Back to the Dawn News

[h2]Back to the Dawn 1.0 FAQ[/h2][p][/p][p]1. Q: What is the content and scale of the Black Panther Arc? How long does it take to complete the main storyline?[/p][p]
A: Bob’s story includes a full 5-act main storyline. In terms of script size and narrative complexity, it surpasses Thomas’s route. It will also take significantly longer to complete. To stay true to Bob’s personality and role, even the dialogues reused from other parts of the game have been rewritten in Bob’s tone to ensure full immersion while playing as him.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]2. Q: Does Bob have different “starting background choices” from Thomas?[/p][p] A: Yes. Bob enters Boulderton Prison as an undercover cop on a mission, so his background before imprisonment is completely different from Thomas.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]3. Q: When does Bob’s story begin, and does he also have the 21-day time limit?[/p][p]
A: Although Bob enters the prison one month earlier than Thomas in the lore, his story starts on the same day Thomas arrives, and he also has a 21-day sentence limit. However, his story is not tied to the mayoral election in Thomas' arc.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]4. Q: Are there new prison scenes added in the full version?[/p][p]
A: Yes. The Black Panther Route adds 22 new scenes in total, including 11 story scenes outside the prison and 11 inside the prison, though the new in-prison scenes are mainly for Bob’s nighttime exploration. No new daytime prison activity scenes were added.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]5. Q: Does Bob also need to escape prison? Are there any new escape routes for him?[/p][p]
Yes, Bob also needs to escape.[/p][p]And since we already fully explored the prison’s areas when designing Thomas’s route to provide a rich experience, we did not create new exclusive escape routes for Bob. Additionally, for story-related reasons, Bob will not be able to use some of the escape routes available to Thomas. However, even when using the similar escape routes, the experience and presentation will be quite different due to the difference between Bob and Thomas.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]6. Q: Apart from the main story, does Bob have new side quests?[/p][p]
A: Yes. Since Bob is already a member of the Sharp Tooth Gang at the start of his story, he can access more core Sharp Tooth Gang missions—missions not available when playing as Thomas. His relationship with Bruce also results in a different set of tasks in that questline.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]7. Q: In Bob’s route, will he also help Bam deal with the “entities from another world”?[/p][p]
A: No. Bob’s focus will be on his own mission, and the role of “junior investigator” will be taken up by Thomas instead.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]8. Q: Does Bob have a romance storyline?[/p][p]
A: No, he doesn’t. Bob has a more urgent mission to accomplish. If Thomas is trying to save a city, then Bob is trying to save the entire country.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]9. Q: Can Bob also finish the game “without throwing a single punch” like Thomas?[/p][p]
A: No. Bob’s storyline includes unavoidable battles. As an undercover cop, Bob faces more dangerous foes than Thomas the journalist. So be prepared. We’ve added new combat skills, weapons, and powerful tools exclusively for Bob. Discover and try them out![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]10. Q: Will Bob’s story also feature multiple endings like Thomas’s?[/p][p]
A: Yes. Bob’s route includes three unique endings based on player choices, one "descriptive" ending similar to the “take the money” option, and two newspaper-style failure endings based on Bob's survival.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]11. Q: Is Bob’s achievement system still based on Tarot cards?[/p][p]
A: No. Bob will have a completely different achievement system. What exactly is it? You’ll have to wait and see![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]12. Q: I’ve already 100%-completed Thomas’s route, and Boulderton Prison feels like home. Will Bob’s route still be fun and surprising?[/p][p]
A: Absolutely. Trust us.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]This concludes the FAQ for now. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out via Steam or our social media platforms.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]Also, the Steam Summer Sale is almost here! From June 27 to July 11, Back to the Dawn will be available at its lowest-ever 15% off discount![/p][p][/p][p]This summer sale is the last chance before the 1.0 full release to grab the game at a discount and get the Supporter Pack for free. Don’t miss it![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]May the Father of the Forest bless you all~[/p]

[p]Boulderton Times • Prison News Bulletin[/p][p][/p][p]Listen up, inmates![/p][p][/p][p]Word’s just come through the bars — Back to the Dawn Version 1.0 is officially scheduled for release on July 18. And with it? A new yet untold story lurks in the shadows, ready to pounce.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]While Thomas quietly works on his escape from the inside, there is yet another person we should keep an eye on. And now, Bob the Panther is about to make his move! This isn’t just another cellblock shuffle, you're looking at a full-blown expansion with five new story acts, six different endings, 22 fresh scenes inside and outside the prison, Bob’s unique take on life behind bars, and a mess of dangerous new gang operations. The stakes are higher. The risks are real. Are you ready to walk in the panther’s shadow?[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Now for some news that might just make your day! As a show of gratitude to all early supporters, everyone who owns the game before the 1.0 update drops will get access to the full Supporter Pack — free of charge. Once the full version is live, this pack becomes a paid DLC. So grab a copy of Back to the Dawn now to become an early supporter and get the DLC for free![/p][p][/p][p]Here’s what’s inside:[/p]

• [p] Two Special-Edition Dice Skins: Ace Reporter and Night Owl[/p]
• [p] Cell Decoration Bundle: Includes three cell skins — Golden Wind, Breath of the Forest, and Disco Ball[/p]
• [p] "Infernal Hero" Poster: Increases Reputation by 5 each night when placed in your cell, up to 5 nights[/p]
• [p] "Floodlight" Poster: Increases Rapport with all inmates by 3 each night when placed in your cell, up to 5 nights[/p]
• [p] "Hidden Room" Movie CD-ROM: Playable on computers in the General Building; no skill effects, but provides a unique 4D viewing experience[/p]
• [p] "Zoo Breaker" Audio Cassette: Features the original Early Access main menu music, selectable in the settings[/p]
• [p] Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection[/p]

[p]*Final contents may be subject to change at launch.*[/p][p][/p][p]Keep your eyes open and your claws sharp. July 18 is when everything changes in Boulderton Prison. The cells won’t stay quiet for long.[/p]

Greetings Inmates!

We’re thrilled to announce that after months of polish and refinement, Back to the Dawn will be leaving Early Access and officially launching its 1.0 Version this July! And yes, the highly anticipated Black Panther Arc is finally coming!



In the 1.0 release, players will be able to experience the brand-new Black Panther storyline featuring multiple new quests and never-before-seen areas. Take on the role of Bob, the undercover cop, and infiltrate Boulderton Prison. Uncover suspicious clues, investigate the deeper conspiracy brewing beneath the surface—and find your way out before it’s too late.

This arc will carry a more cinematic tone, with layered characters and morally grey dilemmas. Get ready for grander storytelling, intense twists, and unforgettable setpieces.



[h3]Supporter Pack[/h3]
Alongside the 1.0 release, we will also be launching the Supporter Pack, which includes exclusive bonus content (to be revealed soon—stay tuned!). As a token of appreciation for your continued support, anyone who purchases the base game before the 1.0 launch will receive all the Supporter Pack content for free.

The countdown to Boulderton’s reckoning has begun. Brace yourselves. It’s time to break through the walls and fight your way back to the dawn!

With the launch coming up so shortly, we are also hosting a variety of exciting events leading up to it—for example...

[h3]Our Discord Fanart Competition![/h3]
If you've always wanted to show off your artistic skills, hop onto our Discord server and stand a chance to win Back to the Dawn game key and T-shirt!

https://discord.gg/bTmpY2J2EF

If you haven’t already, do follow us on our social media channels to stay up to date on all our latest content lined up for the future. So be sure to follow our socials and don’t miss out on the opportunities! That's all for today, and we hope you're excited for what's to come.

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Greetings Inmates!

It is once again time for our monthly devlog! By the way, we are currently participating in Eastern Game Fest 2025 and our game is currently having a 15% discount! So if you've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to recommend Back to the Dawn to your friends and family or purchase the game yourself, now is the time!

As we are nearly done with polishing and refining this game, we would like to thank everyone for your endless support and enthusiasm as we work on Bob's storyline. The situation both in and out of prison are turbulent and murky — and a life-or-death test is waiting to surface.

And it would be remiss of us not to introduce the moving parts of this treacherous plot.

[h2]Introducing the supporting cast[/h2]

[h3]Rocky[/h3]



Rocky the Shar Pei, Detective of the Investigation Bureau, aka Bob's handler. He talks constantly of quitting and retiring, but he's a workaholic who has never taken a day of sick leave or vacation. Of course, a superior like that isn't always "good news" for Bob. Even now, when Rocky has a cast on his arm, he still wouldn't let anyone else take over his duties as Bob's handler.

However, maybe that is because he'd always known that this undercover mission was something only Bob could shoulder. Not to mention, Bob has something he wants to speak to Rocky about...

Thinking back, when Bob met Rocky, Bob was still a cop in the capital's police headquarters. One day, while on his morning run, Bob saw a suspicious person carrying a bag and entering the subway maintenance channel. His police training urged him to follow after.

He would've never thought that it'd bring him to a group of terrorists who intend to hijack the subway. With no time to even hesitate, Bob couldn't call for backup and immediately entered a gunfight of one against many.

Just as he was running out of ammunition, one of the gang members turned against his gang and held his own leader hostage. Then a gunman emerged from the shadows, killed the remaining gangsters, and successfully defused the bomb installed at the bottom of the front carriage.



"You really know how to handle yourself. I'm Wesley. The middle-aged shar pei here is Rocky. We're special agents with the FIB. Thanks for distracting these scumbags, and for taking a few out for us, heheh."

After this incident, Rocky recommended Bob to enter the FIB, and Bob has regretted that transferal ever since. But there is no way to turn back the hands of time, is there? After three years and three years more of the undercover life, Rocky has finally agreed to transfer Bob back to being a regular cop. Under one condition: Complete one last undercover mission in prison. Fail, and both Bob's hopes to transfer out and Rocky's pension will vanish into thin air.

[h3]Hugin[/h3]



Hugin the Crow seems to have no real power as the Military Advisor of the Air Force, but everyone knows that he is an important military staff working under the President Austin of the Conservative Government. He was the one who promoted policies such as increasing the number of troops stationed in Aslovia and establishing large military bases. And according to the intelligence sent back to the Investigative Bureau, his recent surprise visit to Boulderton is not a mere social call...

[h3]Surtr[/h3]



Surtr the Elk is the youngest person ever to become the Deputy Director of the Investigation Bureau, and he is known for being thorough and decisive. When he was first promoted, there were some rumors and doubts about him. But after he proved them wrong, all dissenters became silent, and perhaps silenced.

And that is all for this month's updates! All mysteries shall be answered in the game... Get ready for the greatest test of loyality, lies, and truth!

Hello Inmates!

Thank you everyone for your support during the Steam Spring Sale! As we enter the stage of polishing and refinement of Bob's storyline, some of the art we are currently working on might have spoilers so we won't be sharing as much animation.

But what we can share is the key characters of Bob's route! And don't worry — this is mostly basic background information and there will be no spoilers on the plot.

Without further ado, introducing... the Black Panther Route:

[h3]Bob, the Protagonist[/h3]



Bob was originally a police officer, but his exceptional capability was noticed by Rocky the Shar Pei, Detective of the Investigation Bureau. Bob was transferred to the bureau as an agent and assigned to big cases as an undercover operative.

In his numerous years undercover, his performance was stellar and he had never failed his missions, but he's also grown weary of such a life. All he wants is to don the police uniform again and return to being a regular cop.

[h3]Wesley[/h3]



As a fellow undercover agent, Wesley may be the only person Bob can call a friend. Even if the guy is kind of rude, arrogant, unpunctual, and really irritating. But their solidarity as undercover agents is what brings them together to Lou's Bar after closing time, where the two can be themselves for a while.

Wesley isn't quite the same as Bob. Before Wesley became an undercover agent of the bureau, he wasn't a cop but a complete hooligan. He used to hang out in the Skidroad underground boxing arena while occasionally taking up unsavory high-paying jobs, from being a hired thug to being a loan shark and so on. That is until he was caught red-handed by Rocky, and introduced to undercover work. Money was money, and he needed that to take care of his younger sister, Marla.

Marla and Wesley grew up together in an orphanage. Wesley was a healthy and charming kid that caught the eye of many "good families" but Marla, born with a heart disease, was considered a burden. No one was willing to take this "bundle deal" and Wesley, not wanting to be separated from his sister, started to act up, becoming a detestable troublemaker. And just like that, Marla and Wesley left the orphanage when they became of age.

However, Marla's illness worsened with each passing year until she was spending most of her time hospitalized. The expensive hospitalization fees weighed heavily on Wesley and he was at his wits' end when he learned of the massive monetary reward for completing an undercover mission. He instantly accepted the job — after all, he had never been one to hesitate over a dangerous job.

Just this once, he says, because Marla's condition just keeps worsening, he just need to scrounge up enough money for the "big surgery", or else it will all be too late...

And that is all that we can share this month!

We hope this sneak peek has gotten you pumped for Bob's route! As always, we will continue working hard to present all of you with the best version of Back to the Dawn that we can offer. We are grateful to you for your patience!

For more exciting content and updates, remember to follow us on Twitter, join our Discord community, and check out our latest posts on TikTok. We can’t wait to see you there!

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