Steam Deck & Controller Support, UX Overhaul

It’s been just over a year since the last ZOMBETES update. Today I am releasing the biggest update yet, with a complete overhaul on the games’ UX, and full controller support.

Content

• Three new curated levels that continue the story (7 of 10 released).

• 35 new items, including new special items: BINOCULARS, COMPASS, ZOMBULIN

Steam Deck & Controller support

• The game is now entirely playable using only a controller.

• I will be applying for a Steam Deck compatibility review following this update; aiming for a fully ‘Verified’ rating.

Mini Games!

• Attack, dodge, and other outcomes are now determined by short mini game events

• Blunt weapons: hold the input and time the release perfectly

• Bladed weapons: aim and click on the four dots that appear

• Gun weapons: aim and shoot at the target. Each weapon has a different reticule sway. Head shots are instant kills.

• Dodging: avoid the red dots in the allotted time Exercising: dance style mini game.

• Added lockpicking and carjacking mini game visual

Design

• Item crafting: combine items using the command ‘Combine [item 1] with [item 2]’

• Combine two ‘light’ items or two similar barricade items to create a multi-use item and save on inventory space.

• Hostile NPCs now follow the player. If you escape to a new room, the hostile NPC will appear there on the next turn/command.

User Experience

• Added profiles: three unique save files per game copy (legacy saves imported on first launch)

• Status and Context windows are consolidated to the main window

• New pause menu with game settings for audio volume, text size, color palette, screen flashes

• Updated layout of Status window

• AddedText flownew text scrolls when posted, entering new rooms clears old text, text fades on room transitions

• Interact with the Status window directly to pick up/use/combine items, enter areas, and engage with NPCs

• Improved game onboarding sequence

• Visual overhaul of the Perpetual store

Performance Improvements

• Game launches quicker and loads faster

There is a lot to discover with this new update. The added controller support and visual update makes it feel like a new experience, and I’m excited to keep working on improving the game.