Hello, demon slayers!
We've dropped some awesome new content for our 4.3 update, but before we get into that, some news about our new upcoming map, The Manor.
Originally, we gave Q2 2024 (April - June) as the expected release date for the map. We need to delay its release until September 2024. To be transparent about why: during early playtesting, we found that April (possessed by Azazel), and the map itself, weren't working the way we had hoped. In general, it didn't feel scary enough, so we went back to the drawing board and we're now implementing some major improvements.
We know the delay will come as a disappointment to some of you, and we're genuinely sorry. That said, we never put out content unless we are proud of it. We're going to take the time we need to get the map right. We've always wanted to get our yearly map releases closer to the Halloween period, which we will now be able.
Please remember that we never charge for new content. We love DEVOUR, and we want to be able to continue making quality content for it. However, sometimes these things take more time than expected. We're working super hard on the game and will continue to do so for the forseeable future.
We're releasing a teaser trailer for the map soon, so keep an eye out!
Now, onto what's included in 4.3 - there's a lot to keep you busy over the summer!
Extra Perk Slot
We recently shared a perks feedback form with the community and we'd like to thank everyone who took the time to fill it in. There were so many useful thoughts and amazing ideas shared. As a result, we've overhauled the system, introduced some great new perks, and added a second perk slot, so players can equip two perks at the same time (a much requested feature in the feedback).
Note that all perks are split into 2 categories. You can only pick a single perk from each category.
New Perks
- INSPIRED: Ritual items are highlighted for 10 seconds after increasing map progress
- KEYMASTER: Keys are highlighted through walls
- PATIENT: UV charge regenerates 125% faster when in hiding spots
- TEAMWORK: UV charge depletes 25% slower when within 5 meters of any alive player
- STAY BACK: Movement speed of Azazel's minions is decreased by 50% when last player alive (co-op only)
Weekly Challenges
Regular challenges have been a popular request for a while now, and we've been hard at work implementing something that we hope will give you even more reason to jump into a DEVOUR run!
Challenges reset every Wednesday (UTC time). Each challenge is tied to a specific map and difficulty, with one for each difficulty mode. Challenges can only be completed once. You'll be granted a large chunk of EXP for completing a challenge and finishing a map (win or lose). If you leave a game early, you'll lose all challenge progress you gained during that game and won't gain any EXP. You can access the list of challenges from the main menu or Lobby.
Player Statistics
Global player statistics have been added to the game. You can access these from the Options menu. There were a few stats which we had not been tracking properly up until now so you'll notice some of your stats will start from 0.
Nameplates
You can now toggle on Nameplates from the Options menu. They will not render through walls and are only visible up to a certain distance.
New Emotes
4.3 also introduces 5 new dance themed character emotes - if you ever wanted to twerk as Zara or do the snake as Kai, now you can!
Outfits & Flashlight Skins
Check out these fun, fresh new outfits for the Cultist and Zara, and two awesome new flashlight skins.
Note: Zara's 'Screamer' outfit and the 'Glitterbomb' flashlight skin are only available with the Supporter's Edition.
Closing 3 regions
We are dropping regions South Africa, India and Canada from the server browser. These regions were barely being utilized and so it should also help in funneling more players into a more populated region. Note that actual gameplay for Devour is handled directly between the host player and clients so once you're in a game together it doesn't matter which region you hosted on.
Full 4.3 Changelog
- Adds new Weekly Challenges
- Adds a second Perk slot so you can equip 2 perks at the same time
- Adds new lifetime Player Statistics (some only tracked from 4.3 onwards)
- Adds option to show Nameplates above players
- Adds subtle screen effect when any speed related perk activates
- Adds option to Disable Perks for the host
- Vegetation will now move when players walk through it
- Players with the same character picked will no longer spawn at the same spawn point
- Pressing Enter key when in a Lobby will now open the text chat box
- Map names are now translated correctly in the Lobby
- Perks Repellent, Field Medic and Immune now show the correct percentages (no change to in-game behaviour)
- Some fixes to Lobby UX for gamepads
- Jump Scare vocals and impact SFX volumes are now linked to the Master Volume slider (previously, it was just the impact sound)
- 5 new perks
- 2 new flashlights
- 2 new outfits
- 5 new dance emotes
- Drops South Africa, India and Canada regions
Phew, that was a lot! Rest assured, we're still hard at work on The Manor, and we'll keep you updated on its progress. In the meantime, enjoy 4.3 and, as always, hold onto your goats.
X: @DEVOUR_GAME
Discord: https://discord.gg/q4tTa2Z