Hello Survivors!
In this major update, the game’s risk and progression systems have been completely reworked.
Based on your feedback, we’ve made the experience more persistent, more risky, and more meaningful.
Persistent Backpack and Item System
Backpacks and items collected during a run now carry over to the next levels.
Your backpack is not reset on death, and items are no longer sent to camp automatically.
More items mean more power.
More power means greater risk.
You now truly have something to lose.
Persistent Level Progression
Levels gained through XP during a run now carry over to the next level.
Level progression is persistent.
Note: Stats gained from cards do not carry over for now.
This feature will be added very soon.
Thank you for your feedback and patience.
Camp Flow Updated
You no longer return to camp automatically at the end of a level.
You can return to camp at any time using Return to Camp, keeping all your items.
Only the current map is reset.
This system leaves the risk decision entirely up to the player.
Trade / Recruit Temporarily Removed
The Trade / Recruit system has been temporarily removed from the game.
It will return later as optional side content with a clearer and more streamlined design.
Difficulty and Balance Changes
With the new systems, difficulty has been intentionally increased:
Enemy counts increased.
Level durations extended.
Area damage on level-up reduced by 50%.
XP requirements for leveling rebalanced.
Delayed enemy spawns at the start of the game removed.
Values from permanent upgrades reduced.
Scrap gained from enemies reduced from 6 to 4.
Scrap penalty on game over removed.
Node count reduced from 36 to 8.
Permanent backpack upgrade increased from 5 to 8, price increased.
Fork item mechanics reworked.
Bear Trap slow duration reduced and explosion radius decreased.
Fixes and User Experience
Fixed an issue where the Rare binocular item appeared as Common.
Fixed missing mouse cursor issue.
Bus indicator made more visible: recolored red, enlarged, and moved closer to the center.
Various collider issues fixed.
UI issues in the stats panel resolved.
Maximum stat values rebalanced.
Some projectile sizes adjusted.
Lifesteal percentages increased.
Unhappiness caused by unbuilt camp structures reduced.
Upcoming Content
A bus storage system is coming in the next update.
Items can be deposited into the bus during a run.
Items stored in the bus will be safely transferred to camp even if you die.
You will be able to leave items between runs and retrieve them when progressing.
We recommend using storage to free up backpack space and avoid missing new items.
Camp systems in development:
Selling items from camp
Storage / stash improvements
Item merge system in camp
We are also actively working on gamepad support.
Join Our Discord!
Join the community for tips, strategies, and discussions about the new mechanics.
Play Now!
Thanks for playing Dead Engine and for helping us shape the game with your feedback. More improvements are on the way.