Today, we are releasing update 0.21 for Species: Unknown.
This update introduces a new specimen, the first major new specimen added to the game since the beginning of Early Access. It is one of the biggest gameplay additions we have worked on so far, and we are very happy to finally let players discover it.
As always, thank you to everyone sharing feedback, clips, bug reports, theories, reviews, and streams around the game. Species: Unknown continues to grow thanks to the community surrounding it.
We shared a video teaser for this new specimen one week ago, and we really enjoyed watching your investigations and theories trying to figure out what it was before encountering it. Thank you for that!
A new threat aboard the HSS Hawking
A new specimen joins the bestiary. It is the main addition of this update and the result of several months of work.
We do not want to spoil too much here because discovering a creature for the first time is part of the experience, especially with friends, but here is what we can say:
The specimen can appear in all contract types (Kill, Capture, Destroying the area, Extract)
It has its own Codex entry
Its behavior differs from existing specimens
It is neither a variant nor a reskin, but a completely new enemy with its own identity
Completing contracts against it will progressively unlock its dedicated room in the Specimen Area
We sincerely hope you will enjoy learning how it works and encountering it throughout your runs.
Push-to-Talk is now available
One of the most requested features following the recent updates is now available: Push-to-Talk for proximity voice chat.
You can now configure it directly in the audio settings.
A few details:
Open communication remains the default mode
Existing players will need to assign their Push-to-Talk key in "Settings" > "Controls"
For new players, the default key is "B"
Push-to-Talk is currently not available on gamepad controllers
Since the arrival of proximity chat, voice communication has become a huge part of the experience, especially for groups discovering the game together. We therefore wanted to continue improving it based on your feedback.
Other additions and improvements
This update also includes:
New Supporter Pack wallpapers themed around the new specimen
A new Emergency Box tutorial during self-destruction evacuations
Several tutorial and codex improvements
Various fixes and quality of life adjustments
Changed
“Voicechat Mode” setting replaced by 2 separate settings: "Disable All Communications" (Off by default) and "Proximity Chat mode" ("Open" by default). You’ll need to set your voicechat preferences again with the new settings.
The fleeing specimen tutorial now reappears in each relevant mission
Updated ID_008 codex entry with info on its berserk mode
Fixed
Fixed specimen area terminal displaying incorrect "Purchase" action on some rooms already purchased
Black box receptacle in shuttle now looks properly open during self-destruction phase
In this photo taken in mid-April, we see Nicolas (Game Director) prototyping the new specimen
A moment to bring friends aboard
If you have been waiting for the right moment to introduce Species: Unknown to friends, this update is probably one of the best entry points since the launch of Early Access.
To celebrate the release of this update, the game is currently on sale. On top of that, the community is very active (thank you all!), players both old and new will be discovering the new specimen live, and the overall progression experience is now much richer than it was at launch.
Species: Unknown has always been designed around cooperation and the stories players create together. Watching groups discover new features and content during update launches remains one of our favorite parts of development, and this is even more true for a content update like this one.
If you know someone who enjoys cooperative horror games, this is probably a very good time to invite them aboard the HSS Hawking.
How to bring a boost to help the indie studio
If you enjoy the game and would like to support the project, here is what genuinely helps us the most during a major update:
Talking about the game to friends who enjoy co-op horror experiences
Leaving a Steam review
Playing during the update launch period
Sharing your clips, streams, or screenshots
As an independent and self-funded studio, moments like these have a direct impact on the game’s visibility and on the future of its development. Your support directly helps introduce our work to players who are looking for memorable co-op experiences and who may not have heard about Species: Unknown yet.
Now that the update is live, we will also spend a good part of the day watching your streams, clips, and discussions around this new content. We are really looking forward to seeing your first encounters with this specimen.
You helped Species: Unknown reach over 350,000 players
When we launched Early Access, our first goal was to build a small community around the game and our work to move toward the V1. Seeing so many players today boarding the HSS Hawking, sharing moments with friends, feedback, and ideas honestly goes far beyond what we imagined at the beginning.
Thank you sincerely to everyone who took the time to try the game, talk about it, leave a review, or simply play it with friends. For an independent and self-funded studio like ours, it means a lot.
See you aboard the HSS Hawking, and thank you again for being part of this adventure.
The Species: Unknown team at WanadevStudio