THE LIVEN COLLECTION: MAJOR UPDATE
Since the release of The Liven Collection, we have continued to extensively rework The To-Do List and Rouge Carmin.
This major update brings numerous improvements to the gameplay, controls, artificial intelligence, interfaces, performance, voices, artwork, and localization of both games.
Several systems have been redesigned to make the experience smoother, clearer, and less frustrating while strengthening the overall consistency between the two games in the collection.
THE TO-DO LIST
The To-Do List has received a major overhaul of several of its systems.
The lighting has been reworked, while the inventory and document-reading systems have been significantly improved. Items are now properly displayed in 3D, and the interfaces have been redesigned to make navigation and inspection clearer.
The hiding system has also been completely redesigned. Instead of simply seeing a black screen, you now physically enter hiding places and can discreetly peek outside to check whether the Chaser is nearby before leaving.
The Chaser's behavior has also been improved. Its new pathfinding system allows it to follow more consistent routes through the environment, whereas some movement rules in the previous system could create frustrating situations, particularly when combined with the old hiding mechanics.
A new animation has also been added for when the player is caught.
New Human Voices
The previous AI-generated voices in The To-Do List have been removed and replaced with new recordings performed by our voice actors.
The actor who voices Kevin in Rouge Carmin now also voices Kevin in The To-Do List.
The actress who voices Marla in Rouge Carmin now also voices the Operator in The To-Do List.
This provides greater continuity between the two games and means that The To-Do List no longer contains any AI-generated voices.
New Artwork
All AI-generated artwork previously featured in The To-Do List has also been removed.
It has been replaced with new artwork created by our artist to better reflect the collection's current art direction.
Other Improvements
Improved keyboard and mouse controls
Improved controller support
Added full keyboard, mouse, and controller rebinding
Overhauled the inventory and its navigation
Improved the document-reading system
Added 3D displays for items and documents
Added a new hiding system
Added new pathfinding for the Chaser
Added a new animation for when the player is caught
Added new sound effects
Performance optimizations
Various bug fixes
We notably fixed an issue that could cause the player to become stuck against an invisible wall after respawning, depending on the character's orientation.
ROUGE CARMIN
Rouge Carmin has also received several major improvements to its controls, performance, artificial intelligence, and certain puzzles.
The camera and keyboard, mouse, and controller navigation have been reworked. As in The To-Do List, controls can now be changed directly from within the game thanks to a complete rebinding system.
Crimson Maze AI Overhaul
The AI encountered in the Crimson Maze has been extensively reworked.
It now uses a new pathfinding system and a pursuit behavior structured into four stages.
Aggro management has also been redesigned. As you progress through the puzzle, it is now possible to lose the enemy and resume your progress more easily after being detected.
The goal is to preserve the pressure of the chase without allowing a single detection to make a significant portion of the Maze unnecessarily frustrating.
Final Puzzle Improvements
The final puzzle has also been reworked to improve player orientation without removing its underlying logic.
The cat now appears in different rooms depending on the player's position, providing an additional landmark to help players better understand their progress through the environment.
New EXIT signs have also been added to make the layout easier to read and help players build a clearer mental map of the area.
Performance
Several optimizations have been made to the loading of certain areas.
Some sections could previously cause major lag spikes and, in the most noticeable cases, freeze the game for several seconds while part of the level was loading.
These freezes have been significantly reduced to make exploration and transitions smoother.
Other Improvements
Improved camera controls
Improved keyboard, mouse, and controller navigation
Added full keyboard, mouse, and controller rebinding
Added new pathfinding for the Crimson Maze AI
Added a new four-stage pursuit behavior
Added a new aggro system for progressing through the Maze
Improved the final puzzle
Performance optimizations
Various bug fixes
NOW AVAILABLE IN 11 LANGUAGES
This update also significantly expands the localization of The Liven Collection.
The To-Do List and Rouge Carmin are now available in 11 languages for text, interfaces, and subtitles:
English
French
German
Italian
Spanish – Spain
Brazilian Portuguese
Polish
Russian
Japanese
Korean
Simplified Chinese
About the Voices
We have also standardized the voice acting across both games.
The To-Do List now exclusively uses the new English voices recorded by our voice actors.
The previous French voice-over for The To-Do List has therefore been removed.
The interface, text, and subtitles remain fully available in French.
NEW THE LIVEN COLLECTION TRAILER
To accompany this update, we have also released a new official trailer for The Liven Collection.
Two stories. Two nightmares. One collection.
This update represents a major overhaul of both games. Our main objectives were to bring several systems in The To-Do List up to date, improve sections that could feel frustrating in both experiences, and strengthen the overall consistency of The Liven Collection.
Thank you to everyone who has played the games and shared their feedback with us.
Please feel free to report any issues you may still encounter after the update.
Quaso Studio