KOTCL Developer Diaries – The Countdown Begins!

Knock, knock, travelers!

Two days ago, we announced the release date of our first DLC, "Nightmares of Millenis"—April 4th. Yes, we have a thing for symmetrical numbers. But it’s not just the numbers that look good—our DLC trailer is out too!

Your support on social media has been incredible, reminding us once again that we have the best players ever!

If you haven’t added the DLC to your wishlist yet— make sure to do it!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/

Now, let’s navigate the twisted paths of the new features in our DLC, as well as touch on other updates and news.

Let’s go!

If You Never Make Mistakes, You’re Not Doing Anything

Thanks to you, we’ve already fixed a whole ton of bugs, errors, softlocks, and more. Join our bug-hunting—we’re always happy to welcome new recruits! Together, we can have discussions and blow off some steam.

And our latest hunting trophy is "The Event Log Bug". The bug might look nice, and it might seem like you can start all anew, but the event log contains many unfinished paths and rewards. This makes it confusing—are the events broken, or is the illusion demon playing his tricks? We've captured this bug and are working on it—we’ll keep you updated.

Meanwhile, the horn is already calling us to a new hunt!

Cheap Tarot Readings for Release...

Our Tarot cards have been ready for a long time, waiting for their moment to shine. When they finally leave the deck, they’ll shape destinies! Well, maybe not destinies, but they will have a big impact on our heroes. And all the magic is in the hands of the deck’s owner.

These cards have been resting in our archives, gathering dust, but also growing in power.

Here’s what our game designer Ksay says about the Tarot mechanic:

Hey everyone! Each Tarot card introduces a unique condition for the run—it could be either positive or negative, allowing players to try different paths and event developments, forcing them to adapt and approach events differently. Every Tarot card tells its own story. All unfinished plotlines from the main campaign will unfold and conclude in the DLC, leading heroes to new locations, allies, and, of course, battles. Additionally, each Tarot card brings a special boss—some of whom you might have already glimpsed in the trailer. By completing all the Tarot runs, players will uncover the answers to all their questions and see how the stories of Persival, Bjorn, and Vanadis will end.

Spring Is in the Air

Spring has arrived—not just where you are, but also in Midian, where it’s getting noticeably warmer. Bjorn has started shedding his winter coat, and the on-duty gardener is preparing seedlings. There’s still snow in some places, and no sign of snowdrops yet, but our spirits are high—joyful, excited, and maybe a little silly. Or maybe it’s just pre-release jitters!

How About Some Chit-Chat?

Hello, everyone! It's Andrey aka Innrey again!

We’ve said it before—releasing the"Nightmares of Millenis" DLC wasn’t a random decision. After five years of developing Knock on the Coffin Lid, we had accumulated so much content that the game was practically demanding an epilogue. The intricate storyline needed closure, and some narrative threads simply couldn’t be left hanging. In this expansion we tell the story of Mortis and Millenis—there’s still something left unsaid between them. But we won’t forget the other characters either.

In Nightmares, we’ll revisit old but still burning questions: What is good and what is evil? Is karma’s work really a slap from Fate, or is it just an illusion of the mind? The challenges will be tough, but the rewards for resilience and creative problem-solving will be worth it—the conclusion of the war in the lands of Midian.

A roguelike deckbuilder wouldn’t be complete without cards, so we’ve added Tarot cards to the deck. Ksay already explained their mechanics, but I want to highlight their aesthetic and symbolism. Our artists have put so much meaning, detail, and dark beauty into each Tarot card that they aren’t just game mechanics—they’re an essential part of Knock on the Coffin Lid’s atmosphere.

Only one month left until the DLC release! Have you watched the trailer yet? What do you think? We’re a bit nervous, but working hard to ensure the smoothest launch possible. We’re hunting down every last softlock and bug, hoping this expansion will excite you, and not disappoint.

Thank you for your support and feedback—it means the world to us. See you in the next dev diary!

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