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.

Act II: Origins – Out Now!

The wait is over… our biggest content update yet has finally arrived!

We took extra time to polish every detail, and instead of cutting corners to meet the deadline, we pushed ourselves to deliver everything we promised and more. Act II brings a whole lot of new content:

• Bigger, more diverse locations to explore
• New enemy types to test your survival skills
• More loot and discoveries
• Fresh challenges and rising tension around every corner
• And most importantly: your very own permanent underground shelter with full base-building mode!

This is the world of The Dead Await, expanding like never before. Dive in, claim your shelter, and shape your survival story.

Build Your Shelter

With over 50 unique cubes at your disposal, it’s time to design and shape your own underground shelter. One cube at a time, construct a shelter that fits your playstyle – whether that means maximizing production, fortifying defenses, or creating a safe haven for survivors.

• Automate resource production and manage workers, power, and supplies
• Build layered defenses to hold back relentless hordes
• Expand with five cube categories: Production, Base, Defense, Storage, and Decoration
• Unlock new cubes and upgrades as your shelter rating grows

Watch the teaser:

Play or wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2393580/The_Dead_Await/

But survival doesn’t come easy, the sound of machinery and construction risks drawing the dead closer. Keep your armory stocked by transferring spare weapons and gear, ensuring others are ready to fight when the walls are tested. And when the horde falls silent, send out scavenging expeditions to bring back resources and loot to keep your shelter thriving.

The Story Continues…

You and your crew are finally ready to head out to Westwood Hospital. But what’s really left of the place? Has it already been picked clean, or is something worse waiting inside?

You’ll find some answers there, but every answer only raises new questions. This chapter takes the outbreak in a direction you haven’t seen before.

The hardest part isn’t just surviving, it’s figuring out who people really are when the masks come off. Can you still tell who’s a friend, and who’s a threat?

Defeat Powerful New Enemies

You’ve faced zombies and bandits before… but in Act II, a new kind of threat emerges. Locals call them psychos, clowns, the deranged.

Maybe the end of the world broke their minds… or maybe they were always like this, and the apocalypse just made it clear.

Either way, it’s up to you to figure out what they really are and if there’s any sense to be made at all!

Explore Tons of New Content

In Act II, we’ve expanded on everything you enjoyed in Act I – there’s just more of it all!

You’ll find hours of new content to dive into: bigger areas to explore, new types of enemies to fight, more loot to grab, and plenty of fresh challenges to test yourself against.

And once food, water, and fuel stop being your biggest worry, you can finally kick back in your shelter, customize it, and plan ahead for what’s coming next. The world is still brutal, but now you’ve got more ways to face it.

Feedback & Future

We’re launching a new poll, and unlike Little Billy, Auntie Nell isn’t really asking for your opinion. She’s warning you instead: vote carefully, and be patient… ● Character Skins & Customization ● Mystery Update ● Trading 2.0 (Improved/Reworked) ● Permanent Status Cards & Increased Difficulty ● Modding Support We’re not including major content updates (Act II Final and Act III) this time since it remains our primary goal.

We know the wait for Act II felt long, and we hear your feedback loud and clear. The Dead Await is a massive project for our small team, and we’ve been pushing hard to stay true to our promises, building it with care and dedication.

Your feedback has already helped shape the game into something better for everyone. Looking back at past updates and changelogs, it’s clear we’ve made real progress together with your support.

This update is mostly about new content, but we’ve also fixed a few long-standing issues the community mentioned:

• You can finally skip long cutscenes 
• Trader reputation now increases properly instead of barely moving

And about the road to 1.0:

• Act II: Final will wrap up the new zone with the rest of the content and locations
• Act III (1.0 update) will be smaller and focused on the final main quest

Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for being part of this journey.

We hope you enjoy the update!

If we haven’t responded to your feedback yet, please bear with us a little longer. Thank you for your patience

v.0.9.0.0 – Act II: Origins Update (NOTE: the changelog doesn’t list all the new content that’s been added in previous betas but were restricted, see previous updates for that.)

Shelter & Base Building

• New Feature: Base Building is here! Design, expand, and customize your underground shelter.
• Added Communicator.
• Added Scavenge Mode.
• Added Production Tab.
• Added Horde Defense Mode.
• Added Armory.
• Added Shelter Tutorial.
• New Shelter Tips added to the Journal.

Quests

• New Main Quest: Our New Home
• New Main Quest: Hard Work
• New Main Quest: Meow
• New Side Quest: The Resurrection of Mr. Longs
• New Side Quest: Sophia’s Bag
• New Side Quest: Finding Abyss
• New Side Quest: Antiphobic
• New Side Quest: Cheese Run
• New Side Quest: Numbers

Random Events

• New Event: The Laughing Blockage
• New Event: Roadside Toll

Gameplay & Content

• All Act II content is now accessible.
• Added enemy spawns in Act II.
• Added Act III restriction fog (teasing the next stage).

Fixes & Changes

• Trade Reputation: now increases by 0.2% per 100 coins (up from 0.01%).
• Fixed: Two Man Job quest end event not triggering if combat is avoided.
• Added: Skip Cutscenes (hold ESC).
• Changed: Loading screen background.
• Fixed: Crash caused by Narcamax-E when attempting to auto-refill in camp storage.
• Changed: Max level cap increased to 15.

How You Can Support Us

As a small indie team, there are so many ways you can help support us and the game.

• If you buy the game, please consider leaving an honest review on Steam! Reviews have a massive impact on indie games and we’d love to see your thoughts and experiences through a review.
• Sharing the game through word of mouth with family and friends or on social media with your followers can really help spread the word and give others a chance to discover their next adventure. So many indies are discovered with a simple share or casual discussion.
• Join the amazing community in our Discord and follow us on Twitter to share in the excitement and get to know other great gamers looking to survive.

Good luck surviving!
– Shotx

The post Act II: Origins & Base Building Available Now! appeared first on Shotx.

The Wasteland Just Turned Deadlier

We’ve got a fresh update for you – Elites Unleashed! While Act II still needs a bit more time in the oven, we didn’t want to leave you empty-handed.

This update brings one of the most requested features straight from our community poll: elite enemies and more loot! It was the second most upvoted feature, and now it’s finally here for you to take on.

Elite Enemies & More Loot

Most of you have probably wrapped up Act I by now, leaving the wasteland a little too quiet while waiting for Act II. Well, that calm is finally over… get ready for elite enemies!

Elites spawn just like regular enemies, but you’ll recognize them by their red star icon hovering above. Don’t underestimate them, auto-resolve won’t work here, and you’ll need to bring plenty of defense cards to survive their heavy attacks.

Of course, the danger comes with rewards. Elites carry exclusive loot, including unique items you won’t find anywhere else. Some are dropped directly by elites, while others wait inside the new elite cubes, glowing with a distinct border. Gear up, claim your prizes, and prove yourself as the hero the wasteland fears once more.

Jamaal

Whispers in the wasteland speak of a new arrival at the Mind Metropolis Tavern. He’s no ordinary drifter and has a keen interest in Elite Tokens. If you’ve managed to get your hands on any, he’s more than willing to trade them for a generous pile of coins… and he hints there may be something far more valuable in store down the line.

Updated Engine, New Skins & More Fixes

We’ve prepared another special thank-you gift for all our early access supporters: Code: augift01

(The code can be redeemed until August 31)

Redeem it, enjoy, and know that your support keeps this apocalypse alive.

But that’s not all, this update brings more than just new content. We’ve upgraded the game engine for better stability, added fresh main menu skins each with their own unique sound loop, and fixed a few more remaining bugs (including The Man Job side quest). Step back in, explore what’s new, and keep surviving.

Act II Progress

Our new Shelter system is nearly ready!

We’ve recently finished integrating the shop and upgrade mechanics, giving you the ability to push your cubes further – improving production efficiency, boosting stats, and making your underground base stronger.

We’re taking a little extra time to polish everything so it launches in a stable, bug-free state.

Right now, our focus is on the Communicator, a tool you can access anytime to keep tabs on your shelter while you’re away. From checking on production and scavenging expeditions, to spotting threats before they hit your walls – it’ll keep you connected

Once that’s done, we’ll dive into the final Act II quests. The last step before we’re ready to launch Act II!

Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for being part of this journey.

We hope you enjoy the Elites Unleashed update!

If we haven’t responded to your feedback yet, please bear with us a little longer. Thank you for your patience

v.0.8.9.7

ADDED:

• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Albert.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Captain Kane.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: June.
• Added: [ACT II] Last Haven guards.
• Added: [ACT II] New quest: Tell Me The Future.
• Added: Main menu skins now come with their original soundloops.
• Added: New main menu skin “Black”.
• Added: New main menu skin “Redx”.
• Added: New code: augift01 (until August 31).
• Added: [ACT II] New caravan parts: Tier 4, Tier 5.
• Added: [ACT II] New settlement: Last Haven Entrance.
• Added: [ACT II] New cube: Mr. Longs.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Godrut.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Santa.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Dr. Valen.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Santi.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Auntie Nell.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Grektor.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Gerlock Kholes.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Shut.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Salo.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Gerlock’s House.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Devin.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Watcher.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Seeker.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Whisperer.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Nestwarden.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: The Voice.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Hell-0 Floor -1.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Last Haven Tavern.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Rusty.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Hell-0 Floor -2.
• Added a new OST: Hell-0.
• Added: [ACT II] OST: The Feathers.
• Added: [ACT II]OST: Hell-X.
• Added: [ACT II] OST: Hell-2.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Fenesia.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Factory N4.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Danny.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Curt.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Last Haven Town Hall.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Jasper.
• Added: [ACT II] New settlement: Last Haven.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Yunolo – House of the Dead.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Yunolo – Tavern.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: Yunolo – Town Hall.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Doddy.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Melinda.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Floyd.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Mickey.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Alan.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Vance.
• Added: [ACT II] New settlement: Yunolo.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Jeff.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Raul.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Mr. G.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Ria.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Roa.
• Added: [ACT II] New settlement: Chroma Junction.
• Added: [ACT II] New building: The Pit.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Una.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Lillian.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Natasha.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Shana.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Maxina.
• Added: [ACT II] New settlement: Angspitry.
• Added: new type of doors.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Skinny.
• Added: support for multi floor buildings when tracking quests.
• Added: [ACT II] NPC: Abdul.
• Shelter: Added workbench.
• Shelter: Added dism. machine.
• Shelter: Added caravan.
• Shelter: Added storage.
• Shelter: Added campfire.
• Shelter: Added tent.
• Shelter: Added supplies.
• Added a new item: Radar Interface Chip
• Added a new item: Smart Fuse.
• Shelter: Added base top UI.
• Shelter: Added water points.
• Shelter: Added food points.
• Shelter: Added fuel points.
• Shelter: Added Build menu.
• Shelter: Added repairs.
• Shelter: Added rating.
• Shelter: Added power.
• Shelter: Added workers.
• Shelter: Added default storage and trading post.
• Shelter: Added warning bar.
• Shelter: Completed all storage cubes.
• Shelter: Completed all production cubes.
• Shelter: Completed all defense cubes.
• Shelter: Completed all decoration cubes.
• Added: console command: /xy to change player x, y coordinates.
• Shelter: Completed Shop cubes.
• Shelter: Completed Upgrade cubes.
• Shelter: Completed all base cubes.
• Shelter: added NPCs.
• Shelter: added group characters.
• Added: new sounds.
• Added a new item: Emerald.
• Added a new item: Elite Tokens.
• Added a new item: Military Medkit.
• Added a new item: Military Cap.
• Added a new item: Hook.
• Added a new item: Bonequake.
• Added a new cube type: Elite.
• Added: NPC: Jamaal.
• Added: 6 new elite enemies.
• Added: new type of enemies: elite enemies.
• Added: elite only loot.

FIXED / CHANGED:

• Changed: Slotomot-Z Daily Jackpot chance lowered to 0.05% from 0.1%.
• Updated engine.
• Fixed: News panel scrollbar now functions as intended.
• Fixed: “Two Man Job” side quest.
• Fixed: Slotomot-Z auto-spin feature.
• Changed: enemies will now drop more varied loot.
• Fixed: crash on manual resolution (“surface does not exist 34”)
• Fixed: select card hotkeys would reset to default after restarting the game.
• Fixed: Take all and close hotkey “Z” now works after combat and will close automatically if empty.
• Fixed: Steamed Rice weighs more than Rice.
• Other minor bug fixes and changes.

How You Can Support Us

As a small indie team, there are so many ways you can help support us and the game.

• If you buy the game, please consider leaving an honest review on Steam! Reviews have a massive impact on indie games and we’d love to see your thoughts and experiences through a review.
• Sharing the game through word of mouth with family and friends or on social media with your followers can really help spread the word and give others a chance to discover their next adventure. So many indies are discovered with a simple share or casual discussion.
• Join the amazing community in our Discord and follow us on Twitter to share in the excitement and get to know other great gamers looking to survive.

Good luck surviving! – Shotx

The post Elites Unleashed Update appeared first on Shotx.

We’re happy to be back with some awesome news about Act II and base building, the huge updating that you’ve been waiting for is almost complete now!

As many of you know, there comes a time in any game’s development where we need to go heads-down and focus entirely on building, polishing, and testing. That means fewer updates from us… but a whole lot more happening behind the scenes. And trust us… a lot has been happening.

So, let’s dive into what we’ve been working on…

New Settlements

We’ve just crossed off one of the biggest milestones for Act II: all the new settlements are now complete! That includes new characters, fresh dialogue, and of course, new buildings and cube types.

Back in Act I, you got your first taste of a major settlement with The Bazaar. If you loved exploring that area, you’re in for a treat as Act II expands on that foundation in a big way, with multiple, larger settlements waiting to be discovered.

A World Full of Secrets

Act II isn’t just bigger, it’s deeper. Expect more intrigue and plenty of mysterious places to poke around in.

Each new location has its own hidden stories, dangers, and choices to make. Where will the trail from Westwood Hospital lead you next? That’s for you to find out…

You’re Getting Noticed…

The more good you do, the more people notice and that comes with some baggage. Word’s getting around about what you’ve done, and let’s just say… not everyone’s happy.

You’re not flying under the radar anymore. People are talking. Some want to meet you, some want to thank you… and some really want you gone.

You’re no longer just a survivor… you’re a player in a much bigger game.

That’s all we have to say for now without spoiling Angel’s adventures.

So let’s move on and talk about the next big feature we think you’re really gonna love!

Base Building!

You heard that right… you’re finally getting your own personal shelter, and yes, that means base building is officially happening!

It wasn’t part of our original plan. It was one of those “maybe one day” ideas we kept on the list, depending on how much you all wanted it. But then it ended up being the most upvoted feature in our in-game poll and so we listened.

Now we’re excited to show you what we’ve been working on!

Here’s How it Works:

You’ll be managing supplies, power, and workers to expand and improve. That means building better production units, stronger defenses, and yep… way more storage (we heard you asking for more space ).

You’ll also be able to customize your shelter with decorations and upgrades to really make it your own. It’s all about growing your base into something you’re proud of and something that can survive whatever’s coming next.

List of Features:

● Defending your shelter from hordes

● Building and upgrading turrets

● Various cube types: production, storage, decoration, and more

● Repair mechanics

● Auto-selling produced resources

● Scavenging missions

● Tons of upgrades

● Managing power, workers, and your shelter’s overall rating

● And a lot more…

Integrated Camp

What about my mobile camp?

Don’t worry your camp (and all the upgrades you’ve worked for) isn’t going anywhere. It’ll be fully integrated into your shelter, so you’ll still have access to everything, just from the comfort of your new home base.

What’s Next?

With all that out of the way, we’ve finally hit the stage where we can wrap up the main quest and keep adding in side quests. That’s the last big step before the update is ready to launch!

We’re almost there!

Thank you all for your support and patience

The post It’s Almost Time! appeared first on Shotx.

Get ready for New Encounters the content update we’ve been developing alongside Act II! This one’s big, and we hope it delivers everything you’ve been waiting for…

Our in-game poll showed that, aside from Act II, more random events were the most requested feature. We couldn’t keep you waiting that long, so we got to work on another major update, that’s also adding new minigames and some other exciting features.

Let’s dive into what we’ve been working on

More Random Events

As promised, we’ve added even more random events, each packed with crucial choices and intriguing outcomes. You might stumble upon a stranded survivor, pick up a mysterious radio signal, unexpectedly face a zombie horde, or encounter a desperate trader offering a mystery box.

Rumor has it that some have discovered fragments of a powerful artifact called the Shattered Eye inside that very box. Collect them all, combine them together, and you may unlock a new power. Whatever fate has in store for you this time, good luck!

Hit The Jackpot!

Progressive jackpot? You bet!

Introducing Slotomot-Z, a slot machine designed to give you a break from the usual zombie apocalypse chaos and test your luck!

Some of the taverns you’ve likely visited have already installed the Slotomot-Z, including the one in Mind Metropolis. Give it a spin and see what fortune has in store for you!

To bring a touch of shared excitement, we’ve added complementary online features to The Dead Await with this update! We’ll dive into the details below, but when it comes to Slotomot-Z, online players will find something extra, rather than a fixed 50,000-coin offline jackpot, they’ll have a shot at the massive progressive jackpot, which at the time of writing this is 89,650!

R-QANONOID

You’ve searched through countless PC files in the zombie apocalypse, hunting for clues, secrets, and anything worth the time, yet not a single game in sight. Strange, isn’t it?

Well, that’s about to change! Get ready to put your breakout skills to the test in R-QANONOID. Beat all the levels, and there’s a special reward waiting for you!

Shoutbox / LiveFeed & Unlockables

Connect with other survivors out there, our unique approach to all things online.

Before going into details we want to clarify one thing first so that it doesn’t cause any confusion. The Dead Await is and will stay with offline and singleplayer game as the main priority. But, as the game grows with future updates we wanted to introduce some complimentary online functionality that would boost the fun. Things that are online will be completely optional and even then will also work while staying offline.

Shoutbox / LiveFeed

Let’s introduce the Shoutbox (or LiveFeed), a fast and easy way to connect with other players through short messages. Each player can send a message every 30 seconds, ensuring a steady flow of conversation while keeping spam to a minimum. Offensive or inappropriate content will be automatically removed, so please keep it civil!

In addition to player messages, the LiveFeed will also showcase real-time updates on exciting in-game events, such as major player achievements, jackpot wins from the newly added Slotomot-Z, and other noteworthy moments. Stay engaged and celebrate the action as it happens!

Unlockables

This update introduces a brand-new type of unlockable: redeemable codes that grant instant rewards! These codes work both online and offline, offering two exciting ways to find them. Some can be discovered in-game during your adventures, so keep an eye out for hidden notes! Others will be distributed online for special occasions, giving you access to exclusive rewards when we decide to share them.

With this system, we can roll out smaller updates more efficiently and celebrate special events with unique items. As a token of appreciation for our amazing Early Access supporters, those who’ve been with us from the start, reported bugs, and helped shape the game… here’s our very first code:

zXfS972jzB

Redeem it before March 31, 2025 to claim your reward!

We won’t spoil the surprise, so go ahead and redeem it to see what’s waiting for you!

New Game Packages

When starting a new game, you’ll notice we’ve introduced new game packages. The first step toward even more customizable options coming in future updates!

For now, you have the freedom to skip the tutorial and prologue entirely if you’d like. Plus, you can boost your character right from the beginning with packages like the VIP Package and Caravan X, designed to give you extra advantages. These can be unlocked using the new code redeem function, with codes hidden throughout the game for you to discover.

For our returning players, if you’re starting fresh, you can redeem these codes right away:

V.I.P. Package – The0N3nOLy
Caravan X Package – XCarAVan1X

We hope you enjoy the new options!

Act II Progress

We’ve made huge progress on Act II since our last devlog! Every location, down to the smallest details is now fully completed, and we’ve officially moved on to expanding the main storyline and introducing new characters.

We truly appreciate your patience and are just as eager as you are to see Act II finished! As we’ve mentioned before, this chapter is significantly larger than Act I (which is already complete) and far bigger than Act III, which focuses primarily on the final quest.

So far, we’ve wrapped up all new enemies, items, locations, cards, perks, and recipes. What remains is creating new quests, characters, and base-building mechanics, the finishing touches to bring Act II to life!

Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for being part of this journey!

Ambient OST

As we’ve been replaying The Dead Await, we realized that while the action-packed combat soundtrack adds intensity, sometimes a more ambient alternative would help create a calmer atmosphere—allowing you to focus better on your card choices.

To address this, we’ve added a new Ambient OST toggle, letting you switch between the two styles at any time during combat. Whether you prefer high-energy battles or a more strategic, immersive vibe, the choice is yours!

Updated Save File Format & Validity Checkmarks

We’ve got good news and bad news this time .

Let’s start with the bad news… we discovered that our current save file format wasn’t as future-proof as we had hoped. Because of this, we had to revamp the format significantly, which unfortunately means that older save files won’t be compatible. There was no simple way to convert them to the new system.

Now, onto the good news! After updating the save format:

• Save file sizes have been reduced by 80%!
• We fixed a bug where event outcomes weren’t saving properly.
• Each playthrough now has a unique game ID, making it easier to track and manage multiple saves.
• A new validity checkmark detects if a save file has been modified or tampered with.

This update also opens the door for potential future features that wouldn’t have been possible before, such as an online item auction (just as an example ).

& More

Last but not least, we’ve added a few more items and squashed some more bugs in this update.

We hope you enjoy the New Encounters update, now that the additional random events are complete, we’re excited to see which feature will be up next based on your votes in our poll!

If we haven’t responded to your feedback yet, please bear with us a little longer. Thank you for your patience

v.0.8.6.0

• Added: New minigame: R-QANONOID.
• Added: New OST: Sweet Memories.
• Added: New minigame: Slotomot-Z.
• Added: Shoutbox/LiveFeed.
• Added: New OST: Slotomot-Z.
• Added: New ambient tracks.
• Added: Option to switch between ambient / action OST in combat mode.
• Added: New loading tips.
• Added: New loading background.
• Added: New random event: Stranded Survivor.
• Added: New random event: Mysterious Radio Signal.
• Added: New random event: Zombie Horde.
• Added: New random event: Desperate Trader.
• Added: New item: Potion of Experience.
• Added: Redeemable codes.
• Added: Memlock function for values that need to be stored safely.
• Added: Caravan X new game package.
• Added: VIP starter new game package.
• Added: New item: Shattered Eye.
• Added: New item: Shattered Eye Piece.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Boarus.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Boarus Entrance.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: South City Market.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: South City.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: South City Entrance.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Honey Heights – Chipo’s Wonderland.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Honey Heights – Honey Heights Sewers.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Honey Heights.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: M.A. Corner.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Deadlands Plateau.
• Added: [ACT II] New location: Deadlands.
  
  FIXED / CHANGED:
  
• Fixed: UI scroll bars will now position properly while holding the handle.
• Fixed: Incorrect saving format for cubes affecting future updates.
• Fixed: Enabling NPC voices would get disabled back after a restart.
• Changed: Save file size reduced by 80%.
• Fixed: Skip tutorial / prologue option is now available when starting a new game.
• Fixed: Holding down the left mouse button and moving over the main menu buttons would incorrectly register left-click events.
• Changed: Save files now include a validity checkmark to verify whether the player has cheated or modified the save file.
• Changed: Save files now include a unique game ID for each playthrough, making it easier to distinguish between different game saves.
• Fixed: Event outcomes are now correctly saved.
• Other minor changes & fixes.

The post New Encounters Update 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.

Traverse the Open World

Explore a vast world torn apart by a zombie apocalypse, from derelict cities full of loot and zombies to new settlements founded by survivors with opportunity and backstabbing abound. Gather food, water, fuel, and gear to survive the drive while managing your resources to ensure everyone gets to the destination safely.

Stack the Perfect Cards for Combat

Build the survivor you want using a robust attribute, skill, and perk system. Experiment with combinations and character builds, from a suave lockpicker to a mindless berserker and everything in-between. Build up your deck during your travels, taking a team of rag-tag survivors to veterans with incredibly rare cards at their disposal!

Upgrade Your Death Drive

The caravan is at the heart of your journey to discover the truth. Upgrade it with workbenches, storage, and other features to turn it into a true mobile base. Swap out vehicle components to modify the caravan’s performance. Engine, suspension, tires, all affect how you traverse the world – and your chances of surviving!

We’re launching the game with beta branch already available:

Password: TheDeadAwaitB

As we’re a smaller studio, character voice-overs were never in our plans. Furthermore, we need to stick to our deadlines with the content that’s already on the roadmap.

Think of it as an additional feature provided for the players who absolutely need to hear voices to be able to play…

Depending on your opinion, we’ll try our best to improve what’s already there – if this is something our playerbase wishes!

This feature is only available and can be enabled or disabled on beta branch.

The Dead Await on Steam

Good luck surviving!

– Shotx

The post The Dead Await is OUT in Early Access! appeared first on Shotx.

Traverse the Open World
Explore a vast world torn apart by a zombie apocalypse, from derelict cities full of loot and zombies to new settlements founded by survivors with opportunity and backstabbing abound. Gather food, water, fuel, and gear to survive the drive while managing your resources to ensure everyone gets to the destination safely.

Stack the Perfect Cards for Combat
Build the survivor you want using a robust attribute, skill, and perk system. Experiment with combinations and character builds, from a suave lockpicker to a mindless berserker and everything in-between. Build up your deck during your travels, taking a team of rag-tag survivors to veterans with incredibly rare cards at their disposal!

Upgrade Your Death Drive
The caravan is at the heart of your journey to discover the truth. Upgrade it with workbenches, storage, and other features to turn it into a true mobile base. Swap out vehicle components to modify the caravan’s performance. Engine, suspension, tires, all affect how you traverse the world – and your chances of surviving!

Join the Countdown
Don’t forget to wishlist the game and join the amazing community in our Discord and follow us on Twitter to begin counting down to launch day!

See you at launch!
– Shotx

The post Get ready – they’re coming! appeared first on Shotx.

The post Moving to Shotx.Studio appeared first on Shotx.