It’s finally here… The Dead Await 1.0 has officially launched!

After years of designing, testing, tweaking, and refining every corner of the game, the full experience is now complete and ready for players worldwide.

From the first step into the wasteland to the toughest battles and hidden secrets, every location, character, and quest has been carefully crafted to deliver a rich and immersive journey.

We didn’t rush this release, but instead, we took the time to make sure The Dead Await feels polished, engaging, and alive from start to finish.

And now, the gates are finally open.

The full adventure begins now. The dead are waiting.

Before we continue, we’d like to share something important:

First of all, thank you all for the continued support, bug reports, feedback, and patience throughout development. It genuinely means a lot to us, including the motivation boost you provided.

We also want to address something many of you have noticed, certain bugs reappearing multiple times, even after previously being fixed. We completely understand how frustrating that can be.

As many of you know, The Dead Await has been in development for over 3 years using GameMaker, our engine of choice. During that time, we’ve had to continuously update the engine alongside development (multiple different versions). While these updates often bring improvements and new features, they can also introduce unexpected changes under the hood that are outside of our control. In some cases, systems that previously worked correctly may suddenly behave differently again after an update.

Whenever this happens, we go back through testing and QA to track down and fix issues once more, but unfortunately some problems can slip through or reappear unexpectedly during the process.

We hope this clears up some confusion regarding why certain bugs kept returning. Please know that we’re constantly working to improve the game and provide the best experience possible, and your reports and feedback genuinely help us do that.

We’re also incredibly thankful to indie.io for their support throughout development and for sharing the same vision we have for The Dead Await. From the very beginning, they’ve respected our long-term roadmap, trusted our creative direction, and understood the kind of experience we’re trying to build.

Their support and services have helped us push the game closer to the level of quality we’ve always aimed for, and we’re genuinely grateful to have them alongside us on this journey.

What the 1.0 includes:

• New locations to explore across the world

• New enemies and bosses to survive against

• More loot, including new weapon mods, cooking recipes, weapons, and armor

• Character skins, the Z-Shop, and the Vault Safe system

• Lots of small fixes, balancing changes, and improvements

We also have a launch special redeem code available for you!

Code: AEFdra2753 - valid until 30/06/2026 - Get 3,500 Z-coins!

Code: zz1r000jMC - valid only on launch day - Get 50,000 Z-coins!

We’re launching with a special contest!

For launch day only, we’ll be releasing a redeem code that grants you HALF A HUNDRED THOUSAND Z-COINS, that’s 50,000 Z-Coins just for joining the celebration! And if luck happens to be on your side while playing Slotomot-Z… you might just hit the GRAND JACKPOT and walk away with 999,999 Z-Coins.

Good luck out there and if you become the lucky winner, hit that F12 button and let the world know you’re one lucky survivor or better said… one hell of a son!

New features

Character skins

When starting a new game, you can now choose from several different heroes. New heroes can be unlocked by purchasing them from the Z-Shop.

These skins are primarily cosmetic, although some heroes begin with a slightly higher starting Max HP.

If you’ve progressed to Act II, character skins can also be changed by using the mirror in shelter.

Z-shop, Z-coins, Z-tasks & vault safe

We’re introducing a new permanent currency – Z-coins, that is tied to your main profile and remains unchanged between save files. We’ve also made changes to existing Slotomot-Z to use Z-coins instead now, that makes cheating with reloading save files impossible now.

The Z-Shop is a brand-new store that is always accessible from the pause menu. Items can be purchased using Z-Coins, which can also be exchanged for Silver Coins.

Inside the shop, you’ll find a variety of items ranging from ammo and supplies to bundles and permanent unlockables.

Items bought from the shop will appear in Vault Safe, which is your permanent storage. From which you can later at any time withdraw items to your save file.

Z-Coins can be earned in several ways, one of which is through Z-Tasks. These are a list of challenges that can be completed at any time and with any save file.

Arena

The Arena is now open in Last Haven. Enter, survive, and win!

Gather your team, prepare for battle, and fight for a chance to claim the grand prize.

Each entry requires Z-Coins and the fee is non-refundable.

New fights become available after a certain amount of time has passed.

Faction center

Previously, gaining a high reputation with a faction only unlocked higher-tier jobs and offered little additional reward.

Now, we’ve introduced the Faction Center located in Hope, Town Hall.

Earn enough reputation with a faction to unlock its special storage room and claim epic rewards waiting inside.

Act III

More of EVERYTHING!

Act III brings a huge expansion to the world of The Dead Await.

There’s more of everything waiting for you: new locations to discover, new NPCs to meet, dangerous new enemies and powerful bosses to defeat, and a wide range of new quests to undertake. You’ll also encounter new random events across the world, making every journey through the wasteland feel less predictable.

On top of that, Act III introduces a large amount of new loot, including weapons, equipment, and other valuable items to help you survive the increasingly dangerous world.

Increased level cap!

That’s right – Angel and the group can now reach a new maximum level of 20!

Push your characters beyond their previous limits, grow stronger with each level, and unlock the full potential of your team. With the higher level cap comes access to powerful new weapons and weapon mods, allowing you to build even deadlier loadouts.

Survive long enough, gear up wisely, and you might just become the unkillable force the wasteland fears.

QoL improvements & fixes

We’ve completed another full playthrough of the game and carefully reviewed player feedback to make sure v1.0 runs as smoothly as possible.

Along the way, we tracked down and fixed a large number of issues, improving stability and overall gameplay.

We’ve worked hard to resolve the remaining known issues and deliver the most polished version of the game so far.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

v.1.0.0

New Character Skins

• Xe • Red • Tenes • Dexi • Darc • Shadow • Mea • Angel

New Locations

• Kry’s Pizza • Children’s Home • Diablo’s Temple • Hope • Hope Town Hall • Hell-0 Floor -3 • Bala Trading Outpost • Greens Trading Outpost • Rotwood • Deplaso • Tato’s Bunker • Zone 99 • Zone 99 – Bunker • Hope – Tavern

Previously blocked locations are now accessible.

New NPCs

• Kry • Morro • Larry • Deko • Ben • Pilot • Cindy • Roman • Bobby • Kenny • Kimi • Diablo • Jeff • Devil • Badry • Digga • Mini • Kola • Tato • Hope Guard

Added new NPC voice lines for Act II and Act III.

New Bosses

• Guardian • Drobby • Degra • Kako • Jonny Jolls • Mr. Smiley • Prof. Ray

Main Quests • Where Allies Remain • Into The Deadlands • A Handshake in the Dark • The Exchange • Day Off • Hell Knows Your Name • Our Hope • Operation: Boarus • Operation: Chipo’s Wonderland • Apocalypse

Side Quests • Meow • Feathers • The Stash • Sunshine • Delicious • Plenty Of Water • Toybox • Devil’s Cut • Extra Sharp • Diablo’s Request • The Golden Jug • Black & White • Tournament

All main quests and side quests are now complete.

New Features

• Z-Coin permanent currency (shared across all save files) • Z-Shop accessible from main menu and pause menu • Vault Safe system • Z-Tasks • Character Skins system • Mirror in Shelter to change skins • Arena in Last Haven • Faction Center in Hope settlement • Shelter upgrades: Stormgate and Radar

Slotomot-Z has been converted to Z-Coins.

World and Content additions

• New trading outposts • Act II and Act III jobs • Act II and Act III elite enemies • New epic weapon mods • New cooking recipes • Expanded loot drop tables • New random events

Character level cap increased from 10 → 20.

New Items

• Pizza • Goltrium • Boarus Key • Broken Key • Atom Max Jacket

QoL Improvements

• Console and text boxes now support Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V • Combat cards that target self now auto-play when dragged • Improved UI behavior and quest tracking • Added a new enemy intention: Skip Turn, also preventing combat crashes when enemies cannot perform an action due to blocked attack or defense cards.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed Raul’s mission dialogue lock in Chroma Junction • Fixed Slotomot-Z bonus bug while auto-play is active • Fixed Antiphobic quest repeating after completion • Fixed crafting requiring duplicate Epic Mace of Destruction • Fixed mini-radar showing black squares after pausing • Fixed Mr. Longs repair objective not updating • Fixed Echo being killable before the main quest • Fixed enemy spawns during Act II cutscene causing crashes • Fixed crash when using MsgConfirmX function • Fixed crash when encountering elite bandits • Fixed Z-Task completion triggering the wrong task • Fixed crash when scavenging empty containers • Fixed Act II loot being restricted to common tier • Fixed mini objective arrow pointing incorrectly toward exits • Fixed: bartenders in Act III locations having no rumors or dialogue (blank dialogue window). • Fixed: Announcement Boards appearing empty in Act III. • Fixed: an untitled shop entry appearing in the Reputation section. • Fixed: a crash when depositing or withdrawing coins from storage after the introduction of Z-Coins. • Fixed: a crash when moving production cubes in the shelter. • Fixed: the Black & White quest not allowing the objective to be completed. • Fixed: a crash when trying to loot crates in Delpaso. • Fixed: Last Haven Town Hall cannot be entered. • Fixed: a door in an abandoned building in Community Center – District 6 cannot be unlocked. • Fixed: blocked areas in Hestia’s mansion now displays a message. • Fixed: Unable to complete objectives in the Tournament side quest.

Console

• Added: setalive console command. (/setalive “echo” – can be used to bring back Echo to fix progressing through the main quest.) • Added gainxp console command: • Added: startquest console command. (example: startquest 68 starts the Tournament quest). • Added: resetboards console command. • Added: nreset console command.

Good luck surviving! – Shotx

The post The Dead Await 1.0 – Available Now! appeared first on Shotx.

For decades, the concept of buying a video game was simple and universally understood. You walked into a store, picked up a boxed copy, and paid for it. What you received was ownership.

The video game industry has undergone a fundamental shift that has quietly redefined what it means to “buy” a game.

Cartridges and discs were physical objects that belonged entirely to the buyer. They could be resold, traded, gifted, or even discarded without restriction. A game could sit on a shelf for years and still function exactly as it did on the day it was purchased. Ownership was complete, and with it came a set of rights that required no explanation.

What do I actually own?

Steam continues to use the word “Buy,” reinforcing a long-standing expectation of ownership. Yet in reality, users are not purchasing games as property. They are acquiring revocable licenses, permissions to access software under specific conditions. If we’re going to keep that model we should at least be transparent with the wording and have a “Rent” button instead of “Buy”.

GOG.com stands as the closest modern equivalent to true game ownership, preserving the core freedoms of the physical era. By offering DRM-free downloads, it gives players full control. Allowing them to keep, back up, and use their games indefinitely without platform dependence. Unlike physical copies, digital files can be duplicated infinitely, which is why resale or transfer isn’t supported, but in practice, it still restores what “buying” once meant: permanence and real possession.

Meows!

At the same time, the broader industry’s strict licensing model continues to face strong opposition from users. Many players reject the idea that their purchases are merely temporary permissions and this resistance has led to widespread unofficial behavior… account trading, resale, and gray or black market activity. While often against platform rules, these actions reflect a clear demand for real ownership, highlighting a growing divide between how digital goods are legally defined and how users believe they should function.

This model mirrored the broader understanding of property. Buying a book meant owning that book. Buying a pair of jeans meant they were yours to wear, lend, or give away. Video games were no different.

Today, games cannot be transferred, accounts cannot be legally resold, and access remains dependent on platform policies and continued service.

House of madness.

Today, that clarity has eroded. Despite this, user behavior has not changed.

The language used still relies heavily or solely on the word “Buy.” However, the transaction itself no longer grants ownership of the game. Instead, it grants permission to use it under specific conditions defined by the platform or publisher. These conditions can include restrictions on resale, limitations tied to user accounts, and the possibility… of revoked access!?

Let’s return to the fact that players continue to treat digital purchases as owned assets. Entire accounts being bought and sold through gray and black markets, directly violating platform terms. This is not an isolated issue, but a widespread response to a system that contradicts user expectations.

This creates a growing disconnect between expectation and reality. The result is a fractured marketplace.

Consumers continue to approach these purchases with the mindset shaped by decades of physical ownership. They expect what they used to expect. Yet what they receive is nothing like that. On one side, a legally structured model that denies ownership. On the other, a user base that operates as if ownership still exists. Between them, a growing ecosystem of unauthorized reselling, price distortions, and enforcement inconsistencies.

The comparison becomes even more striking when applied to everyday goods. Imagine purchasing a book, only to be told you cannot resell it, lend it, or even guarantee indefinite access to its contents. Imagine buying clothing that remains technically owned by the manufacturer, with your right to wear it subject to ongoing terms. Such scenarios would be widely rejected as unreasonable in any other market.

Living in the past.

One of the most immediate consequences of this shift is the erosion of personal collections. Physical game libraries once represented more than entertainment. They were archives of personal history. Shelves filled with cartridges and discs told stories of time, taste, and experience. They could be displayed, shared, and passed down. Digital libraries are not collections. They cannot be resold, inherited, or even guaranteed to persist indefinitely. What appears to be a personal archive is, in reality, a conditional list of access rights tied to an account.

Because if buying no longer means owning, then we should at least be using the “Rent” button.

The post The Disappearing Ownership: How “Buying” Video Games No Longer Means Owning Them appeared first on Shotx.

As we say goodbye to the old year and dive into 2025, we just want to wish you all an amazing year ahead. Here’s to a fresh start, exciting opportunities, and lots of happy moments

On our side, we’ve got big plans – lots of new content, more frequent updates, more surprises, and finally completing Act II!

Thanks for sticking with us, it’s going to be an epic year, and we can’t wait to share it all with you.

Wishing you good vibes, good health, and all the success you’re dreaming of!

Let’s go, 2025!

The post Happy New Year! appeared first on Shotx.

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