New Year Greetings 2026 & Devlog #26 | POI
[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]
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]