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Steam News29 January 20265mo ago

Dead Engine – Major Update/Risk and Progression Redesigned!

Hello Survivors! In this major update, the game’s risk and progression systems have been completely reworked. Based on your feedback, we’ve made the experience more persistent, more risky, and more meaningful.

Full notes

Full Dead Engine update

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

What changed

4 fixes4 additions19 changes5 removals
  • Gameplay
  • Maps
  • Balance
  • Fixes
  • UI and audio
changedHello Survivors!In this major update, the game’s risk and progression systems have been completely reworked . Based on your feedback, we’ve made the experience more persistent, more risky, and more meaningful .
removedPersistent Backpack and Item SystemYour backpack is not reset on death , and items are no longer sent to camp automatically .
addedPersistent Level ProgressionNote: Stats gained from cards do not carry over for now. This feature will be added very soon.
removedCamp Flow UpdatedYou no longer return to camp automatically at the end of a level.
changedCamp Flow UpdatedOnly the current map is reset .
removedTrade / Recruit Temporarily RemovedThe Trade / Recruit system has been temporarily removed from the game.
Scrap gained from enemies64Scrap gained from enemies decreased, nerfNode count368Node count decreased, nerfPermanent backpack upgrade58Permanent backpack upgrade increased, buff

Hello Survivors!

In this major update, the game’s risk and progression systems have been completely reworked. Based on your feedback, we’ve made the experience more persistent, more risky, and more meaningful.

Persistent Backpack and Item System

  • Backpacks and items collected during a run now carry over to the next levels.

  • Your backpack is not reset on death, and items are no longer sent to camp automatically.

  • More items mean more power.

  • More power means greater risk.

  • You now truly have something to lose.

Persistent Level Progression

  • Levels gained through XP during a run now carry over to the next level.

  • Level progression is persistent.

Note: Stats gained from cards do not carry over for now. This feature will be added very soon.

Thank you for your feedback and patience.

Camp Flow Updated

  • You no longer return to camp automatically at the end of a level.

  • You can return to camp at any time using Return to Camp, keeping all your items.

  • Only the current map is reset.

This system leaves the risk decision entirely up to the player.

Trade / Recruit Temporarily Removed

  • The Trade / Recruit system has been temporarily removed from the game.

  • It will return later as optional side content with a clearer and more streamlined design.

Difficulty and Balance Changes

With the new systems, difficulty has been intentionally increased:

  • Enemy counts increased.

  • Level durations extended.

  • Area damage on level-up reduced by 50%.

  • XP requirements for leveling rebalanced.

  • Delayed enemy spawns at the start of the game removed.

  • Values from permanent upgrades reduced.

  • Scrap gained from enemies reduced from 6 to 4.

  • Scrap penalty on game over removed.

  • Node count reduced from 36 to 8.

  • Permanent backpack upgrade increased from 5 to 8, price increased.

  • Fork item mechanics reworked.

  • Bear Trap slow duration reduced and explosion radius decreased.

Fixes and User Experience

  • Fixed an issue where the Rare binocular item appeared as Common.

  • Fixed missing mouse cursor issue.

  • Bus indicator made more visible: recolored red, enlarged, and moved closer to the center.

  • Various collider issues fixed.

  • UI issues in the stats panel resolved.

  • Maximum stat values rebalanced.

  • Some projectile sizes adjusted.

  • Lifesteal percentages increased.

  • Unhappiness caused by unbuilt camp structures reduced.

Upcoming Content

  • A bus storage system is coming in the next update.

  • Items can be deposited into the bus during a run.

  • Items stored in the bus will be safely transferred to camp even if you die.

  • You will be able to leave items between runs and retrieve them when progressing.

  • We recommend using storage to free up backpack space and avoid missing new items.

Camp systems in development:

  • Selling items from camp

  • Storage / stash improvements

  • Item merge system in camp

We are also actively working on gamepad support.

Join Our Discord!

Join the community for tips, strategies, and discussions about the new mechanics.

Play Now!

Thanks for playing Dead Engine and for helping us shape the game with your feedback. More improvements are on the way.

Dead Engine Don’t forget to check out our other games! 🎮

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Source

Steam News / 29 January 2026

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