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Macabre News

🎉 Macabre just hit 100K Wishlist's! Legendary drops incoming!



Thank you!

As a small indie team from Down Under, words can't describe the euphoria we felt when the Wishlist counter ticked over. We're eternally grateful for the incredible support of our community, and we want to thank each and every one of you for helping us reach this monumental milestone!

More than just a number

Wishlists help forecast our future player base, allowing us to tailor our launch strategy. They also shed light on the language preferences for localising Macabre. Beyond that, they affirm our direction and fuel our drive to continually refine Macabre. If you're new here, make sure you Wishlist and Follow Macabre on Steam.

The Giveaway

In celebration of hitting 100K Wishlists, we're running a giveaway! Entries close soon, so head over to our giveaway page to discover how you can get your hands on some exclusive Macabre Merch!

[h3]TAKE ME TO THE GIVEAWAY![/h3]

Keep in touch
Help Spread the word and stay in the loop on everything, Macabe.

Once again, we extend our deepest thanks for being the cornerstone of our journey. Your support and excitement for Macabre make every late night and every line of code utterly worthwhile. We're buzzing with anticipation for the year ahead and are eager to unveil more of what we've been crafting in Macabre.

Spread the word, share the love, and let's make this year unforgettable!

Cheers with immense gratitude,

Team Macabre.

DEV UPDATE 13 - Many Exciting Announcements for Macabre

Dev update 13

Greetings, Macabre community! We'd like to start by extending our heartfelt apologies for the four-month gap since our last communication. It's been a whirlwind of activity here at Macabre, and we can't wait to share all the exciting developments that have been taking place.


My mates and I have sacrificed more than just our social lives for the past two years to develop our dream game. To our amazement, Macabre is almost the 300th most wishlisted game on Steam. It's been a wild ride for our small team, and every message, wishlist, like and share has been like a high-five from you to us.

As you can imagine, we've had a lot of interest from publishers, but the terms? They don't make sense. We believe in a fair go, and more than that, we believe in the power of our community. So, we're taking a stand and keeping our independence—because Macabre isn't just our game, it's yours. And we won't let anyone hinder our vision.

[h2]Introducing Macabre Community INSIDER Program[/h2]
We've just launched the Macabre community INSIDER program, where you can show your support with our first exclusive limited edition skin inspired by our Dev shirts. You will also receive INSIDER-only news like playtest opportunities and giveaways. Not to mention a custom INSIDER badge marking you as a founding member of our community.

As a token of our appreciation for your unwavering support, we're excited to introduce the Macabre Community INSIDER Program on our website. By becoming an INSIDER, you'll gain access to a world of exclusive benefits, including:
  • Exclusive Skin: A unique in-game skin that's not just a limited rare item, but a symbol of your influence and a thank you for your support.
  • Exclusive Updates: INSIDER information on Macabre's development, playtests and giveaways!
  • INSIDER Badge: Wear the "INSIDER" tag in Discord, marking you as a founding member of our community.

This program is our way of saying thank you for being part of the Macabre family and helping shape the game's future. Check out our website for more info on how to join.



[h2]Kickstarter Campaign on the Horizon[/h2]
We're gearing up for a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, where you'll have the opportunity to support the development of Macabre and unlock exclusive rewards like early bird prices. Signup to our mailing list for more details on how you can get involved and help us bring this game to life.

[h2]SXSW Sydney Success[/h2]
We're thrilled to announce that we've been incredibly busy preparing for our demo showcase at SXSW Sydney, and the event went off without a hitch! It was a fantastic opportunity to give players a taste of the eerie world of Macabre. We received invaluable feedback and had the chance to connect with others who share our passion for the game.



[h2]Featured in Realms Deep[/h2]
In case you missed it, Macabre was proudly featured in the Realms Deep indie game showcase! We're honored to have been part of this incredible event and grateful for the opportunity to share our progress with a global audience. The positive feedback and support from the gaming community have been motivating and inspiring.

Development Highlights

Now, let's dive into the exciting developments that have been taking place within the game:

[h2]July 2023[/h2]
In July, we worked diligently on several key features, including animation cues for the enigmatic Crawler, a Rural Pack update featuring Smart Splines and a PCG Forest overhaul, and the implementation of various gameplay abilities and UI enhancements. We also fine-tuned gamepad controls and iterated on the demo Flowgraph. Under the hood, we enhanced various Python scripts and made directory overrides for smoother debugging. We addressed a few bug fixes, made various audio mix changes and converted scripts to Python to facilitate debugging.

[h2]August 2023[/h2]
August brought a fresh wave of features and improvements to Macabre. We introduced a Key Card System, along with power breaker assets and environmental updates. Reception doors received Level Sequence additions for added suspense, and we updated PCG Tools while adding new content to the Demonstration map. We also made significant updates to the equipment and inventory systems and addressed Metahuman-related issues.

One of the major changes involved converting the crafting system to use prerequisites to streamline the gameplay experience. Additionally, we fixed equipment inspect tags and resolved head/hair mesh visibility issues. We also took care of a few animation sequences, blood trail, and lighting updates. Lastly, we implemented TrueFPS rig anim nodes for smoother animations.

August was also dedicated to addressing bug fixes, including reception dressing updates and exterior stone wall spline additions. We optimized the PCG Forest and made material updates while fixing CarPark Vehicles' materials and adding menacing thorn bushes. We also improved CarParks' snow shader and PCG Graph while working on PCG Foliage, Snow footprints, and optimizations.

The master material for the Rural Pack & Lodges received optimization work, and we implemented a prerequisite system for conditional interactions. Additionally, we introduced the FCTween plugin and updated the subtitle displays to create a more immersive experience.

[h2]September 2023[/h2]
September introduced a wide range of features and improvements. We implemented various UI updates to make the user experience more intuitive. Animation improvements and bug fixes enhanced the overall game feel, while audio enhancements intensified the immersive soundscape.

Inventory and loot container setup fixes ensured smooth gameplay, and we added initial extract flow effects and audio sublevel additions to ramp up the suspense. New meshes for lootboxes, torch adjustments, and additional lighting improved the overall visual experience. Backpack items now load in loot containers, and frontend UI elements received crucial updates.

The ambient music got a boost with the addition of a dynamic Flow Graph Node, and we added dynamic time of day changes. We also worked on crafting system updates and introduced UI buttons from our style guide.
On the gameplay front, we introduced Seeker B and other features, along with adding the Space Shifter BP to the forest camp area. We also integrated the UMG RADAR Plugin and updated loot systems for a more streamlined experience.

As with previous updates, we tackled various bug fixes related to gameplay, UI, and audio. We smoothed out bottlenecks in the gameplay flow, addressed issues with crafting, loot indicators, and material updates, and fixed a few crashes. Various collision issues and audio-related problems were also resolved, along with issues related to the main menu and loading screens.

In addition to bug fixes, we reorganized assets and fine-tuned lighting and environmental dressing. We continued to implement various gameplay improvements and polish, adjusting timings and animations. We added more assets and environmental elements to enrich the game world and continued to work on UI and dialogue. Prerequisites were introduced to loot containers and world pickups, and we integrated death sequences and animations for added immersion. Various visual and audio elements were updated for maximum impact.

[h2]October 2023[/h2]
October was a month of continuous progress. We implemented various gameplay features and improvements, including the introduction of Seeker C and Space Shifter functionality. The Space Shifter UI was introduced to enhance your gaming experience, and we continued our work on crafting and inventory systems.

Audio played a significant role in creating atmosphere, with the addition of various audio assets and effects. Death sequences and animations were further integrated, and gameplay tag notifies and interaction enhancements were implemented for smoother gameplay.

As always, we addressed various bug fixes to ensure the experience remains smooth. We sorted out collision and interaction issues, focused on crafting and looting, and resolved various animation and visual glitches.

On the artistic front, we continued environmental dressing and lighting improvements. We added various assets and elements to enrich the game world and improved audio mixing and effects for added immersion. UI elements and animations were added and updated, and various aspects of the game received that extra layer of polish.

[h2]November 2023[/h2]
November marks another milestone in Macabre's development journey. We've introduced localization support, making Macabre accessible to a wider audience. Various gameplay features and improvements continued to shape the game, and work on UI and dialogue progressed steadily.

A noteworthy addition to Macabre in November is the hardware benchmarking functionality, ensuring optimal performance and visuals on a wide range of systems.

Bug fixes remained a priority, ensuring that your gaming experience is as smooth as possible. Collision and interaction issues were sorted out, crafting and looting received further fine-tuning, and various animation and visual glitches were resolved.

In addition to bug fixes, environmental dressing and lighting improvements continued. More assets and elements were added to enhance the game world, and audio mixing and effects were refined for a more immersive soundscape. UI elements and animations were added and updated, and various aspects of the game received that extra layer of polish.

Until next time

We hope you're as excited as we are about the progress we've made on Macabre. The game is taking shape and becoming more immersive with each passing day.

Thank you for your patience and unwavering support. We couldn't do it without you!

Be sure to join our mailing list for updates and information about our upcoming Kickstarter campaign and the Macabre Community INSIDER Program.

Thank you all for your continued support,

The Macabre Development Team



Development Change Log


[h2]July 2023[/h2]
[h3]Features:[/h3]
  • Animation Cues for Crawler.
  • Added gum trees, Smart Splines, and PCG Forest Update.
  • Implementation of various gameplay abilities and UI updates.
  • PCG Forest implentaion.
  • Gamepad control adjustments and demo Flowgraph iterations.
  • Implementation of various Python script enhancements and engine directory override.

[h3]Bug Fixes:[/h3]
  • Various small bug fixes.

[h3]Other:[/h3]
  • Audio Volumes and various audio mix changes.
  • Conversion of scripts to Python for easier debugging.


[h2]August 2023[/h2]
[h3]Features:[/h3]
  • Key Card System, power breaker assets, and various environmental updates.
  • Level Sequence additions for Reception doors.
  • PCG Tools Update and Demonstration map additions.
  • Equipment and inventory system updates.
  • Metahuman updates and fixes.
  • Crafting system conversion to use prerequisites.
  • Equipment inspect tags added and head/hair mesh visibility fixes.
  • Added various level sequences, blood trail, and lighting updates.
  • Added TrueFPS rig anim nodes.
  • Reception dressing updates and exterior stone wall spline addition.
  • Optimization work on Master material for Rural Pack & Lodges.
  • PCG Foliage, Snow footprints, and optimizations.
  • Prerequisite system for conditional interactions and Python package script updates.
  • FCTween plugin addition and subtitle display updates.

[h3]Bug Fixes:[/h3]
  • PCG Forest performance fix and material updates.
  • CarPark Vehicles Material Fix and new thorn bushes.
  • Carparks snow shader & PCG Graph fixes.


[h2]September 2023[/h2]
[h3]Features:[/h3]
  • Various UI updates.
  • Audio enhancements.
  • Initial extract flow effects and audio sublevel additions.
  • New Meshes for lootboxes, Torch Adjustments, and additional lighting.
  • Backpack items now loading in loot containers and frontend UI rerouting.
  • Ambient Music Flow Graph Node and time of day changes.
  • Crafting system updates.
  • Added UI buttons from style guide.
  • Added Seeker B and other gameplay features.
  • Added forest camp area.
  • Added Radar system and updated loot systems.
  • Integrated death sequences and animations.

[h3]Bug Fixes:[/h3]
  • Various bug fixes related to gameplay, UI, and audio.
  • Inventory and loot container setup fixes.
  • Fixed bottlenecks in gameplay flow.
  • Fixed issues with crafting, loot indicators, and material updates.
  • Fixed a crash on interaction.
  • Fixed various collision issues.
  • Fixed various audio-related issues.
  • Fixed issues with the main menu and loading screens.

[h3]Other:[/h3]
  • Moved assets, lighting, and environmental dressing.
  • Implemented various gameplay improvements and polish.
  • Adjusted timings and animations.
  • Added additional assets and environmental elements.
  • Continued work on UI and dialogue.
  • updated prerequisites to loot containers and world pickups.
  • Updated various visual and audio elements.


[h2]October 2023[/h2]
[h3]Features:[/h3]
  • Implementation of various gameplay features and improvements.
  • Added Seeker C and Space Shifter functionality.
  • Implemented Space Shifter UI.
  • Added and updated UI elements and animations.
  • Continued work on crafting and inventory systems.
  • Added various audio assets and effects.
  • Integrated death sequences and animations.
  • Implemented gameplay tag notifies and interaction enhancements.

[h3]Bug Fixes:[/h3]
  • Fixed various bugs and issues related to gameplay, UI, and audio.
  • Fixed collision and interaction issues.
  • Fixed issues with crafting and looting.
  • Fixed various animation and visual glitches.

[h3]Other:[/h3]
  • Continued environmental dressing and lighting improvements.
  • Added various assets and elements to enhance the game experience.
  • Improved audio mixing and effects.
  • Polished various aspects of the game.


[h2]November 2023[/h2]
[h3]Features:[/h3]
  • Added localisation support.
  • Implemented various gameplay features and improvements.
  • Continued work on UI and dialogue.
  • Added hardware benchmarking functionality.
  • Optimised performance and visuals.

[h3]Bug Fixes:[/h3]
  • Fixed various bugs and issues related to gameplay, UI, and audio.
  • Fixed collision and interaction issues.
  • Fixed issues with crafting and looting.
  • Fixed various animation and visual glitches.

[h3]Other:[/h3]
  • Continued environmental dressing and lighting improvements.
  • Added various assets and elements to enhance the game experience.
  • Improved audio mixing and effects.
  • Added and updated UI elements and animations.
  • Polished various aspects of the game.


Macabre nominated for SXSW Sydney Peoples Choice awards. Cast your voite now!



[h2]🌟 Attention Gamers! 🌟[/h2]

Macabre has been nominated for the SXSW Sydney Games People's Choice Award! This is a testament to our shared passion, dedication, and the countless hours we've poured into the game.

But we need YOUR help to clinch the title! 🏆

[h2]Vote for Macabre Here[/h2]

Every single vote counts. There are only a few days to get your vote in. Spread the word, rally the troops. Let's get Macabre to Number #1!

Dev Update 12

This Week in Macabre
As we gear up for Macabre's first public debut at SXSW Sydney, our team is putting in tireless efforts to ensure all systems work together seamlessly. We're now on the cusp of our first build, a significant milestone, showcasing our ability to create a cohesive experience by integrating all our systems.

Following this, our focus will shift towards rigorous testing to ensure engaging gameplay and identifying potential improvements. This stage also allows us to conduct comprehensive QA testing, pushing the boundaries to uncover edge cases and game-breaking bugs.

With SXSW on the horizon, we are buzzing with excitement and can't wait for you to experience our demo. Stay tuned for more updates as the event approaches. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for Macabre!

Features
  • Added an inventory item notify flow node, and prototype stub nodes for voice over, UI and ability activation
  • Started a Flowgraph Sequence "demo"
  • Implemented OnAbilityActivated, unifying behaviour of OnNotifyFromInventory
  • Implemented OnNotifyFromEquipment flow node
  • Updated OnAbilityEvent to capture ended and cancelled events
  • Implemented voice cue flow node
  • Implemented AddToHUD flow node
  • Added profiling cameras to Profiling sublevel
  • Added AbilitySystemInitialized notify
  • Added WaitForBackpackItems and OnNotifyFromBackpack node, and fixed equipment notify issue
  • Implemented PushUI flow node
  • Updated first round of Toast Icons
  • Added Key Card 3D asset
  • Added radio gameplay ability
  • Added animation audio cues for Crawler
  • Added audio Volumes and revised audio mix
  • Added first pass audio for Bottle Throw
  • Assigned Phys Materials to gameplay tags for triggering audio for footsteps



Bug Fixes
  • Made changes to Master level blueprint sublevel loading
  • Ensured stub flow nodes pass through execution
  • Fixed packaging in 5.2
  • Fixed linter errors
  • Fixed looting bug
  • Fixed atomic space shifter extraction issue


Other
  • Removed some redundant triggers
  • Enhanced python script directory handling for robustness
  • Converted most scripts to python for easier debugging
  • Conducted more asset cleanup
  • Added engine dir override file
  • First pass of PCG Forest implementation
  • Made small changes to master materials
  • Gamepad control adjustments


Macabre Invited to Showcase at SXSW Sydney: First Look at Single-Player Demo



Sydney, Australia - July 12, 2023

Weforge Studio is thrilled to announce that our game, Macabre, has been invited to showcase at the prestigious SXSW Sydney in October. This invitation marks another significant milestone for our independent game studio based in Sydney, Australia.

At SXSW Sydney, we will be unveiling a preview of our demo, a single-player introduction to the eerie world of Macabre and its monstrous inhabitants. This demo will provide a glimpse into the immersive and terrifying experience that Macabre promises to deliver.

In addition to the showcase, the developers will be attending SXSW Sydney in person. "We're looking forward to meeting attendees, sharing our experiences, and gaining valuable insights from the gaming community," said Jake Davey, Game Director and Co-founder of Weforge Studio. "We’ve been working hard to ensure our demo accurately reflects our vision, and we're eager for players to dive and come face-to-face with the horrors that await."

Macabre is a co-op stealth extraction horror game that takes players on a thrilling journey through infinite timelines within an unstable time rift. Guided by Banjo, an eccentric recluse with an unclear past, players will venture deep into the rift, tasked with uncovering the source of terrifying anomalies in the hopes of escaping.

The game features a highly replayable game loop, addictive progression, and the option to play solo or with friends. Macabre is designed with depth and replayability in mind, offering unique locations, immersive art and sound, cunning creatures, and a pinch of dark comedy.

"We're incredibly excited and honoured to have the opportunity to showcase Macabre at SXSW Sydney," said Jay Topping, Creative Director and Co-founder of Weforge Studio. "I'm excited to showcase our uniquely Australian take on the horror genre, and I can't wait to see how players react."

For more information about Macabre, please follow our Steam page, where we post weekly Dev updates along with regular Dev Blogs. You can also find our other socials here.



About Weforge Studio
Weforge is an independent game studio based in Sydney, Australia, founded with the goal of supporting our debut title, Macabre. Our team of experienced professionals have worked on a range of notable projects in games, VFX, cinema, and advertising, giving us the skills and expertise to deliver first-class visuals in real-time. We're committed to building and maintaining a reputation as a premiere studio, and we continue to develop and create new IP to offer high-quality solutions across all aspects of interactive screen media in Australia.

Press Contact:
[email protected]


Links: LinkTree Press Kit Steam - Macabre Twitter - @macabrethegame TikTok - @macabrethegame Youtube - @macabregame Reddit - r/macabregame/ Facbook - @MacabreVideoGame Discord Macabre Website Weforge Studio

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Note to Editors:
Interviews with the Weforge Studio team are available upon request. Please contact [email protected] to schedule. High-resolution images, logos, Q&A, Trailer and other press materials are available in the Macabre press kit.

About SXSW Sydney:
SXSW Sydney is a renowned event that showcases the latest developments, releases, and innovations in the world of gaming. It provides a platform for developers, publishers, and hardware manufacturers to present their upcoming games, exclusive trailers, and gameplay demos specifically designed for the gaming community. The event runs from the 15th-22nd of October. You can purchase event Access here.