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The Deadly, Infectious Properties of The Meat

[h3]//INCOMING TRANSMISSION...[/h3][p][/p][h3]//EARTH COUNTER INVASION FORCE INTELLIGENCE BUREAU[/h3][p][/p][h3]//DISPLAYING LATEST INTELLIGENCE REPORT...[/h3][p][/p][p]This intel file will look at how The Meat infects people and machinery, along with explaining some properties about mutations themselves.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Spores - The Harbingers of Death[/h3][p]From the data we have gathered from infected personnel, we have concluded that The Meat spreads and infects viable hosts through airborne droplets and dust, using "spores" to enter the body. We understand that just one of these spores is enough to start the infection process. The larger the contact area, the faster the infection goes.[/p][p]Spores retain a red color and are able to turn any liquids they are in to red, as well. It has been observed that at ambient temperatures below negative 10 degrees Celsius, the rate and effectiveness of infection is significantly reduced.[/p][p]From select operations in clearing affected regions of The Meat, we have observed that monsters formed as a result of infection and mutation by themselves are not capable of infecting others as fast as spores can. Thus, spores are the singular means of any expansive, accelerated infection.[/p][p][/p][h3]Human Biological Susceptibility[/h3][p]Thanks to the diligent work of our researchers, we can now confirm that not every human is susceptible to Meat infection. According to very rough estimates, our initial results state that approximately 33% of the world's population has definitive immunity to The Meat. Another 33% is purported to be capable of "vaccination" and can be cured of infection under certain conditions.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]A Summary on the Moon Base Infection[/h3][p]Reflecting on the events that occurred on the Moon, the primary infection of lunar personnel occurred through the spread of spores through the Tycho Crater Moon Base's ventilation systems. The spores eventually found their way to Earth through meteorites covered with Meat growths and massive congregations of spores. These spores went on to spread across a wide region as the Meat-infected meteorites fell through the atmosphere. It was this series of falling meteorites that caused approximately three-fourths of the inhabited region to become the primary infection zone.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Rate of Infection among Humans[/h3][p]In terms of the rate of human infection, this can vary greatly. In some cases, mutation occurs in seconds, while for others it may take hours or even more than a day. If the infection is slow, then it is indeed possible for a victim to be saved, but only prior to the The Meat consuming most of a victim's body.[/p][p][/p][h3]Rift Energy[/h3][p]Spores utilize "Rift Energy" to infect victims quickly. Without this, our scientists have determined spores to be quite harmless. However, The Meat, and any physical forms it can take, can still infect an individual without spores or Rift Energy--with close and prolonged physical contact. In the absence of spores and Rift Energy, this type of mutation through physical contact can last weeks or even months, and the mass of any Meat growths on a victim would have to be at least a quarter of the mass of the infected individual. However, infection through physical contact can be significantly accelerated when using Rift Energy, but the rate of infection will still be at least tenfold inferior to infection via spores.[/p][p][/p][h3]Lunar-Exclusive Spores[/h3][p]One outlying unknown that is still being researched is the fact that the formation of the Meat spores occurred only on the Moon. Further studies and analysis of the situation are still ongoing, and further information on this specific subject is classified.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]The Use of Iron[/h3][p]It is known that iron is particularly susceptible to mutation, though on a much smaller scale compared to other substances. The assimilation of iron into a Meat growth would require much more time, resulting in machinations that are viewed as much less modest. In most cases, the actual iron objects and items would remain as they are, but they would undoubtedly become imbued within the living Meat spores.[/p][p]We can assume, therefore, that The Meat prefers to infect humans due to its limited reserves of Rift Energy. Otherwise, we could further assume that huge swarms of monstrous vehicles, for instance, would have been much more proliferous across the affected cities.[/p][p]However, if it is possible to infect an individual in the immediate vicinity of a more or less colossal iron object, then there is a relatively smaller chance that said individual will be assimilated into one mutating mass. In such cases, when a living human is consumed within a Meat-infected iron mass, then the assimilation of the iron itself will further accelerate.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Post-Mutation Mass[/h3][p]The mass and volume of flesh can increase significantly after mutation, but we cannot yet explain the nature of this phenomenon. We hypothesize this is due to the Rift Energy inherent in spores. The mutation process will also always result in a "final form," after which the mutation process stops. Separately, it should be noted that monsters formed through mutations do not have any regenerative abilities. So, if, say, one of our soldiers shoots off a limb, a new one would not grow back.[/p][p][/p][h3]Classification of Human Mutant Types[/h3][p]Humanoid (Small Variants) - Despite the terrible mutation process, it is still possible to distinguish any untouched limbs of the infected individual.[/p][p]Deformed (Medium Variants) - Mutants of this variant possess obvious and clear deformities, such as giant eyes formed on the individuals legs, or an enlarged head growing out of the ground. It is also known that mutants under this type can be found combined with varying small-sized equipment, or even stationary objects like barrels.[/p][p]Giant (Large Variants) - In some cases, a mutation combines the bodies of several individuals and one or more pieces of equipment (in rarer cases, even fixed structures themselves) into one organism. Observed sizes of these mutants range from cars to entire buildings.[/p][p]"Failed" Mutations - We consider these mutants as "Failed" because, in our observations, the infected object(s) brings no benefit to The Meat. For instance, these have been seen with stationary machinery and nonlethal fixtures, like scaffolding.[/p][p]A more detailed analysis of these monsters, their structure and intelligence will be discussed in a separate intelligence disclosure.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We appreciate the public's attention to this dispensation of information. A following intelligence disclosure will discuss methods to prevent and counter infection.[/p][p][/p][h3]//END OF TRANSMISSION[/h3][h3]//EARTH COUNTER INVASION FORCE[/h3][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Iron Meat is available now! Wishlist the game or try the demo![/h3][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Be sure to follow Retroware's developer page to stay up-to-date on all our games, news, and more![/h3][p][/p][p]https://store.steampowered.com/developer/retroware[/p]

Big Updates in 2026!

[p]In 2026, Iron Meat is looking forward to at least two major updates. I would like to briefly tell you about one of them today--an update that will introduce several new levels. To be precise, there will be a series of posts detailing this update because there's too much content for just one post.[/p][p][/p][p]WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD![/p][p]The new levels will serve as a prequel, revealing events on the Moon during the escape of "Meat" and the beginning of mass infection. You'll even have the opportunity to visit some locations from the original game![/p][p][/p][p]We'll play as Sasha—a specialist in chemical and biological warfare defense—whose mission will be to evacuate personnel from the station. Yes, Sasha isn't the only survivor on the Moon! Although "Meat" spreads rapidly, it has its limits and constraints, so many survivors remain after its attack—and they must be saved![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Yuri becomes the first victim, and it's already too late to help him. But others can still be helped![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]In these new levels, you'll encounter not only new enemies but also old "friends." These levels will give you a fresh perspective on the events of the original campaign.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This was a brief introduction; more detailed information about each aspect of the update and the lore behind the game will follow in subsequent posts. I'm sure you'll find it interesting to learn, for example, how exactly the infection by "Meat" occurs and how to avoid it if possible.[/p][p][/p][p]The update will also address technical aspects of the project: we're fixing bugs that hinder smooth gameplay, especially controller issues (which are haunting my nightmares).[/p][p][/p][p]I wish everyone a happy New Year and Christmas![/p][p][/p][p](Post written by a developer)[/p]

Incoming Transmission: MAJOR UPDATE #2 is HERE!


Artwork by Maxim Yasko

[h3]We've been hard at work on the next major content update for Iron Meat, and we're super excited to finally be able to show you what we've been up to!

Let's jump right into the MEAT of it all:[/h3]

NEW CONTENT

[h2]New Modes[/h2]
[h3]1. Boss Rush[/h3]
Challenge the fearsome, gore-tastic boss monsters from every mission in the game! Choose what weapons you want to equip at the start of every fight. Like the normal playthrough mode, your life count will be based on what difficulty you select beforehand. However, lose all your lives and you'll be given the option to start at the VERY BEGINNING once again, or you can call it quits! Pick up your favorite pair of weapons and go hunting for those boss monsters!


[h3]2. Arcade[/h3]
As a highly requested mode by you, our community, we've added an Arcade mode to the game. This mode will establish a limit on how many Continues you can do, which will vary based on the difficulty you select. As it stands, you will have: 6 Continues on Easy, 4 Continues on Normal, and only 2 Continues on Hard. Otherwise, the playthrough is largely the same--you'll still gain a new life every 20,000 points, and you'll still encounter the same enemies, weapon drops, point drops, and upgrade drops as you would in a normal playthrough.


[h3]3. Mutation[/h3]
Experience Iron Meat in a whole new way in Mutation Mode! Add even MORE infected Meat humans to join the fray, choose which weapon upgrades appear across levels--and which ones appear as just point drops, turn on AUTOMATIC FIRING, or summon forth a whole swath of Meat Hands that will truly force you to Run and Gun!
Here's a list of every setting that will appear in Mutation Mode:
  1. Arms Race: Giant Meat Hands chase the player from the left of the screen. Players can alter how many actual hands appear.
  2. Bubble Trouble: Normal infected enemies can produce toxic bubbles on death. You can set how prolific these toxic bubbles will be--you can also set whether enemies produce small or large amounts of bubbles on death.
  3. Blats Party: Adds flying enemies (i.e. Blats and Dragonflies) into every applicable level, where you can also set how many you want to see appear (only one at a time, or a group that appears frequently).
  4. Horde Control: This setting alters the frequency of common Meat-infected humans appearing on screen. Use the slider to increase or decrease their overall quantity.
  5. Favorite Weapon: Pre-select your starting weapon that you'll begin every level with. Note: Setting this to active will only allow you to pick ONE (1) weapon to start with at the beginning of every level. You can also choose to start with a weapon at its 2nd tier (Green Projectiles)!
  6. Active & Nonactive Weapons: Pick and choose which weapon upgrades will change into Score Pick-Ups instead of Weapon Pick-Ups.
  7. Firing Speed (Slower or Faster): Set a custom rate of fire for any weapon you use to be slower (set slider to the left) or faster (set slider to the right) than normal.
  8. Enable Auto-Fire: Setting this to active will allow the player(s) to never stop firing the weapon currently active.
  9. Infinite Upgrade Time / No 2nd Weapon Slot: This setting allows players to keep their Supercharge upgrade (Rapid Fire), retaining their red projectiles as well. However, setting this to active will also remove the second weapon slot, so you will only be able to have a single weapon equipped at any given time.
  10. Set Custom Life Count: Choose the default number of lives players will always start with at the beginning of every level.

We are pleased to serve players a fine platter of customizable settings, and we hope you enjoy all that these (and future?) settings have to offer!

[h2]New Weapons[/h2]
[h3]"F" Gun (The Flamethrower)[/h3]
A unique weapon first seen in Iron Meat's end credits animation. We decided to retool it to function with multiple fireballs that will follow the player's aim. While obviously ineffective when facing enemies at a range, the Flamethrower serves it purpose in controlling massive hordes of Meat-infected humans running onto the scene from either side! Starting out, this weapon's base color is orange. Upgraded once, it'll turn a bright blue. Upgraded a third time, or by obtaining the Supercharge pick-up, its color will change to an otherworldly green hue! Turn up the heat against the Meat with this all-new weapon!


[h3]"P" Gun (Particle Gun)[/h3]
This weapon rapidly fires the energy stored within its rounds into smaller bits encased with lethal plasma. Like its other weapon brethren, this model is outfitted to fire blue-tinted rounds, with its upgraded version changing them to green. However, unlocking this weapon's third tier through Supercharge will somehow change its projectiles into dark red Meat rounds, which a few deranged agents of ours have colloquially coined as the "Bacon Gun."


[h2]New Enemy Type[/h2]
[h3]Wall-Crawling Zombies[/h3]
Officers infected by the Meat will appear in either foreground or background elements to either jump down or pull themselves up onto the stage area! Be on the lookout for those Meat-ified humans donning officer uniforms and take them out before they run into you!


And there you have it! We hope you'll look forward to trying out all the new modes, playing with the new weapons, and facing down those crawling Meat zombies in Iron Meat's next major update!

[h3]This update is live RIGHT NOW and will be available for all other platforms very soon![/h3]

And check out our update video on YouTube that goes through what's in this update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUz4LWgrTv4

Be sure to follow Retroware's developer page to stay up-to-date on all our games, news, and more!
https://store.steampowered.com/developer/Retroware

[h3]And, for one WHOLE WEEK, you can get Iron Meat now at 25% OFF as part of a Steam Daily Deal! Play the newest update to the game today![/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1157740/Iron_Meat/

Achievements Drop #4

From shooting an eyeball, to dodging projectiles from MULTIPLE eyeballs, we're back this week to give you the lowdown on three more achievements: "Concentrate Your Fire!", "Eye See You!", and "...Why?"

[h3]1. Concentrate Your Fire![/h3]
To earn this achievement, you'll have to destroy every Meat Generator that appears in the final phase of the Monster House boss fight. There's four of them, but be careful--the boss's eye will shoot projectiles faster the more Meat Generators you destroy!



[h3]2. Eye See You![/h3]
Keeping up with the EYES, on the Moon level, you'll encounter multiple Eyesticks jutting out from the Meat-encrusted walls and ceilings! For this achievement, you need to kill the brain on the ceiling without destroying any of the Eyesticks!



[h3]3. ...Why?[/h3]
Moving to the Sky level, you can earn this achievement if you happen to destroy every destructible engine piece on the side of the airship! To put it simply, just shoot at any object that can explode!



Check back here for even more updates! Iron Meat is available now!

Be sure to follow Retroware's developer page to stay up-to-date on all our games, news, and more!

https://store.steampowered.com/developer/Retroware

MAJOR UPDATE #1

[h2]INCOMING TRANSMISSION![/h2]
[h3]//Major Update #1 Initializing...[/h3]

We're super excited to release the first major update to Iron Meat! From a new color added to show off when Supercharge is active, to a MIRROR MODE, in addition to minor bug fixes, you can take on the hordes of Meat monsters in a whole new way!


[h3]Updates List:[/h3]
  • Mirror Mode has been added - Unlocked after completing the game for the first time. You can now play through every level of the game with the x-axis flipped. Enemies and bosses function the same, but this time you'll be running to your LEFT!
  • The Supercharge mode (Rapid Fire) will now automatically activate if you collect a third copy of an already equipped gun.
  • Bullets fired while in Supercharge mode will now appear as RED.
  • Sections of all levels have been slightly changed to be more fair to the player (example: Meat Worms are now killable in Base the second they appear, the Meat Mouth door spawners on Train are now killable).
  • Increased the default damage of the "E", "U", and "M" guns.
  • Enhanced background visuals (i.e. helicopter firing on Meat monsters in Forest, added spikes to miniboss on Base, surviving pilots added to credits animation scroll, explosion impacts from meteors on Train).
  • You can now keep any extra lives you earned if you finish a level with more lives than you started with.
  • MI-24 helicopter boss fight has been retooled to be more clear.
  • More MEAT has been added to Moon Base.

We hope you'll enjoy challenging yourselves in Mirror Mode, blasting enemies with Supercharge, and all the other updates we've added to the game, and be on the lookout for when the next major update drops!

Jump into the action and play Iron Meat now!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1157740/Iron_Meat/

Be sure to follow Retroware's developer page to stay up-to-date on all our games, news, and more!

https://store.steampowered.com/developer/retroware