The Last Werewolf News

[h3]Hey everyone,[/h3]

It feels like a little while since our last Community Update #13 back in January, but rest assured, the past few months have been packed with work behind the scenes. While we’ve shared a few smaller updates and celebrated World Bipolar Day, we're thrilled to finally share our latest milestone: Major Update Version 0.4.0.0 is now live!

This update brings some great changes, and you can dive into all the specifics in the notes here:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2212520/view/544484112269837798?l=english

[h3]Where is the project at?[/h3]
Well, we're now preparing for Release 1.0. The main content has been implemented, so for the next few weeks, our focus will be on bug fixes. We don't have an exact launch date just yet. Once we do, I'll make another announcement.

Please take note that just because the project will be in full release doesn't mean we're walking away. We'll still be here to fix bugs, maybe add a few QOL (Quality of Life) improvements, chase down any typos that might have been missed. We're not saying goodbye, so please keep sharing your experiences!

Oh... and yes, Steam Achievements are coming with 1.0. So, get ready to chase down those milestones!


[h3]The Message of the Narrative[/h3]
As many of you know, this narrative aims to raise awareness of bipolar disorder by highlighting the struggles and unique experiences of those living with it, as well as the friends, family, and colleagues who support them.




[h3]Music From The Game[/h3]
I'm super excited to be able to share the in-game music with you all!
A big thank you to the two very talented composers, Jessica and Chris; they have both done an amazing job bringing the story to life with their music.
You can check out their work here:

🎵 Jessica Della Vecchia

🎵 Chris Head

Note: Chris’s album includes his full collection of tracks composed during development, including a couple that weren’t included in the final in-game soundtrack.

My personal favourite is the Epilogue song, New Moon, by Jessica Della Vecchia.




[h3]Events coming up[/h3]
For the rest of the year, we'll only be heading to two events to showcase The Last Werewolf where people can give the game a go, and we'll also have game packs available for purchase.

1. Supanova Perth June 28-29 at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre.
   
2. Tis a secret for now.
   

[h3]Check out the new trailer[/h3]
https://youtu.be/BNES4WZ9fGs

Thanks again for all your support — we're getting close to the finish line now, and we can’t wait for you to experience the full story. As always, feel free to share your thoughts or bug reports!

Hey everyone,

This update has been a long time coming, and we truly appreciate your patience! We're excited to bring you a major update that includes improved art, characters, and music.

A community update with more behind-the-scenes details will follow not too far behind!



[h2]New Features[/h2]

• Opening cutscene for Chapter 3: Dive deeper into the story with a new cinematic introduction.
  
• Diary Entries for Chapter 3: Uncover more lore and character insights.
  

[h2]Updates[/h2]

• Music now transitions seamlessly across scenes.
  
• Ending scene of the game features new art.
  
• Ending scene conversation polished even further: The final exchange is now even more impactful.
  
• New customised character models: See your favourite characters with enhanced detail.
  
• Tweaked dialogue in various areas: Enjoy more refined conversations.
  
• Tablet visuals updated for legibility: We've improved clarity for a better reading experience.
  
• Opening cutscenes for Chapters 1 and 2 have been improved.
  
• Checkpoints between chapters removed. The following cut scene will now play.
  
• Credits updated: See everyone who helped make this possible.
  

[h2]Fixes[/h2]

• Resolved issues with spawning locations when returning to campgrounds.
  
• Typos and grammar corrections.
  
• Sound for the shifting cutscenes has been fixed.
  
• Addressed some collision issues and floating objects.
  

[h3]Hi everyone![/h3]

To mark World Bipolar Day on March 30th, The Last Werewolf is 60% off from March 29th to April 2nd! As someone with lived experience of bipolar, this day means a lot to helping raise awareness and I’m proud to share a game that reflects a bit of what that journey can feel like.

[h2]What is World Bipolar Day?[/h2]
Held on the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, World Bipolar Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and share lived experiences. It’s not only a day to support those with bipolar disorder but also the families, friends, and communities around them.


[h2]A Story That Hits Close to Home[/h2]
At its heart, The Last Werewolf is an exploration of identity and control, using the metaphor of werewolf shifting to reflect the lived experience of Bipolar Disorder. Lachie’s journey isn’t just about her as Chapter Three introduces another character with the same condition. Their differences highlight how bipolar can affect people in unique ways, especially when it comes to work, relationships, and how others respond to them. It’s a quiet but meaningful moment in the story, offering a broader view of what it means to live with bipolar.

💬 We'd love to hear from you! Whether it's your thoughts on representation, other stories you've connected with, or just a note to say hi. You're not alone.


[h2]Resources for Support & Learning[/h2]
If you would like more information around bipolar disorder, here are some resources:

Sane | Black Dog Institute | Centre for Clinical Interventions

If you’re in immediate distress, please contact Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14 or call 000 in an emergency. International users, please contact your local crisis services.




[h2]Looking for more stories with authentic representation?[/h2]

While completely unrelated to The Last Werewolf, I highly recommend the following two media due to their approach to incorporating Bipolar in their stories:

[h3]🎮 Game[/h3]
Biphase is a 2D platform jumping game with exploration and puzzles as its core. In the game, the player plays a role who has bipolar disorder, trying to discover and break through the self in the abstract red and black world.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1541830/Biphase/

[h3]📖 Book[/h3]
Bananapants by Penny Reid is a contemporary romance that offers a heartfelt and often funny look at life with bipolar disorder. It not only explores the experience from the perspective of someone with bipolar, but also shows how friends, family, and partners navigate life alongside them.

In response to the overwhelming support from the community, Penny Reid has now made the book free to access via eBook or AudioBook, making this beautiful, honest story even more accessible. 💛

AudioBook | eBook

Hello everyone,

We're excited to bring you our latest update! In this release, you'll notice fresh artwork in the shifting cutscenes along with a more impactful ending for Chapter Three. We've also tackled a bunch of pesky bugs to smooth out your experience.

As always, we value your feedback on the narrative, so please let us know what you think and report any issues you encounter.


[h2]New Features[/h2]

• Chapter 3 (Day 3): Added new conversations featuring 'Jack & Anna' and 'Logan'.
  
• Chapter 3: The map now displays alert locations to help guide you around the larger area.
  
• Improved Ending: Tweaked dialogue between Harper and Ghost to incorporate a new moment where the player runs to Logan, allowing him to assist her at the end.
• Added crisis care contact details at the end.
  

[h2]Updated[/h2]

• Tweaked dialogue in several conversations.
  
• Shifting cutscenes now feature new artwork.
  

[h2]Fixed[/h2]

• Fixed typos and grammatical errors in several areas.
  
• Fixed issue where some music tracks were not affected by volume controls.
  
• Fixed issue with some music tracks not looping.
  
• Removed the "Chapter Three coming soon" prompt at the end of Chapter Two.
  
• Revised the developer’s opening message.
  
• Replaced old prompts with the new green "E" icon.
  
• At the end of Chapter One in the Cemetery, updated black-and-white portraits to feature a green background.
  
• Fixed issue where some portraits were not turning off.
  
• Abandoned Warehouse Investigation: Limited interactions with tourist ghosts to one per investigation.
  
• Corner Store: Fixed premature triggering of the exit alert.
  
• Temporarily removed the polaroid from the bag.
  
• Temporarily removed the tablet from Chapter Three.
  

[h2]Known Issues[/h2]

• Music transitions between scenes remain choppy. A fix is coming soon.
  
• Chapter 3: Lachie occasionally resets outside the cabin when returning to the main outdoor area. This bug is under active monitoring.
  

Hi everyone!

We’re thrilled to announce that Chapter Three (Lite) is live! 🎉

With this release, we’ve officially reached the full open beta phase! From here, it’s all about refining, polishing, and continuing to build out the world of The Last Werewolf. While the main story is now playable, there’s still more to come, including additional conversations and minor updates to deepen Lachie’s journey.



[h2]Chapter Three Highlights[/h2]

• Explore the National Park: Silver Lake National Park is my favourite location within the game! This chapter introduces a mini-open-world design, giving you more freedom to explore and reflect on Lachie’s growing ability to embrace her true self.
  
  
• New Characters: Meet fresh faces in this chapter. A future update will dive deeper into their stories and introduce even more characters.
  
  
• Meet Ranger Logan: Logan is one of the characters I hold closest to my heart. He shares Lachie’s condition but offers a different perspective, thanks to a supportive family dynamic. With supportive and knowledgeable people around him, the challenges he faces aren’t as harsh, though he’s still not immune to the negative effects. Logan’s also a bit of an adorkable mess when he’s outside his social comfort zone and he also happens to be Lachie’s Spooky Tales #1 fan!
  
  
• More Original Music: We’ve added four new tracks in this chapter to help set the mood. Whether it’s exploring the park or a contemplative moment, the music adds an extra layer to the experience.
  
  
• Main Plot Progression: Follow Lachie’s journey as the main story unfolds. Keep an eye out for an upcoming minor update where Lachie talks to Logan’s family about their experiences.
  

[h2]What’s New in Recent Updates?[/h2]

• Splashes of Green: Green now plays a prominent role throughout the game, symbolizing nature and balance in Lachie’s journey.
  
  
• Exclamation Mark Alerts: These handy alerts guide you to key points, making progression through the story clearer.
  
  
• Updated Interactable Prompts: Prompts now pop with a splash of green, adding clarity and a fresh new look.
  
  
• Green Portraits: Character portraits across all chapters now incorporate green bringing a little more colour to the world.
  

[h2]We’d Love Your Reviews[/h2]
If you’re enjoying The Last Werewolf, we’d love to hear from you! Leaving a review not only supports the game but also helps us reach more players. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to grow and improve the game.




[h2]Colouring Book Launching with Full Game Release[/h2]
We’re excited to share a sneak peek of Lachie’s Spooky Tales Official Coloring Book! These illustrations, created by the talented Skye Wolken, are directly pulled from moments found (or soon to be found) on Lachie’s website in The Last Werewolf.

You’ll have the chance to bring these scenes to life with your own creative touch, whether it’s Lachie’s first ghostly encounter, ghost hunting escapades, or scouting Bigfoot. We can’t wait to see how you add your colours to these moments!

The book will be available as a hardcopy and DLC with the full release of the game. Leading up to the release, we’ll be running a creative colouring competition based on the following three images. The winner will receive a free hard copy of the book, along with the digital version!

We’ll officially launch the competition in March (just a month away!), but feel free to start practising now. Stay tuned for more details soon!