Begraved - Next Fest Demo Update 0.0.6
Greetings Gravebound
With Steam Next Fest arriving, we wanted this update to do more than just polish the demo, we wanted to expand the experience, introduce a taste of proper progression, and prepare what Begraved will feel like in its eventual release. Update 0.0.6 brings major improvements to the Hideout, player progression, atmosphere, and stability, all aimed at making every crawl through the Cave Crypts feel more rewarding, more reactive, and more alive (even when you’re not).
Hideout and Progression
Progression now saves between sessions. Your Hideout decorations and layout remain intact after you quit, giving demo players a real sense of what's to come. Making your hideout cozy is a key part of Begraved. Only one save slot is supported for now, but more slots will be ready beyond the demo. (If you have taken part in previous playtests, please do delete your save data for the demo before playing as there may be some carry over affecting performance)
The Hideout now features the fully unlockable Gamble Den. Players can find Gamble Den Medallions inside Cave Crypts, which unlocks the dastardly den. This is meant to be a fun addition for Gravebound to let off steam after a hard night’s robbing.
The Neverwake Coffin intro sequence has been added. Examining the locked gate in the Hideout will play a new cutscene. This introduces more lore about our mysterious shopkeeper, narrated by our talented friend Clair‑Joanne. We’ve also made minor visual updates to the Hideout, including more cobwebs, plus other tweaks and with the two new rooms added recently, there’s now more space to place the new decor you obtain.
Gameplay Additions and System Depth
This update introduces new systems that react more meaningfully to player behavior.
The Tax-man is now more than a fleeting cutscene, Players must pay their dues when prompted, paying grants a loot crate, while failing to pay results in all gold being removed. You and your fellow graverobbers will be able to decide how to handle the situation, and even if you don’t have what he wants, you may still talk your way out of being filled with crossbow bolts.
The cute and friendly Slugs have undergone some changes when left unattended. Observe them from a distance. We have also added additional ambient scares and sound cues to heighten tension and reinforce the horror atmosphere, which we felt was lacking a little so keep your eyes "ahem" peeled.
Player Progression
A new XP system has been implemented. Players can earn XP by smashing objects, lighting torches, and successfully returning to the Hideout with valuables. This sets the foundation for a longer‑term progression system that rewards exploration and survival.
New level‑up animations and player titles help progression feel more visible and rewarding. Two new emotes, Level Brag and Show Rank, provide new ways to show you’re the best Gravebound in the room.
Unlockables and Cosmetics
A new outfit, the Maid Suit, is unlocked by paying the Taxman's dues for a successful run. Additional outfits can be obtained through loot boxes in the Gamble Room once it is unlocked, helping distinguish your fellow Gravebound even more easily.
We’ve added new Hideout decorations including candelabras, stained‑glass hanging lights, tables, nightstands, banners, and rugs. These items expand customization options and help prepare for the next phase where furniture will provide buffs and functional benefits.
Two new two‑handed valuables, the Paradise Vase and Paradise Egg, introduce more variety to the collectible items found during runs.
Tweaks and Bug Fixes
A range of improvements have been made to increase stability and reduce bugs.
Intro sequences now have capped framerates for smoother playback and to prevent players PC's from working harder than needed, However we recognize we need to do more work on this, at the moment we do recommend if you are experiencing lag or frame drops in-game, ultimately lowering the cap to something around 60 FPS will fix in short term as we endeavor to improve FPS in future, We’ve added checks for valuables and decor so you can’t accidentally take them into dungeons.
Ghost interactions have been improved, Chomper traps behave more reliably, the Maggot Man is now more dangerous, and various player item‑carrying issues have been fixed. The camera shake toggle now works properly. These are only some of the improvements included, so checkout the full patch notes for more details in Update 0.0.6.
Vlog
A new development vlog is live on Youtube providing more context about the update so make sure your subscribed and look out for our regular streams every Thursday.
We are eager to see the feedback from players discovering Begraved through Next Fest and as always, let us know what you think about the game and our updates via our socials and our Discord.
Until next time,
Laters Groobers,
Jade – CM