[Devlog #3] New Playtest Schedule and Release Roadmap

Hello, this is SILOEGI Operation.

Since the Kickstarter campaign and our first playtest, we have received a great deal of feedback and many bug reports from you. Based on everything you shared, we have been fixing existing issues while continuing to develop new content.

In this development log, we would like to share the schedule for our upcoming playtests, the content currently in development, and our roadmap from Early Access through the full release.

1. Playtest Schedule

■ Closed Beta Test

KST : August 6, 17:00

EDT : August 6, 04:00

PDT : August 6, 01:00

CEST : August 6, 10:00

The Closed Beta Test, provided as a reward for Kickstarter backers, will begin at the times listed above.

This test build includes the existing RD1, RD2, and RD3 stages, along with the newly developed RV1, RF4, and RF5 stages. An end date for the test has not yet been determined.

■ Public Playtest

KST : August 25, 17:00

EDT : August 25, 04:00

PDT : August 25, 01:00

CEST : August 25, 10:00

The public playtest, which will be open to everyone, will begin at the times listed above.

Only one stage will be playable during this public test, and it will include part of the boss battle currently in development. An end date has not yet been determined, and the start date may be moved forward depending on development progress.

2. Boss Battle Added

Development of Vandern's first boss battle is complete!

We plan to add a total of two boss battles to Vandern. We have not yet decided whether the maps with different concepts planned after Vandern will each contain two boss battles or only one.

Some aspects of the boss, including its sound and multiplayer synchronization, still require further improvement. We will first test these elements during the Closed Beta Test, then reveal part of the boss battle through the public playtest.

We plan to begin telling the main story of BLACKOUT: Zero Point through this boss battle. We hope you look forward to it.

3. New Stage Development

Development of the new RV1, RF4, and RF5 stages is complete.

Vandern is planned to consist of eight stages in total, and our current goal is to complete every Vandern stage by the Early Access launch.

The difficulty will gradually increase as players progress through the stages. In addition to resource management and teamwork, split-second decision-making will become increasingly important.

4. Horde Mode

We are developing a Horde Mode in which massive waves of infected attack in escalating stages.

In Horde Mode, players will defend against an endless assault of infected and challenge themselves to see how many waves they can overcome. Our goal is to add one dedicated Horde Mode map by the Early Access launch.

5. Weapon Upgrades and the Chain System

Following the first playtest, we spent a great deal of time considering systems that would specialize each player's role, such as roles or classes.

We are currently developing the game without forcing players into separate roles or classes.

Players will be free to equip shotguns as both their primary and secondary weapons, or even use the same weapons as other players. A core direction of BLACKOUT: Zero Point is to allow players to freely choose their preferred loadout and create their own style of combat.

However, we also recognize that role specialization and build creation are important sources of enjoyment in multiplayer games. To support these elements, we are currently developing two progression systems.

■ Weapon Upgrades

After the playtest, we concluded that the game needed a system that would allow players to modify and enhance their weapons.

Players will be able to strengthen their standard weapons using Research Samples obtained by clearing stages. This will allow them to continue developing their preferred weapons as they face increasingly powerful infected.

■ Chain System

Steam post image

Chains are a type of perk system currently in development.

Players will be able to enhance the Chaincorp combat suits worn by BLACKOUT operatives and research the Chains they want in order to equip various special abilities.

The number of Chains that can be equipped will be limited. Within that limit, players will be able to combine multiple Chains and create their own combat builds.

A new weapon was also confirmed as a Kickstarter stretch goal reward. We plan to create equipment that is completely distinct from the existing weapons and connect it to the Chain System.

Chains will include not only passive abilities that provide continuous effects, but also active abilities that players can trigger directly.

We plan to develop and add a variety of special equipment beyond conventional ammunition-based weapons, including high-output railguns and shield regenerators.

These two systems will not be available during the upcoming playtests, but we plan to add them to a test build and show them to you as soon as they are stable.

6. Major Playtest Updates

In addition to the new stages and boss battle, several new features will be added in this playtest!

■ German Language Support

German language support has been added to BLACKOUT: Zero Point!

The current German localization was created using AI translation as a base, so some sentences may contain errors or unnatural phrasing.

If you find an incorrect translation, we would appreciate it if you could report it through the translation feedback spreadsheet available on the official BLACKOUT Discord.

■ Three New Weapons

G&V XHPL-01 Grindell

A prototype pulse railgun developed by Galilean Verona Systems. It fires a pulse laser capable of piercing multiple enemies.

HG-B4 Scatter

A secondary shotgun that uses high-density electronic buckshot. Its high-mass ammunition severely limits the amount that can be carried. It delivers overwhelming firepower at close range, but its effectiveness drops rapidly over distance.

CHAIN-M4 Strike Spear

A tactical spear designed for specialized combat, offering exceptional reach and solid damage.

■ Special Equipment Resupply

Previously, there was no way to replenish special equipment after it had all been used.

Players can now use Gear Packs found during stages to resupply consumed special equipment.

■ Flashlight Added

With the addition of new stages, there are now more dark areas where visibility is limited.

We have added a flashlight so that players can illuminate these dark areas while moving through them.

7. Roadmap to Early Access

Our goal is to develop the following content before the Early Access launch.

• Complete all eight Vandern stages

• Add one dedicated Horde Mode map

• Add the Weapon Upgrade System

• Add part of the Chain System

Our goal is to begin Early Access with every Vandern stage complete and the core systems required for players to develop their weapons and abilities in place.

Between the Early Access launch and the full release, our goal is to add two new maps with concepts different from Vandern.

■ Underground Rail Line

■ Mega Complex

We also plan to develop two additional dedicated Horde Mode maps, with the goal of providing three campaign maps and three Horde Mode maps in total by the full release.

It has been some time since our last development log, and we are glad to finally share this new update and our future roadmap.

The feedback and suggestions you send us are a tremendous help in developing BLACKOUT: Zero Point. If you have any feedback or bug reports, please share them with us at any time through the official BLACKOUT Discord.

We will continue doing our best to deliver a more polished game.

Thank you. SILOEGI Operation