Hello, Macabre community!
It’s been a while since our last official dev update in November 2023, and we’re excited to share everything we’ve been working on. You can catch up on previous updates over on our
Steam page or get weekly updates on our
Discord.
Thanks to our successful
Kickstarter campaign, we’ve seen a huge boost in productivity, with much of the team now working full-time. This has brought us closer to the finish line, and we’re excited to say that most of Macabre's core features are now implemented.
Over the past six months, we’ve been hard at work expanding core features, enhancing AI, refining multiplayer, and tackling bugs. Our focus has been on polishing the gameplay experience and adding new features like traps and more responsive monster behaviour. It’s been an intense journey, but we’re thrilled with the progress and are inching ever closer to Alpha Testing.
Let’s dive into what’s been happening month by month as Macabre edges toward completion!
[h3]December 2023: Laying the Groundwork[/h3]
December was all about setting up the foundation for what was to come. We focused on getting multiplayer functionality up and running, allowing players to host and join games—a crucial step as we prepare for more extensive testing. Alongside that, we tackled numerous technical fixes, including input settings, asset validation, and localisation scripts, while preparing for the transition to Unreal Engine 5.3. This groundwork proved essential for the rapid progress we made in the following months.
[h3]January 2024: Expanding and Polishing the World[/h3]
In January, we concentrated on expanding our maps and refining player movement. We reintroduced audio sublevels into the Chapter One map and added sublevels for various lodges, bringing more complexity and atmosphere to the game. These environments helped shape the testing landscape, particularly for multiplayer quality-of-life updates.
We also addressed various bugs, including issues with crawler AI, audio replication in multiplayer, and several map-related challenges, ensuring smoother gameplay moving forward as we continued refining Macabre.
[h3]February 2024: Enhancing Core Mechanics[/h3]
In February, we concentrated on refining the core mechanics of Macabre. We implemented the ability to quit to the menu—crazy, I know! But alongside this small yet essential feature, we rolled out something much more exciting: Seeker B, another powerful tool in your arsenal to help you take on Macabre.
A major focus this month was on fixing issues with the Crawler's movement, audio, and overall AI behaviour, making it a more responsive and challenging foe. We also streamlined the audio setup, ensuring that sounds are appropriately attenuated, making the environment feel more immersive and intense. These updates, while not flashy, are crucial in building a smoother, more engaging experience.
[h3]March 2024: Feature Tweaks and Stability[/h3]
March was all about refining features and improving stability. We added artefacts to the game world, enhancing player interactions and combat. Animation improvements included smoother player kill sequences, giving combat a more visceral feel.
We also squashed various bugs, from equipment issues to animation glitches, and worked on enhancing environmental elements like dynamic weather and time controls to make the world feel more alive.
[h3]April 2024: Combat and Cinematic Enhancements[/h3]
In April, we made significant strides in fine-tuning both the gameplay and visual elements of Macabre. Seeker D art was completed, seamlessly blending into the game's sci-fi aesthetic. We also set up a new staging area in Chapter One, which allowed us to test and refine features before implementing them more widely across the game.
Performance-wise, we continued optimising the environment, focusing on foliage displacement and adding replication for foliage interaction, making the world more dynamic. On the bug-fixing front, we tackled some critical issues like the death crash bug and made improvements to Crawler abilities, such as active chemo.
[h3]May 2024: New Gameplay Teaser, Kickstarter Launch, and Multiplayer[/h3]
May brought exciting new ways to explore the world of Macabre. We introduced rope and swing bridges, adding new vertical exploration options. Multiplayer saw key improvements, with refined VOIP integration enhancing player communication.
Our focus was on ensuring a smooth multiplayer experience by resolving bugs related to Crawler physics, character spawning, and portal replication. These updates laid the groundwork for future playtests, ensuring both single-player and multiplayer experiences would run seamlessly.
We also gave fans a first look at gameplay in our Narrative Trailer, which launched alongside our
Kickstarter campaign—an exciting but massive undertaking.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]June 2024: Deepening the Core Experience[/h3]
June brought exciting developments in our core mechanics. We overhauled the input-matching minigame system and expanded the inventory and loot systems, giving players a more intuitive way to manage their resources. The Space Shifter mechanics also took shape, with the extraction system being implemented.
We also made big strides in multiplayer, making it easier for players to join games via Steam friends lists. Key fixes, including smoother torch aiming and camera angles, ensured a more controlled and immersive gameplay experience.
[h3]July 2024: Elevating AI and Kickstarter Funded![/h3]
July was an exciting month for Macabre as we celebrated the successful completion of our
Kickstarter campaign. Thanks to the incredible support of our backers, we surpassed our goal, enabling us to continue development at full throttle.
On the development side, we made significant strides in refining the AI, particularly with the Crawler. Its new player-tracking behaviour has made it a more relentless and adaptive threat, ensuring that every encounter feels intense and unpredictable. We also introduced new mechanics that allow the Crawler to navigate the environment more effectively, keeping the pressure on players regardless of where they are.
With the Kickstarter campaign now behind us, we’ve been able to fully focus on pushing Macabre forward, and we’re excited to continue sharing the journey with all of you as we get closer to delivering the game.
[h3]August 2024: Expanding Traps and Tactical Play[/h3]
August was an exciting month, packed with new traps and tactical gameplay elements. We added multiple traps to the game, giving players more tools to outsmart and outmanoeuvre their enemies. From the SteelJaw to bottle traps and new projectile-based traps, the player's toolkit is now more versatile than ever, allowing for creative and strategic play when dealing with the dangers of Macabre.
We also enhanced enemy AI, introducing an improved Crawler aggro system that makes enemies more reactive to player actions, heightening the overall challenge.
Visually, we enhanced the game's atmosphere with new post-processing effects tied to traps and abilities, while optimising environmental elements to ensure smoother gameplay. It was a month of refining these systems, making sure they offer both tactical depth and satisfying gameplay moments.
[h3]September 2024: Alpha is getting closer![/h3]
As September rolled in, we inched closer to a playable alpha build. Most of the core features are now nearly complete. In preparation for this, we've deployed our first build on Steam for backer testing, and so far, everything is running smoothly. There are still a number of bugs to squash, but we're steadily making progress.
One of the standout additions this month was the Bird Trap, an environmental hazard that players can accidentally trigger, alerting the Crawler and ramping up the tension in an instant. It's just one of the many traps we've introduced to keep players constantly on edge.
We also reintroduced gamepad support, improved VOIP functionality (now featuring Local and a radio function), and optimised textures and particle effects to improve performance without sacrificing the eerie atmosphere.
[h3]Until Next Time[/h3]
The past few months have been incredibly productive, with new features, tactical gameplay updates, and bug fixes pushing Macabre ever closer to completion. Thanks to the support of our backers, we've been able to ramp up development, and we're excited to share even more progress soon.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us. Your support drives us forward every step of the way.
[h3]🏃♂️ Late Pledges[/h3]
Following numerous requests from followers who couldn't back the campaign during its official duration, we've decided to open Late Pledges. If you missed out on a reward, you can still find it here.
Late Pledges will also help us gather additional funds to further enhance the game's quality. By participating in Late Pledges, you give us the opportunity to strengthen our team, spend more time polishing features, or add new ones to the game.
[h3]Join the
Discord![/h3]
With over 4,500 members and counting, our Discord server is the best place to connect with fellow backers, get the latest news, and share your thoughts on the game. You can also access the exclusive Alpha Rift, where we post development previews and discuss ideas with fellow Alpha Playtesters.
Join us here: https://discord.gg/macabre
Thank you again to all our backers for your incredible support. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via
Discord.
Thank you, and see you again soon!
Weforge Studio
