Back to the Dawn News

[p][/p][p]Hello fellow inmates![/p][p][/p][p]Thank you everyone for your continuous support and feedback as usual! Many of you have requested it, and we've heard you — Back to the Dawn will be getting more console ports. The game will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation in 2026, and simultaneously, we will be releasing an official Korean localization. More information coming soon so keep your eyes peeled :)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As we prepare to share our game on more platforms, we will continue to improve the current game experience. Here are the fixes and improvements of the latest update:[/p][p][/p][h3]Adding more languages to the Concept Art Collection：[/h3][p]The Concept Art Collection is now available in English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese! Players can access it by going to Steam game library, right-clicking Back to the Dawn → Manage → Browse local files. You'll find the PDF file in the root directory of the game.[/p][p][/p][h3]Improvements:[/h3]

1. [p]The following story-related mini-games and QTE challenges can all be skipped after three failures:[/p]
   1. [p]The “Start the Generator” mini-game in the sewer electrical room;[/p]
   2. [p]Reed’s “Dance” mini-game in the underground club’s private room;[/p]
   3. [p]The QTE challenge at the end of Thomas’s boxing storyline against Billy;[/p]
   4. [p]In “A Day in Fenra's Life,” the mini-game where Fanny “struggles to get up from the medical bed”;[/p]
   5. [p]In “A Day in Fenra's Life,” the mini-game where Fanny “TAKES something under the bench” in the yard;[/p]
   6. [p]The QTE gunfight in the parking lot during Bob’s ending;[/p]
   7. [p]The diving mini-game of both protagonists, where you cross the underground river;[/p]
2. [p]The “Kitchen” mini-game during kitchen work in Thomas’s “Skidroad Mode” and Bob’s “Gray Mode” has its click area width adjusted to scale with the protagonist’s Agility attribute;[/p]
3. [p]Optimizations for New Game+ experience:[/p]
   1. [p]After watching a protagonist’s opening sequence once, you can choose to skip the entire intro and go straight to “imprisonment”;[/p]
   2. [p]Once you’ve unlocked “leave the work to the protagonist" for certain tasks, new runs will inherit this unlocked state, without needing to manually repeat it three times;[/p]
   3. [p]Once you’ve successfully restored power in the sewers, you can choose to skip the subsequent “Push Boxes” and “Start the Generator” mini-games when entering the power room in the new runs;[/p]
   4. [p]Once you’ve successfully completed the “Box Pushing” mini-game in the mail room, in new runs after clearing the “clutter in the cart,” you can choose to skip the follow-up “Box Pushing” section and directly discover the vent leading to the Inmate Property Storeroom;[/p]
   5. [p]The rule explanations for the Boxing Tournament, the TV room, the Barbershop, and the Black Claw Gang Bank no longer need to be re-read in multi-run save files;[/p]
4. [p]In the Screening Room and General Building, movies can now be skipped by “holding right-click”;[/p]
5. [p]Optimization for the intercom next to the Infirmary Consultation Room door: added a \[Use Intercom] option in the interaction list for the clinic door;[/p]
6. [p]Added visual guidance prompts for the “portable toilet” at the top-left corner of the yard and the “price sign on the wall”;[/p]
7. [p]Expanded the “Desperate Help” quest with branches where White the Rabbit is prematurely framed and sent to solitary;[/p]
8. [p]Added the option to take another shower even if you’ve already bathed, as long as you currently have the Smelly debuff;[/p]

[h3]Fixes[/h3]

1. [p]The issue where the war correspondent’s "nightmare that cannot be forgotten” debuff displayed incorrect information;[/p]
2. [p]The issue where Guard Rob remained in Corridor B after the riot;[/p]
3. [p]The issue where William in the mail room would move to the wall and get stuck after lunchtime began;[/p]
4. [p]The issue where, during Bob and Surtr’s phone call, the interrogation room cutscene could sometimes have incorrect character positioning;[/p]
5. [p]The issue where giving gifts to Dr. Beth could fail due to her insufficient pocket space;[/p]
6. [p]The issue where the \[Reflective Glasses] item effect caused some combat skills’ cooldown to drop below 0;[/p]
7. [p]The issue where, in the prison yard baseball activity, if the pitcher was absent, the catcher’s animation would play incorrectly;[/p]

[h3][/h3][h3]Korean Localization [/h3][p]This update has implemented a high-quality Korean localization contributed by community player Nukbal. Inmates can switch to Korean to play the game in the game settings interface.[/p][p][/p][p]Until the official Korean localization is complete, we will be using the Korean localization created by player Nukbal. Please note: the Korean translation of the Art Collection will be released in 2026 along with the official Korean update.[/p][p][/p][p]From the bottom of our hearts, we'd love to thank Nukbal for their contribution to Back to the Dawn. With your enormous help, more players are now able to experience Boulderton in their Korean native language.[/p][p][/p][p]We're always open to adding more languages. If you have translation skills in other languages ​​and would like to help us improve localization, please contact us through our official social media channels or Discord server.[/p][p][/p][p]As always, thank you everyone for your support. We look forward to sharing more and more of Boulderton with you and with more people across the world.[/p][p][/p][p]Discord | Twitter | Tiktok |[/p]

[p]Hello inmates,[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your continued support and feedback![/p][p][/p][p]Here are the patch notes for this update:[/p][p][/p][h3]Optimizations & Adjustments:[/h3]

1. [p]Added a fast travel feature, limited to the Main Building, located next to the quick return to cell button in the lower left corner.[/p]
2. [p]Optimized the Item Encyclopedia feature so that when viewing prisoners who possess a specific item, their locations are displayed simultaneously.[/p]
3. [p]Adjusted the initial display of the "Leave it to Bob" option in the Boiler Room Water Pipe mini-game.[/p]
4. [p]Adjusted the placement of the Kangaroo after losing money and leaving the club on the 20th day in a certain branch to make it more logical.[/p]
5. [p]Added a clue for delivering multiple quest items, requiring all items to be on hand for delivery.[/p]
6. [p]Adjusted the Fox's location after 21 days when Black Panther is the protagonist, so that it will vary based on the number of days since the wallet was given.[/p]
7. [p]Adjusted the action switching interval for prisoners playing basketball in the exercise area, appropriately delaying the delay. [/p]

[h3]Bug Fix：[/h3]

1. [p]Fixed an issue with the ending scene display being incorrect;[/p]
2. [p]Fixed an issue where accepting the quest "Bruce's Money Problem" after the eighth day might prevent the main storyline from progressing;[/p]
3. [p]Fixed an issue where the dialog box in the Boxing Ring and while bonding with Jumbo the Elephant was partially obscured by the screen edge;[/p]
4. [p]Fixed an issue where characters moving items in the narrow space of the guard room's cleaning room might cause a freeze;[/p]
5. [p]Fixed an issue where triggering the Endure Challenge while holding a mop in the guard room's cleaning room could cause a freeze;[/p]
6. [p]Fixed an issue where the positions of some prisoners in the nighttime relationship screen were incorrectly displayed;[/p]
7. [p]Fixed an issue where some prisoners' positions were wrong after a riot;[/p]
8. [p]Fixed an issue where the character information in the lower right corner of the portrait might be wrong;[/p]
9. [p]Fixed an issue where the Witness roll buff still applied during nighttime prayers in the church;[/p]
10. [p]Fixed an issue in Thomas' route where on the afternoon of 10th day, Bernard the Capybara's level in the recreation area was incorrect.[/p]
11. [p]Fixed an issue in Thomas' route where on the afternoon of 10th day, Rudolph the Reindeer's level in the general building was incorrect.[/p]
12. [p]Fixed an issue where checking Dr. Harry's window during non-riot lockdown would trigger riot-related phrases.[/p]
13. [p]Fixed an issue where the pop-up window for viewing cultural artifact skills could occasionally be closed.[/p]
14. [p]Fixed an issue where a blur filter could occasionally appear in certain scenes.[/p]
15. [p]Fixed an issue where you could still trigger the listening function after listening to inmates who have taken laxatives and left.[/p]
16. [p]Fixed an issue where Fenra's character information could occasionally appear on the Sharp Tooth Gang relationship screen.[/p]
17. [p]Fixed an issue where a certain quick jump option could allow players to reach the ground level during the day.[/p]
18. [p]Fixed an issue where focus points would not be restored after winning certain battles when the "Esports Legend" skill was activated.[/p]
19. [p]Fixed an issue where the "Game of Kings I" skill description did not match its actual effect.[/p]
20. [p]Fixed an issue where, in multiplayer 1v2 combat, after performing a super-speed action in controller mode, it was possible to continue attacking a downed character.[/p]
21. [p]Fixed an issue where clicking options in the opening scene of the cafe in the Fox arc could cause a freeze.[/p]
22. [p]Fixed an issue where, after the 14th day roll call, clicking options in the dialogue with Bruce could cause a freeze if the Warden's invitation to a boxing match event was triggered.[/p]

[p][/p][p]If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.[/p]

[p]Dear Inmates,
[/p][p]Back to the Dawn is still on sale at 15% off, but the discount ends tomorrow. If you haven’t "entered prison" yet, now’s the time—don’t miss out![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Our game first entered Early Access in the winter of 2023, and it’s thanks to your support along the way that we’ve made it this far.[/p][p]
Some players once told us, “Thomas's storyline was already rich enough at the start of EA, why not move on to developing the new character, the Panther, sooner?” We truly appreciate this kind of understanding, but our small team tends to be a little stubborn. Just like how we insisted on entering Early Access in the first place—even if some players felt Thomas's route was already complete, to us, it wasn’t. So we chose to remain in EA until it felt truly finished.[/p][p][/p][p]To be honest, being a "Chinese EA game” has brought some doubt, and made some players hesitant to buy. But we have no regrets. Time will speak for itself. This was our first time developing something entirely the way we wanted.[/p][p][/p][p]And when we launched the game, your support gave us the confidence to go all-in. We poured all our resources and passion into this project, even at the cost of overextending ourselves.[/p][p][/p][p]This is the reality of most indie games—we constantly walk the line between ambition and practicality. Breathing life into this world and its characters is far from easy. Due to time and budget constraints, we’ve had to give up on many creative ideas we once envisioned.[/p][p][/p][p]Back to the Dawn is not a perfect game, but we can proudly say: we love every brick and tile of Boulderton Prison, and we’ve done our best to polish it with care. What we can promise is this—in the limited time we had, we gave it everything we’ve got.[/p][p][/p][p]On August 5, the game will officially leave Early Access and the price of the game will increase to $23.99 USD. This is something we promised from the beginning and a decision we made carefully. Rest assured, even though the game will be officially released, our work on Back to the Dawn won’t stop. We’ll continue monitoring its performance, actively fixing issues based on your feedback, and releasing optimizations as needed to provide a more stable and complete experience.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Time flies—it’s already the beginning of autumn again. It’s been three and a half years since we released our very first demo. Thank you for sticking with us all this time. As a CRPG, Back to the Dawn is not a “simple” game, and we’ve been lucky enough to meet a group of “not-so-simple” players.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for taking the time to experience the game and share it with your friends. Most of all, thank you for your support and patience. If this game has brought you any joy, then we’ve achieved our goal.[/p][p][/p]

[p]“Adversity may break us, but don’t let it defeat us.”[/p]

[p] - Metal Head Games[/p][p][/p][p]Update on the Pricing Adjustment Progress:[/p][p][/p][p]Dear Inmates, [/p][p][/p][p]We have submitted a pricing adjustment request to Steam, but it was rejected as price changes are not allowed within 30 days after a game’s official release. We are currently confirming whether this 30-day period is counted from the end of the discount or from the release date. As a result, we will need to postpone the price adjustment to the week of August 18. If there are any further changes to this timeline, we will promptly update everyone.[/p][p]Thank you for your understanding and continued support.[/p]

[p]Dear inmates,[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your continued support and feedback![/p][p][/p][p]Here are the patch notes for this update:[/p][p][/p][p]Optimizations & Adjustments:[/p]

• [p]Improved the loading speed when using Memory Recall, with a faster loading animation and removal of scene information display.[/p]
• [p]Optimized performance in sewer-related scenes.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the Befriended condition. You must now befriend a prisoner before you can deepen your understanding of them.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the trigger time for Thomas’s monologue when already befriended in Start New Game+. It can now be triggered on Day 1.[/p]
• [p]Improved collision detection for the package cart on the first floor of the prison.[/p]
• [p]Added the method to claim the Artbook in the DLC Bundle Guide on the main menu.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the method of claiming items from the package cart. The cart will now display a maximum of 100 item records at a time. After collecting items, reopening the cart will refresh and show the remaining items.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the UI layout of the Memory Recall (Load/Save) feature to improve the visibility of the New Save button.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the save logic in Fenra’s chapter. Automatic Memory Recall saves will no longer be generated during this chapter.[/p][p][/p]

[p]Bug Fixes:[/p]

• [p]Fixed a softlock issue that occurred after helping prisoners play cards in the General Building when time passed 5:30 PM.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where placing a Toothbrush Shank under Hakuna’s bed would show time consumption but did not actually consume time.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the Black Panther escape cutscene with Fenra would get stuck in the operating room.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where players could challenge Crunchy in the hospital.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where entering the hospital examination room by guessing the password would result in a prompt saying the player had no password upon exit.[/p]
• [p]Fixed abnormal door behavior for the Church Lounge and the Staff Block cleaning room.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where weapons with cutting traits could not use combat skills, specifically the Holy Sword.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where invisible walls appeared around chairs in the cafeteria.[/p]
• [p]Fixed a text display issue where speaking to the guard in the Staff Block and going to the infirmary would result in garbled text.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where having the Iron Throne skill would prevent stamina gain when using the toilet in certain locations.[/p][p][/p]

[p]If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.[/p]

[p]Dear inmates,[/p][p][/p][p]We've recently discovered that some players are unable to launch the game due to missing system libraries. To resolve this, we've updated the Steam auto-installation script.[/p][p][/p][p]This script is a built-in Steam file. After fully closing and reopening Steam, you may see a message like the one shown in the image when launching Back to the Dawn. Steam will then automatically download the necessary script.
[/p][p]
[/p][p]Please note that you may need to wait on the launch screen while the script finishes downloading before the game starts. This process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.[/p][p][/p][p]This is completely normal, so there's no need to worry. Thank you for your understanding![/p][p][/p][p]If you encounter any issues, please feel free to send us a bug report form.[/p]