The Midnight Walkers News

[p]Hello, Survivors.[/p][p]
We’re back with a brand-new development log.[/p][p]As we welcome the New Year 2026, we want to thank survivors around the world for your patience and support for The Midnight Walkers. It means a lot to the whole team.[/p][p]We’re gearing up for Steam Early Access on January 29, 2026 (PST: January 28, 2026), and everyone on the dev team is focused on delivering a more polished, immersive survival experience.[/p][p]In this update — along with our New Year’s greeting — we’re introducing a set of POIs that will make the Liberty Grand Center feel more dynamic and tactical.[/p][p][/p][h3]Director Ray’s New Year Message & Devlog Video[/h3][p]This POI-focused devlog comes with a short video. Director Ray shares his New Year’s greeting and explains the gameplay intent behind the POIs — what choices and moments we expect them to create.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][hr][/hr][h3]What is a POI?[/h3][p]POI stands for Point of Interest. In the Liberty Grand Center, POIs are specially designed locations that reinforce the building’s identity and deepen gameplay. They’re not just “places with good loot.” Each POI is meant to create meaningful risk-vs-reward choices, shape looting routes, and influence moment-to-moment decisions.[/p][p][/p][p](Note: These features are still in development and some details may change.)[/p][p][/p][h3]Secret Room[/h3][p]The Secret Room is meant to reward exploration. At first glance it looks like a hidden space you might discover by chance, but stepping inside triggers a small event. Unique mechanics play out here: various threats will emerge, and survivors must eliminate them to leave safely.[/p][p][/p][h3]Zombie Container[/h3][p]Dangerous zombies lurk inside the Zombie Container. As a survivor approaches, the container door opens automatically. In return for the risk, the container holds a loot crate filled with worthwhile rewards. Will you risk it for the payoff, or walk away? The choice is yours.[/p][p][/p][h3]Central Stairwell Barricade[/h3][p]The Central Stairwell Barricade changes how major routes feel and flow. By dividing space, it can stall enemy advances or help you shake off pursuers during an escape. It’s a structural element that enables multiple strategic decisions.[/p][p][/p][h3]Fire Extinguisher[/h3][p]Fire extinguishers that used to be static props are now destructible environmental objects. When destroyed, a unit flashes and creates a smoke cloud that can block enemy vision or shift the flow of combat. The smoke affects zombies as well, allowing survivors to break pursuit without long chases. This smoke shares the same properties as Crow’s smoke grenade, so the same passive effects apply.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]Closing Thoughts[/h3][p]The POIs we’ve shown today are the first step toward making the Liberty Grand Center a more layered and unpredictable battlefield. We’ll keep adding a variety of POIs so survivors find new choices and strategies in every match.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you to everyone who played The Midnight Walkers and shared feedback throughout 2025. [/p][p]Happy New Year, and we’ll see you on Steam Early Access on January 29, 2026 (PST: January 28, 2026).[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you.[/p]

[p]It’s been a long time since we last spoke. [/p][p][/p][p]We’ve been fully focused on development day and night, and while we’ve continued to closely monitor Discord, we sincerely apologize for not being able to communicate as actively as before. [/p][p][/p][p]Even during the holiday season, the development team is pushing forward toward our Early Access launch on January 29, 2026.
Following Steam Next Fest, we carefully reviewed all the data and feedback left by players around the world, and based on that, we are developing Early Access specs while simultaneously implementing improvements. [/p][p][/p][h3]Key Improvements in Preparation for Early Access[/h3][p]The core goal of this Early Access is:
Stability + A major upgrade to the overall gameplay experience [/p]

• [p]Overall stability improvements[/p]
  • [p]Server and client stabilization[/p]
  • [p]Resolving major issues that disrupted gameplay flow[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Full UI overhaul[/p]
  • [p]Reorganized information structure[/p]
  • [p]Improved readability during and after combat[/p]
  • [p]More intuitive equipment, inventory, and mission UI[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Class balance adjustments[/p]
  • [p]Clearer role definitions between classes[/p]
  • [p]Reduced extreme performance gaps in specific situations[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Equipment system & random option improvements[/p]
  • [p]Clearer meaning and value of random options[/p]
  • [p]Simplified flow of comparing → choosing → equipping gear[/p]
  • [p]Enhanced enjoyment of build progression[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Mission & item drop rate fine-tuning[/p]
  • [p]Rebalanced item drop rates and distribution[/p]
  • [p]Stronger sense of achievement relative to playtime[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]New level & enemy content[/p]
  • [p]Added a new level: Food Court[/p]
  • [p]A large variety of new zombie appearances suited to the Food Court[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Expanded in-game POI elements[/p]
  • [p]Added hidden areas and interesting mechanics[/p]
  • [p]Player choices and routes meaningfully affect gameplay[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]Team play convenience features[/p]
  • [p]Ping system[/p]
  • [p]Auto team-fill[/p]
  • [p]Team-based voice chat[/p]

[p] [/p]

• [p]And many more improvements currently in development[/p]

[p][/p][p]The game has now reached a stabilized state,
and we are officially entering a full fine-tuning phase. [/p][p][/p][h3]Liberty Grand Center – A Denser Gameplay Experience[/h3][p]More details will be shared in future dev logs, but Liberty Grand Center continues to expand beyond simple movement and combat.
Our goal is to create a structure where player decisions and routes meaningfully change the gameplay experience. [/p][p][/p][p]Based on player feedback, the elevator in the central staircase has been completely removed. [/p][p][/p][h3]What’s Next[/h3]

• [p]The 2026 roadmap will be revealed soon[/p]
• [p]Fast feedback-driven updates will continue after Early Access[/p]

[p]Thank you for your patience and honest feedback.
We wish you all a warm and happy holiday season! [/p][p][/p][p]Merry Christmas!
And we’ll see you again very soon — January 29. [/p][p][/p][p]Oneway Ticket Studio Dev Team & Ray[/p]

[p]Hello, Survivors![/p][p]To celebrate the upcoming Christmas and New Year, we’re kicking off a New Year community event!
What is your survival plan for 2026? Share your New Year goals with us,
10 winners will be randomly selected to receive a Steam Gift Card worth 10,000 KRW![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]How to Participate[/h3]

• [p]Freely write your 2026 New Year goal or plan in the event channel on the official The Midnight Walkers Discord: .[/p]
• [p]There are no restrictions on length or format, and entries may be written in any language.[/p]
• [p]Only one entry per Discord account will be considered valid.[/p]
• [p]In case of multiple entries, only the first submitted message will be counted.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Event Schedule[/h3]

• [p]Event Period:
  December 24, 2025 09:00 - December 31, 2025 08:00 (GMT)
  December 24, 2025 01:00 - December 31, 2025 01:00 (PT)
  December 24, 2025 04:00 - December 31, 2025 03:00 (ET)[/p]
• [p]Winner Announcement:
  After January 5, 2026[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Prize Information[/h3]

• [p]10 winners will be randomly selected[/p]
• [p]Steam Gift Card ₩10,000 (1 per person)[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Notes[/h3]

• [p]Winners will be selected randomly.[/p]
• [p]Due to Steam policy, some countries may not be able to receive Steam Gift Cards.
  In such cases, prize delivery may not be possible.[/p]
• [p]Steam Gift Cards will be issued in KRW, so the final amount received may vary depending on your country of residence or account settings.[/p]
• [p]Please note that the announcement schedule may change if unexpected issues arise.[/p]

[p][/p][p]For more details, please check the official The Midnight Walkers Discord announcement!
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/themidnightwalkers[/p][p][/p][p]We look forward to your participation and wish you all the best for the year ahead![/p]

[p]Hello, Survivors![/p][p] [/p][p]A new devlog update![/p][p]Today, we bring you development news on the Food Hall, a new floor in Liberty Grand Center.[/p][p]This content, which will be included in the upcoming Early Access release, is currently in active development, and please note that some details may change during the actual implementation.[/p][p][/p][h3]Food Hall Overview[/h3][p] [/p][p]The Food Hall was once a vibrant space where players could enjoy food and ingredients from around the world.[/p][p]However, after the outbreak, it has become a chaotic battleground where survivors and zombies collide. Empty stalls and damaged facilities are all that remain. [/p][p]The goal of this floor is to evoke a sense of both the once-rich and the present-day desolation.[/p][p] [/p][h3]Structure and Design Intent[/h3][p]The Food Hall level is designed to create varied forms of tension through its layout.[/p][p]Areas with wide, open views, such as spacious aisles and lounges, create a sense of tension, as if threats could strike at any moment. Conversely, narrow passageways between high shelves and refrigerated units create a sense of pressure, as enemies threaten to attack at any moment. The structure is designed to naturally experience these emotions as players move through each area, including the grocery store, food hall, and warehouse.[/p][p]In the grocery store, high shelves limit visibility, heightening the tension of combat. Meanwhile, empty aisles offer little cover, leaving players vulnerable.[/p][p]Unlike the grocery store, the spacious lounges in the food hall offer limited escape options. The kitchen and rear passageways are extremely narrow, creating ideal locations for surprise attacks and flanking tactics. [/p][p]Entering the freezer storage at the back of the store subjects players to a cold debuff, accompanied by frost overlay effects on the screen, adding another layer of tension through its chilling, enclosed atmosphere.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Zombie Appearances[/h3][p] A new zombie appearance has been introduced, exclusive to the Food Hall floor.[/p][p]Near the Chinese Restaurant, you'll encounter zombies wearing cheongsam costumes, and in the Freezer, you'll encounter zombies wearing thick hazmat suits.[/p][p]While not yet implemented, we're considering deploying weaponized zombies in the future, which we anticipate will provide a more diverse combat experience.[/p][p][/p][h3]Consumable Items[/h3][p]

[/p][p]This floor features a variety of consumable items and crafting materials that will enhance the Food Hall atmosphere, including extra spicy cup noodles, supplements with special effects, and red ginseng sticks.[/p][p]Starting with the Food Hall, several doping consumable items, such as supplements with special effects and energy sticks, will be added in addition to medicine. We plan to further diversify the consumable items in the future to enhance the strategic and rich gameplay experience.[/p][p]However, specific effects are currently being balanced and will be revealed at the time of the update.[/p][p] [/p][h3]Closing Thoughts[/h3][p]The Food Hall is currently undergoing testing and ongoing adjustments. We are meticulously refining the layout and presentation to ensure that Survivors can truly experience the thrill and excitement of exploring.[/p][p]Please feel free to share your thoughts on shops, menus, item ideas, and battle scenarios that would be perfect for the food hall on the official The Midnight Walkers community. Your feedback is invaluable in the development process.[/p][p][/p][p]We'll be back with more news in the next development log.[/p][p][/p][p]Until then, stay safe and see you again![/p]

[p]The Midnight Walkers development team is continuously working to perfect the game. With the release date moved to the end of January, we'll be reaching out to you in a more intimate and casual way during this time.
Just like a regular game streamer, we'll be communicating directly through streaming and video.[/p][p][/p][h2]Channel Link[/h2]

• [p]Twitch[/p]
• [p]Chzzk[/p]
• [p]Bilibili[/p]
• [p]Douyin[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Meet Our Streamers[/h2][p]Each stream will be hosted by our team members.[/p]

• [p]Crossbow – Korean & English[/p]
• [p]Eden – Korean[/p]
• [p]Aileen – Chinese[/p]

[p]We are also preparing collaborative broadcast content, inviting PD (Ray) and dev members and with partner streamers, so please look forward to it.[/p][p][/p][h2]Streaming Content & Schedule[/h2][p]During the stream, we'll be answering questions about the development process and showcasing our community members' progress in developing The Midnight Walkers. Occasionally, we'll be playing past builds and test builds to showcase our ongoing development.[/p][p]Like a streamer, we'll be listening to and responding to your feedback in a natural and comfortable way. Until the regular streaming schedule launches, we'll continue to interact with you weekly by playing The Midnight Walkers alongside other popular games in similar genres.[/p]

• [p]Check out the Stream schedule on each channel notice...!
  (If there are any schedule changes, we'll announce them on the channel or in the community.)[/p]

[p]Feel free to stop by and leave questions, and even a brief comment is welcome.
We'll frequently provide time to address potential player concerns and share operational concerns.[/p][p][/p][h2]What We're Looking Forward to[/h2][p]We aim to create a two-way communication (despite our name, Oneway Ticket Studio) structure, rather than one-sided announcements or notifications. We'll meet you more often and listen to you more. Feel free to leave questions or suggestions. We believe that your voices will make the game even better.[/p][p]See you on stream anytime.[/p]