The Darkside Detective

Spooky Doorway · Akupara Games

Released: Jul 27, 2017
Platforms: WindowsmacOSLinux
Last updated: 05 Sep 2026, 03:33 GMT

Updates & announcements

20 posts

03 Sep 2026Developer post
Akupara Games 10 Year Anniversary Schedule
Hey Dectectives We’re 3 days away from our 10 year anniversary Direct and livestream on September 6th! Right after the Akupara Direct, we will be livestreaming quite a few games from the Akupara Games library! We hope to see you there! Come join on September 6th at Noon PT for ho
25 Mar 2026Developer post
The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon demo is out now!
Hey Detectives, The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon demo is out now! The demo covers the first half of the first case, “Honey, I Shrunk the Detectives,” which I’m sure you can guess– is about Dooley and McQueen getting shrunk to the size of mice in the Darkside Division
09 Dec 2025Developer post
Introducing The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon
Hey Detectives, If you were watching the Unity Awards you would have seen us announcing The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon ! The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon brings six new mind-melting cases to the mix where Detective McQueen and Officer Dooley might have t
02 May 2025Developer post
Try Out The Blake Manor LudoNarraCon Demo
Hey Detectives! We’re excited to share that The Séance of Blake Manor is an Official Selection of LudoNarraCon and is featured as part of the narrative steam festival from 1st – 5th May 2025. Alongside the event we have opened the doors to Blake Manor, inviting you to join the gu
17 Mar 2025Developer post
Spooky Doorway's Next Game!
Hello Detectives! My creators, those lovely losers at Spooky Doorway Games , have just announced The Séance of Blake Manor! It's got a detective (like me) with a spooky mystery (also like me) , but it's got faces and three dimensions (unlike me) . It doesn't have a Dooley, though
04 Oct 2024Developer post
Akupara Games Celebrates 8 Year with Sales and Livestream
Hey Akuparians! Guess what, it’s our birthday!, Akupara Games is turning 8 years old and to celebrate, we have put The Darkside Detective on sale for 78% off! Be sure to grab those deals, check out our lovely event page, and check out the sales! Maybe the game you’ve been waiting
19 Jul 2024Developer post
Duckside Detective Bundle
Hey Detectives ! We have a new detective on the force. They’re a bit small and really really enjoy bread but I’m sure we’ll get along great. I expect you both to get along and use your detective skills to solve those unsolved cases out there. We have teamed up with the quacking d
15 Mar 2024Developer post
The Darkside Detective - Bug Fix Update v2.66.1626.10816
The Darkside Detective - Bug Fix Update v2.66.1626.10816 The Case Files will flickering any time you enter the Main Menu PlayStation Controllers Set up having some of the wrong button images on PC Platforms Press to Start Screen not detecting PlayStation Controllers until after i
The Darkside Detective - Bug Fix Update v2.66.1626.10816

The Case Files will flickering any time you enter the Main Menu
PlayStation Controllers Set up having some of the wrong button images on PC Platforms
Press to Start Screen not detecting PlayStation Controllers until after input on PC Platforms
Click to Start Menu Issue using controllers
The D-Pad occasionally not working in the Main Menus
Case 7: Santa's Coat having no Hotspot Text in most languages
Case 9: A Save/Load or Leaving/Re-Entering the Screen causing the Vent Hotspot to layer over the Rat Hotspot
PS5 Controller not working on most PC Platforms
Case 4: The Gremlin appearing for a brief second on entering the Evidence Room after already being collected
PS4 Controller Image showing when using a PS5 Controller on PC Platforms
Police Car and Loading Screen Text missing on Loading Screens
The Screen getting really dark when opening the Quit Game Menu from the Main Menu
Original post
30 Jan 2024Developer post
Release notes - The Darkside Detective - 2.66.835.9107
Bugfixes Issue with Dialogue not being in the correct state after Resetting the game, causing softlocks Language: How to Play, controller screen layout is inconsistencies between languages In Windowed Mode the Cursor doesn't Scale and Items don't Scale with everything else except
Bugfixes

Issue with Dialogue not being in the correct state after Resetting the game, causing softlocks
Language: How to Play, controller screen layout is inconsistencies between languages
In Windowed Mode the Cursor doesn't Scale and Items don't Scale with everything else except when dragging them
Game won't save after completing the second case
Case 4: Possible to un-light the Nodes in a way you are not meant to
Case 7: Visual issue with Armelia's Portrait
Migration Issue with Save Files
Restarting a Case while Dialogue is on Screen will make Dialogue Choices unable to be interacted with
Item Hotspots can overlap inventory causing the wrong item to be picked up on smaller screens
Case 6: Leaving and re-entering a Screen makes the Tapestry Hotspot layer over the shopkeeper's Hotspot
Original post
05 Dec 2023Developer post
Darkside Detective - PlayStation 5 Patch Notes (2023/11/30)
Hey detectives, We have released a patch for Darkside Detective that fixed issues with older save files not being compatible with current DSD1 Builds, fixed issues where saving during a case causes the player to load into an infinite loop, and more. You can read the full patch no
Hey detectives,
We have released a patch for Darkside Detective that fixed issues with older save files not being compatible with current DSD1 Builds, fixed issues where saving during a case causes the player to load into an infinite loop, and more. You can read the full patch notes below.
Patch Notes

Fixed issue with older save files not being compatible with current DSD1 Builds
Fixed the very slow cursor speed in Cases 6 and 7
Fixed some hotspot errors in Chinese localisation
Fixed Unity splash screen showing at the start
Fixed issue where saving during a case causes the player to load into an infinite loop.
Fixed issues with being able to interact with minigames and hotspots while the game is paused
Fixed issues where save/loading would cause items to disappear/reappear incorrectly
Fixed various visual and audio glitches on save/loads
Fixed the strange behaviour on the How To Play Menu after completing Case 9
Fixed various hotspot inconsistencies and placements
Improvements and minor bug fixes to the menus
Fixed issue where resetting the game caused the Power Button to show up in the Main Menu on Consoles
General optimisation and improvements to load times
Minor bug fixes
- Riv Otter
Original post
06 Nov 2023Developer post
2.66.0.7484 - Save File Bug Fix Update
Hello everyone! This update fixes an issue that was preventing game progress from saving! There are couple of steps to complete in order to get your save files to work correctly with the new update. Before playing the latest update, please follow these instructions: First go into
Hello everyone! This update fixes an issue that was preventing game progress from saving!
There are couple of steps to complete in order to get your save files to work correctly with the new update. Before playing the latest update, please follow these instructions:

First go into your The Darkside Detective folder at C:\\Users\\\\AppData\\LocalLow\\Spooky Doorway\\The Darkside Detective
Backup your existing save files in another folder of your computer just in case
Delete any save files that don't end in numbers outside of the range '1_0' to '10_0', with the exception of '666_0'. For example, you would delete 'The Darkside Detective_0_0.save'
Delete any 'PreviousSave' files
Wait for the Darkside Detective update to complete on Steam
Right click on The Darkside Detective in your Steam library, and select Properties.
Go to Updates, and check that the Build ID is '12595018'. If it doesn't match, you might need to wait a couple of minutes, or close and restart Steam on your computer.
Click Play - your game progress should work correctly now!
There is a chance that when recovering your Save Files like this, you might find some strange issues appearing, like the Case Music not playing correctly, or starting a case on the wrong Screen, etc. If you do encounter any of these, then resetting the game in the Main Options Menu or restarting the cases individually should permanently fix these issues.
Thanks everyone!

Spooky Doorway Team
Original post
13 Oct 2023Developer post
Patch Notes: The Darkside Detective 2.61.269.6650
Fixes: Cotton candy in the inventory blocked by giant tree hotspot Game freezes a little before and after Dialogue Chunks Controller Issue related to dragging Items Case 5: The sticky tape that's supposed to be in Nigel's lair is not there, and strange portrait visual issue
Fixes:

Cotton candy in the inventory blocked by giant tree hotspot
Game freezes a little before and after Dialogue Chunks
Controller Issue related to dragging Items
Case 5: The sticky tape that's supposed to be in Nigel's lair is not there, and strange portrait visual issue
Original post
02 May 2023Developer post
April Steam Update
Fixed the following bugs: Black screen on Baits Motel No Transition In Between Screens if you give emily the milk out of order, the candy shop is closed and you cannot add floss to fountain, breaking case Dialogue not refreshing correctly Achievements not triggering reliably load
Fixed the following bugs:

Black screen on Baits Motel
No Transition In Between Screens
if you give emily the milk out of order, the candy shop is closed and you cannot add floss to fountain, breaking case
Dialogue not refreshing correctly
Achievements not triggering reliably
load music carries into cases
Tape hotspot on table in cave in Loch Mess remains after picking up tape
Unity splash screen at the start
Case summary for Tomb Alone is cut short
Resizing issues going in and out of Windowed Mode
Issue clicking through Item dialogue while your Cursor is still on the Item
Various visual and SFX glitches being caused by Save/Load
You can interact with the Case 1 Minigame when Paused
You can't click on McQueen for their usual dialogue when in the Shooting Range Screen
You can interact with the Minigame when clicking through dialogue in the Case 4 Water Pipe Minigame
You can interact with the final Minigame (Tinfoil Hat) of Case 5 while Paused
You can interact with the Minigame when clicking through dialogue in the Case 5 Computer Minigame
There are 2 Screens McQueen will still have Shoes on after the point he takes them off
You can't click on McQueen for his usual dialogue when in the Spooky Doorway Screen in Case 8
Can't click on McQueen for dialogue on one of the Screens in Case 2
The End of Case Music doesn't loop in Case 3
McQueen's Head does some weird quick movement in Case 4
The Corridor Hotspot in Holding Cell One not low enough in Case 4
You can interact with the Wire Minigame while the Game is Paused at the Carpark Screen in Case 4
Issue when holding down the Mouse to light up all the Arrows at once on the Computer Minigame in Case 5
SFX Issue after making the Tinfoil Hat in Case 5
Layering issue with the Lockpick Minigame in Case 6
You can't click on McQueen when looking in the Dumpster in Case 6
McQueen's Hotspot doesn't adjust when he is using the Stilts in Case 6
You can't click on McQueen on any of the outside Graveyard Screens when he is disguised as a Zombie
There is no Notebook on the Screen during the Final Minigame of Case 6
You can sometimes get 2 Glyphs to go onto the same section of the Life Ring on the Final Minigame of Case 6
Using the Mouse to control the Zombie Munch Arcade Game in Case 7 can feel really bad and unresponsive a lot of the time.
The Zombie Munch Results Screen can get in the way of the Notebook in Case 7
Faith Invaders issue in Case 7
Cursor will stay Greyed out if you Pause during the Faith Invaders and Zombie Munch Arcade Games in Case 7
You can interact with the Faith Invaders and Zombie Munch Arcade Games in Case 7 when Paused
Another small issue with the Faith Invaders Arcade Game
2 small issues with the Jump Rope in the Toy Store Screen in Case 7
One of the Vent Hotspots takes you to the wrong part of the Vent in Case 7
The Loading Screen doesn't resize to Windowed mode like everything else does
Another issue with not hearing the traffic SFX on the Carpark Screen in Case 7
Issue if you Quit Game while in the Space Cutscene in Case 9
The Cursor disappears for a second or two when clicking on the Used Circuit Breaker in Case 9
Strange behaviour on the How To Play Menu after completing Case 9
Shooting Range Gremlin Gunfire Audio kept looping even when they weren't shooting and even when they were knocked out
The "White Board" Hotspot should be "Whiteboard" on the first Screen of Case 6
Issue with the Electricity and the 2 Green Lights for a brief second when you enter the Electricity Minigame in Case 2
Possible tweak to the Computer Puzzle in Case 2
You can make the Train SFX carry over to other Screens on the Darkside in Case 3
Delay before the Cursor appears again after progressing the dialogue you get after dropping the Vent on McKing's Car in Case 4
SFX Issue when you enter Nigel's Cave in Case 5
On rare instances the Screen can sometimes be half way too high
Wrong sound plays when going through one of the Church Doors in Case 6
Weird Head movement in the Zombie Munch Arcade Game in Case 7
Cursor doesn't stay Greyed out if you replay the Faith Invaders Minigame
Opening the Pause Menu or Clicking on the Quit Button will start the Zombie Munch Minigame
If you complete the Zombie Munch game while one of the people are Blue then they will be Blue briefly if you Replay in Case 7
Using the D-Pad on Controller highlights the Notebook
Minor adjustment to the Waitress Hotspot in Case 9
McQueen's Hotspot is mostly unclickable on the Case 6 Mafia Car Screen
Issue when opening the Options Menu when Dialogue is on the Screen
You can bring up the Pause Menu in the Quit Game Menu via the Main Menu and get a little blocked
Original post
22 Feb 2023Developer post
13 days left for the Dooley and McQueen plushie crowdfunder
Hey, detectives! There are 13 days left to fund the Dooley and McQueen plushies! Mcqueen is 71% funded and Dooley is 69% funded. If you purchase both the plushies you will get 10% off your order! Remember: In order for these cuties to get shipped out, we need the campaign to reac
14 Feb 2023Developer post
Dooley and McQueen plushies!
Hey, detectives! We’re teaming up with Makeship to develop Dooley and McQueen plushies! We’re thrilled to announce the crowdfunding campaign for Dooley and McQueen plushies with Makeship. Take Dooley and McQueen with you on your own investigations! These plushies have velcro on t
30 Apr 2022Developer post
The Nigel Makeship Campaign Just Got Funded!
Hey, detectives! Just chiming in to point that our good friend, the dinosaur you all know and love, Nigel has been funded on Makeship! If you'd like to get your Nigel plush, you have about two weeks from today to round out your purchase! For more details, check in with the Makesh
15 Apr 2022Developer post
We're Crowdfunding a Nigel Jumbo Plush!
Hey, detectives! Hope everyone's enjoying the new case! And keeping your thoughts away from the lizard people by wearing your trusty tin foil hat, like our good friend Nigel! If you'd like a little conspiracy theorist all your own, click this link to take a look at Nigel's fluffy
31 Aug 2021Developer post
Three Bonus Cases Coming Free to The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark!
Hey, Detectives! Well, well, well, if it isn't new cases coming to The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark . Coming soon, you say? Completely free for all players of the second Darkside game, you say? LIKELY STORY! If you want me to take your story seriously, you're going to
09 Jun 2021Developer post
The Darkside Detective update!
Good news Darkside detectives, we've pushed an update to The Darkside Detective ! As you may be aware, we recently released The Darkside Detective on new platforms (e.g. Xbox , PS4, PS5 & Stadia ), as well as a sequel called The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark (which
Good news Darkside detectives, we've pushed an update to The Darkside Detective!
As you may be aware, we recently released The Darkside Detective on new platforms (e.g. Xbox, PS4, PS5 & Stadia), as well as a sequel called The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark (which is also available on Xbox, PS4, PS5, Switch and Stadia) and as part of that development process, we made a bunch of improvements for stability and performance to the framework we've built for the Darkside series. Now that the game has been out and stable on multiple platforms, we're delighted to bring all that work to the original game.
If you've had a fairly frictionless experience playing The Darkside Detective, you shouldn't notice much new, but over the few years the game has been out, some people have experienced bugs, and this new version should address those issues.
A complete changelist is:

More stable save system, fixed many of the issues that in a small number of cases caused issues with saves becoming corrupted
Added the option to save during gameplay
Added gamepad control remapping
Miscellaneous small gameplay fixes and visual improvements
Improved performance
Modernised architecture to improve maintainability
Fixed gating issues in the bonus cases
Many thanks to the members on our Discord who helped us test and bug-fix this version before it went live. If you run into any issues at all, please visit support.spookydoorway.com and we'll try to get you back up and running.
- The Spooky Doorways
Original post
15 Apr 2021Developer post
Play The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark Right Now!
Hello again, Detectives! It's finally here! You can play The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark right here, right now. Picking up after the events of the first game's final case, A Fumble in the Dark answers all the important questions that have been on all of our minds! Wh
Hello again, Detectives!
It's finally here! You can play The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark right here, right now. Picking up after the events of the first game's final case, A Fumble in the Dark answers all the important questions that have been on all of our minds!

What's McQueen been doing since Dooley's gone?
What's Dooley's grandma like?
How on Earth is there a castle full of Dooleys in Ireland?
What clown would think it's cool to name himself after a viral rash?
If Dooley was a luchador, what might that luchador be like?
What were Dooley and McQueen like in high school?
If any of these questions haven't been on your minds, well, the game's still fun. Featuring six new cases, a brand new soundtrack (that's also for sale) and all the pointing and clicking that your index finger can tolerate.
Watch on YouTube
If you wanna keep up with all things Darkside Detective, do these things:

Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Instagram!
Follow us on Facebook!
Join the Discord!
Original post

Updates & announcements

We’re 3 days away from our 10 year anniversary Direct and livestream on September 6th!

The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon demo is out now!

If you were watching the Unity Awards you would have seen us announcing The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon!

The Darkside Detective - Bug Fix Update v2.66.1626.10816

Bugfixes

Patch Notes

Hello everyone! This update fixes an issue that was preventing game progress from saving!