The Midnight Walkers News

[p]Hello Survivors![/p][p][/p][p]The Midnight Walkers will be participating in the upcoming Steam October Next Fest![/p][p]Since the July Playtest, we’ve added new content and made a wide range of improvements based on community feedback.[/p][p][/p][p]Check out the full playtest schedule and key update notes below.[/p][p][/p][h2]Steam Next Fest Playtest[/h2][p]Event Dates: October 13 (Mon) 10:00 AM – October 20 (Mon) 10:00 AM (PDT)[/p][p]How to Join: Download The Midnight Walkers Demo on Steam and jump right in![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Update Notes[/h2][h3][Classes][/h3]

• [p]The class “Margarita” has been renamed to “Bartender.”[/p]
• [p]Class stats have been completely reworked.[/p]
  • [p]The previous base attributes (Strength, Agility, Dexterity, Knowledge, Spirit, Constitution) have been removed.[/p]
  • [p]They have been restructured into new categories: Defense, Defense Options, Melee Attack, Ranged Attack, Attack Options, Speed, Buff/Debuff Stats.[/p]
• [p]All Active and Passive Skills for each class have been reworked.[/p]
  • [p]Taking overall balance into consideration, every class’s Active and Passive Skills have been renewed and fine-tuned.[/p]
  • [p]Some less practical skills have been streamlined, and new skills have been added to expand gameplay variety.[/p]
• [p]New In-Game Profile HUD effects have been added.[/p]
  • [p]The Character Status HUD has been renewed to dynamically reflect your character’s health level, damage reactions, death expressions, and real-time status effects such as healing, poison, shock, and fire.[/p]

[h3]\[Weapons][/h3]

• [p]Baseball Bat:
  A new two-handed melee weapon, the Baseball Bat, has been added.
  It can be equipped by BRICK and BARTENDER.[/p]
• [p]Composite Bow:
  The weapon’s mechanics have been reworked.[/p]
  • [p]Overall motion updated[/p]
  • [p]Attack behavior improved[/p]
  • [p]An aiming time limit has been introduced[/p]
  • [p]Melee attack capability has been removed.[/p]
    • [p]As the delay to firing has been shortened, melee attacks have been removed for overall balance. The bow now focuses exclusively on ranged combat.[/p]
  • [p]For more details, check DevLog#23.[/p]
• [p]Kukri: Attack motion has been updated.[/p]
• [p]Shovel: Weapon blocking and parrying have been improved.[/p]
  • [p]Parry detection against Zombie attacks has been enhanced, and a Just Guard mechanic has been added.
    Successfully blocking at the correct timing now triggers a knockback effect on Zombies.[/p]
• [p]The charge UI for each weapon type has been improved.[/p]

[h3]\[Zombies][/h3]

• [p]A new zombie type, Bomber has been added.[/p]
  • [p]In this Next Fest version, two variations of the Bomber will appear.[/p]
    • [p]Explosive Bomber: Charges while carrying explosives and self-destructs at close range, dealing explosion damage.[/p]
    • [p]Toxic Bomber: On self-detonation, emits smoke that obscures vision and releases toxic gas.[/p]
• [p]Zombie Combat Experience[/p]
  • [p]Hit reaction animations have been improved.[/p]
  • [p]Idle motions have been added.[/p]
  • [p]Grab animations have been improved.[/p]
  • [p]Parry detection against zombie attacks has been improved.[/p]
  • [p]Zombie appearances have been updated to match each in-game floor theme.[/p]

[h3]\[Map][/h3]

• [p]A new map, “Botanical Garden,” has been added to the 7th Floor.[/p]
• [p]Once a beloved indoor garden admired by many, it has since been left untended after the zombie outbreak, becoming completely overgrown with dense vegetation. As a result, the area has transformed into a complex, maze-like environment that forces survivors to move with caution.[/p]
• [p]Building structures have been improved to better reflect the unique theme of each floor.[/p]
• [p]A new World Map (M) feature has also been added.[/p]

[h3]\[New Systems][/h3]

• [p]Equipment Score System:[/p]
  • [p]An equipment score system has been added.
    All gear items are now assigned individual scores.[/p]
• [p]Smoking (V) Feature:[/p]
  • [p]A new smoking feature has been introduced.
    Players can smoke up to three times per game.[/p]
  • [p]Each inhale restores 10 HP, and up to five inhales can be made per cigarette for a total of 50 HP recovered.[/p]
  • [p]During smoking, movement is disabled, but the action can be canceled using the interaction key.[/p]
  • [p]Completing a cigarette without interruption removes the reduced recovery efficiency effect caused by consecutive drink consumption.[/p]

[h3]\[Matching][/h3]

• [p]Rookie / Survival / Hardcore Modes have been introduced.[/p]
  • [p]Rookie Mode:[/p]
    • [p]A mode designed for new and inexperienced survivors taking their first steps into the Liberty Grand Center.[/p]
    • [p]If your equipment score exceeds 250 points, you cannot select Rookie Mode.[/p]
    • [p]Common to Rare grade items can be obtained.[/p]
    • [p]Zombies with relatively low difficulty will appear.[/p]
  • [p]Survival Mode:[/p]
    • [p]A mode for seasoned survivors seeking greater rewards.[/p]
    • [p]This mode can be selected without any equipment score restriction.[/p]
    • [p]Uncommon to Epic grade items can be obtained.[/p]
    • [p]Zombies become stronger, and special types of zombies begin to appear.[/p]
  • [p]Hardcore Mode:[/p]
    • [p]The ultimate difficulty mode for survivors who risk everything in pursuit of greater gains.[/p]
    • [p]Survivors with an equipment score of 450 or higher and character level 20 or above can challenge this mode.[/p]
    • [p]Uncommon to Legendary grade items can be obtained.[/p]
    • [p]All types of zombies will appear.[/p]
• [p]The maximum number of players in Solo Mode has been increased from 8 to 12, and in Squad Mode from 15 to 18.[/p]

[h3]\[Vendors][/h3]

• [p]Vendor System Overhaul[/p]
  • [p]The existing nine vendors have been consolidated into five, each specializing in a specific category — Weapons, Armor, Medical Supplies, Materials, and Special Items.[/p]
• [p]Affinity System Update[/p]
  • [p]You can now increase your affinity with vendors through trades and missions. As your affinity level rises, you’ll unlock new dialogue, rewards, and hidden stories, while each vendor’s appearance and available stock will gradually expand.[/p]
• [p]Sticker Feature Added[/p]
  • [p]Depending on your affinity with a vendor, you can equip stickers with special effects. These stickers grant various trade benefits, such as higher sell prices or shorter restock times.[/p]

[h3]\[Trade][/h3]

• [p]Filtering and search functions have been improved.[/p]

[h3]\[Others][/h3]

• [p]The tutorial video has been updated.[/p]
• [p]New loading images have been added when entering or exiting the game.[/p]
• [p]A system message has been added to provide advance notice before a specific floor closes.[/p]
• [p]An automatic hardware detection feature has been added.[/p]
  • [p]When launching the game, your PC specifications will be automatically analyzed, and the most suitable graphic settings will be applied.[/p]
• [p]Anonymous Mode has been added.[/p]
  • [p]Other survivors’ nicknames will now appear anonymously in-game.[/p]
• [p]The Ranking System will be temporarily disabled during this Steam Next Fest Playtest while improvement work is underway.[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]We look forward to your support and participation, Survivors![/p][p][/p][p]See you soon at the Liberty Grand Center![/p]

[p]Hello, Survivors.[/p][p]We’re back again with a new devlog today![/p][p]In this devlog, we’d like to introduce the news about the Rework of the Vendor system.[/p][p][/p][h2]Purpose of the Rework[/h2][p]One of the main pieces of feedback we received from Survivors during the July Tech Test was that “there are too many vendors, which makes things confusing.”[/p][p]Additionally, we also received feedback that the item lineup was monotonous and lacked clear purpose.[/p][p]To improve these areas, the development team has completely restructured the Vendor system.[/p][p]We have reduced the number of vendors, clarified the roles and items each vendor handles,[/p][p]and redesigned the vendors not just as merchants selling items, but also as NPCs who can provide stories.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Summary[/h2][p]Vendor Count Reduced & Roles Streamlined[/p]

• [p]Vendors have been consolidated from 9 to 5, each specializing in Weapons / Armor / Medical Supplies / Materials / Special Items.[/p]
• [p]It’s now more intuitive and faster to find what you need.[/p]

[p]Affinity System Overhaul[/p]

• [p]Your affinity with each vendor increases through trades or missions.[/p]
• [p]As affinity rises, you’ll experience new dialogue, rewards, and hidden stories.[/p]
• [p]Vendor appearance and inventory expand with each affinity tier.[/p]

[p]New Feature: Stickers[/p]

• [p]Based on affinity, you can equip vendors with stickers that provide set effects, granting various benefits during trades.[/p]

[p]They’re no longer just shop NPCs, but partners who grow alongside you, the Survivors.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Vendor Introduction[/h2]

• [p]Armorer / Armor Vendor[/p][p]You can purchase various types of armor essential for survival.[/p][p]Though timid and easily frightened, if you trust and trade with him, [/p][p]he will provide you with reliable equipment.[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Armsmith / Weapon Vendor[/p][p]Sells a wide range of weapons, including both melee and ranged types.[/p][p]He can be a bit harsh toward Survivors who nitpick weapon quality, [/p][p]but he’s a trustworthy vendor you can rely on.[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Pharmacist / Medical Vendor[/p][p]Provides various healing items such as drinks and bandages.[/p][p]As your affinity increases, they might even offer you special prescriptions.[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Collector / Material Vendor[/p][p]Sells a variety of resources needed for crafting and upgrades.[/p][p]If you’re looking for materials or parts, be sure to visit the Collector often.[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Rabbit Jack / Gacha Vendor[/p][p]Sells items with random attributes.[/p][p]Depending on your luck, you might obtain rare rewards—so go ahead and test your fortune![/p][p][/p]

[p]Additionally, while survivors were previously able to sell any type of item to any vendor, it has now been changed so that items can only be sold to the vendor responsible for that category.
For example, armor can only be sold to the Armor Vendor, and weapons can only be sold to the Weapon Vendor.[/p][p][/p][h2]Introduction to the Affinity System[/h2][p]With this system overhaul, the Affinity System, Sticker System, and Mission System are being added.[/p]

• [p]By completing missions or making trades, your affinity with each vendor increases.
  As your affinity tier rises, the vendor’s appearance, dialogue, and items for sale will expand.[/p]
• [p]The higher your affinity with a vendor, the more special stickers with set effects you can equip to them.[/p]
• [p]Each sticker only applies when trading with the vendor it’s equipped to, granting benefits such as selling items at higher prices or shortening the shop’s restock time.[/p]

[p]This isn’t just a numerical tweak—it's designed so that as you build relationships with vendors, you earn rewards in both story and gameplay.
Grow closer to the shopkeepers and discover more of their stories.[/p][hr][/hr][p]So, what do you think about this vendor system rework?[/p][p]Please leave your valuable feedback on our official The Midnight Walkers Discord community.[/p][p]Our team always welcomes the opinions of Survivors.[/p][p]That’s all for today’s devlog.[/p][p]We’ll be back next time with even more exciting news![/p][p]Until then, survive safely—and we’ll see you soon.[/p]

[p]  [/p][p]Hello, Survivors![/p][p][/p][p]We have some exciting news for everyone who has been waiting for since our last Tech Test. [/p][p] is confirmed to participate in the Steam Next Fest this October. [/p][p]We are preparing to meet you all with a much-improved version of the game,[/p][p]and along with the Steam Next Fest schedule, we've also prepared a new video and a Discord event, so please look forward to them![/p][p][/p][h2] ■ Schedule: October 13th - October 20th[/h2][p][/p][p]Along with this schedule announcement, our Director, Ray, has prepared a new video discussing the changes since the last test[/p][p]and answering some of the community's most frequently asked questions. Be sure to check it out![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Our development team is working hard to prepare in the time remaining, [/p][p]and we are committed to delivering a more polished experience for all of you.[/p][p][/p][p]We will share more detailed information about our participation in the Steam Next Fest in a future announcement.[/p][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p][/p][p]Among the contents introduced in the new Director video,[/p][p]which new feature are you most looking forward to?[/p][p][/p][p]Please vote, and four lucky participants will each receive a $20 Steam Gift Card![/p][p][/p][h3]How to Participate[/h3]

• [p]Watch the Director Commentary video on the official The Midnight Walkers YouTube channel.[/p]
• [p]Vote for the content you're most excited about in the channel on the official The Midnight Walkers Discord, and that’s it![/p]
• [p]Having LOOT (our Discord server tag) next to your name increases your chances of winning![/p]

[h3]Event Schedule[/h3]

• [p]Voting Period: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 14:59 (UTC)[/p]
• [p]Winner Announcement: October 1st, 2025[/p]

[h3]Prize[/h3]

• [p]Total of 4 winners will be drawn[/p]
• [p]One $20 Steam Gift Card per winner[/p]
• [p]Winners will be contacted individually via DM with details on how to claim their prize[/p]

[h3]Notes[/h3]

• [p]Winners will be selected at random.[/p]
• [p]Only one entry per account will be counted.[/p]
• [p]Steam Gift Cards will be provided in KRW; depending on your country or account settings, the final amount may vary due to exchange rates.[/p]
• [p]Please note that the winner announcement date may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.[/p]

[p][/p][p]We look forward to your interest and participation![/p][p]See you all in the Liberty Grand Center.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Hello Survivors, [/p][p][/p][p]We’re back to share our progress on the game, which is only possible because of your continued interest and support. Today, we're sharing news about the rework of the 'Composite Bow,' the exclusive weapon for the LOCKDOWN class.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]A Brief Introduction to the LOCKDOWN Class[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]LOCKDOWN is a class that controls the battlefield by combining traps with ranged attacks. [/p][p]The core of its gameplay is to take the initiative in combat by luring or disabling enemies with traps, and then seizing control of the fight with ranged attacks from the bow.[/p][p][/p][h2]Intention Behind the Rework [/h2][p]During the Tech Test last July, many of you left valuable feedback regarding the Composite Bow. In particular, many commented that "the bow feels clunky to handle" and "aiming and shooting feel awkward." Indeed, the process from aiming to firing was cumbersome, which often leaving players vulnerable. [/p][p]Therefore, our team decided to rework the mechanics of the Composite Bow to improve these aspects. This change is not just a tweak to the bow's performance, but also a process to more clearly define the identity of LOCKDOWN as the only class that can use a bow. [/p][p]Our goal was to get closer to LOCKDOWN's combat concept of "herding enemies with traps and finishing them with the bow."[/p][p][/p][h2]Major Changes to the Composite Bow [/h2][p]In this rework, we focused on improving the handling of the bow and enhancing the tempo of combat.[/p][p][/p][h3]Overall Motion Changes [/h3][p][/p][p]The animation for drawing and shooting the bow has been overhauled. [/p][p]With the overall motion made smoother, you'll now see LOCKDOWN handle the bow much more naturally. We hope this leads to a more responsive combat experience.[/p][p][/p][h3]Improved Attack Method [/h3][p][/p][p]Previously, the bow was aimed with a right-click and fired with a left-click. When aiming, the crosshair would disappear, making it difficult to tell where the arrow would go. [/p][p]This has now been changed so you can draw and fire the bow with just a left-click. [/p][p]The crosshair also remains visible, allowing for much clearer and more intuitive shooting.[/p][p][/p][h3]Introduction of an Aiming Time Limit [/h3][p][/p][p]The ability to hold the bow drawn indefinitely has been changed so that you can only hold the draw for a certain period. [/p][p]This removes the unrealistic situation of prolonged aiming and enhances the tension and tempo of combat.[/p][p][/p][h3]Removal of Melee Attack [/h3][p][/p][p]We have removed the melee attack where you would swing the bow with a left-click. [/p][p]The bow will now be established as a weapon focused exclusively on ranged combat.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]This Composite Bow rework was made possible thanks to the valuable feedback you gave us. Your opinions will continue to be a great source of strength as we refine the gameplay experience of our weapons and classes. [/p][p][/p][p]If you have more thoughts or ideas, please feel free to share them in the official The Midnight Walkers Discord community. Our team always welcomes feedback from our Survivors. We’ll keep working hard to raise the game’s quality to repay your support.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you.[/p]

[p]Gamescom2025 has finally come to a close. [/p][p]The team and I are extremely happy, excited, exhausted, and sad it’s over. Time really flies when you’re having fun![/p][p][/p][p]We’ve been truly moved by the amazing support from players all over the world. During our on-site game demo sessions, we also witnessed countless fun, memorable, and even loud moments![/p][p][/p][p]We are truly honored to have taken part in the largest gaming event in the world.
It has been an eye-opening experience for us, and more importantly, it gave us the chance to engage in face-to-face conversations with so many players from around the world! Hearing your feedback and suggestions means a lot to us and we’ll incorporate as much valuable insights as we can![/p][p][/p][p]We hope to deliver an even more exciting and immersive experience in the upcoming October Steam Next Fest, so again, stay tuned![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To all The Midnight Walkers survivors out there; until we meet again![/p][p]Zilla | Community Manager @ Oneway Ticket Studio[/p]