Dear Steam Community,
We realize how important transparency is, especially for an early access game like Surrounded. It’s been a while since our last update so we figured it would be a good time to share what we’ve been working on and what we have got planned for the next update.
First of all we would like to thank you for the patience you’ve had so far. This really means a lot to us.
Ever since launch day we have been looking through each and every review. We kept working on updating the game and fixing bugs, but always felt like something was missing. Later on we came to the conclusion that the issue did not lie in band-aid solutions, but rather in the foundation of the game.
This is why, in order to achieve the vision we have for Surrounded, we have decided to rebuild the game from the ground up. While doing this we’re taking into account all -yes all- feedback, reviews and bug reports we have received from you.
What does this rebuild mean for Surrounded?
- We are not only rebuilding the game itself, but also the design behind it. We are heavily upgrading the way Surrounded is played. You can expect a lot more than just collecting 6 fuses and running through the endgame.
- In game item shop. No, do not worry, we’re not talking about microtransactions. We’re adding an in game shop where you can buy equipment with currency that is obtainable only by playing the game. You can bring the equipment you buy with you, sell it, or store it in the storage locker for use in later runs. This also means we’re adding some items you can find in the world which you can bring back with you to the lobby to then sell, store, or take back with you into a next run!
- Complete overhaul of the lobby system. Instead of the current static lobby system where you join and then look at your own character, you will now join the lobby with your own character and be able to walk around. You join lobbies not through a 2d menu, but through an in-world whiteboard.
- Character customization. Instead of being assigned a random character, you will now be able to make your character your own. Customize it with different clothes etc.
- Case files. You will be able to find case files that delve deeper into the story. When found, these will then be stored in your personal account and are accessible through the laptop in the lobby. Maybe these case files will also help you progress through the game?
- Completely new map. We are completely redesigning the map, and the way you progress through the map. While keeping the open world feeling intact, we are building in a certain feeling of progression to the map itself.
- Revamped AI. The current AI is not in a very solid state. The design feels unalive and at certain times also unfair. We are completely redesigning how most of the AI work and behave in order to make them feel extremely alive, a lot more interactive and scary, and much more fair to play against. You can expect to see the new AI really integrate with the world around it.
- Deeper story. For the story diehards among us (including ourselves!) we are deepening the story. We are making sure everything in the world has meaning and has a reason to exist. Lots of questions can and will be asked. It’s up to you to find the answers.
This is not all we have planned for the next update. Please understand that above points are subject to change and still in early works.
As you might have noticed, this will be an update that is many orders of magnitude larger than any and all of our previous updates combined. This means that this update will take more time to develop than our previous update pace. We will make sure to keep you updated on development as much as possible during the process.
Again, thank you all so much for the patience, support and for playing the game! Please enjoy some screenshots of early prototypes of some of the new features mentioned earlier at the bottom of this message.
With that said, thanks for reading and we’ll see you in the next development update!
Cheers,
Nightmare Studios.
