Escape from Ever After: Onboarding News

[p]Hey Escape from Ever After fans![/p][p][/p][h3]We're thrilled to let you know that Escape from Ever After is Steam Deck Verified! [/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]You'll be able to play on Deck from day one — climb the corporate ladder anywhere, anytime! [/p][p][/p][p]The full game launches in just 3 days on January 23rd! Don't miss your chance to join Flynt Buckler and his allies as they take down the greedy Ever After Inc.™ Mark your calendars and get ready to fight back against corporate tyranny![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]Hey Escape from Ever After fans![/p][p][/p][p]Today we're telling a slightly different story—the one behind the game itself.[/p][p]Escape from Ever After has been in development since 2020. What started as a small Paper Mario-inspired passion project slowly grew into something much bigger and now that journey is finally reaching its end.[/p][p]So grab a cup of coffee (corporate-approved, naturally), and join us for a spoiler-free look at how this game evolved over the past six years.[/p][h2]A Very Small Beginning[/h2][p][/p][p]Long before Ever After Inc. moved into Tinder’s castle (before Tinder even existed, in fact) there was only a very early prototype.[/p][p]Back then, the project was called Flynt Buckler Wakes the Sleepy Castle. It was being built by a tiny two-person team during the pandemic, funded by personal savings, late nights, and pure determination.[/p][p]Eventually, the project found its first big break through a successful Kickstarter campaign, which helped development continue at a steady pace and turned this scrappy idea into an actual game.[/p][p]Curious what it looked like back then?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]One of the earliest playable builds—over six years old![/p][p]Yeah. We've come a long way.[/p][h2]A Name That Actually Fit the Story[/h2][p][/p][p]As development continued, one thing became increasingly obvious: the game had completely outgrown its original name.[/p][p]What was originally a story about a sleeping kingdom where dreams have come to life transformed into an ensemble adventure about multiple characters, shifting genres, and a greedy corporation trying to exploit every storybook it could get its hands on. The old title no longer captured any of that.[/p][p]So Flynt Buckler Wakes the Sleepy Castle became Escape from Ever After—a name that better reflects the game's themes, scope, and increasingly corporate problems.[/p][h2]Characters, Redesigned and Reimagined[/h2][p][/p][p]As the project evolved, so did the cast. Over the years, almost every core character was revisited in some way, as the game's tone, scope, and visual language became clearer.[/p][p]The most obvious example is Flynt himself.[/p][p] [/p][p]Early Flynt design [/p][p]Early versions of Flynt leaned heavily into a soft, rounded, almost toy-like aesthetic. While charming, that design struggled with readability in motion and didn't quite sell the kind of dynamic action the game was growing toward.[/p][p]Later Flynt (along with Patches)[/p][p][/p][p]As development continued, Flynt's design was refined to feel sharper, more expressive, and more active. His proportions shifted, his silhouette became clearer, and his animations gained more energy—making his movements, reactions, and combat actions easier to read at a glance.[/p][p][/p][p]Current Flynt design[/p][p][/p][p]While Flynt's evolution was about refinement, Patches' transformation went way deeper.[/p][p]Patches was one of the very first characters ever created for the project—back when the game followed a completely different concept and narrative direction. As that vision changed, it became clear that Patches needed an overhaul to fit the new world we were building.[/p][p]So instead of a simple redesign, Patches underwent a fundamental reimagining.[/p][p]Patches 1.0 —> 2.0 [/p][p]His look, personality, and role were rebuilt from the ground up. What emerged was a small but fierce plush bear with a strong presence, a sharper attitude, and a much clearer gameplay identity. Patches now actively shapes how players explore the world, using powerful jumps and ground-pounds to break obstacles and manipulate the environment.[/p][p]In many ways, Patches became a symbol of the project's growth![/p][h2]A Castle That Became an Office[/h2][p][/p][p]Another major evolution was in the game's main hub.[/p][p]The hub area was always going to be in a castle, but originally it was simply meant to be the home of a king in an endless slumber. Once the concept shifted and Ever After Inc. was invented, the castle became the site for a branch of Ever After Inc. Every return visit unlocks new rooms, new coworkers, new side quests, and new secrets lurking in unexpected corners.[/p][p]The space remains colorful and whimsical, with corporate renovations slowly creeping in. Ballrooms turned into cubicle farms. But this allowed us to bring in all kinds of storybook characters into one space, which breathed much-needed life into the hub.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The entrance hall and reception area from mid-development. See if you can spot what's changed in the current version! [/p][h2]Rethinking Combat (Again and Again)[/h2][p][/p][p]Combat also went through major changes.[/p][p]The goal was always to avoid battles that boiled down to mashing the same attacks until HP hit zero. Over time, this led to:[/p]

• [p]Fully swappable partners, allowing any team combination[/p]
• [p]Enemy states that change how fights must be approached[/p]
• [p]Ability synergies that reward clever setups and teamwork[/p]

[p]Setting enemies on fire, breaking shields, spreading effects across the battlefield—combat became more tactical, more expressive, and more puzzle-like with every iteration.[/p][p][/p][p]Teamwork in action (note the old UI—more on that in a bit!)[/p][p][/p][h2]Systems, Systems Everywhere[/h2][p][/p][p]As the worlds grew, so did the systems supporting them.[/p][p]Exploration became more interactive as we introduced partner abilities that let you manipulate the environment in new ways. Tinder's fire can ignite explosive plants to clear paths. Wolfgang's songs can grow plants to full size, turning them into platforms you can actually use. And that's just the start—each partner brings their own way of interacting with the world, opening up environmental puzzles throughout the game.[/p][p]Battles introduced Synergy Points, letting the whole team combine their strengths for devastating combos. Items, trinkets, and character-specific customization added layers of choice and personalization.[/p][p]All of this eventually led to one necessary (and massive) step…[/p][h2]A Brand-New Storybook UI[/h2][p][/p][p]With so many mechanics in play, the interface needed to evolve too.[/p][p]The result is a fully redesigned UI inspired by storybooks and corporate absurdity in equal measure. MP became Mocha Points. Synergy earned its own dedicated meter. Menus were rebuilt from scratch to support equipment, trinkets, and party management without collapsing under their own weight.[/p][p]We commissioned artist Mariel Labajos to help us with this task, and her new UI assets brought so much color and character to the game.[/p][p][/p][p]The current UI[/p][p][/p][h2]From Passion Project to Full Release[/h2][p][/p][p]Six years ago, this was a tiny indie experiment made by two people. Today, Escape from Ever After is a fully realized RPG with multiple worlds, a growing cast, and a story that spans genres and storybooks alike.[/p][p]And now… it's almost time.[/p][p]Thank you for sticking with us through every redesign, rename, and rework. If you enjoy watching projects grow and change over time, this one's been a hell of a journey, and we're incredibly excited to share the finished game with you this week![/p][p]Escape from Ever After launches January 23, 2026. If you haven't already, don't forget to wishlist the game on Steam—we'd love to have you there for launch day.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p] See you soon![/p]

[p]Hey Escape from Ever After fans![/p][p][/p][p]Through completely legitimate channels (and definitely not from an extremely well-placed internal source), we've gotten our hands on a set of Ever After Inc. HR documents—and honestly, we couldn't not share them with you.[/p][p]Below you'll find profiles of the game's main characters, presented in the most professional, unbiased, and definitely-not-problematic corporate format imaginable.[/p][p]Quick disclaimer: This update doesn't contain story spoilers or major reveals. That said, if you want to meet everyone with absolutely zero prior knowledge, feel free to skip this and come back later. No hard feelings.[/p][p]With that cleared up… please review the following employee profiles.[/p][h2]Flynt Buckler[/h2][p][/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]Species: Human[/p][p]Previous Corporate Experience: None[/p][p]Background: Classic fairytale hero with no prior exposure to corporate environments. Recruited under unusual circumstances.[/p][p]Strengths:[/p]

• [p]Highly decisive and proactive[/p]
• [p]Strong leadership qualities[/p]
• [p]Excellent interpersonal and communication skills[/p]
• [p]Naturally unites teams around a shared goal[/p]

[p]Core Ability: Buckler Throw—effective both defensively and offensively.[/p][p]Areas for Growth / Risk Assessment:[/p]

• [p]Tendency toward tunnel vision[/p]
• [p]Ongoing skepticism toward company leadership[/p]
• [p]Persistent sensation of "external control" (subject believes someone else may be making decisions for him; further review recommended)[/p]

[h2]Tinder[/h2][p][/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]Species: Dragon[/p][p]Previous Corporate Experience: None (former property owner; property has since been repurposed)[/p][p]Background: Former fairytale antagonist whose castle was converted into an Ever After Inc. branch office.[/p][p]Strengths:[/p]

• [p]Extremely high physical power (pending removal of technological restraints)[/p]
• [p]Strong critical thinking skills[/p]
• [p]Rational, pragmatic, and results-oriented[/p]

[p]Core Ability: Fire Breath—currently regulated by corporate-approved safety measures.[/p][p]Areas for Growth / Risk Assessment:[/p]

• [p]Conflict-prone under stress[/p]
• [p]Occasional pessimism[/p]
• [p]Struggles with teamwork and collaborative decision-making[/p]

[h2]Wolfgang[/h2][h2][/h2][p]Species: Wolf Alias: Big Bad Wolf[/p][p]Previous Corporate Experience: None[/p][p]Background: Musician with a strong public persona. Surprisingly well-adjusted to office life.[/p][p]Strengths:[/p]

• [p]Exceptionally social and approachable[/p]
• [p]Highly empathetic[/p]
• [p]Zero recorded interpersonal conflicts[/p]
• [p]Improves team morale significantly[/p]

[p]Core Ability: Lute Performance—boosts allies, improves morale, and stimulates plant growth via musical resonance.[/p][p]Areas for Growth / Risk Assessment:[/p]

• [p]Excessive trust in others[/p]
• [p]Notable levels of naivety[/p]
• [p]Increased vulnerability to manipulation, misinformation, or bad-faith actors[/p]

[h2]Eva[/h2][h2][/h2][p]Species: Skeletal Witch[/p][p]Previous Corporate Experience: Extensive (former Head of HR)[/p][p]Background: Originally a forest witch antagonist. Later transitioned into senior corporate leadership.[/p][p]Strengths:[/p]

• [p]Deep understanding of psychology and emotional dynamics[/p]
• [p]Strong intuition and situational awareness[/p]
• [p]Highly responsible and rule-oriented[/p]
• [p]Loyal to company policy and structure[/p]

[p]Core Ability: Transformation—adaptive and versatile; enables transformation of living and non-living objects, including the user.[/p][p]Areas for Growth / Risk Assessment:[/p]

• [p]Elevated anxiety levels[/p]
• [p]Low but non-zero risk of sensitive data exposure in the event of corporate conflict[/p]

[h2]Patches[/h2][p][/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]Species: Teddy Bear Previous Corporate Experience: Security Operations, IT Department (Monitoring & Surveillance)[/p][p]Background: Long-term internal employee with access to multiple secure systems.[/p][p]Strengths:[/p]

• [p]Strong technical expertise[/p]
• [p]Excellent problem-solving skills[/p]
• [p]Highly resourceful under pressure[/p]

[p]Core Ability: Fist Strike—surprisingly effective; supports delayed remote activation.[/p][p]Areas for Growth / Risk Assessment: CLASSIFIED[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]That wraps up this round of employee introductions.[/p][p]Thanks for reviewing these strictly confidential documents. We'll be back with more updates soon—and if any of this made you think "I'd hire them immediately," we have good news: you can.[/p][p]Escape from Ever After launches January 23, 2026. If you haven't already, don't forget to wishlist the game and secure your spot before the next round of onboarding begins.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink] [/p][p]See you at the office![/p][p][/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Hey Escape from Ever After fans![/p][p][/p][p]As you probably know by now, the world of Escape from Ever After isn't just one world—it's a collection of storybooks you can literally jump between. Each one has its own genre, rules, and visual style. If you've played the demo or prologue, you've already visited a few of these.[/p][p]With launch just around the corner (mark your calendars for January 23, 2026), we figured it was a good time to give you a spoiler-light peek at the main storybooks waiting in the full game.[/p][p]A few quick notes before we dive in:[/p]

• [p]This only covers the main story worlds—there are other locations we're keeping under wraps for now.[/p]
• [p]We're keeping things as vague as possible, focusing on vibes and visuals rather than plot.[/p]
• [p]If you want to go in completely blind, now's your chance to turn back.[/p]

[p]Still here? Great. Let's crack open a few books.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Adventures of Flynt Buckler[/h2][p][/p][p]A familiar fairytale… with an HR department.[/p][p]
This is where everything starts—a classic heroic tale that immediately goes sideways. What was once a grand medieval castle is now the headquarters of Ever After Inc., where stone archways meet cubicle farms and ancient banners hang above the break room.[/p][p]This world serves as your main hub, and it evolves constantly as the story unfolds. Every time you return, there's something new: fresh areas to explore, coworkers to chat with, side quests to pick up, and secrets hiding in places you'd never think to look. It's medieval grandeur meets corporate drudgery meets storybook weirdness, all crammed under one roof.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Three Little Pigs[/h2][p][/p][p]A cozy fairytale… where something feels slightly off.[/p][p]
At first glance, this world is exactly what you'd expect: cheerful little houses, rolling green hills, and the kind of warm storybook charm that feels instantly familiar. But spend a little time here and you'll start noticing details that don't quite match the version you grew up with.[/p][p]This is one of the first external worlds you'll visit, and many of you have already seen it in the demo. It's bright, playful, and welcoming—but full of small twists that gently subvert your expectations. Cozy with a side of "wait, what?"[/p][p][/p][h2]The Shadow over Innsbeak[/h2][p][/p][p]A seaside town wrapped in fog, secrets, and extremely bad vibes.[/p][p]
Here's where things get dark. This eerie coastal storybook is inspired by classic cosmic horror, trading bright colors for moody lighting, weird architecture, and a persistent feeling that something is very, very wrong.[/p][p]The town might look quaint at first, but the locals aren't exactly rolling out the welcome mat. Beneath the surface is a mystery that reveals itself slowly, one deeply unsettling detail at a time. It's a sharp tonal shift from the earlier worlds, and a personal favorite for anyone who loves creeping dread and terrible fish-based puns.[/p][p][/p][h2]Treasure Cove[/h2][p][/p][p]Pirates, palm trees, and a whole lot of ocean.[/p][p]
Welcome to the high seas. This storybook is a sprawling tropical pirate adventure spread across a massive ocean dotted with islands, all connected by the most important thing you'll own: your ship.[/p][p]You'll explore lively port towns, hunt down map fragments, and sail between dangerous locations in search of legendary treasure. Every island has its own personality, and the pirate clichés are embraced enthusiastically—rum-soaked taverns, questionable accents, parrots that won't shut up, and more suspiciously buried loot than you can shake a cutlass at.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Icefall Chronicles[/h2][p][/p][p]A sci-fi epic on a frozen, hostile world.[/p][p]
[/p][p]One of the later storybooks throws you straight into the deep end. Set on a distant ice planet, this world swaps fairytale tropes for sci-fi survival, alien landscapes, and extremely weird lifeforms.[/p][p]The environment is cold, beautiful, and absolutely lethal, filled with bizarre flora, aggressive fauna, and locals who—how do we put this—don't speak your language. Or any language you'd recognize. It's a dramatic visual departure and a reminder that in Escape from Ever After, no genre is safe from corporate invasion.[/p][hr][/hr][p]That's it for this quick tour—just a taste of what's waiting for you in the full game![/p][p]Thanks for sticking around, and if you like what you're seeing, don't forget to wishlist Escape from Ever After. The full game launches January 23, 2026, and we can't wait for you to experience every page yourself.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]See you between the covers![/p]

[p]Hey Escape from Ever After fans![/p][p][/p][h2]We’re thrilled to finally announce that Escape from Ever After will launch on January 23rd![/h2][p][/p][p]📺 Check out the Release Date Trailer:[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]We can’t wait for you to experience everything we’ve been crafting—the humor, the heart, and all the storybook magic that makes Escape from Ever After what it is.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. Your support, feedback, and excitement mean everything to us—and we can’t wait to share the full adventure with you soon![/p][p][/p][p][/p]