address the bugs that you reported.
A full list of changes based on your feedback has already been posted in the Discord server, and I'll also post it here at the end of this post. Many of the issues you found were things I hadn’t encountered myself. As the developer, I know how everything works, where everything is, and how it’s supposed to be used, so having fresh eyes on the game was incredibly important. Making an RPG is a huge undertaking, and having many people playtest the game really helps polish it. I’m truly truly grateful for your efforts!
Here are a couple of things I was able to address based on the feedback I received from the beta:
Weapon Wheel: A great QoL feature that was requested. It greatly enhances the experience for gamepad users. You can now access your weapons more easily with the weapon wheel, making switching between your weapons more intuitive.
Gamepad Navigation in Inventory: I also polished up the inventory system. You can now fully navigate the inventory with just your gamepad, no cursor required. This certainly allows gamepad users to interact with the UI more comfortably.
Dialogue Options with Numbered Keys: Yet another addition that removes the need for a cursor. You can now quickly select dialogue options using the number keys, which could make conversations more comfortable and more intuitive.
Enemy Alert Status: Enemies now display an alert status above their heads, helping you quickly identify what state they’re in, whether they’re unaware of your presence, investigating, or if they've detected you.
There are still some things from the feedback/bug reports that I received that I haven’t had the chance to fully implement yet, but I’ll continue working through the list over the next couple of weeks to polish the game further.
Having people play my game for the first time was honestly nerve-wracking, but it was absolutely the right move. The kind, critical, and constructive feedback you provided was really motivational, and it made me so happy to see that many of you genuinely enjoyed the game. Thank you again for being part of this journey, for your kindness, and your support. It really really means the world to me!
After the success of this beta, I’ve decided to run one more beta before launch. I’ll be announcing the dates and details in a couple of weeks, and this time, I plan to open it up to more people. If you applied for the first beta, I would love it if you would apply again when the second beta is available (as I’ve cleared all previous application data that I gathered).
Having more testers means getting more feedback, more bug reports, and, at the end of it all, a better, more polished game. I can’t wait to run the next beta and interact with you all, and I’m so excited to continue building this game together.
Thank you again for your incredible support! ❤️
- debdev
Here is the entire list of things I was able to address after beta ended, largely as a direct result of the feedback and bug reports I received during the beta:
15 December 2024 Post-Beta Changelog
Gameplay and Features:
Added over 40 new items to loot, with about half designed for world-building, adding value to the inventory weight system, and for selling and/or crafting.
All bodies, including androids and alien creatures, are now interactable and lootable.
Added clearer ways to indicate when a door is non-interactable.
Added animations for opening loot containers.
Implemented auto-saves and checkpoint saves when transitioning to a new area.
Increased range for interactive prompts.
Added an “Alert status” indicator above enemies’ heads.
Added a weapon wheel to easily change weapons, especially helpful for gamepad users.
Dialogue Improvements:
Fixed issues where some dialogue lines included multiple takes.
Polished the writing in dialogue boxes to accurately reflect the voice actors’ lines.
Dialogue choices can now be selected with number keys.
Weapons and Combat:
Fixed an issue with the Assault Rifle where it would not reload after attempting to reload when running out of ammo, then finding more ammo.
Fixed guns & arms clipping through walls and other objects.
Resolved an infinite loop issue when attempting to switch guns with (Y)/Mouse Wheel while no weapon is equipped in inventory.
Looted guns now provide ammo as well.
When picking up a gun for the first time, it will have a preloaded, random amount of ammo. (No more reloading after picking up a gun.)
Fixed turrets: added health bars, damage numbers, and bullet impact sounds.
Re-adjusted the ADS on the “Shredder” weapon for better alignment.
NPCs now properly hold guns when shooting.
UI Improvements:
Character, Inventory, and other menu screens now display proper gamepad icons.
Fixed UI for SMG ammo in inventory displaying the wrong image and ammo name.
Added a “Level Up” prompt that takes players directly to the character menu.
Added a “+” symbol to unlocked perks to make unlocked perks more visible and clear.
Fixed inventory UI issue regarding using items, it now properly displays the correct input for using consumable (medical/food) items.
Gamepad Improvements:
Fixed an issue where gamepads couldn’t rotate tablets and could get stuck while using them.
Fixed issue requiring multiple inputs (Y) to cycle through equipped weapons.
D-pad now cycles through dialogue options. Cursor no longer needed for dialogues.
LB/RB can now switch tabs in the Character, Inventory, and other menu screens. (LT/RT switches between submenus.)
Inventory screen is now more intuitive to navigate with gamepads. Using the on screen cursor is no longer needed.
Fixes and Adjustments:
Grenades and other explosives no longer damage enemies through walls.
Fixed issue where loot containers would not consistently open.
Fixed loot menu opening and quickly closing, if loot container is empty.
Improved interactions for loot containers, so they consistently open when interacted with. (like the ammo crates in Broken Hill.)
Added audio cues for locked doors when interacted with.
Added "Locked" to the interact prompt when looking at a locked door.
Fixed bug causing doors to play closing sound effects even if they weren’t open.
Dampened ambient world audio when entering buildings.
Changed syringe mesh when syringe is out in the world.
Fixed bug which caused characters to not blink. There are now blinking animations for characters.
Fixed bandit model issues which caused them to be slightly distorted.
Fixed rare issue where guns would not reload after transitioning to a new area.
Closed Beta Playtest Announcement
Hi everyone!
Over the last 2 weeks or so, I’ve made steady progress on the game. I’ve had some close friends test it, and with their feedback, I’ve been able to fix bugs and implement some Quality of Life improvements. I've also added support for some crucial Steam features, like Steam Achievements & Steam Cloud.
Now, it's finally time to open the game up a bit to a few more players and let you experience what I’ve been working on! I’m running a small beta playtest for a few days. I will select a couple of beta testers. Those who are active in the games community forums or social media, and have expressed and shown a genuine interest in my project will be given priority.
Here is a Google form that I've created to help me manage this: you can apply here. This survey will close on 6 December at 00:00 UTC. The beta itself will run from 4 December at 00:00 UTC until 8 December at 00:00 UTC.
Over the next few days, I will reach out to those selected via email, with an invitation to a Discord server that I've created for beta testers, as well as the next steps required for you to download the beta.
You'll have access to a portion of the game, including the starting area and the first city.
This is a near-final version, with most gameplay, mechanics, and features in place.
Your feedback will be essential to ensure everything runs smoothly and to refine the overall experience.
The focus will be on improving and testing gameplay mechicans, the gameplay loop, test performance, and any last-minute issues like bugs or polish.
If you have suggestions for Quality of Life improvements or changes, please feel free to share!
How to Join:
Fill out the Google form to apply. I’ll review applications and select testers based on the information provided.
Thank you so much for sticking with me through this process. Your feedback will be incredibly valuable as I put the finishing touches on the game.
I can’t wait for you to try it and share your thoughts!
- debdev
November 2024 Development Update
Hey everyone,
I want to start by addressing the recent silence since the game was supposed to launch a few weeks ago. I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the release of Within the Cosmos, and I truly appreciate the support and patience you’ve shown over the years.
When I tried to launch the game on the 29th of October, I encountered unexpected issues with the final build. After several late nights, nights where I didn't sleep at all, and pushing myself hard to hit that release date, I was completely drained, mentally and physically. Encountering build issues when I was ready to launch just drained everything I had left in me. I tried to power through a bit more, but I simply couldn't. I'm sorry for that. I had to take a break. I made a quick announcement on Twitter, but I should have posted here too. That’s on me, and I’m truly sorry if that felt like I was ignoring this wonderful community. You all deserve better communication than what I provided.
The break was necessary for me to get back to a place where I can finish this game properly. I’ve used that time to regroup and get my mind in a better mental state. After taking a few weeks off, I finally feel refreshed, and I'm fully committed to getting this game across the finish line.
As for the games launch, rather than announcing a new release date and risking a delay for the millionth time, I’ve decided to keep things under wraps and just do a surprise launch very soon. My goal is to ensure that when it does go live, it’s as polished as it can be, so you can jump in and enjoy it without any issues.
I understand that your trust has been shaken by the previous delays and missed dates. That's totally my fault. I feel like things never went as planned during the development of my game. The journey to completing this game has been difficult with a VERY steep learning curve along the way. It has been a very long time since my initial Steam Greenlight submission until now, but I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has stuck with me through all the ups and downs. Your support means more to me than I can ever possibly express.
Thank you for your patience. I’m excited for you to finally experience Within the Cosmos, and I’m going to do my absolute best to deliver something you’ll truly enjoy.
- debdev
Within the Cosmos Officially Launching 29 October!
Hey everyone!
I’m very excited to announce that Within the Cosmos has officially passed Steam’s review and is ready to launch! Instead of delaying any further, I’ve set the release date to 29 October. Just 3 days away!
Having this extra month to polish the game and bring on a few more voice actors has made a huge difference to the experience. I've given this game my all, and I’m truly proud of how everything has come together. I can’t wait for you to experience it!
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to wishlist and follow Within the Cosmos to get a reminder when it goes live.
Within the Cosmos Release Date Delayed
Hey everyone,
It pains me greatly to say that Within the Cosmos will no longer make its intended launch date. While I've been working hard and I've been pouring everything I have in the effort to hit the 4 October release date, I’ve realised that in order to deliver the quality and experience you deserve, I need just a little more time to finish up some key parts of the game.
I'm in contact with Steam in regards to setting a new release date for later this month, and once we can confirm that, I’ll make a follow-up post with the updated launch details. I sincerely apologise to those of you who were excited to play the game today, and I’m sorry for not meeting the goal I had set for myself.
To be completely transparent, the game just needs more polishing. Initially, I had planned to work up until the final moments before the game went live, then submitting an update to fix a couple of things, but really, the best thing for the game is to just give it the few weeks that it needs. I'd rather release the game in a complete and polished state than rush it out now and fix things with a patch.
Apart from the polish and bug fixing that I will do, I also intend to improve on some aspects that I feel need improving prior to release, like the character face models, and voice acting. I’ve contracted additional voice actors to give a more diverse range of voices to the characters, which I believe will greatly enhance the experience. The balance of the game also needs to be tweaked a little. I also want to use this time to let you all have another look at the game, especially since the second planet, Alios, hasn't been covered much yet.
I understand this delay might be disappointing to those of you who have been eagerly waiting, especially since the game has already been delayed (multiple times) before. However, I’m nearly there, and this extra time will allow me to add the final polish, complete some important voice acting, and ensure that Within the Cosmos is the best it can possibly be.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you so much for your continued support, understanding and your patience throughout this journey. This game wouldn’t be where it is without you. I can’t wait for you to experience Within the Cosmos in its best form! ❤️
- debdev
Within the Cosmos - Gameplay Trailer & Release Date Announcement
Hello everyone!
I’m thrilled to announce the release of the latest gameplay trailer for Within the Cosmos! After months of hard work, I’m excited to share this new glimpse into the game’s key locations and activities. This trailer offers a sneak peek into what’s coming, and I hope you enjoy seeing the world that I’ve been crafting for all of you to experience.
Check it out here:
On top of showcasing some of the games locations, the trailer also gives a glimpse at the various factions in the game. Each with their own ambitions, ideals, philosophies, and perspectives. I can't wait to hear all of your feedback on this latest trailer!
But that's not all. I'm excited to announce that the game now has an official release date. After careful consideration and ensuring everything is on track, I'm thrilled to announce that Within the Cosmos will be released on 4 October 2024!
I hope you enjoy this new glimpse into Within the Cosmos. I hope you'll stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to our release date. Your support and feedback have been extremely invaluable, and I can't wait for you to experience the full game.
Thank you all so much for being patient, understanding, and for your unending support throughout this journey.
- debdev
July 2024: Development Update
Hi everyone! I hope you've all had the chance to check out the gameplay video I uploaded a few weeks ago. Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping the direction of the game, and I truly appreciate all of your insights and suggestions.
Here's the video, if you haven't seen it:
Development has been very productive lately. The game is in the best state it has ever been in, with a significant number of bugs resolved and the mechanics are significantly polished. I've been focusing heavily on polishing the writing, refining the UX, and fine-tuning various gameplay mechanics, as well as doing extensive playtesting. I've also been incorporating the feedback I received after posting the gameplay video a few weeks ago.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to announce that I'll be releasing another trailer towards the end of this month. In the previous gameplay video, I introduced you to the planet Berith II, a western-inspired world where the rebellious faction, the Enlightened, have established their stronghold in the city of Chronos.
In the upcoming trailer, I will showcase a glimpse of the planet Alios and its capital city, Pearl City. This region is mostly under the control of the authoritarian faction, UESA, known for their advanced technology and strict governance. This trailer will be shorter than the previous one (more like a proper trailer as opposed to a gameplay walkthrough-styled video), and will focus more on showcasing different aspects of the game and various locations.
Thank you all so much for all of your warm hearted messages and continuous support. Words can't express how much they mean to me, I feel like I keep saying that but it's completely true. I'm so happy to be back communicating with all of you, and I can't wait to unveil more of the game's world and gameplay features. Also, please don't hesitate to make suggestions or give feedback about the game. Your input is immensely valuable to me and really helps me make this game the best it can be.
I hope you'll look forward to the trailer!
- debdev
Within the Cosmos - Berith II Gameplay Video
Hi everyone! Here is some new gameplay of Within the Cosmos. To go along with this, I have updated (and will continue to update) the Steam page with some new information and artwork. In the meantime, please check out the gameplay video.
I hope you all like what you see!
June 2024: Development Update
Hello everyone,
I hope this message finds you well. It's been quite some time since our last communication, and I want to start by expressing my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates on the progress of Within the Cosmos. Your support and enthusiasm for the game mean everything to me, and I understand the concerns that have arisen during this period of silence.
Since my last communication on September 2021, I had every intention of releasing a trailer and keeping you updated on the progress of the game. Unfortunately, unforeseen challenges arose, and I found myself in a position where I had to prioritise my financial stability. Like many indie developers, I poured my heart, soul, and savings into this project. I had quit my job and was focusing on the development of the game full time. However, I reached a point where I had to pause development to secure a stable income to support myself, and to support the games development. As a result of that, a couple of things had to go offline, like the games website, my contact email, etc. as I simply couldn't afford to keep them. It was a difficult decision, one that weighed extremely heavily on me, but it was necessary for my own stability, well-being, and for the well-being of the game itself.
Since then, I've been working diligently to strike a balance between my passion for this dream of mine and the necessity of financial stability. While it hasn't been easy, I've made significant progress and am now in a better position to continue the development of Within the Cosmos and share it with you.
Despite the setbacks, my passion for Within the Cosmos has never wavered. I've continued to work on it whenever I found the time, I've added, altered, and polished mechanics whenever I could. I am more determined than ever to see this project through to completion.
With all of this in mind, I am committed to keeping you all updated on the development of Within the Cosmos. While I cannot provide an exact timeline for release at this moment, please know that I am working diligently to finish the game that has been by my side throughout a significant portion of my life, I've planned my life around this game, this game is my life, and I will not stop working on it until it's completed.
In the meantime, I'm happy to announce that I'll be releasing a gameplay video on 20 June, showcasing the current state of the game. This video will offer a glimpse of the progress I've made and the direction the game is heading. It will showcase Berith II, and the city of Chronos, and a couple of new features that I've added to the game. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it, as I feel like the game has changed quite a bit since the previous gameplay video a couple of years ago.
Your concern for my well-being is extremely touching, I thank all of you deeply for that. Your support has been the driving force behind this project, and I'm endlessly grateful for each and every one of you. Your interest in this project is genuinely what has kept me going during a difficult period. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies for the lack of communication, and thank you all for keeping my project wishlisted, for your understanding, patience, and unwavering belief in Within the Cosmos.
