Hi Everybody!
This week marks DARQ's 1st Anniversary, so I've got some big news to announce!
The Crypt
The 2nd DLC is still in development, but it's for a good reason. I set the bar high, especially that "The Crypt" will be the final content expansion for DARQ. I want to bring you as much value as possible - my goal is to make it as amazing as it can be. The level became quite ambitious. It's large and features the most challenging puzzles you've seen in DARQ yet. It introduces new game mechanics and comes with a set of new achievements. As you will see, the environments got better and more detailed too.
The main mechanic involves being able to switch between the body and the head:
This DLC will also be much more tense than "The Tower."
If you want to see more, be sure to check out the trailer:
As promised, "The Crypt" will be free for all of you to enjoy. It might take a few more months to finish, but I hope you don't mind waiting just a bit more. It will be released by the end of 2020, along with the console relea....wait, WHAT???
Console Releases
I know some of you have been waiting for this announcement for a while! I'm thrilled to announce that I've partnered up with the publisher Feardemic, subsidiary of Bloober Team (devs of Layers of Fear, Observer, Blair Witch) to bring DARQ to consoles.
If you've followed me for a while, you may already know that I've received many offers from publishers in the past. Having spent a lot of time dealing with publishers, including those who tried strongarming me into signing terrible deals, I haven't been able to find the right partner for DARQ - until now. Feardemic and Bloober Team are the leaders in the horror genre, so since the beginning, our creative visions aligned. Feardemic's team has been fair and accomodating to me since day one - I'm very happy with this partnership and it feels like the perfect fit.
Which consoles?
DARQ, along with the two free DLC's ("Complete Edition"), is coming to:
- XBOX ONE
- XBOX SERIES X
- PS4
- PS5
- NINTENDO SWITCH
IMPORTANT: If you want to be notified when DARQ launches on consoles, subscribe to Feardemic's Newsletter.
When?
We're aiming to release the complete edition of DARQ on all platforms by the end of 2020. "The Crypt" DLC will be released on Steam and GOG around the same time (for free).
What about physical distribution?
All console releases will have both physical and digital distribution worldwide. Digital is expected in late 2020, while physical can come a bit later, in early 2021.
What exactly does Feardemic do?
To clarify, DARQ remains my intellectual property, and Feardemic has no creative control when it comes to the game and its contents. DARQ will remain self-published on the PC. Feardemic will simply bring DARQ to consoles.
Will you make more games after DARQ?
Most definitely. I have a few game projects lined up, so stay tuned for more exciting announcements! Apart from that, there are a couple of DARQ-related "side projects" that I'm thrilled to share with you.
Speaking of the upcoming projects...I'm incredibly grateful to all of you for providing me with the opportunity to continue to make games. It's a rare privilege that not many indie developers get to experience - I certainly don't take it for granted and will continue to do everything I can to show that to you. Going the extra mile with this free DLC is just one of the ways to express my gratitude. I can't wait to share with you what I've been working on!
While making games is a lot of hard work, I absolutely love the process- I can't believe that I get to do it. It also blows my mind that DARQ has won so many awards recently. For example, being nominated alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Borderlands 3, Death Stranding... There are times when I have to pinch myself! After all, DARQ became #42 Most Shared PC Video Game of 2019 (Metacritic). None of it would have happened without your support.
I'll always be thankful to you and be on your side - mark my words.
In the meantime, I hope you join me in wishing Lloyd a Happy (1st) Birthday! He's been through a lot and needs a bit of cake before heading over to the Crypt ;)