The Novelist

Released: Dec 10, 2013
Platforms: WindowsmacOSLinux
Last updated: 09 Sep 2026, 08:32 GMT

Updates & announcements

20 posts

01 Oct 2019Developer post
macOS 64-bit Support Is Here!
Good news, Mac fans! The Novelist has been updated into a 64-bit app; this means it will be playable in macOS Mojave, the next update to macOS coming this month. Mojave will be dropping support for 32-bit apps, meaning they'll no longer be playable at all. Your game should auto-u
10 Jan 2017Developer post
Soundtrack Now Available!
We've just added the original score for The Novelist as DLC! You can find it here for just $4.99 USD. The original score features 14 tracks of beautiful, haunting ambient piano music. While the game generates its soundtrack in realtime, the downloadable score contains composition
10 Jan 2017Developer post
Soundtrack Now Available!
We've just added the original score for The Novelist as DLC! You can find it here for just $4.99 USD. The original score features 14 tracks of beautiful, haunting ambient piano music. While the game generates its soundtrack in realtime, the downloadable score contains composition
14 Dec 2016Developer post
The Novelist 1.13
We're very excited to announce The Novelist version 1.13, which is a stability and longevity update that also improves the save game system and adds Steam Cloud support. Here's the list of changes: The Novelist has been updated to Unity 4.7.2, the final build of the Unity 4.x bra
We're very excited to announce The Novelist version 1.13, which is a stability and longevity update that also improves the save game system and adds Steam Cloud support.
Here's the list of changes:

The Novelist has been updated to Unity 4.7.2, the final build of the Unity 4.x branch. This brings stability, performance, and compatibility improvements that will extend the life of the game.
The game now uses a unified file format for saved games across all platforms, instead of using platform-specific systems like the Windows Registry and macOS .plist files. This makes it much easier to debug issues and move savegame files between computers. Existing saves will be converted to the new format the next time the game is launched; game progress will not be lost.
The Novelist now supports Steam Cloud for syncing save games. Note: Steam Cloud requires the new save game format to function, so you must launch the game once to convert your save to the new format before Steam Cloud can sync your save.
Fixed a bug where toggling fullscreen would sometimes not keep the current resolution.
Characters now save and restore the clothes they're wearing.
The Unity resolution picker can now be brought up by holding Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) when the game is launched. This is helpful if you encounter issues with window placement or resolution.
Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the game over the years!
Original post
14 Dec 2016Developer post
The Novelist 1.13
We're very excited to announce The Novelist version 1.13, which is a stability and longevity update that also improves the save game system and adds Steam Cloud support. Here's the list of changes: The Novelist has been updated to Unity 4.7.2, the final build of the Unity 4.x bra
We're very excited to announce The Novelist version 1.13, which is a stability and longevity update that also improves the save game system and adds Steam Cloud support.
Here's the list of changes:

The Novelist has been updated to Unity 4.7.2, the final build of the Unity 4.x branch. This brings stability, performance, and compatibility improvements that will extend the life of the game.
The game now uses a unified file format for saved games across all platforms, instead of using platform-specific systems like the Windows Registry and macOS .plist files. This makes it much easier to debug issues and move savegame files between computers. Existing saves will be converted to the new format the next time the game is launched; game progress will not be lost.
The Novelist now supports Steam Cloud for syncing save games. Note: Steam Cloud requires the new save game format to function, so you must launch the game once to convert your save to the new format before Steam Cloud can sync your save.
Fixed a bug where toggling fullscreen would sometimes not keep the current resolution.
Characters now save and restore the clothes they're wearing.
The Unity resolution picker can now be brought up by holding Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) when the game is launched. This is helpful if you encounter issues with window placement or resolution.
Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the game over the years!
Original post
11 Nov 2016Developer post
Announcing The Orthogonal Games Bundle!
Hey, everyone, we're very excited to announce The Orthogonal Games Bundle ! It packages Near Death with The Novelist for a $5 discount, and if you already own one of the games you still get a discount on the other one. So spread the world and tell your friends. Thanks!
11 Nov 2016Developer post
Announcing The Orthogonal Games Bundle!
Hey, everyone, we're very excited to announce The Orthogonal Games Bundle ! It packages Near Death with The Novelist for a $5 discount, and if you already own one of the games you still get a discount on the other one. So spread the world and tell your friends. Thanks!
01 Mar 2016Rock, Paper, Shotgun
Near Death Is A Survival Sim From The Novelist Devs
The Novelist was a thoughtful hands-off Poltergeist-meets-Gone Home-type endeavor, and Near Death marks a distinct change in direction for developers Orthogonal Games. Announced yesterday, the Californian outfit’s upcoming survival-a-thon pits you against the elements and is the
08 May 2015Developer post
The Novelist for $5 During the Humble Spring Sale!
Hey, everyone, just a quick note to let you know that the Humble Store is doing its Spring Sale for the next two weeks. The Novelist is on sale there for a cool $5.09 , and it comes with a Steam key so it's a great way to pick the game up for your Steam library. If you've already
08 May 2015Developer post
The Novelist for $5 During the Humble Spring Sale!
Hey, everyone, just a quick note to let you know that the Humble Store is doing its Spring Sale for the next two weeks. The Novelist is on sale there for a cool $5.09 , and it comes with a Steam key so it's a great way to pick the game up for your Steam library. If you've already
23 Feb 2015Developer post
Trading Cards Come to The Novelist! Plus 40% Off Sale!
Players have been requesting this for quite some time, so I’m very excited to announce that trading cards have been added to The Novelist! There are 6 cards, 3 profile backgrounds, 6 emoticons, and of course 6 badge levels. It was really fun revisiting the game after a long time
23 Feb 2015Developer post
Trading Cards Come to The Novelist! Plus 40% Off Sale!
Players have been requesting this for quite some time, so I’m very excited to announce that trading cards have been added to The Novelist! There are 6 cards, 3 profile backgrounds, 6 emoticons, and of course 6 badge levels. It was really fun revisiting the game after a long time
30 Oct 2014Developer post
$4.49 Halloween Sale + Horror Movie Blog Post!
Hey, everyone! The game is on sale at 70% off as part of the Steam Halloween Sale, and to celebrate I wrote a new blog post over on the game's site. The Novelist is full of references to old horror movies, so I created a guide that lists all of the specific references, complete w
30 Oct 2014Developer post
$4.49 Halloween Sale + Horror Movie Blog Post!
Hey, everyone! The game is on sale at 70% off as part of the Steam Halloween Sale, and to celebrate I wrote a new blog post over on the game's site. The Novelist is full of references to old horror movies, so I created a guide that lists all of the specific references, complete w
08 Sep 2014Developer post
On Sale for $5.99!
Hey everyone, I just wanted to make a quick post letting you know that The Novelist is on sale for $5.99 over at the Humble Store . You can also pick it up directly at the game's website . Each purchase comes with a Steam key, so it's a good way to support the game, support chari
08 Sep 2014Developer post
On Sale for $5.99!
Hey everyone, I just wanted to make a quick post letting you know that The Novelist is on sale for $5.99 over at the Humble Store . You can also pick it up directly at the game's website . Each purchase comes with a Steam key, so it's a good way to support the game, support chari
06 May 2014Developer post
On Sale!
Hey, everyone, I wanted to quickly let you know the game is part of the Humble Spring Sale here . I didn't know that the Humble Spring Sale was coming when I put the game on a Weeklong Deal here last month, and unfortunately there is a two-month waiting period for sales here on S
06 May 2014Developer post
On Sale!
Hey, everyone, I wanted to quickly let you know the game is part of the Humble Spring Sale here . I didn't know that the Humble Spring Sale was coming when I put the game on a Weeklong Deal here last month, and unfortunately there is a two-month waiting period for sales here on S
07 Apr 2014Developer post
New Update! 50% Off!
Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you know that the game is 50% off this week as part of Steam's Weeklong Deals. There's also a new patch to the game with two important changes. You can read more about everything here .
07 Apr 2014Developer post
New Update! 50% Off!
Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you know that the game is 50% off this week as part of Steam's Weeklong Deals. There's also a new patch to the game with two important changes. You can read more about everything here .