v0.5.2 - 2024-02-24 As promised, here's the first update in a series aimed at enhancing and updating certain aspects of the game to better welcome the final episode of this season. This update focuses solely on rewriting some code and optimizing the existing four episodes in the game, as well as implementing new optimizations across different platforms. While a scene with Eva has been added, available in sandbox mode, please note that there's no major new content in this update. My focus and resources for The Blackout are directed towards the next episode and what comes after. The mobile version, still in beta, has also seen some improvements. If you're a mobile player, feel free to share your feedback and suggestions for future updates. I've taken great care to try not to break previous saves, but if you encounter a bug, please let me know on Discord in the dedicated channel. v0.5.1 Hi everyone, I'm happy to present you the two updates I announced earlier this year. Be careful, no new content in this update, all the content I'm currently working on will be available in the next major update of The Blackout so please read this changelog before downloading this new version. A new progress report will be available tomorrow with the progress of the development. Let's start: Pc, mac & linux : This new update brings improvements and optimizations that some of you have requested. - General improvements : - All static black screens have been replaced by automatic black fades. - Removed black screens between scenes that paused the game. - The "Later..." animation video have been replaced by code and faster transition. - Optimization of files (-50mb) - And other minor improvements and optimizations - Bonus content (Accessible to all): - 5 new bonus renders -Extra content (Accessible for some patrons tiers): - 5 new exclusive renders - New 360° animation of Lana - New 360° animation of Emily - New 360° animation of Amber The Blackout : Mobile (Beta) With this update, The Blackout is now available everywhere and whenever you want thanks to this new optimized mobile port. - An optimized navigation system The white outlines will show you where it is possible to interact. This will help you to navigate faster and easier. - Mobile gestures This mobile port also supports the following gestures: Swipe up : open the game menu Swipe down : hide the dialog box Swipe left : rollback Swipe right : skip - Optimized game size. The mobile port is only 250 mb in size while keeping all the content in optimal quality. The interface has also been reworked for the moblie format. This is my very first mobile port so if you have any recommendations, feel free to give me your feedback. Other features will be present in future updates. The update is available now on pc, mac & linux while the mobile port will be available next week. A lot of things are planned in the coming months so stay tuned ;) v0.5.0 - 2022-12-11 Episode 4 - Reflection : This fourth episode is the biggest so far with more than 620 high quality renders and 42 new exciting animations. New locations, new characters, new music, new choices and still an exciting story in this new episode. Bonus content (Accessible to all): - 7 new unlockable bonus renders -Extra content (Accessible for some patrons tiers): - 7 new exclusive renders - General improvement : - Multiple sound design improvements - Few minor improvements Bugfixes : - Fixed a bug where the case didn't disappear in episode 3 - Fixed a bug where some players could get stuck in a loop in episode 2 - Other minor fixes v0.4.0 Today I'm really excited to present you all the new content of this update. During the last few months I've been working a lot on this update but also on the future and a part of the ending of the game. "The Blackout is a long-term project so it was important for me to be sure of the direction the game will take in the future. But back to the present, on this update I had the opportunity to work on a lot of things and some new features that I'm really proud of. So let's get started! - Episode 3 : Lana's Revelations : The third episode is the most ambitious yet, with over 600 stunning renders, 13 new music tracks carefully chosen to perfectly fit with the atmosphere, 13 new animations carefully handcrafted with love and most of all a gripping and emotionally strong story with over 18,000 words. This episode focuses mainly on Lana's strange and mysterious past, the MC will learn more about Lana and the people who have marked her life forever. Through this narrative episode, the MC will discover secrets that have been kept for too long but also learn more about himself. As you will have understood this episode is a different experience from the first two episodes. With a different atmosphere and pace, this episode aims to mark the starting point of many characters and elements that will have a big impact on the plot of the rest of the story. Obviously, the next episodes will focus again on the MC. The trailer of this episode is still available here - A new interface : In collaboration with Negixo, I am proud to present you this new interface and new designs. A lot of elements have been completely recreated and redesigned for this update. - Bonus content (Accessible to all): - 11 new unlockable bonus renders - 3 new unlockable puzzles -Extra content (Accessible for patrons): - 11 new exclusive renders - 7 new exclusive puzzles - 1 new 360 degree render - General improvement : - A new system to unlock the computer of the Mc - A big optimization of the game size (-200 MB) - A lot of interface improvements - more optimization for the puzzles - A confirmation screen for the name of the Mc - Multiple sound design improvements - Other minor improvements - Bugfixes : - Fixed a bug where the questlog appeared in VN mode - Fixed a bug where a random black frame appeared during an animation. Changelog - V.0.3.5 - A new game mode : For those who have a preference for more traditional visual novels, a VN mode has been added. With VN mode, you can focus on the story without the sandbox elements. - Questlog : The sandbox has also received some improvements, including a questlog that will allow you to follow the different objectives without ever getting lost. - A new model for Lana and new textures : Lana's model has received many new details including a new highly detailed custom skin for a very realistic look. I'm now working only with very high-quality textures, which requires more time to make the renders but the results are really much better. Here are some examples of Lana (Uncensored versions on the discord): - A new model for Emily : A new high-quality custom model for Emily has been completely recreated to better fit Emily's character and personality. All renders with Emily have been completely redone and replaced in this update. - Over 200 new renders redone : A lot of work has been done on the visual aspect of some renders which have been completely redone with a better technique, lighting and facial expression. - New content : As I said, even if it was not the main goal, some new content has been added in this update. Some new scenes, new music and new choices have been added especially with kylie and also new characters make their first appearance in this update. - Improvement of the script : A large part of the script of both episodes has been rewritten and improved. The dialogues and characters are now much more detailed. A huge thanks to House Of Black for his help on this part. - Special animation and warning : All special animations have been redone to be perfectly loopable and in better quality (720p to 1080p). For those who suffer from photosensitivity, an option has been added to disable these special animations. - General improvement : Update of the Renpy engine Update of the french translation Addition of the trailer of episode 3 New end screen New and improved GUI elements Optimized game size Improvement when the mouse is on a clickable element Other minor improvements - Bugfixes : Reduction of the waiting time between animations Fixed a bug where the briefcase was not displayed in the living room. Other minor fixes And that's it for this update that will greatly improve the game experience. The update will be available in the next few days, stay tuned! I also wanted to remind you that this update was developed in parallel with the next update which will contain the third episode and other really cool stuff. Once again a big thank you to those who follow and support the development of this game and see you very soon! v0.3 Main Story - Part II New Content: -~320 new renders -~15 new animations -New locations -New characters -4 new songs and 8 new sound effects -New bonus content -New extra content -Proofreading of parts I and II -French translation New Features: -Adding a text message system -Added camera movement on some renders -Added a new mini-game Improvements: -Improvement of most of the dialogues -Performance optimization especially during animations. -Game size optimization -Added a main menu button when the game is paused -Remake of the hint system for the computer password of the mc -Emily's face improved, more natural and realistic -Some improvements of Ashley and Lana's body -And other minor improvements... Bug Fixes: -Fixed a bug where a black screen appeared during some animations in part I -Fixed a bug where the puzzle didn't disappear after finding the computer password. -Fixed a bug when the extra section was selected in-game. -Fixed a bug where the music was not playing in some scenes -And other minor bugs... v0.02 Initial version