Dev Log #3 | Fortifying Your Sanctuary & The Art of Scavenging

It’s been a month since Steam Next Fest, and we’ve been heads-down ever since—crunching through your feedback, locking in our development priorities, and mapping out the road ahead. Whether it’s performance hiccups, clunky interactions, or requests for more mechanical depth— we hear you loud and clear. Work is already underway across the board.

For this update, we’re pulling back the curtain on some of the new systems currently in the works. These are foundational, "under-the-hood" changes that have jumped to the front of our queue because they fundamentally change how you’ll experience the game.

(Note: All screenshots are from an active build and do not represent final quality. Expect UI and visual polish to evolve in future updates.)

1. Safehouse Renovation: Build Your Post-Apocalyptic Fortress

We're building out a full-blown renovation system for your safehouse — and yes, it's about as close to actual interior decorating as you can get in the apocalypse.

In the full release, you'll be able to purchase furniture and facilities in-game, which get delivered right to your doorstep in packages. Tear them open, pick where everything goes, and if you change your mind — send it back for a refund. We've built a dedicated Planning Mode that lets you see every available slot in your home, so you can lay things out before committing.

But this isn't just about making your place look nice — every piece of furniture ties directly into your survival capabilities. Want to stockpile fresh food? You'll need a chest freezer. Want to grow your own produce post-disaster? Set up planting boxes inside. Need electricity? Better plan out where your power infrastructure goes. Want to hold up against heavier zombie assaults? Invest in reinforced doors and windows. Every renovation decision is a move on the survival chessboard.

2. Physicalized Loot: Grab It, Toss It, Deal With It Later

We've added a proper item drop system. When you're out exploring, you can now pick up loose supplies scattered around the environment. You can also dump items from your backpack or storage shelves straight onto the ground.

What does this mean in practice? After a last-minute shopping frenzy before disaster strikes, you no longer have to meticulously slot every single item into a cabinet. Just haul it home, dump it on the floor, and sort through the mess once the dust settles.

We've also added a "highlight all items" toggle and a quick-pickup list to cut down on the tedious back-and-forth of inventory management.

3. New Locations: Shop Before the Storm, Scavenge After

To support these new systems, we've been building out some new locations:

• The Renovation Center

A vital pre-disaster hub. This is your one-stop shop for furniture, appliances, and the reinforcements needed to kit out your base. It’s currently divided into five wings: Living, Kitchen & Bath, Decor, Appliances, and Structural Security. Your choices here will dictate your quality of life once the grid goes dark.

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• The Abandoned Supermarket

A glimpse into the post-collapse world. Remember that discount grocer you visited before the outbreak? It’s been ransacked and gutted. While most shelves are picked clean, those willing to dig through the wreckage might still find a few overlooked essentials.

4. On the Horizon: Farming, Power, and Traps

Once the core renovation loop is polished, we’re moving straight into Farming. Sustainable food has been one of the most requested features in the comments, and it’s been a pillar of our vision from day one.

Following that, we’ll be diving into Electrical Grids and Trap Mechanics. Your safehouse is evolving from a mere place to sleep into a living base that you must power, maintain, and defend.

There’s still a long road to 1.0, but the vision is sharpening with every update. Your feedback remains the most important ingredient in this mix.

Got thoughts on the new systems? Drop a comment below—we’re always reading.

Catch you in the next one!

——Midnight Workshop