Bug Fixes
- Fixed an issue where dice could not be used in the loot screen after upgrading.

Balance
- The "Things" ability now gains Evasion at the end of the turn until it reaches 12 stacks (previously 20 stacks).
- The "Things" initial Evasion is now 12 stacks (previously 20 stacks).
- The "Things" power-gaining intention is now 2 (previously D4).
- The "Things" attack intention is now 2 * D4 damage (previously 3 * D4 damage).
- The "Things" no longer continuously triggers attack intention after successfully evading.
- The "Pipewalker"'s summon intention will summon after 2 turns.

Misc
- Adjusted the positions of the 5 crows slightly to avoid UI overlap.

I recently discovered the anomaly horror genre for myself, and though I’m no expert, I’d like to share my observations. One of the first notable games in this genre, in my opinion, was The Exit 8, which was released in November 2023. Since then, many clones have appeared, most choosing similar locations—metros or trains (Shinkansen 0, Anomaly Exit, The Anomalous Hour). Some went further, like False Dream, set in a Japanese apartment.






I don’t attach a negative meaning to the word "clone". A clone can either simply copy ideas or develop them to new heights. Iconic games like Portal and Minecraft started as direct clones of predecessors that only geeks remember today. So, I use the term "clone" neutrally.

Analyzing these games, I realized that the concept of anomaly horror is incredibly intriguing and practically flawless.

The main feature of this genre is that it forces the player to stay constantly vigilant and attentive throughout the game. Progress requires paying attention to details. In this state, even minor events, like a shadow or a sound, can trigger a strong emotional reaction without the need for loud jump scares or monsters. This approach is perfect for horror and doesn’t come across as cheap.

One advantage of the genre is the ability to infinitely reuse the same location, such as a corridor or train car, repeated in cycles. This simplifies development since there’s no need to create a lot of new assets, and the same location is perceived as a liminal space, creating an appropriate atmosphere. This is especially useful for indie developers with limited resources.

This genre allows developers to avoid many mistakes related to scope and scope estimation thanks to its design. You can stop active production at any point after implementing the minimal number of anomalies needed for a single playthrough. It's easy to make global changes, and the liminal space doesn’t just forgive a lost scene context or lack of cohesion—it encourages it. Minimizing damage from mistakes is key.

In this genre, the player constantly makes choices. In each new "room," they decide: turn back or move forward? Some games enhance this with additional mechanics, such as photographing anomalies. These choices make the game more interactive and less linear. The player isn't just riding the rails of a haunted attraction or observing events—they actively participate.

Indie games are often popularized by Let's Players. If a game is linear, a potential player might watch a playthrough and lose interest. But if there’s an element of randomness or interactivity, it encourages players to experience the game for themselves.

Another important advantage of the genre is its scalability. It's easy to add new anomalies or mechanics without changing the core structure of the game. This gives the developer creative freedom.

As for my project, in just three weeks, I managed to create a fully ready demo, set up and pass Steam page verification, make a trailer, promotional materials, and even add non-essential features like Steam achievements and several additional game modes.


For me, developing Metrophobia wasn’t just a way to take a break from my main large-scale project, I Want To Believe; it was also an opportunity to get this new game ready for the Scary in Steam 3 festival.

The first thing I realized during the process was that not all anomalies need to be complex, noticeable, and "expensive" to develop. Initial tests showed that such anomalies are impossible to miss, and as a result, the player has no room to make a mistake in their choices. It’s crucial to include simple anomalies that demand more attention from the player while requiring minimal effort from the developer. This isn’t a cheap trick—it’s a necessity for the concept to work. These small details help keep the player alert and engaged, maintaining the tension and suspense.

The real challenge for me was figuring out how to create a demo version of such a game since it’s unclear what could be cut. I haven’t had the chance to fully test my idea yet, but I’ve decided that the full game will have several spatial loops, while the demo will feature only one.

To add replayability, I decided to include several additional modes.


The first is a mode styled as "analog horror" with VHS effects. It lowers FPS, alters the graphics, adds visual noise, and creates the feeling of an old recording—something that’s in high demand today.


The second mode is "Dark Mode," where the player has only a flashlight and must navigate through complete darkness. This makes the game scarier and more challenging.

Additionally, I’m working on a secret comedy mode, which could potentially become the game’s selling point or, more precisely, the driving force behind free promotion. The idea is that activating this mode would present new or modified old anomalies that humorously exploit horror tropes and famous memes.

For instance, Metrophobia has an anomaly where a phone rings, and a terrifying voice tells the player something stereotypically creepy. In the comedy mode, it could play the viral audio "Why are you gay?"

Or, imagine entering yet another room and seeing a zombie stuck in a washing machine in the middle of it. If the player has a strong sense of humor, approaching the zombie from behind reveals a second layer to the joke, where the trap turns out to be contrived, and the zombie instead eliminates the player.

This could attract the attention of players and bloggers alike. It creates a kind of window into "meta-horror" and "meta-humor," and I see great potential for this mode to go viral on TikTok and imageboards.

The concept of anomaly horror is the perfect option for those who want to create an indie game quickly, interestingly, and with minimal risk. My game Metrophobia is an example of how you can evolve this idea, adding unique mechanics and modes.

Dear Queens, Dear Kings, in anticipation of the release tomorrow, here is the exact time Thronefall's 1.0 version will unlock:

We can't wait to finally share it with you and hear what you think! Thank you all for the ongoing support, thoughtful feedback and for being such a great community!

All the best,
Jonas & Paul

https://discord.gg/gVYctptyg8

增加海外CDN功能，加速下载。

Hello dear ghosts,
In the spookiest time of the year, there are also two Halloween events in The Land of Magic! The events are limited in time and run until November 3rd. You can also see various Halloween decorations in the menu!



The Graveyard Event
Master 8 different worlds to get a cool reward at the end. Progress is saved and will be reloaded when new such events occur. Once the eight worlds have been completed, a new start is always possible! The choice of which worlds to play is random, but everything is on the “Difficult” difficulty level, except for the last world with “Hardcore”.



The special Halloween event
From October 12th to November 3rd, a new special event will take place in which you have to master as many worlds as possible to unlock cool, unknown rewards. Up to 20 of these unknown rewards can be unlocked! The process is not saved for further such events!

We wish you a Happy Halloween 🎃👻.

-Your MagicAme team!

Halloween has arrived in Doll Impostor!

Now from October 1st to 28th, there will be some Halloween decorations, but these will be incomplete every year. Some decorations will be prepared, but they won't be the official decorations yet.

The official decorations begin on October 28th and last until November 4th. This decoration will be fully set up, giving the impression that Halloween is being set up in the maps until October 28th. Starting on this date, 10 collectible Pumpkins will be available, granting you the Halloween Night achievement. With this achievement, you can place different objects in your shelter. This achievement can only be earned between October 28th and November 4th. Of course, this is based on your system's date, so you could change the date to simulate this event.

Additionally, this system, which works completely automatically and will be available every year, is also prepared for Christmas, which I will implement when the time comes.

This update doesn't bring any other changes or patches. From now on, updates will become more frequent.

THERE'S ALSO A 2X MONEY AND XP REWARD ON THE 28TH OF THIS MONTH!

• Event system (by date) [This will be automated and work every year without developer intervention]
  
• 2x money and XP system (by date) [Also automated]
  
• Prepared PRE-HALLOWEEN content (House, Circus, Daycare, and Dynamic Maps)
  
• Prepared HALLOWEEN content (House, Circus, Daycare, and Dynamic Maps)
  
• 1 New Achievement (Halloween Night)
  
• Collectible Pumpkins (10) + New interface to show the amount
  
• 7 New objects to add to the shelter (requires the Halloween Night achievement)

Additionally, for those who have purchased 8AM, I will share the development, and each year it will automatically receive the Halloween and Christmas updates (but without collectibles).

On the 28th, the Steam sales (Fear Fest) will also begin. Keep in mind that this is based on your system's date, so depending on the time zone, Japan would receive the update one day before the United States, and likewise, the update would be removed one day later in the United States.

Thank you all very much.

We remind you that you can get this game and others from HeadArrow even in advance on our Patreon with just a subscription!

In Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles and Diceomancer, dice play a crucial role! Every roll you make will influence your every move—of course, it might just lead to a surprising twist! With numbers on the left and fate on the right, in the name of dice, grant you endless possibilities.

By purchasing the "Dice is the point!" bundle, you'll receive both Diceomancer and Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles, plus an extra 5% discount for the next month. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/46007/Dice_is_the_point/

Astrea is a DICE-deck-building roguelike that flips the script on deckbuilders by using dice instead of cards and a unique dual “damage” system: Purification vs Corruption. Build a dice pool strong enough to purify Astrea's out-of-control corruption and save the Star System.

DICEOMANCER is a roguelike deck-building game. Though you long for a peaceful life, you're forced to embark on an adventure. In this world of swords, magic, and guns, make good use of your dice and deck to find a way back to tranquility!

A little fix for possible performance issue when playing as dog.

Hello VR players !
While the game is still in development, I glad to share a DEMO version for free.

The demo has prepared a big mission for you !
1 big special ops=> x7 challenges=> 25 min of gameplay.

Read more about the demo :
STEAM STORE PAGE

Contains:
- Seasonal prizes through web leaderboards.
- Seasons are now longer.
- Fix for softlock in Social menu.