Hey, Screamers!

Halloween is creeping up, and we've got a real treat for you. We're incredibly proud to announce that DON'T SCREAM has officially launched out of early access and into its full 1.0 release! We've been carefully reviewing all your feedback, and this update is packed with massive improvements, fixes, exciting changes, and terrifying new features! Everything, and we mean everything about the game, has significantly improved.

A huge thank you to all of you who have helped us shape DON'T SCREAM into what it is now. We truly couldn't have done it without your incredible support and feedback! The forest has undergone a serious transformation since your last visit, so let me walk you through some of the biggest changes: (TL;DR version below)

TL;DR

• Vastly improved performance for smoother gameplay
  
• Enhanced scares with better models, animations, effects, and sounds
  
• Improved pacing of scares, with a greater focus on tension and buildup
  
• Each playthrough is much more dynamic - no two games will be the same!
  
• Dozens of new places to explore in the forest, and existing areas look much better
  
• Additional gameplay and graphics settings
  
• Completely redesigned sound for a more immersive experience (including binaural audio scares)
  
• Hugely improved microphone calibration
  
• Hunters can now kill the player
  
• New environmental dangers
  
• Relics to find to incentivise replayability
  
• Steam Trading Cards and Steam Achievements
  
• New battery mechanic to make things more challenging
  
• Completely overhauled user interface that's easier to use
  
• Progress page where players can track their discoveries
  
• Improved environmental storytelling
  
• Game now has much more replayability
  
• Added Arachnophobia mode to the Gameplay options
  
• Whispering or triggering sounds in the environment can alert nearby hunters
  
• Many fixes

• We've put a tremendous amount of effort into making the game more focused on tension and suspense, rather than relying on constant jump scares. With the new "Scare Director" system, each playthrough is unique and far more dynamic. Expect to be on the edge of your seat for the entire 18-minute experience. We've also enhanced the scare sequences with improved character models, animations, visual effects, and sounds!
  
  
  BATTERIES
• To survive the night, you'll need to find batteries scattered throughout the environment. Batteries are used to discover new locations, encourage exploration, and provide a clear objective. However, we didn't want finding them to become frustrating. We've carefully balanced the number of available batteries with the need to stay vigilant about your power levels, creating a challenging yet rewarding experience.
  
  
  HUNTERS
• The forest is a living entity, and it's watching your every move... Multiple enemy types now inhabit the woods, each with unique hunting styles. Some will stalk you from the shadows, others will charge with terrifying speed, and some might even do both! We won't spoil the surprises, but be prepared to encounter new threats... Remember, whispering or making noise can alert nearby hunters!
  
  
  ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS
• Watch your step! The forest is riddled with hidden dangers that can end your journey in an instant. Your voice isn't the only thing you need to worry about now...
  
  
  ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING
• One of the biggest takeaways from early access was the need for stronger environmental storytelling. We've built a world that draws you in and makes you question, "What happened here?" This deeper level of immersion creates a greater sense of tension and intrigue as you explore the unsettling remnants of the forest's past.
  
  
  LOCATIONS
• The forest has expanded significantly, with over 40 locations to discover. Each location has its own piece of history, which you can unlock and read about on the new Progress Page.
  
  
  PROGRESS
• A brand new Progress Page has been added to the game's UI, allowing you to track your discoveries, unlock lore entries, and monitor your overall progress.
  
  
  RELICS
• To further enhance replayability, we've hidden relics throughout the forest. Find them all and uncover their lore on the Progress Page.
  
  
  USER INTERFACE
• We've dedicated significant time to refining the user interface, ensuring it's both intuitive and still captures the classic feel of old-school VHS camera aesthetics, adding to the game's atmosphere.
  
  
  STAMINA
• We've introduced a simple stamina mechanic to the game. Managing your stamina is can be crucial for survival, especially when hunters are nearby...
  
  
  MICROPHONE CALIBRATION
• Developing a game where the player's microphone is the core mechanic presents unique challenges. With countless microphone variations and software customizations, it's impossible to cater perfectly to every setup. However, we've invested considerable effort in improving the microphone calibration process. Our new "automatic calibration" feature checks your microphone and adjusts the settings for optimal gameplay. You can still fine-tune the calibration manually, but we're confident that the automatic process will be accurate for most players.
  
  
  PERFORMANCE
• We've made significant performance enhancements, particularly for those with lower-spec systems, making the game more accessible to a wider audience. We've also implemented DLSS (Nvidia) and FSR (AMD) technologies to boost frame rates and visual fidelity further.
  
  
  SOUND
• We've completely revamped the game's audio for a more realistic and terrifying experience. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, and every distant growl will have you thinking, "what was that?"
  
  
  STEAM ACHIEVEMENTS
• A variety of Steam achievements are now available, challenging you to complete specific tasks in-game. Yes, there's even an achievement for pushing over a scarecrow! See some of them below:
  
  
  STEAM TRADING CARDS
• No 1.0 release would be complete without Steam trading cards! These include badges, emoticons, and profile backgrounds.
  
  
  LOCATION SYSTEM
• While we want you to somewhat experience the feeling of being lost in the woods, we also don't want you wandering aimlessly forever. A compass, arrow marker and coordinate system have been added to the in-game HUD to provide subtle guidance and encourage exploration. (SEE TOP LEFT OF HUD)
  
  That's all for now! We hope you love this update. As always, we'll be keeping an eye out for any bugs and listening to your feedback. Thanks again, everyone!
  
  Have fun, and remember, DON'T SCREAM! Warm regards - Joe
  - Digital Cybercherries

Screamers,

You thought we forgot? It's nearly time for round two! Halloween is quickly approaching, and we've spent the last year listening to your feedback and improving the game. DON'T SCREAM leaves Early Access for its 1.0 release on October 28, 2024!

The 1.0 release will come with a whole host of improvements, including:

• Improved performance for smoother gameplay
  
• Enhanced scares with better models, animations, effects, and sounds
  
• Improved pacing of scares, with a greater focus on tension and buildup
  
• Dozens of new places to explore in the forest, and existing areas look much better
  
• Completely redesigned sound for a more immersive experience
  
• Hugely improved microphone calibration
  
• Some enemies can now kill the player
  
• New environmental dangers
  
• Relics to find to incentivise replayability
  
• New battery mechanic to make things more challenging
  
• Completely overhauled user interface that's easier to use
  
• Progress page where players can track their progress
  
• Improved environmental storytelling
  
• Game now has much more replayability
  
• Steam Achievements and Trading Cards
  
• And much more!

The game has really improved since last Halloween! We'll show off more content on the 28th - until then, tell your friends, family, and favourite streamers to be ready to scream!

Digital Cybercherries - Joe