Before we begin, sincere apologies for the lack of updates this month! Our Patreon manager was out for a while, but development of Subliminal has not been stopped, don't worry. Hopefully this update is worth the wait! I think the screenshots are incredible.
Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Here's what we've been up to this week:
Focus-Based Timeline Decisions
We’ve implemented focus-based mechanics for most of the major timeline/story splits. Players will now trigger different narrative branches depending on whether they look at or look away from certain objects or entities.
Custom Widget-Based Loading Screens
We’ve replaced our old baked MP4 loading screens with fully asynchronous, widget-based ones. This...
2025-05-22 20:09:36 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to this week, with a quick state of development note at the end.
Finalized and started optimizations on alternate path from last week: Added an additional narrative scene, and cutscene to the path. Started general optimizations including reducing geo, polishing LODs & Nanite, and finalizing lighting scenes.
Improved atmosphere in CM: Similar to the updates done last week in WW, we added litter, va...
2025-05-14 06:18:09 +0000 UTC
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Patreon finally added a way to attach two image files in the header! Let me know if you prefer this or the older method of displaying development images!!
Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Added alternate path to Prologue: Added in a completely new path to the prologue built off of the Playplace Maintenance Halls. Introduces 1 new light shift puzzle, 1 memory loop puzzle, 2 new environments, and 3 narration scenes.
Improved atmosphere in WW...
2025-05-08 03:45:55 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone! A couple weeks ago we discussed the inclusion of a stamina bar in Subliminal, and we're still not certain if we want to include it or not. If you would like, feel free to vote in the poll and weigh in on the decision.
We have attached a downloadable clip showcasing a scene with and without the stamina bar to hopefully help you all decide!
2025-04-27 19:23:32 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Revamped and Animated Title Screen and Menus:
Updated all title screen and menu animations to much smoother, custom versions.
Optimized CRT FX across all menus for a sharper, updated look.
Added Dynamic Resolution Scaling:
It's been a while since we've posted an object leak! What could this be?
2025-04-24 02:19:10 +0000 UTC
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What's New:
Main Debugging Progress
Our main debugging team is still hard at work, primarily focused on tracking down and fixing all remaining soft lock bugs in the Prologue build.
Upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.5
We’ve fully updated the project to Unreal Engine 5.5! This lets us take advantage of some exciting new features like Megalights, Nanite skeletal meshes, and various Lumen optimizations.
Streaming Setup...
2025-04-18 05:52:56 +0000 UTC
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Here's what we've been up to this week!
What's New:
Main Debugging Progress
New "Immersion" Settings Category
Hey everyone! I'm testing out a bit of a new format this week to hopefully make things more easily digestible.
What's New:
Main Debugging Progress
Our main debugging team has been hard at work, primarily tackling soft lock bugs. Soft lock bugs are situations where the player is unable to progress further in the game, but the game still functions and remains playable.
Interactable Outlines
Two posts in one night?? that's crazy. Here’s what we’ve been up to!
Continued Main Debugging: Continued debugging with our main debugging team, primarily focusing on softlock bugs and optimization.
Added in Playplace Environment from Full Release: Added in Playplace environment from the full release into the Prologue build including a few new light shift and environment puzzles!
Continued Leve...
2025-03-25 03:04:03 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone! Not a development update yet (though that'll be posted later tonight), but we do have some new pictures to share highlighting some of the newer additions to the levels in Subliminal. All photos are taken from in game and show a new, larger, area called Deep Storage! We’ll have some videos coming down the pipe pretty soon!
Patreon still lacks a good way to share multiple images at once, at least to my knowledge (please let me know if there is a way!), so I've just attach...
2025-03-24 22:39:11 +0000 UTC
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Must be St. Patricks day, because we sure are feeling lucky!
- Started Main Debugging: Finally handed over our first Prologue build to our main debugging team!
- Continued Level Streaming & General Optimization: Continued implementing optimized streaming for faster load times and smoother transitions across all levels and areas in the Prologue mainly focusing on transitions between full Lumen and Baked light...
2025-03-17 18:15:29 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Polished & Optimized Various In-Game Audio: Optimized a huge amount of In-Game ambient, action, and narration audios by consolidating FMOD events and fine tuning/animating attenuations. Also remastered the entirety of our soundbank included in the Prologue build.
Continued Level Streaming & General Optimization: Continued implementing optimized streaming for faster load times and smoother ...
2025-03-13 02:41:07 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Polished Various Narration: Improved various narration scenes by adding variations, re-mastering, and revising and re-recording a few scenes.
Improved Audio Ambiance: Added additional various spatial audios in WW and CM to enhance audio spatial immersion. (Pipe hiss, ventilation hum, water pump hum, light flicker, water leaks, etc)
Continued Level Streaming & General Opt...
2025-03-04 01:47:34 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Improved Audio Ambiance: Improved audio ambiance across all levels in main release and prologue builds by rendering out audios of room tones and various spatial ambiance with (very close to) the exact room dimensions and materials.
Added Lore snippets: Added various snippets of lore throughout the prologue build: Drawings, books, boardgames, warped reflections, etc.
Co...
2025-02-25 21:27:13 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone, I figured I should give a quick update as to our timeline in an effort to keep everyone informed and in the loop!
Funding and banking issues (which we left out in our previous status update due to ongoing communications with our publishers) have been hindering development since December, give or take. There has been an issue with the funding actually reaching our studio.
We've been working diligently with our publishers and banks to resolve this, and we're confide...
2025-02-17 20:56:42 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Added New CM Smile Encounter Puzzle: Added in new Smile encounter environment puzzle into the Prologue from the full release. Tentative for now, but likely making it into the prologue release. (Animations planned for next week!)
Continued Level Streaming & General Optimization: Continued implementing optimized streaming for faster load times and smoother transitions across all levels and areas...
2025-02-17 01:50:17 +0000 UTC
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Still catching up, but here’s what we're up to last week:
Added New Lore Snippets: Added in a set of notes and small objects tying more lore into the Prologue build.
Revamped New WW Environment: Slightly revamped the new WW environment added in from the full release (changed lighting and added in smaller details such as rubble, leaks, drips, etc, along with more specialized ambient sounds). Also added in small (lore f...
2025-02-11 22:12:12 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
TV Split Transition: Added in TV Split transition from Full Release into Prologue build.
Added New Light Shift Mechanic: Added new reflect light puzzle from full release into Prologue build.
Finalized Lumen Lighting for CM & BS: Finalized Lumen lighting polish in CM and BS, with improvements in light draw distances, fog scaling, and dynamic attenuatio...
2025-02-06 22:11:29 +0000 UTC
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Hello everyone! I've been working hard to resolve issues with this first batch of Steam keys, and it appears that the overwhelming majority received theirs without any issues!
As for anyone who subscribes between now and the prologue release on Steam, you will still get a key.
When the prologue releases I'll collect information from people subbed between Jan. 31 and whatever date the release happens to fall under. Then I'll repeat the same process as before, so hopefully you'll ...
2025-01-31 20:21:48 +0000 UTC
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Even better news! Steam got back to us faster than expected, and sending out emails was MUCH faster than expected. We definitely didn't expect everything to get turned around and sent in under 4 hours!
Please check your emails, keys have been sent!
Anyone who hasn't received an email is welcome to contact us via Patreon, or our email (team@subliminalgame.com), we will get you sorted!
2025-01-31 03:25:04 +0000 UTC
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Good news! Information has been collected, so we can now begin working to distribute the keys to everyone. So far, we have submitted our request to Steam and are awaiting a response.
We will continue to keep everyone updated as the process continues. Feel free to leave any question in our DMs or in the comments of this post! Also check our previous Q&A post for any common questions.
Once again, these keys will allow everyone to play Subliminal for free after the prologue rel...
2025-01-31 00:07:42 +0000 UTC
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Now time for the supporter only announcement to clarify a few things! Feel free to ask question in the comments as well and I'll try my best to get through them. Any questions answered in the comments will be edited into this post as well, just to keep everyone informed.
What is a Steam key?
A Steam key is a unique code that allows you to redeem Subliminal on Steam, completely for free. Once activated, the game will go straight to your Steam library to be downloaded and played. Mo...
2025-01-27 23:58:55 +0000 UTC
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We're currently planning to collect Patreon information from our subscribers on January 30th to be eligible for Steam keys upon release.
This means that anyone who subscribes after that date will not be guaranteed to receive their key before the release on Steam!
You are still eligible to receive a key if you subscribe between Jan. 30th and the release date, but you may not receive your key until after Subliminal's release.
2025-01-27 23:23:24 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Added in extra Light Shift Puzzle in WW: Added in an additional light shift puzzle from the full release into the Prologue along with an environment rework and extension in the area.
Polished Prologue Narration Scenes: Refined 8 narration snippets and 2 longer scenes added last week. Mastered, adjusted pacing for smoother transitions, and fine-tuned ambient SFX for better immersion.
Hey everyone! We're discussing a bit internally at the moment about Steam keys, in the event that Subliminal's prologue is ready for release this February. Again, a February prologue release is still unconfirmed, but it is our goal.
We have a couple of different choices, so let me lay out the ground works.
As there are almost 800 of you, collecting emails and individual Steam keys will take time, possibly a week or more depending on how long it takes Steam to get back to us. Addit...
2025-01-20 04:20:56 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Added Narration Scenes to Prologue: Added in 8 narration snippets & 2 longer narration scenes to the Prologue. (2 larger scenes moved from full game, 8 snippets newly scripted & added in to fill in empty space and add small optional scenes)
Finished Final Lighting Optimizations in WaterWorks: Finished the final lighting optimizations for the baked lighting setup part of WaterWork...
2025-01-19 05:59:11 +0000 UTC
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Apologies for the 2 day wait, here’s what we’ve been up to:
Added Tentative WaterWorks scenes & puzzles into Prologue (very big addition): Added in a few waterslide scenes (including 2 full slide-throughs, 1 environment puzzle, 1 light shift puzzle, 1 small environment, & 4 Narration dialogs) from the full release into the Prologue! We’re not sure on keeping this in yet unfortunately because of mainly optimizations needed, but we’re hopeful!...
2025-01-14 01:19:01 +0000 UTC
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Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:
Added Tentative Basement Challenge into Prologue: Added in the main challenge in The Basement from the full release into the Prologue! We’re not sure on keeping this in yet unfortunately because of bugs and optimizations:/ But we’re hopeful!
Improved Dynamic Narration: Fixed bugs and added some extra lines and randomization into some dynamic narration scenes (Dynamic Narrat...
2025-01-05 03:08:23 +0000 UTC
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