Hello to all our new followers! It's great to have you all here.
We're six months out from our very first public demo on Steam, so here's an update of where we're at currently, and where we're headed.
PAX East 2024 Review Roundup
In March we brought our scavenging demo to gaming reviewers and content creators at PAX East in Boston and got an amazingly encouraging result. We've shared some of our favourite quotes below, but feel free to read each review in full.
Our 16 Favorite Games from PAX East 2024 - IGN
"It was a devastating run; I had only made a couple mistakes, and it had cost me everything. But sneaking through rooms of zombies, fighting when I had to, running when things got dire, and taking risks is a rewarding loop that rewards you for playing well, and I could see how I could have done better each time I made a mistake. I can’t wait for another shot at it."
Full review here.
‘Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days’ is an Evolved Survival Zombie Gaming Experience [PAX Preview] - Dread Central
"If there is one facet of horror games that is congested, it is the zombie apocalypse-centered games. That is not to say they are all bad or the same, but there are a lot of them, and you need to strive to make a unique entry into the genre to gain some footing. Thankfully, with my short time with Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days, it’s easy to see they are trying something different that sets them apart from the rest."
Full review here.
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is dialing up 80s zombie horror - ShackNews
"The emphasis on stealth creates some grippingly tense moments, and the permadeath mechanic keeps the stakes high at all times. The game is currently set for a 2025 launch, but the developers told me that a public demo may be in the cards this fall."
Full review here. (CM note: Yes, we can confirm that the public Steam demo is indeed on the cards for October!)
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Is an 80s 2.5D State of Decay - Niche Gamer
"From the variety of tormented zombies crying and rocking in the fetal position to an area in the basement that almost caused me a full-blown panic attack due to the chilling audio, I was blown away by just how immersed I was in Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days by the end of the demo. After getting my second survivor killed exploring too much, my third survivor made it out by running away from a terrifying horde that blocked the entrance. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with just how much I liked this PikPok title, as its design and premise were enthralling and unique."
Full review here.
PAX East 2024 Preview: ‘Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days’ - Blog Critics
"While the demo did not show the full features of the game I was amazed from the start with the visual presentation, music and most importantly gameplay mechanics. Stealth, planning, exploration, and resource management will play a key part in the game and what I checked out was very promising."
Full review here.
The Mix | Kinda Funny Spring Game Showcase - Gameplay Teaser
We also dropped our first gameplay teaser in The Mix | Kinda Funny Spring Game Showcase, which you can check out below if you missed it.
A lot of the UI for the game is still work-in-progress, which is why we've opted not to show it yet, but all will be revealed in time. Everything else you see represented is captured in-engine and is true to the experience of playing the game, so if you're wondering what the game "feels" like to play, this should give you a solid idea. (But yes, keep your eyes peeled for more gameplay coming soon...)
Languages Update
We've had many questions about the translation of this title, and we can now confirm that we'll be releasing into Early Access with full audio, interface and subtitles in English, and interface and subtitles in Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Russian. If there are any languages you're desperate to see added as we move into our full release, please let us know in the comments below. We may not be able to accommodate your request but it's useful for us to get an idea.
Current Work in Progress
So, it's April 2024, six months out from our first demo. Where is the team at?
Currently the team are working hard preparing for our October Steam demo launch. Our initial demo that we've showcased at PAX Australia and PAX East was just a portion of the scavenging experience, but this new demo will expand on that for an entirely new taste of the gameplay.
Our level designers are mapping out new areas for you to explore....
Our art team are focusing on in-game swag, keeping that 1980s aesthetic alive...
Our concept artists are working on a new piece of key art, focusing on our survivors...
And, as ever, our animation team have been working hard with local motion capture talent...
...to figure out new ways to die.
Coming Up
Some event announcements and some new reveals. Stuff we're super excited about but can't share yet! Keep your eyes open. And don't forget to follow us on socials:
Facebook: facebook.com/intothedeadgame
Instagram: instagram.com/intothedeadofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/intothedead
TikTok: tiktok.com/@intothedeadofficial
See you soon!
N.B: All images shared are work in progress, and subject to change.
Harriet
Community Manager