Update Notes for Aug 10
Mystery in Chapter 58 will no longer take away a star if you choose to answer the bonus question
Mystery in Chapter 58 will no longer take away a star if you choose to answer the bonus question
Methods: The Detective Competition
LockedOn Games · Erabit
- Released
- Jun 1, 2020
- Platforms
- Last updated
Updates & announcements
- Developer postOriginal post
- Developer post
Update Notes for Jun 21
Missing backgrounds in The Illusion Murders (finally) fixed — sorry it took so long for me to notice!
Original postMissing backgrounds in The Illusion Murders (finally) fixed — sorry it took so long for me to notice!
Developer postMethods 6 Year Anniversary!
It's been six years since I completed Methods ! To everyone who has been following these games since the initial release, thank you for sticking around these past six years. And welcome to anyone who discovered it recently! With Canada Files finally complete, I was able to focus
Original postIt's been six years since I completed Methods!
Watch on YouTube To everyone who has been following these games since the initial release, thank you for sticking around these past six years. And welcome to anyone who discovered it recently! With Canada Files finally complete, I was able to focus on finally finishing the artbook.
The Art of Methods
Over the last couple of years, I've slowly been compiling a very comprehensive artbook about Methods: The Detective Competition, with pages on every character with their original design included, my thoughts on each Stage and mystery, and more. I'm happy to say it's finally done! The English version is now available to download on Steam and itch.io, free for anyone who owns the game. If you don't own the game, you can get it on my Patreon page (or get access to it and many other behind the scenes materials by becoming a Patron).
Mystery Score Update
The Mystery Score Update is finally here. Though, after replaying the game and some consideration, it is being implemented a little differently than how I first described. It shows you how many wrong answers you got with a star rating, and the game proceeds as normal. If you get to the "Too Many Wrong Answers" screen because you answered incorrectly too many times, it lets you continue without having to replay the mystery.
I'm sorry it took a whole year since I announced it to get this feature in there, but I wanted to make sure I got Canada Files done first. Have fun seeing what scores you get!
Motives Store Page Now Live!
In case you missed it, the long-awaited sequel to Methods now has a store page! Wishlist and follow the page to be notified when it releases!
Other Improvements
- Text in the history screen has been given more room to prevent overlapping text
Until next time!
— LockedOn & Erabit.
Developer postMethods: The Canada Files Full Game To Be Released on Mar. 5th!
Sixth & Final case of the Detective Competition. Detective Larika Downs v.s. Mastermind Joane Tremblay. Long-buried secrets await their reckoning. Methods: The Canada Files – Full Release Launching Mar. 5, 22:00 (UTC-5)
Original postSixth & Final case of the Detective Competition.
Detective Larika Downs v.s. Mastermind Joane Tremblay.
Long-buried secrets await their reckoning.
Methods: The Canada Files – Full Release
Launching Mar. 5, 22:00 (UTC-5)
Developer postMethods Christmas 2025!
The Masterminds have some fun outdoors! Happy Winter Holidays! Hope you look forward to more in 2025! — LockedOn.
Original postThe Masterminds have some fun outdoors!
Happy Winter Holidays!
Hope you look forward to more in 2025!
— LockedOn.
Developer postMethods 5 Year Anniversary!
It was another great year for Methods — the mobile version of the game is now fully released! And thank you as always to the fanbase for the many, many fan-created works! Your enthusiasm inspires me to keep creating better and better works. For this anniversary, I wanted to make
Original postWatch on YouTube It was another great year for Methods — the mobile version of the game is now fully released!
And thank you as always to the fanbase for the many, many fan-created works! Your enthusiasm inspires me to keep creating better and better works.
For this anniversary, I wanted to make sure I had some really big exciting news, so for the past several months, I've been working on a secret plan to make this happen, and I'm super excited to announce it here!
File 05 Coming in May!
Keeping this a secret was pretty hard, but I was actually working on File 04 and File 05 simultaneously for the past several months! I'll have more details on how I pulled off this crazy scheme in an upcoming devlog, but for now — just know that File 05 is 95% complete.
We're just finishing up the Chinese translation before launching the beta on Afdian and Patreon. Because I moved up File 05's production, Hangout Four will actually be releasing afterwards, though I made sure to do a bit of work on it too so that it won't take too long for that to be released as well.
This time, Team Tads is going to Montebello — what intriguing mystery will await them there, and how will Tads lead them? Lots of surprises are in store!
Mystery Score Update
Though I didn't have enough time to finish this before the anniversary, an update is in the works for Methods: The Detective Competition as well. For a long time, the biggest remaining regret I've had about the game is how you're forced to replay mysteries to proceed (at least for the first two Stages of the game — from the Third Stage onward it does away with that, fortunately). It can be frustrating, especially when the game is meant to be story-focused and not really trying to challenge the player.
So with this upcoming update, I'm going to be implementing a score screen. You will be able to proceed with the story even if you get a zero-star rating, without having to replay any sections. I think this will really help eliminate some annoyance, and it also makes it more fun to choose random dialog options that you want to see, rather than the answer you think is correct.
I hope you look forward to these big upcoming updates, and if you haven't gotten the game yet — it will be on sale starting now until May 1st at the lowest discount yet — 65% off! Enjoy ;)
Until next time!
— LockedOn & Erabit.
Developer postSteam Visual Novel Festival | The "Methods" Series Now on Sale!
Attention, Detectives! The Steam Visual Novel Festival is here, and both games in the Methods series—Methods: The Detective Competition and Methods: The Canada Files—are available at their lowest-ever discounts! Dive into a world where mind-bending mysteries collide with hilariou
Original postAttention, Detectives!
The Steam Visual Novel Festival is here, and both games in the Methods series—Methods: The Detective Competition and Methods: The Canada Files—are available at their lowest-ever discounts! Dive into a world where mind-bending mysteries collide with hilarious storytelling!
📌 Limited-Time Discounts
1️⃣ Methods: The Detective Competition60% OFF | 100 detectives vs. criminal—unravel twisted cases for a million-dollar prize!
2️⃣ Methods: The Canada Files
30% OFF | Early Access available! enjoy free future updates leading to 6 full cases.
🕵️ Key Features
Double the Brain-Burning Fun
Comedy Meets Crime
Bonus Content: Original soundtracks, CG galleries, character profiles, and more!
→ Grab your deals:
Methods: The Detective Competition
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1271300/Methods: The Canada Files
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2063530
Developer post🌟【Methods peripheral pre-sale starts! 】🌟
"MTCF" all-member fridge magnets & 24-year limited Halloween posters are coming, limited-time pre-sale - ✅ ▫️ Price: 20 yuan/piece ✅ - This game host may not be human👻 ▫️ Price: 18 yuan/piece Pre-sale channel: February 28-March 31, click on the picture for more details! ↓ Cl
Original post"MTCF" all-member fridge magnets & 24-year limited Halloween posters are coming, limited-time pre-sale -
✅[TADS team character fridge magnets]
▫️ Price: 20 yuan/piece✅[24-year Halloween limited poster] - This game host may not be human👻
▫️ Price: 18 yuan/piecePre-sale channel: February 28-March 31, click on the picture for more details!
↓ Click to send the pre-sale link, slow hands no warning!
https://weidian.com/?userid=1798795097
Developer postMethods Mobile is Live Now!!
Methods: The Detective Competition has been fully ported to mobile now! On mobile, Methods has been split into five games, each containing 20 chapters of the story. Want a more convenient and relaxed way to experience this adventure? Click the links below: Methods: Detective Comp
Original postMethods: The Detective Competition has been fully ported to mobile now!
On mobile, Methods has been split into five games, each containing 20 chapters of the story.
Want a more convenient and relaxed way to experience this adventure? Click the links below:
Methods: Detective Competition
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-detective-competition/id6467845950Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc1.paid.gp
Methods2: Secrets and Death
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods2-secrets-and-death/id6475326812Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc2.paid.gp
Methods 3: The Invisible Man
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-3-the-invisible-man/id6502622226Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc3.paid.g
Methods 4: The Best Detective
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-4-the-best-detective/id6651830371Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc4.paid.gp
Methods 5: The Last Stage
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-5-the-last-stage/id6738909485Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc5.paid.gp
Developer postMethods Christmas 2024!
772 receives a nice present! Nell does not enjoy her gift. Happy Winter Holidays from Methods ! Enjoy and we hope you look forward to more in 2025! — LockedOn & Erabit
Original post772 receives a nice present!
Nell does not enjoy her gift.
Happy Winter Holidays from Methods!
Enjoy and we hope you look forward to more in 2025!
— LockedOn & Erabit
Developer postMethods Halloween 2024!
Just for Halloween, here's some special illustrations of the Detective Game-masters in costume! Greg as the Game-master Mug! Clark as a Scarecrow! Kane as a Cat! Mellie as a Ghost! Thanks for playing and we hope you're looking forward to the next year of Methods ! — LockedOn &
Original postJust for Halloween, here's some special illustrations of the Detective Game-masters in costume!
Greg as the Game-master Mug!
Clark as a Scarecrow!
Kane as a Cat!
Mellie as a Ghost!
Thanks for playing and we hope you're looking forward to the next year of Methods!
— LockedOn & Erabit
- Developer post
Update Notes for Sep 6
Bug fixes, typo fixes, minor plot holes fixed. More details below. Font changed for character names in English Autosaves restored (were previously inaccessible due to coding error) Text history in Interviews bug fixed Rankings in Chapter 5 synced properly with rank screen Ashdown
Original postBug fixes, typo fixes, minor plot holes fixed. More details below.
- Font changed for character names in English
- Autosaves restored (were previously inaccessible due to coding error)
- Text history in Interviews bug fixed
- Rankings in Chapter 5 synced properly with rank screen
- Ashdown and Woes rank in early Stages changed in rank screen to reflect story details
- Text history icon updated
- Placeholder slots showing up as question marks in Interviews fixed
- Added Wishlist MTCF button to main menu
- English typo fixes
Developer postPre-Order for Methods 4: The Best Detective has been opened!
🥳Good news for all Methods fans: 🤩Pre-Order for Methods 4: The Best Detective has been opened! The fourth part of Methods for mobile devices is coming soon! 👇Click here: 🍎App Store： 🤖Google Play：
Original post🥳Good news for all Methods fans:
🤩Pre-Order for Methods 4: The Best Detective has been opened! The fourth part of Methods for mobile devices is coming soon!
👇Click here:
🍎App Store：
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-4-the-best-detective/id6651830371🤖Google Play：
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc4.paid.gp
Developer postMethods 3: The Invisible Man is now LIVE on Mobile!
Time to follow the fourth-tier Detective Ashdown with his fellow detectives on the investigation of the mysterious killer! Will they eventually find the murderer, or be kicked out of the competition first? Dive in and find out! App Store: Google Play: And the whole game has been
Original postTime to follow the fourth-tier Detective Ashdown with his fellow detectives on the investigation of the mysterious killer!
Will they eventually find the murderer, or be kicked out of the competition first?
Dive in and find out!
And the whole game has been split into five apps for the mobile release, with 'Methods 3: The Invisible Man' being the third part, and containing Chapters 43-60.
Enjoy, and until next time...!
— LockedOn & Erabit.
Developer postLockedOn 13th Anniversary Update
For the 13th Anniversary of LockedOn Games, here is a status update on ongoing and upcoming Methods -related projects! THE ART OF METHODS I announced the Art of Methods a while ago. It's been a huge project. Even though I made some of the workload easier by publishing weekly post
Original postFor the 13th Anniversary of LockedOn Games, here is a status update on ongoing and upcoming Methods-related projects!
THE ART OF METHODS
I announced the Art of Methods a while ago. It's been a huge project. Even though I made some of the workload easier by publishing weekly posts about the characters on my Patreon/Afdian pages for several months, there were still a ton of characters I hadn't written about yet — and to be clear, this artbook covers every single character, including characters from the Vignettes. This artbook has much more than that though — I've written tons of new articles, revealing new details about the development process, my thoughts on each stage in the contest, each mystery, and more. It will be available as a free digital DLC to Methods on Steam and itch.io.
METHODS FOR MOBILE
Erabit Studios is helping bring Methods to iOS and Android, splitting it into five games. So far we've released the third game, The Invisible Man. We will continue to release the rest of the game on mobile!
METHODS JAPANESE TRANSLATION
We are translating Methods into Japanese — and the Japanese version of the first twenty chapters is already available on mobile! The plan is to finish the translation of all the chapters on mobile first before implementing it into the PC version.
METHODS: THE CANADA FILES
When I began developing MTCF, it was a less ambitious idea, however, it quickly evolved into a full-fledged game. As I've been writing it, I've come to realize that it is not a fun but optional entry in the Methods game series, but rather a crucial bridge between Methods and Motives. Motives does not make sense without it. Speaking of Motives...
MOTIVES: THE ULTIMATE PROBLEM
I haven't talked too much about Motives since the 10th Anniversary announcement three (wow!) years ago. Thank you for your patience in waiting for it. I have a few new details I would like to share. It will be built in Unity, and features explorable 3D environments. This opens up exciting new possibilities in terms of investigating crime scenes. I'm designing new mystery-solving gameplay to accompany it which splits the difference in difficulty between MTDC and MTCF. MTUP's main priority is its story, just like MTDC, but I think it would be better if it was a little more challenging than simple multiple-choice. ;) With this game, the detectives attempt to answer the question: What is the ultimate problem? And like any question, the deeper you go, the harder it is to answer.
That's all the news I have for now! Here's to another year of games!
Until next time!
— LockedOn
Developer postMethods 3: The Invisible Man is Available To Pre-Order Now
A typical murder on a train. A typical killer for the win. Methods 3: The Invisible Man is now available to pre-order on App Store and Google Play! At the end of the previous part, the mysterious detective competition has turned deadly. The whole game has been split into five app
Original postA typical murder on a train. A typical killer for the win.
Methods 3: The Invisible Man is now available to pre-order on App Store and Google Play!
At the end of the previous part, the mysterious detective competition has turned deadly.
The whole game has been split into five apps for the mobile release, with 'Methods 3: The Invisible Man' being the third part, containing Chapters 43-60.
We hope you enjoy it!
— LockedOn & Erabit
TapTap: https://www.taptap.io/app/33708990
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.erabit.methods.tdc3.paid.gp
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/methods-3-the-invisible-man/id6502622226
Developer postMethods: The Detective Competition is LIVE on Mobile in China!!
Dear detectives, good morning! Exciting news incoming — "Methods: The Detective Competition" has officially launched on mobile in China today! The mobile version for China mainland is available for free download, with chapters unlocked through ads. If you encounter any bugs, plea
Original postDear detectives, good morning!
Exciting news incoming —
"Methods: The Detective Competition" has officially launched on mobile in China today!
The mobile version for China mainland is available for free download, with chapters unlocked through ads.
If you encounter any bugs, please feel free to join our QQ at 625731204 or leave feedback!
Download links:
TapTap: https://www.taptap.cn/app/391345
3839.com: https://www.3839.com/a/159721.htm
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/%E6%8E%A2%E6%A1%88%E6%B3%95-%E4%BE%A6%E6%8E%A2%E5%A4%A7%E8%B5%9B/id6469603251
In the days to come, we hope for your guidance and support in unlocking more intriguing storylines (and CP)!
So, dear detectives, enjoy the game.
— LockedOn & Erabit
Developer postMethods: The Detective Competition is Attending G-Fusion 2024 Guangzhou!
Detectives, How’s it going? We are thrilled to announce that Methods: The Detective Competition is going to attend the video game fest called G-Fusion 2024 in Guangzhou, China! G-Fusion is a video game fest hosted by GCORES. Methods will be exhibited at booth D17 on May 18th and
Original postDetectives, How’s it going?
We are thrilled to announce that Methods: The Detective Competition is going to attend the video game fest called G-Fusion 2024 in Guangzhou, China! G-Fusion is a video game fest hosted by GCORES.
Methods will be exhibited at booth D17 on May 18th and 19th . We can’t wait to see you there!
G-Fusion 2024 Website: https://site.gcores.com/fusion2024/
Ticket Purchase: https://show.bilibili.com/platform/detail.html?id=84177
- Developer post
Update Notes for April 30
Save slots will finally be properly labeled in Chinese
Original postSave slots will finally be properly labeled in Chinese
- Developer post
Update Notes for April 29
Fixed English font size
Original postFixed English font size