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Steam News13 September 20259mo ago

Devlog #6 – Smarter, Scarier, Smoother Hordes

New: Shambler AI Movement We’ve overhauled enemy movement for our standard zombie units.

In this update7

Full notes

Full Contagion Protocol update

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

What changed

1 fix4 additions7 changes1 removal
  • Gameplay
  • Balance
  • UI and audio
  • Maps
  • Server
changedNew: Shambler AI MovementWe’ve overhauled enemy movement for our standard zombie units. They now shuffle, stumble, and truly shamble their way toward you — giving off that slow-creeping horror feel while still posing a real threat in numbers.
addedNew: Shambler AI MovementThis new "shamble-walk" blend replaces the old default navigation and adds unsettling realism to how basic infected close the gap. It’s subtle, but deeply immersive.
addedHorde Behavior ReworkSurviving the first 60 seconds used to be easy. Not anymore. We’ve introduced tiered horde escalation — enemies don’t just increase in number, they get smarter and faster over time. You’ll feel the pressure build, wave after wave.
addedRadioactive Zombie ReactionsThe radioactive variants now visibly react to your attacks . We’ve added a new take-damage animation , making combat more satisfying and readable when these volatile enemies get hit. Expect clearer visual feedback as they soak up your firepower.
changedRegeneration System + Healing Text FXRegeneration mechanics now heal based on a percentage of your max health every few seconds, rather than a flat rate.
removedRegeneration System + Healing Text FXThe healing FX no longer block clicks or menus and are timed to show only meaningful amounts.

Contagion Protocol changes

changedWe’ve overhauled enemy movement for our standard zombie units. They now shuffle, stumble, and truly shamble their way toward you — giving off that slow-creeping horror feel while still posing a real threat in numbers.
addedThis new "shamble-walk" blend replaces the old default navigation and adds unsettling realism to how basic infected close the gap. It’s subtle, but deeply immersive.
addedSurviving the first 60 seconds used to be easy. Not anymore. We’ve introduced tiered horde escalation — enemies don’t just increase in number, they get smarter and faster over time. You’ll feel the pressure build, wave after wave.
addedThe radioactive variants now visibly react to your attacks . We’ve added a new take-damage animation , making combat more satisfying and readable when these volatile enemies get hit. Expect clearer visual feedback as they soak up your firepower.
changedRegeneration mechanics now heal based on a percentage of your max health every few seconds, rather than a flat rate.

New: Shambler AI Movement

We’ve overhauled enemy movement for our standard zombie units. They now shuffle, stumble, and truly shamble their way toward you — giving off that slow-creeping horror feel while still posing a real threat in numbers.

This new "shamble-walk" blend replaces the old default navigation and adds unsettling realism to how basic infected close the gap. It’s subtle, but deeply immersive.

Horde Behavior Rework

Surviving the first 60 seconds used to be easy. Not anymore. We’ve introduced tiered horde escalation — enemies don’t just increase in number, they get smarter and faster over time. You’ll feel the pressure build, wave after wave.

Radioactive Zombie Reactions

The radioactive variants now visibly react to your attacks. We’ve added a new take-damage animation, making combat more satisfying and readable when these volatile enemies get hit. Expect clearer visual feedback as they soak up your firepower.

Regeneration System + Healing Text FX

Healing is now more than just a number ticking up.

  • Regeneration mechanics now heal based on a percentage of your max health every few seconds, rather than a flat rate.

  • Floating green healing numbers now appear above your survivor — clean, readable, and non-intrusive.

  • The healing FX no longer block clicks or menus and are timed to show only meaningful amounts.

Safehouse Upgrade Systems Confirmed Working

We’ve confirmed that all Safehouse meta-upgrades — like damage boosts, move speed, and healing rate — correctly apply at runtime and stack cleanly with in-run passives. This means you now truly feel stronger across runs as you invest in permanent upgrades.

Other Core Improvements

  • The selected character now persists properly across all scenes and carries their upgrades into the run.

  • Attack Speed upgrades now function correctly across weapons — including RadialBurst and Boomerang Axe — and don't cause unintended slowdowns.

  • Fixed floating UI elements that blocked menus or cluttered the screen.

  • Overhauled the backend for stat tracking, health regeneration, and passive upgrade stacking, laying the groundwork for future survivors and enemies.

Coming Soon

  • Extraction mechanics and permadeath handling.

  • New characters and map environments.

  • Boss variants, weapon evolutions, and more responsive UI polish.

Let us know what you think — and stay vigilant. The protocol only delays the inevitable.

Source

Steam News / 13 September 2025

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