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Barkour News

Big Demo Update + Important Note About the Future of the Demo and Release Date

[p]Agents,[/p][p]We’re happy to announce that we’ve just pushed a major update to the BARKOUR demo — the biggest one since launch. Your feedback has been incredibly valuable, and we focused on the most common requests you shared with us.[/p][p][/p][p]✅ What’s new in the demo[/p][p]• New language versions (including suh exotic one like Polish ;))
• A brand-new settings menu • Significant lighting improvements across the level
• Many small but meaningful tweaks to combat and melee combat
- including balancing the ambush mechanic
• Revised tutorial flow and updated text throughout the demo • General polish and bug fixing based on your comments[/p][p]We hope this makes the overall experience smoother and more enjoyable.[/p][p] [/p][p]📌 About future demo updates[/p][p]We want to be transparent:
this will likely be the last large update to the demo for a long while - possibly until the full release.[/p][p]BARKOUR is a very ambitious project for our small team. Keeping the demo updated at this scale was pulling more and more time away from what must be our priority now: the full game’s mechanis, UI, full localization, optimization, mission flow, and the complete voiceover system.[/p][p]We didn’t expect some demo elements to be so important to many of you, and we learned that only after launch. This update addresses the most requested improvements - now we need to focus fully on finishing the game.[/p][p] [/p][p]📅 Release date update: entering 2026[/p][p]Many of you have been asking about the release window. After reviewing our production schedule, roadmap and the scope of the improvements we still want to deliver, we can confirm:[/p][p]BARKOUR is now targeting a 2026 release.[/p][p]We’re not ready to share a precise window yet - but we want to be absolutely clear about our priorities:[/p][p]We will release the game as soon as it is ready.[/p][p][/p][p]This means:
• polished / optimized[/p][p]• balanced stealth, combat, exploration and/or speedrunning paths[/p][p]• best possible experience for every playstyle[/p][p]• strong mission flow[/p][p]• fully implemented English VO[/p][p]• stable progression across all maps

[/p][p]Whether you prefer sneaking in the shadows, punching your way through guards, exploring every corner or speedrunning like a maniac - we want the game to feel satisfying and reliable.[/p][p]We need the time to do this right.[/p][p][/p][p]💛 Thank you for your support[/p][p]We’re doing our best every day to bring you a game full of heart, humor, movement and character.
Sometimes it’s hard to see the encouragement through the louder negativity, but the players who support us and believe in what we’re creating make all the difference.[/p][p]If you enjoy the direction BARKOUR is going, stay with us, leave your thoughts, and keep giving constructive feedback - it truly matters.[/p][p]We hope the updated demo improves your experience, and that the new trailer gives you a taste of what we’re building behind the scenes.[/p][p]Thank you for sticking with us.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for believing in a small team with big ambition.[/p][p]- The VARSAV Game Studios Team[/p][p] [/p]

Casting Call: We’re Looking for the Voice of Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R.!

[p]📣 Casting Call: We’re Looking for the Voice of Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R.![/p][p][/p][p]Over the past weeks we’ve been reading every comment, review and piece of feedback about the BARKOUR demo - the good, the bad, and especially the constructive. One message was particularly clear: you want a proper voice for Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. We fully agree.[/p][p]The temporary VO in the demo wasn’t up to the standard we want for the full game - and your feedback pushed us to start working on this now, rather than later in development.[/p][p]So today we’re officially launching an open casting call for voice actors.[/p][p] [/p][p]🎙️ Who we’re looking for[/p][p]We’re casting Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. - energetic, confident, smart, expressive. A canine superspy with attitude, charisma and just a bit of mischief.[/p][p]We’re looking for voice actors with experience in narrative or game VO work. Professional tone, good mic quality, and character presence are key.[/p][p] [/p][p]📝 How to audition[/p][p]All instructions + audition lines are here: 👉[/p][p]https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IyzkPR6KHkKcBQR2x4fScVg4L28d8q8GLoqXMaY5Vig/edit?usp=sharing[/p][p] [/p][p]The document includes:[/p][p]• audition lines for both characters[/p][p]• how to submit your files[/p][p]• what kind of vocal tone we are looking for[/p][p]There’s also a public demo on Steam, which may help you understand the pacing and personality of the characters.[/p][p] [/p][p]🔎 Why a public casting?[/p][p]Because BARKOUR is a community-driven project. You’ve already helped us improve controls, visuals, level flow… and now VO.[/p][p]We want to find the voice that fits Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. - not just technically, but emotionally. Someone who gets the character and the playful spy-comedy tone of the game.[/p][p]Your feedback makes the game better, and we want to continue building it with you.[/p][p][/p][p]💬 If you know a voice actor - please share this![/p][p]We will listen to all auditions and consider actors from all backgrounds, countries and accents (as long as the performance fits the role).[/p][p]Thank you again for pushing us to raise the bar. Let’s find the voice Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. truly deserves.[/p][p][/p][p]— The VARSAV Game Studios Team 🐾[/p]

🎮 BARKOUR at Poznań Game Arena 2025!

[p]🎮 BARKOUR at Poznań Game Arena 2025! [/p][p]We’re excited to announce that BARKOUR will be fully playable this weekend at PGA in Poznań! 🐾
Our booth will feature 10 gaming stations with the newest build - including full Polish language support for the first time! 🇵🇱✨ Our team will also be here for the whole weekend![/p][p]Come by, meet the team, and be among the first to experience the latest version of BARKOUR!
We can’t wait to hear your feedback (and maybe spot a few speedrunners in the making 😉).[/p][p]See you in Poznań! 💛[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

BARKOUR at POLARIS Hamburg / Germany!

[p]Agents, it’s mission time - this weekend BARKOUR is taking part in POLARIS Hamburg, one of Germany’s biggest gaming and pop culture events! [/p][p][/p][p]If you’re around Hamburg, come visit our booth, play the BARKOUR demo live, and meet the dev team in person! We’ll be showing off Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R.’s latest gadgets, stealth tricks, and of course… a bit of chaotic dog parkour. 🐶[/p][p][/p][p]📍 Where: Hamburg Messe
📅 When: October 10–12, 2025[/p][p][/p][p]Come say hi, share your feedback, and join the mission![/p][p][/p][p][/p]

BARKOUR Demo Update - Listening, Learning, Improving

[p]Hey everyone,[/p][p]We have read every single review and comment about the BARKOUR demo - the good, the bad, and the brutally honest. It wasn’t easy, but it was fair. Thank you for telling us what didn’t work.[/p][p]We know the public demo might have come a little too early, but as we say in Poland - the milk has already been spilled.[/p][p]We’re a small team, and sometimes that means learning things the hard way. But we’re not giving up - quite the opposite. We’ve been working hard to fix the biggest issues as quickly as possible and to keep improving the BARKOUR demo step by step.[/p][p]This first update focuses on the main issues you pointed out:[/p]
  • [p]Removed temporary AI voiceovers[/p]
  • [p]Improved text readability (better contrast + subtle drop shadow)[/p]
  • [p]Refreshed tutorial visuals[/p]
  • [p]Updated AI Warning prompt → now “No VO Warning”[/p]
  • [p]Fixed fall damage[/p]
  • [p]Fixed reset shortcut bug[/p]
[p]Of course, removing the voiceovers is only a temporary solution - the final game (and hopefully soon the demo as well) will feature professional voice acting to give our characters even more of that special agent charm. For your information - we are also working on adding Settings and additional languages to the Menu. [/p][p]Thank you for staying with us and for giving us the chance to grow through your feedback.
It really means a lot.[/p][p][/p][p]VARSAV Game Studios Team[/p]