Thank you so much for all the feedback, reviews, and suggestions during Steam Next Fest! Every comment matters and directly shapes how Midnight Files evolves. I've been reading everything you shared, and I'm excited to show you how much has changed based on YOUR input.

This update brings major improvements to the investigation experience - from a completely redesigned computer interface to a new evidence notebook system. Let's dive into what's new!

• Full gamepad support - You asked, I delivered! Midnight Files now has complete controller support. Investigate crime scenes from the comfort of your couch.

• New evidence notebook system - The notebook now displays a checklist of things to look for at the crime scene, making investigations clearer and more organized. Plus, you can add your own custom notes (100 characters per note, unlimited notes) to track your theories and observations.

• Notebook available in the office - Continue taking notes while analyzing evidence in your office. Perfect for connecting the dots between clues (100 characters per note, unlimited notes).

• Redesigned computer interface - The old text-based system was immersive but frustrating for many players. The new graphical interface, inspired by '80s computers, makes navigating the police database much more intuitive and less frustrating.

• Flashlight added - No more struggling with details hidden in darkness. Illuminate every corner of the crime scene.

• Crouch system - Get closer to ground-level evidence and examine details from new angles.

• Photo and paper preview system - Easily preview pinned photos and documents on your detective board. No more squinting at tiny details!

• Enhanced photo system - Evidence entries now appear in your notebook even when photos aren't perfect, reducing frustration.

• Improved object inspection lighting - Objects are now better lit during inspection, making details clearer.

• Increased inspection zoom range - Get even closer to examine evidence thoroughly.

• Reduced camera sway - Less movement when standing still for a more comfortable experience.

• Detective board strings improvement - Strings now highlight on hover, making connections easier to follow.

• Improved case file navigation - Smoother system for browsing through case files in the office.

• Notebook keybind changed - Moved from \[Q] to \[TAB] for better accessibility.

• Updated gameplay hints - Refreshed hint list in the pause menu with clearer instructions.

• Fixed a game-breaking bug that occurred when inspecting objects in the office.

• Fixed rendering issues causing objects, floors, and walls to become invisible (Intel GPU compatibility).

• Resolved display issues with certain Chinese characters.

• Fixed gameplay hint display problems.

• Improved various translations.

The update is live and ready to download. These changes wouldn't exist without your voices - thank you for helping make Midnight Files better!

If you haven't wishlisted yet, please add Midnight Files to your wishlist. Every wishlist helps bring this detective experience to more players.

Pawel / Paper Lynx Games

Changes

• Increased skeleton hit box size.

• How to unlock Juliet Outfit 5 description made clearer.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed weapon names sometimes appearing as blank when automatically equip weapons is enabled.

• Fixed some inputs possibly not being recognized for some players.

• A few changes made to hopefully prevent rare crashes.

The Open Beta for Patch 1.6 has been running for a month now. I can't give you an exact end date yet - it all depends on your bug reports and feedback. Especially since we just rolled out a major update for the beta.

• New model for the restored Caleuche with three paint variants.
  
  
  
• The restored Caleuche now features 42-caliber gun ports, boosted stats, and has become the best ship in the game. For now.
  
• The restoration cost for the Caleuche has increased significantly and is now one of the ultimate long-term goals worth saving doubloons for from the very start of your playthrough.
  
• William Patterson got a new haircut and can now wear displayable hats.
  
  
  
• More remastered towns:
  
  Santiago
  Havana
  Tortuga
  Belize
  Bluefield
  Porto Bello
  Panama
  Cartagena
  Maracaibo
  Caracas
  
  
  
  
  That brings us to 19 remastered towns in total. Almost there.
  
  
• Pirate threat level is now dynamic and increases gradually. Destroying pirate ships lowers it, and if you don't feel like fighting, you can always negotiate with one of the barons.
  
• Pirates and hostile squadrons are now less aggressive, making it much easier to escape from them early in the game.
  
• Added a perk reset potion (works for officers too!). Look for the recipe in graveyards, lighthouse keepers, and in alchemist shops.
  
• Added three new captain cabins: for the ghost Caleuche, restored Caleuche, and galleons. Currently placeholders without lighting for testing purposes. They'll be fully finished by the beta release.
  
  
  
  
• Returned missing chests to all captain cabins.
  
• Boatswain perks now work as intended, including for enemy captains. Factored into the Cayman boss fight too.
  
• The theft perk now works on Justice Island.
  
• Made significant changes to ship gunnery. Quick shot accuracy has been improved and balanced, so you won't have to struggle at the start and desperately search for a gunner - there's always a chance to hit. As a result, forts and AI ships also land hits more frequently.
  
• Reduced average cannon firing delay and decreased the influence of captain and crew experience - naval combat has become much more dynamic, which pairs especially well with the new gun sound system. Thanks to flashdeck for testing and reports.
  
• Musketeer officers no longer forget how to shoot.
  
• Sailors finally shoot pistols at each other during boarding actions.
  
• Redesigned character health and energy bars. Added new effects.
  
• Item descriptors and properties are now displayed when looting chests and trading.
  
• Amulets and charms in the inventory are now additionally highlighted for officers who can benefit from them.
  
• Fixed crashes and save corruption.
  
• Spyglasses now show approximate crew numbers according to their descriptions and increase the viewing radius on the global map.
  
• Added new cutscenes with increased levels of brutality to several old quests.
  
• (Hero of the Nation) You can now destroy the Capsterville blockade while rescuing the lugger.
  
• Officer professions are now displayed on the hiring screen.
  
• NPC captains now have their own officers, from whom they receive bonuses to skills and perks.
  
  
  
• Added minimum rank requirements for NPC captains based on their ship class. For example, ships of the line and frigates are commanded by extremely dangerous opponents.
  
• Perks now have alternative properties: different ones for the main character and NPCs. This way, AI won't waste skill points on perks that are useless to them.
  
• Expanded descriptions for all amulets - now they all include a general description of their effect. Specific numbers and details are still available on mouseover as before, but navigation between amulets has been significantly simplified.
  
• Made balance adjustments to numerous skills and mechanics. Strengthened marksman branch bonuses and increased the value of self-repair at sea.
  
• Rebuilt skill trees - advanced strikes are now available as master skills at the end of branches. At low ranks, there's a much lower chance of encountering enemies with advanced strikes.
  
• Increased health and energy gains from perks, and increased their cost.
  
• Fixed a situation where quick shots from blunderbusses would completely miss due to leaning animations.
  
• Made substantial balance adjustments to the prologue.
  
• Made significant changes to item descriptors (primarily blades and armor). Thanks to Sarevok for the help.
  
• Made significant changes to boarding balance and advantage calculations. Thanks to everyone for testing.
  
• Fixed several balance issues with doubloons, only 999 more to go. Thanks to everyone for the reports.
  
• Fixed the trade formula. It now works as intended.
  
• 28 new Steam achievements.

Play the beta and leave reviews — blue ones ːsteamthumbsupː, like the Caribbean Sea!
What we do — we do for you.
ːjollyrː

• Introduced the first campaign mission where you play as Claire in search of her kidnapped daughter, Emma

• Follow Jack in his police interceptor through a checkpoint and discover the dark world of Mad Metal

• Includes professional voice over and subtitles in English

• Includes 2 campaign-specific music tracks

  

• Drivers can now use a sidearm while in cabin-view

• This will tie into a salvage mechanic where sidearms don't degrade targeted components as much

• You can use your sidearm to shoot drivers and disable their vehicles without damaging the components, allowing for better salvage and more XP/Scrap rewards

  

• Added quick-turn to all vehicles to enhance maneuverability and responsiveness

• Added a new NOS boost VFX, sound, and 6D camera wobble to enhance game feel

• Increased the initial power of NOS boost considerably

• Reduced the sustained power of NOS boost. We want NOS to be an extreme push that helps with maneuverability rather than top speed

• Increased traction at low speeds to reduce "floatiness" of vehicle controls

• Procedural aiming animations for cabin-view gunner

• Animations complete for steering, braking, accelerating, gear changing, and head-turning

• Added new music and began production of a custom OST

• Added lens-flares that respond to lights, explosions, weapons, and NOS boost

• Added a Credits menu and splash screen

  

• CPU usage reduced by 20-50% by removing runtime audio decompression and mesh serialization

• RAM usage reduced by 500MB-1GB by using mipmaps that reduce quality of distant textures

• Switched from Vulkan/DX12 to DX11 for extra stability and compatibility with a wider range of devices

• Reduced number of individual objects, meshes, and materials, by combining them to reduce CPU overhead

• Baked lighting to reduce real-time lighting demand and free up GPU resources

Thank you all for your support. I work on Mad Metal full-time as a solo dev and I push new builds consistently and frequently. I try my best to capture the nostalgia and thrill of vehicle combat from the 90s but with a modern execution and optimization for all platforms.

I've begun onboarding voice actors, artists, and a publisher that will help bring Mad Metal to new heights!

If you have any questions/feedback or if you'd just like to chat, message me on Steam or https://madmetalgam@gmail.com, or on X/Reddit/Discord. I'm always happy when people reach out.

All the best,
Hakim Elayday
Mad Metal Dev

New node in the Tier 2 skill tree: "Suction".

New node in the Tier 3 skill tree: "Advanced summoning circle"

Spider: Wood has been added to its possible drop list at a low probability.

• Enchanted Forest card deployment costs reduced:

Wood: from 15 to 7

Souls: from 8 to 6

• Ball of yarn:

Reduced cost from:

30 souls to 10

10 wood to 5

• Tower of cats:

When the fourth tower is built, the number of keys received increases from 2 to 3

New feature: Building the fourth tower now grants +2 generator slots.

Deployment costs reduced to make it more accessible.

• Farm:

Wood cost reduced from 25 to 20

Wheat healing increased from 3% to 4% per unit.

Fixed an issue where locked cards did not retain their lock status when loading a mid-run save.

Fixed an error that prevented special symbols from loading in some languages.

Some bugs solved

Music added

Turkish Language Support

Added The following

• Slight design changed \[Color and foliage]

• Fixed hole in tutorial map

• made it so tutorial can’t be interrupted

• added remaining gems required for stat level up

• added extra collection effect for gems gained

• Fixed restart button in pause menu

• Added more seamless switching between keyboard and controller in places like the shop and upgrade screen

• Fixed that player couldn’t jump while space or W was held

• Added extra SFX

• Added Effects when player reaches certain speed

• made music change smoothly when in other states

After more than a year of active development, we have finally reached the Early Access release of the game. This path was not easy, we took on a fairly complex game with zero experience in game development.

There's more to come! Version 0.2 won't be long in coming. Stay tuned!

Join our community in Discord! There you can share your impressions about the game and discuss it with other people. If you encounter any errors, please report them in our bug-reports channel. Only with your support we can create the best Backrooms game possible.

Thank you all so much for your support!❤️

• New Halloween campaign: 5-tier campaign with skins for the CM2000 and SKS.
  
• Progression: advance by finding pumpkins that spawn randomly around the map every few minutes.
  
• Additional missions: missions added for collecting pumpkins.

Killer Mode (new)

• New UI: shows the Killer’s health and the human score.
  
• Win conditions: humans win by killing the Killer or when the timer hits 0; the Killer wins when the human score reaches 0.
  
• Mechanics: each time the Killer kills a human, the human score is reduced.
  
• Respawn: humans now revive after a 5, 10, or 15 second timer.
  
• Balance: increased Killer health.

Synapsis Mode

• In matches with few players, the mode will start with 2 Killers.

• Previous interface that showed up to 3 missions temporarily disabled.
  
• New interface that notifies the current progress of the active mission (enable via Settings → Game).

• Added the “Battle” map to the map rotation.
  
• PvE/PvP mode voting disabled: when 5 players are reached it goes straight to PvP.

• When the person you’re spectating dies, the killer is shown for a few seconds and then it switches to spectate them (instead of free camera).
  
• If the person you’re spectating disconnects, it switches to another player (instead of free camera).
  
• When switching between players in spectator mode, the first- or third-person view is now preserved.

• Melee: bonus headshot damage replaced with bonus damage when attacking from behind.
  
• Zombie vs. vest: adjusted damage against the vest for primary and secondary attacks.
  
• Friendly fire: blood effects are smaller and less noisy.
  
• New players: receive extra health for a brief moment to ease the initial experience.

• Rebel / Mutant and Soldier classes now start with the infinite ammo upgrade.

• Drill: when aiming at a laser mine, you can repair it with left click.
  
• Laser mines: when removed and re-placed, they keep their previous health.
  
• Survivor: bayonet replaced by the Katana.
  
• Human avatars: now reflect the selected skin.

• Plague: the bloodthirst bar decreases more slowly.

• Updated body model and proportions

• Improved fur detail and shading

• New, smoother movement and behavior animations

• This update is focused on improving visual quality and realism.

• All previously hunted Cheetah trophies will remain in your trophy lodges.

• Their visuals will automatically update to the new model

• Several new fur variations for the Cheetah have been added.