Alter Evo News

[h3]Demo V2 is live now. Don't forget to download it from our Steam Page.[/h3][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Alter Evo Demo V2 is called: The Goth Next Door.

The update includes:[/h3]

• [p]extended story game play including a unexpected slumber party due to your neighbor's apartment catching on fire[/p]
• [p]new weapons including the SMG and Smart Mace[/p]
• [p]an upgrade system that allows you to improve your weapons[/p]
• [p]Enhanced ammo pick ups and lore notes[/p]
• [p]3 new enemy types and new enemy animations[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]11/6/2025 Bug Fixes [/p][p]-fixed melee animation to keep hands on the Smart Mace[/p][p]-fixed audio levels and a water treatment audio bug[/p][p]-fixed a single frame glitch when aiming the gun[/p][p]-improved haptics[/p][p]-fixed some lip sync issues for Apartment cinematics[/p][p]-other assorted minor fixes [/p][p][/p][p]Language patch coming soon.[/p][p][/p][p]-Technical Fiction[/p]

[h3]Demo V2 is here! It's been 176 days since the last demo update (May 2nd) and we want you to play again!

[/h3][h3]This is the final major demo update before launch and it has a LOT of great new features: [/h3]

• [p]The Goth Next Door Extended Story Content: Your neighbor AJ spends the night at your apartment because her's burnt down.[/p]
• [p]3 New Enemies: Henchmen, Corpse spawn, Ranged Henchmen + new enemy animations[/p]
• [p]2 New Weapons: Smart Mace (Melee Weapon), Smart SMG (Automatic Weapon)[/p]
• [p]Upgrade Bench + Upgrade System: find upgrade nodes and make your weapons stronger.[/p]
• [p]Improved Driving Feel: new camera logic, car animation, sounds, physics improvements, VFX and more.[/p]
• [p]Improved Shooting Mechanics: Feedback on hitting enemies, haptics, improved cross hairs, VFX and more.[/p]
• [p]Ammo Pick ups + More Lore Notes[/p]
• [p]Atmospherics, character art, multiple language support, and other QOL improvements across the board.[/p][p][/p]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Whether it's your first time playing the demo or you've played before - download The Goth Next Door demo today and let us know what you think. [/p][p]After extensive playtests and feedback sessions, we're really proud of how this demo looks and feels:[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Here's our most recent game play trailer (updated one coming in the next couple weeks):[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
Many thanks for your continued support. Follow us on YouTube, X, and Steam because we will have a lot of great content coming out in the next few months as we focus on marketing and promotion.

Sincerely,

Technical Fiction
[/p]

[h2]We completed our first full game play test with external QA.[/h2][p][/p][p]Here are 3 features that succeeded:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Story ːsteamthumbsupː[/h2][p][/p][p]They loved the story, the weirdness, and the characters, citing the relationship between Evo and Brunilda as a reason they wanted to finish the game. They also enjoyed the visual style of the game calling it beautiful.[/p][p][/p][p]One player said: "My favorite parts were the weird and creepy scenes... they are perfect and remind me of horror films that I love and it's what made me motivated to continue playing and find more of these strange and creepy interactions. I absolutely loved this aspect of the game and it's what stood out about it for me above other games... reminded me of the film Lost Highway's atmosphere."[/p][p][/p][p]We loved finding out that our game was resonating with fans of surreal film makers like David Lynch. He is a core inspiration for us.[/p][p][/p][h2]Performance ːsteamthumbsupː[/h2][p][/p][p]The game ran at 60fps on Ultra settings, except for one or two levels. This was incredible news as we had already spent a lot of time with optimization, and we were that it paid off.[/p][p][/p][h2]Game Duration ːsteamthumbsupː[/h2][p]
The game took between 4-5 hours to complete which was our goal from the beginning. This is NOT including discovering secret levels and hidden content.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Here is what didn’t go well:[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Combat ːsteamthumbsdownː[/h2]

• [p]Not clear when hitting enemies[/p]
• [p]Not enough ways to kill enemies[/p]
• [p]“Least favorite part of game”[/p]
• [p]Enemies attacking through walls.[/p]

[h2]Ammo and Enemy Placement ːsteamthumbsdownː[/h2]

• [p]Too little ammo[/p]
• [p]Too many enemies[/p]

[h2]Driving ːsteamsaltyː[/h2]

• [p]Though driving reviews were mixed, there was a singular loud voice stating the driving felt unrealistic and weird in a BAD way.[/p]

[p][/p][p]What are we going to do about it?[/p]

1. [p]Push back our release date[/p]
2. [p]Implement a list of specific fixes for these problems from the QA testers[/p]
3. [p]Invent our own creative ways to make combat more fun including a melee system, as well as some new shooting features.[/p]
4. [p]Launch a new demo once all of these changes are complete (as well as extend the demo to include more story content) and use it to promote the game for Steam NextFest February 2026.[/p]

[p]We are also keeping in mind that we are a narrative first game - our goal is for the combat and driving to add fun variety to the game - not be the reason you play it. You have to pick your battles.[/p][p][/p][p]Wishlist Alter Evo on Steam[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]-Technical Fiction[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Some people have been asking why we chose the name Alter Evo?

First and foremost, it is an abbreviation of 'Altered Evolution' - this ties into several of the themes in the game.[/p][p][/p][p]1. Technology and how it alters the evolution of a species.[/p][p]We see a variety of characters whose lives are affected by technology, whether that is the Negative Agents, who are no longer considered humans, despite having human organs - or the citizens of North Terrace who are living in a society wherein they are unable to escape technology's dangerous effects. [/p][p]2. The concept of aliens as an alternate destination of human evolution (one that is not technologically based).[/p][p]In the game we learn of a species of aliens called the Egogana that have a level of omniscience and omnipresence that supersedes humans and their technology. The mystery of the story lies in where humans, technology, and aliens intersect.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]3. The play on words of the term Alter Ego. It refers more closely to the character of Brunilda - and the idea that her creations (video games) are simply alternate versions of her self. When a secret organization wants to destroy her game - it means that they will destroy her too.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]4. The main character's first name is Evo - he is at the center of a clash between aliens, technology, and a witness to the downfall of an artist (Brunilda). Like any protagonist - through the story's events, his character and life are altered by challenges, relationships, and tragedy.[/p][p]
Alter Evo will be participating in Steam NextFest in anticipation of the December 1st Launch Date.

Wishlist Alter Evo and try the demo now.[/p][p]
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]-Technical Fiction[/p]

[p]There is something really satisfying about collecting ammo in horror games.[/p][p][/p][p]Why is it so addicting to search around a level for that extra box of pistol rounds? Maybe it's because it feels like progress. You get a little bit stronger the more bullets you have - you are better prepared for your next enemy encounter.[/p][p][/p][p]With three unique weapons to choose from, collecting ammo became a core part of our game loop so we chose to make custom concept art for our ammo boxes.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]Hand Cannon Ammo[/p][p][/p][p]The hand cannon is a slow firing, high fire power weapon that you get later in the game. It can be used to break the shields of tank like enemies, do massive damage to weak points, or snipe at a shooter from a distance. Be careful though, this ammo is like gold - you don't want to run out of it because certain enemy encounters will be very difficult without the ability to break shields.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Pistol Ammo[/p][p][/p][p]Pistol is your starter gun - though not the strongest weapon - it is great for almost all situations, specially if you improve it's firing speed and damage at the upgrade bench. With this gun - you'll almost always want to aim for head shots to stun enemies and do the maximum damage with your bullets - if you are shooting further away - be aware that there is a damage fall off on all weapons the further you are away from the target. Medium distance is recommended for the pistol.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]SMG Ammo[/p][p][/p][p]You get the SMG early in the game during your first big enemy encounter at the Water Treatment plant. The SMG is harder to control than the other guns. It is great at short ranges or at controlling a horde of enemies. Sometimes you'll encounter a group of 3-4 Corpse Spawn (small spider like enemies) rushing toward you, and even with their low damage, the high rate of fire of the SMG gives you a good chance of hitting their stun points in a spray and pray moment. You might switch to your pistol to finish them off - but a few well placed shots with the SMG will also do the trick. There is a lot of ammo for the SMG placed around the game world - we expect you to shoot with it a lot. But don't get too trigger happy - after you upgrade the firing speed on this bad boy - it's easy to chew through your ammo in the blink of an eye.[/p][p][/p][p]Alter Evo is coming to Steam December 1st. Please reach out to us via the alterevogame.com contact form if you are a Streamer / YoutTuber and would like a copy of the game.[/p][p][/p][p]If you haven't seen the announcement trailer check it out again here: [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
Wishlist Alter Evo on our Steam page:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]-Technical Fiction[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]