Steam News29 May 20251y ago

Cadence Returns with a Bang - New Demo Available!

To celebrate inclusion in the Cerebral Puzzle Showcasem, I'm dropping a brand new Cadence demo! Development Update Development of Cadence began in 2013.

In this update7

Full notes

Full Cadence update

Read the full published notes in a cleaner layout. The original post stays linked below.

What changed

0 fixes4 additions4 changes0 removals

Gameplay
UI and audio
Compatibility

addedTo celebrate inclusion in the Cerebral Puzzle Showcasem, I'm dropping a brand new Cadence demo!

changedDevelopment UpdateMy last extended development period was in 2021 during a gap between jobs, when the game made substantial progress. I had hoped to ship Cadence during that productive spell, but an opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up.

addedDevelopment UpdateNow, four years later, my time at Embark Studios has concluded. For the past few months, I've been working full-time on Cadence again and making tremendous progress—which you can experience firsthand in the new demo!

added2015 called, they want their UI back!The previous interface felt dated and had accumulated various warts as features were added over the years. The UI has been completely modernised to bring it into 2025, resolving many usability problems in the process.

changedNew Audio EngineAll in-game sounds now use the excellent Helm Synthesizer by Matt Tytel, significantly enhancing the game's audio quality and polish.

changedNew Audio EngineNote, this is the standalone Helm app, this interface is not available in game - but it is used to produce the in game sounds

Cadence changes

addedTo celebrate inclusion in the Cerebral Puzzle Showcasem, I'm dropping a brand new Cadence demo!

changedMy last extended development period was in 2021 during a gap between jobs, when the game made substantial progress. I had hoped to ship Cadence during that productive spell, but an opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up.

addedNow, four years later, my time at Embark Studios has concluded. For the past few months, I've been working full-time on Cadence again and making tremendous progress—which you can experience firsthand in the new demo!

addedThe previous interface felt dated and had accumulated various warts as features were added over the years. The UI has been completely modernised to bring it into 2025, resolving many usability problems in the process.

changedAll in-game sounds now use the excellent Helm Synthesizer by Matt Tytel, significantly enhancing the game's audio quality and polish.

To celebrate inclusion in the Cerebral Puzzle Showcasem, I'm dropping a brand new Cadence demo!

Development Update

Development of Cadence began in 2013. Since then, both the game and my life have evolved significantly, but I've never abandoned this project—Cadence deserves to exist, and the world should get to experience it.

As a solo developer without funding, I've often had to prioritise paid work over Cadence development. While I have great respect for developers who can create indie games during moonlight hours, I've found that I need dedicated time blocks to make meaningful progress.

My last extended development period was in 2021 during a gap between jobs, when the game made substantial progress. I had hoped to ship Cadence during that productive spell, but an opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up.

Now, four years later, my time at Embark Studios has concluded. For the past few months, I've been working full-time on Cadence again and making tremendous progress—which you can experience firsthand in the new demo!

What's New

2015 called, they want their UI back!

The previous interface felt dated and had accumulated various warts as features were added over the years. The UI has been completely modernised to bring it into 2025, resolving many usability problems in the process.

New Audio Engine

All in-game sounds now use the excellent Helm Synthesizer by Matt Tytel, significantly enhancing the game's audio quality and polish.

Note, this is the standalone Helm app, this interface is not available in game - but it is used to produce the in game sounds

Redesigned Overworld

Previously, I focused primarily on the underlying systems (available in Creative mode). This update shifts focus to Play mode, creating a more compelling progression through the game. This includes carefully balanced level difficulty and thoughtful content pacing. I'm delighted with how the early-game levels are feeling, though I'm still refining the late-game content.

Visual Improvements and Polish

Numerous small fixes and visual enhancements have been implemented throughout the game - overall brining the level much closer to release standard.

Important Changes

Breaking Change: - Due to the new audio engine, all Workshop content will need tracks to be reassigned in order for music to play correctly. (This only affects those who were part of the previous beta program in 2021)

Source

Steam News / 29 May 2025

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