Update: 1.2.12d
Unity game engine reported a potential security vulnerability. This update implements the fix. Happy safe gaming!
Unity game engine reported a potential security vulnerability. This update implements the fix.
Happy safe gaming!
Ghost Song
Old Moon · Balor Games
- Released
- Nov 3, 2022
- Platforms
- Windows
- Last updated
Updates & announcements
- Developer postOriginal post
- Developer post
Ghost Song is 50% off!
Ghost Song is 50% off (now through March 20) which is its lowest discount ever. If you've been eyeing the game or know someone who might like it, now's a great time! Hope everyone's doing well! Matt
Original postGhost Song is 50% off (now through March 20) which is its lowest discount ever. If you've been eyeing the game or know someone who might like it, now's a great time!
Hope everyone's doing well!
Matt
- Developer post
Update 1.2.12b
This is a small patch to fix a possible soft lock.
Original postThis is a small patch to fix a possible soft lock.
- Developer post
Explore New Mysteries in Ghost Song’s Latest Update—Out Now!
It’s been nearly one year since players first delved into the strange secrets of Old Moon’s atmospheric adventure Ghost Song . With today’s free major content update, there are now even more mysteries to uncover beneath the surface of the moon of Lorian. If you’d prefer to find o
Original postIt’s been nearly one year since players first delved into the strange secrets of Old Moon’s atmospheric adventure Ghost Song. With today’s free major content update, there are now even more mysteries to uncover beneath the surface of the moon of Lorian.
If you’d prefer to find out what’s waiting on your own, turn back now. You’ve been warned….
Confront what dwells in Toler-Under-Foot
Should you find yourself in a small new region called Toler-Under-Foot, Deadsuit will encounter a new kind of enemy type—along with an imposing, challenging new boss named Xorogon. This hulking warrior shares a history with another being you may have encountered during your travels. And if you best Xorogon in combat (no small feat!), you’ll arm yourself with a new axe (with a bit of a twist).
Heartbreaker
A new path has opened in the Sapstone region, where a headstrong bounty hunter named Leaf waits for his next contender. If you stay cool and don’t let his attitude get under your suit, you just might earn a fun new rapid-fire toy for your arsenal.
Lua’s tale
If you’ve played Ghost Song before, you might have come across a wandering adventurer named Lua during your travels. This update gives her a reworked and more fleshed-out story, along with some of the the closure she deserves. Keep an eye out for her as you’re out exploring.
Today’s update also includes bug fixes and balance adjustments, including changes to the game’s less challenging Explorer difficulty mode to reduce the amount of damage Deadsuit takes; this should make the journey a bit more accessible for people who want to focus more on enjoying Ghost Song’s atmosphere and story.
- Developer post
Update 1.2.12 - New content/fixes
This update contains several pieces of new side content, including bosses, enemies, and items, as well as some misc. bug fixes and balance changes.
Original postThis update contains several pieces of new side content, including bosses, enemies, and items, as well as some misc. bug fixes and balance changes.
- Developer post
Consider Nominating the Ghost Song OST for a Steam Award!
I strongly feel Ghost Song has an unforgettable soundtrack - by composer Grant Graham - that elevates the entire experience. I humbly ask you all to consider nominating it for a Steam Award. Check the whole thing out here: Thank you very much! Matt
Original postI strongly feel Ghost Song has an unforgettable soundtrack - by composer Grant Graham - that elevates the entire experience. I humbly ask you all to consider nominating it for a Steam Award.
Check the whole thing out here:
Watch on YouTube Thank you very much!
Matt
- Developer post
1.1.11
Fixed minor controller aim issue Adjusted the dash cooldown UI element that appears over the player after dashing, to properly indicate the exact time before re-dashing for free is possible Iframes for dash cooldown is indicated by a more brightly colored green particle effect Sl
Original post- Fixed minor controller aim issue
- Adjusted the dash cooldown UI element that appears over the player after dashing, to properly indicate the exact time before re-dashing for free is possible
- Iframes for dash cooldown is indicated by a more brightly colored green particle effect
- Slightly shortened the iframes cooldown after dashing
- Developer post
1.1.10
Fixed issue where "Junk Crawlers" in Junkpit could cause the player to clip through terrain and become soft locked. Attempted fix for issue where some controller players lost their controller aim as a result of the recent mouse aim implementation. Attempted fix for issue where so
Original post- Fixed issue where "Junk Crawlers" in Junkpit could cause the player to clip through terrain and become soft locked.
- Attempted fix for issue where some controller players lost their controller aim as a result of the recent mouse aim implementation.
- Attempted fix for issue where some users could mess up their save file by having the game crash during the NG+ startup transition.
- Slightly increased lifetime of Skab Device hatchlings.
- In game timer no longer advanced while game is paused.
- Developer post
1.1.9b
1.1.9b Fixed issue re. sequence breaking NG+, so it's now safer to do so. Re-added hulking fist and motivator to items that carry over in a NG+ transition.
Original post1.1.9b
Fixed issue re. sequence breaking NG+, so it's now safer to do so. Re-added hulking fist and motivator to items that carry over in a NG+ transition.
- Developer post
Preliminary Aim Mode With Mouse implemented
1.1.9 I've been working to respond to feedback from some players who desire improved keyboard and mouse functionality. Even though the game was designed around a controller, I agree with those players that more can be done. In this update, I've added a basic functionality to aim
Original post1.1.9
I've been working to respond to feedback from some players who desire improved keyboard and mouse functionality. Even though the game was designed around a controller, I agree with those players that more can be done.
In this update, I've added a basic functionality to aim the weapon, when in aim mode, using the mouse. The default keyboard bindings may not be a good configuration for this right now, but I'd suggest mapping movement to WASD, fire to left mouse button, and aim to another mouse button.
I'll continue working to refine this. I understand that with some mouse functionality might come the expectation that all UI should also function with the mouse. That's a pretty big task at this point, though, and something that I hope to be able to add in future updates.
Thank you for all your kind support and let me know if you encounter any issues. This hasn't been heavily tested yet, but I figure some mouse functionality is better than none, and I'll keep working on it.
Matt
- Developer post
Some bug fixes and small adjustments
Update 1.1.8e Implemented fix to hopefully correct the "pink letterboxes" issue non-16:9 displays were sometimes experiencing. Corrected issue where some players could become locked out of the room after dying during a battle alongside an NPC. Corrected an issue where a certain N
Original postUpdate 1.1.8e
- Implemented fix to hopefully correct the "pink letterboxes" issue non-16:9 displays were sometimes experiencing.
- Corrected issue where some players could become locked out of the room after dying during a battle alongside an NPC.
- Corrected an issue where a certain NPC would, in a certain situation, end up with a copy of himself in the world.
- Hulking Fist item no longer carries over in a new New Game Plus run, as it was capable of doing terrible things to the game if available from the start.
- Aim mode has been adjusted for keyboard-only players such that it's now usable, if you hold the aim mode and pressing combinations of directions. A mouse aim feature is still being considered and experimented with.
- Somewhat tuned down the Skab Device, which was heinously overpowered.
- You can now zoom in closer on the map screen.
- Various minor bug fixes.
- Developer post
1.1.8d is live
1.1.8d Introduced New Game Plus. Introduced a new miniboss somewhere on the map.
Original post1.1.8d
- Introduced New Game Plus.
- Introduced a new miniboss somewhere on the map.
- Developer post
1.1.8c - Fix for controller recognition issue
1.1.8c Implemented fix designed to address issue where some players could not get their controllers to by recognized.
Original post1.1.8c
Implemented fix designed to address issue where some players could not get their controllers to by recognized. - Developer post
The game comes out tomorrow!
Just about there! Just a little reminder, the game comes out tomorrow! Early reviews are looking good, and we're heading into launch with very few bugs or glitches (that I'm aware of!). Personally, I've been having fun doing a casual playthrough on my Steam Deck, where it's worki
Original postJust about there!
Just a little reminder, the game comes out tomorrow! Early reviews are looking good, and we're heading into launch with very few bugs or glitches (that I'm aware of!).
Personally, I've been having fun doing a casual playthrough on my Steam Deck, where it's working very well!
To those who have supported me through the years, thank you! For those who will be playing it, I hope you enjoy your time in the game.
More tomorrow. Much love!
Matt
- Developer post
We have a Next Fest demo live now!
A lot of you probably are already aware of this, but Steam Next Fest is happening all week, and we have a demo out! So this is just a quick reminder that this exists if you didn't happen to already notice! Just check the main store page for the demo button. Thank you!
Original postA lot of you probably are already aware of this, but Steam Next Fest is happening all week, and we have a demo out! So this is just a quick reminder that this exists if you didn't happen to already notice! Just check the main store page for the demo button. Thank you!
- PCGamesN
Ghost Song is a gorgeous horror Metroidvania out this year
The Ghost Song release date has been set for 2022, which means we're getting a gorgeous-looking horror Metroidvania to check out pretty soon. Ghost Song has been in development for years - the better part of a decade, in fact - but it seems the end is finally in sight for develop
Original postThe Ghost Song release date has been set for 2022, which means we're getting a gorgeous-looking horror Metroidvania to check out pretty soon. Ghost Song has been in development for years - the better part of a decade, in fact - but it seems the end is finally in sight for developer Old Moon.
Ghost Song will launch in 2022 via Steam, courtesy of newly-announced publisher Humble Games. The game was originally Kickstarted way back in 2013, so it's been a long road to release. Today's trailer shows a gorgeous, atmospheric world with just enough creepiness around the edges to give everything a properly unsettling vibe. (Shout out to the guy just using a giant severed robot head as a weapon.)
This one leans toward the Metroid side of the Metroidvania equation, with a sci-fi setting, beam weapons, and a mysterious alien planet to explore. There are also some hyper-specific visual references to Super Metroid, like the ship in the opening and the busted open underground transport pipe.
- Developer post
Ghost Song announcement trailer
Ghost Song is coming in 2022 in cooperation with Humble Games! It's been a long and unlikely ride, but it's really happening. I'll have more to say on this as we move forward -- For now, to those of you who have stuck with me for all these years, thank you! Matt
Original postGhost Song is coming in 2022 in cooperation with Humble Games!
Watch on YouTube It's been a long and unlikely ride, but it's really happening. I'll have more to say on this as we move forward -- For now, to those of you who have stuck with me for all these years, thank you!
Matt
- Developer post
Ghost Song Update
Some have lamented the lack of updates on the Steam page, and while I've been trying to quietly work until I had more concrete news (particularly about timeline), I do feel we're overdue for some kind of update -- So, here we are. Below is a video that shows about the first 15 mi
Original postSome have lamented the lack of updates on the Steam page, and while I've been trying to quietly work until I had more concrete news (particularly about timeline), I do feel we're overdue for some kind of update -- So, here we are.
Below is a video that shows about the first 15 minutes of the game. Please also check the description of the video for some individual thoughts from me about things that are in it. Long story short, this is still a fairly hardcore game that avoids holding your hand, it's still quite open, and it's still meant to be a challenge. None of that has changed from the very start.
Watch on YouTube This video comes from a recent demo that was made available to supporters and members of the Discord community and other friends. It's about an hour long, and, so far, I'm pleased that it's been pretty well received!
So -- The game is still being made. It's just slow going because doing anything decent by yourself gamedev wise is just really time consuming. And while I *still* can't provide a concrete timeline about release, I do want to give you all my assurances that the game is still being made, and that it's getting pretty far along now.
I may be a poor communicator at times -- but I've never stopped working on the game.
Thank you all for your support, and if what you've seen here interests you, please add Ghost Song to your wishlist if you haven't already! That specific act helps developers a lot!
Matt
@mattwhitedev - Developer post
Quick Update; Abilities Showcase Video
Just checking in. Making a game is a long road and there are only so many times I can type "I'm still working on it, trust" before it gets old, but I'm still working on it, trust. :) Here's a video I recorded a few months ago for internal purposes that I think would be fun to act
Original postJust checking in. Making a game is a long road and there are only so many times I can type "I'm still working on it, trust" before it gets old, but I'm still working on it, trust. :)
Here's a video I recorded a few months ago for internal purposes that I think would be fun to actually share publicly. The purpose of the video is to showcase some of the weapons and items in the game to get a feel for how all of that looks. Nothing is really spoiled location wise, but a few items are obviously spoiled.
Watch on YouTube WIth this game I've done my best to balance typical action shooting (as seen in games like Metroid and Mega Man) with legit melee combat (more in line with something like Castlevania) and allow the player to lean on one or the other more just depending on their tastes!
Hope everyone's been doing well! I can't announce a date yet, but once I'm able to announce stuff like that I will do it here obviously!
Matt
- Developer post
Quick Update: Water & Fish in Ghost Song
On occasion I will be posting Quick Updates , which are intended to be bite sized looks at particular aspects of the game. Today we're going to look at water and fish. If you are able, please turn up your volume so you can listen to the ambient sound design and get a feel for the
Original postOn occasion I will be posting Quick Updates, which are intended to be bite sized looks at particular aspects of the game.
Today we're going to look at water and fish. If you are able, please turn up your volume so you can listen to the ambient sound design and get a feel for the atmosphere I'm going for!
When deciding how water would work in this game -- Both visually and gameplay-wise -- I decided to use retro games like Mega Man and Metroid as a starting point. I don't think that special swimming mechanics would be particularly fun in this game, so the player can still run and jump while underwater -- Just with significantly alterered physics and gravity. Since this can be challenging and limit your progress in certain sections, there exists items you can get that help you move more freely (or even jump super high!) while submerged.
The reason I felt like water was an important part of the game design is because of its oppressive nature and its mystery. Any time you're exploring something deep, dark, and murky you feel as though you're somewhere you't not meant to be, and it really -- at least in my mind -- Contributes to a sense of adventure. This is a game very much about openness, exploration, mystery, and overcoming the odds. Those are some of the most important pillars of the game.
With respect to how water works beyond movement, it's all very systems driven. My overall approach to the game is to make things work in (whenever it's possible or realistic) the way it seems most natural that they should work. So, in this case, that means that water cools off your gun barrel (gun barrel heat being a key and consequential mechanic in this game). As a bit of flavor, it also means that if you are dirty or bloody (both things that happen) water will wash you off. There are also fish that will move out of your way - Just like Call Of Duty: Ghosts! -- But if you're clever it may also be possible to sneak up on them and find means of capturing them!
What are some of your favorite and least favorite examples of water sections in sidescrollers? How do you feel about water generally? Let me know, I'm very curious!
Thank you very much for your time, and there will be more Quick Updates, as well as a playable demo, to come!
Matt