The Midnight Walkers News

[p]Hello Survivors Around the World,[/p][p][/p][p]First of all, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined the recent Steam Next Fest (SNF) and showed such incredible support for The Midnight Walkers.[/p][p][/p][p]Today, we have a difficult announcement to share.[/p][p][/p][p]The release schedule has been postponed by approximately two months.
The new release date is now set for January 29, 2026 (PST: January 28, 2026).
We deeply apologize for the delay in communicating this update.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Why is the schedule being delayed?[/h3][p]The development team has carefully reviewed all feedback from both the Steam Next Fest and the July Tech Test.
After assessing the remaining time and the scale of work required, we concluded that we need more development time to properly reflect key feedback, tune gameplay, and improve overall stability.[/p][p]During the October SNF, we focused on introducing new content and features. However, this also meant we couldn’t dedicate enough time to fine-tuning gameplay balance and polish.
As the director, I take full responsibility for not meeting the expectations of some of our players and take this feedback seriously.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]What’s being improved?[/h3][p]The recent playtests allowed us to verify server stability, and we’ve already fixed an issue where certain sessions would abruptly close as if the server had shut down.
We also resolved numerous bugs and crash issues, while continuing to work on client-side optimization.[/p][p]Beyond that, we are reinforcing anti-cheat and abnormal play detection systems to ensure a fair experience in Early Access.
Appropriate reward and response solutions are also being prepared.[/p][p]Our top priority remains improving the game’s overall quality and sincerely implementing your feedback into the build.
Here are the main areas we’re focusing on during this extended development period:[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]Core Gameplay[/h3]

• [p]Class balance adjustments and weapon usability improvements[/p]
• [p]Improving smoking feature (first step)[/p]
• [p]Ranking system[/p]
• [p]Item drop and looting experience improvements[/p]

[h3]Quality of Life[/h3]

• [p]Enhanced item and gear information display[/p]
• [p]Improved item discard function[/p]
• [p]Trade and mailbox upgrades[/p]
• [p]UI and mission UX improvements[/p]
• [p]Item restoration system for unfair play victims[/p]

[h3]Matchmaking, Social, and Communication[/h3]

• [p]Auto-fill and matchmaking pool management[/p]
• [p]New smart ping system and Discord SDK (voice chat) integration[/p]

[h3]Map and Environment[/h3]

• [p]New Food Court Floor added[/p]
• [p]Replacing more objects to destructible[/p]

[h3]Technical, Performance, and Security[/h3]

• [p]Overall optimization and sound polishing[/p]
• [p]Advanced anti-cheat measures
  [/p]

[hr][/hr][p]This delay is not just a schedule adjustment.
It’s a decision to honor our commitment not to use Early Access as a shield for incomplete quality.[/p][p][/p][p]We believe taking more time to deliver a truly refined experience is our responsibility as developers.
In the coming weeks, we’ll devote all our energy to meaningful improvements and gameplay tuning.[/p][p]There’s still much we haven’t shown you yet, but we’re determined to meet and hopefully exceed your expectations.[/p][p][/p][p]Your feedback continues to be our most valuable guide.
We’ll keep listening, keep improving, and make sure the final experience of The Midnight Walkers earns your trust and enjoyment.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your continued support.[/p]

[p]Hello, Survivors around the world.[/p][p][/p][p]First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the Steam Next Fest. Every time we hold a playtest, I’m reminded of how much remains to be improved. [/p][p]We deeply apologize to those who may have felt unsatisfied, and we sincerely thank all of you who have waited for us with patience and encouragement. [/p][p]Your sharp feedback and heartfelt support constantly push us to improve faster and in the right direction. [/p][p]Before we move on to the next stage, I’d like to share a few updates with you. [/p][p][/p][h2]\[Game Price Announcement][/h2][p]The price of The Midnight Walkers has been set at $19.99, and will be adjusted for each region based on Steam’s regional pricing policy. [/p][p]Sales of the game will serve as one of the key driving forces that allow our small studio to continue developing and improving The Midnight Walkers. [/p][p]We also hope that this will contribute to more effective enforcement against cheat program users. [/p][p]Originally, we had planned to price the game at $24.99, but after receiving many requests from players around the world asking for a more accessible price, [/p][p]we decided to lower it so that more people could enjoy the game. [/p][p]While this isn’t a dramatic change, we hope this adjustment will make it a little easier to enjoy The Midnight Walkers in these challenging times. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]\[Development Direction After Early Access Launch][/h2][p]Through this recent playtest, we once again realized that there are still many areas where our game needs improvement. [/p][p]We believe the feedback you’ve shared should be addressed with the highest priority. [/p][p]Accordingly, features such as skins and the in-game shop will be postponed, and the dev team will focus on stability, balance adjustments, and resolving gameplay inconveniences first. [/p][p][/p][h2]\[Class Balance and Design Direction][/h2][p]As mentioned in my previous comment, during this Steam Next Fest Playtest, our team attempted to refine multiple systems and contents all at once. [/p][p]In doing so, some of the core elements did not reach the level of polish we intended. [/p][p]Since the start of the test, our developers have been reviewing gameplay data and analyzing feedback in daily meetings to prepare for what’s next. [/p][p]We’ve acknowledged that Brick is currently too stable and mobile, making it comparatively powerful, while classes and weapons that require more delicate control feel under-rewarding for their level of investment. [/p][p]We plan to revisit overall values including duration, cooldowns, and resource consumption to deliver a wider range of viable builds and more dynamic team play experiences. [/p][p]Instead of a few combinations dominating the battlefield, our goal is to restore the intended clarity and diversity of gameplay. [/p][p]We will further solidify counter relationships between roles so that **Tanks feel like true Tanks, Supports like true Supports, and no single playstyle can dominate every situation. [/p][p]Additionally, we are closely reviewing other feedback shared by the community — such as team-filling mechanics, Duo Mode, movement while smoking, and intermittent frame drops — and will continue to address these issues step by step, starting with those that can be resolved in the short term. [/p][p][/p][h2]\[Direction for Improving the Farming Experience [/h2][h2] and Gear Customization][/h2][p]We plan to increase the overall value of items by fine-tuning equipment, item drops, and loot from chests and field sources. Each item's acquisition source will also be fine-tuned and improved. [/p][p]We will also improve the readability of key equipment information, and simplify complex or hard-to-understand terms and effects to make them clearer and more intuitive for players.[/p][p][/p][h2]\[Combat Feedback and Controls] [/h2][p]The tactile satisfaction of melee combat and the responsiveness of ranged weapons are at the core of our gameplay. [/p][p]We will continue fine-tuning hit reactions, stagger effects, sound design, visual effects, and camera feedback to create a more impactful and satisfying combat experience. [/p][p]We’re also reviewing several weapon animations that felt uncomfortable to use, and will make adjustments to improve their handling and usability. [/p][p][/p][h2]\[Anti-Cheat and Teaming][/h2][p]This playtest marked our first official collaboration with an anti-cheat solution provider. [/p][p]During the integration process, the connection between the anti-cheat system and the client proved weak, exposing multiple vulnerabilities. [/p][p]As a result, from the early to mid stages of the test, we saw numerous extreme cases of cheat program usage. Our operations team devoted all available resources to issuing sanctions and restoring order, but unfortunately many players had already been affected. [/p][p]By the later stages of the test, cheating patterns became increasingly varied, and the operations team responded by analyzing these new patterns and applying targeted countermeasures. [/p][p]We also confirmed numerous teaming incidents during this period. [/p][p]In addition to manual reports, our operations team plans to strengthen detection through data analysis and AI-based pattern recognition, enabling faster and more accurate responses. [/p][p]We had intended to introduce an **automatic compensation system** for players affected by cheating or unfair play, but it was not ready for this test. During Early Access, we will conduct regular data reviews to provide batch compensation and progressively automate the process. [/p][p]Although our team is still small and progress can be slow at times, we have so much more to show you and we won’t stop moving forward. What we are preparing is not a one-time patch, but the start of a continuous development process. [/p][p]Balance improvements will be ongoing, and we plan to deliver frequent updates even after the Early Access launch. Your honest and passionate feedback guides us toward better decisions every day. [/p][p][/p][p]We listen, we fix, and we move forward.[/p][p]Please continue sharing your candid thoughts with us. [/p][p][/p][p]We promise to turn that feedback into **tangible changes and a more engaging experience.** [/p][p]Our goal is to make *The Midnight Walkers* a game that’s even more thrilling and rewarding to play. [/p][p]To all Survivors who joined us for the Steam Next Fest [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you once again, from the bottom of our hearts. [/p][p][/p][p]See you soon![/p][p]— Director Ray and the Oneway Ticket Studio Dev Team[/p][p][/p][p] [/p]

[p]Hello Survivors![/p][p][/p][p]The week-long Steam Next Fest playtest has officially ended.[/p][p]Thank you to all the survivors who fought, explored, and successfully escaped from Liberty Grand Center.[/p][p][/p][h3]Feedback and Data Analysis[/h3][p]This test was our first opportunity to present the updated version that reflects feedback from the July technical test.[/p][p]The valuable feedback and data you’ve provided will serve as key indicators to determine the update direction leading up to the Early Access version.[/p][p]Our development team is analyzing your gameplay records and feedback data,[/p][p]and we will do our best to create a more complete version of The Midnight Walkers.[/p][p][/p][h3]Survey and Playtest Feedback[/h3][p]Please participate in the Steam Next Fest playtest survey![/p][p]Your valuable opinions will be delivered directly to the development team.[/p][p]http://forms.office.com/r/gx2JXvVXnS[/p][p][/p][h3]Communication Continues[/h3][p]Although the Steam Next Fest has ended, our communication with survivors will continue.[/p][p]We look forward to continuing our interaction with everyone through our official community. Feel free to share your impressions, feedback, and improvement ideas about the Steam Next Fest playtest.[/p][p]http://discord.gg/themidnightwalkers[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]To All Content Creators and Streamers[/h3][p]We sincerely thank all content creators and streamers who, during this Steam Next Fest, vividly brought Liberty Grand Center to life through amazing live streams and videos.[/p][p]Thanks to your content, more survivors were able to discover The Midnight Walkers.[/p][p][/p][p]Once again, we sincerely thank all survivors for your participation and passion.[/p][p]Our development team will continue to work hard to bring you an even better gameplay experience.[/p][p][/p][p]We look forward to seeing you again in a more refined version of Liberty Grand Center![/p]

[p]Hello, Survivors from around the world.
This is Ray, the director of The Midnight Walkers.[/p][p]
At last, The Midnight Walkers is participating in the Steam Next Fest, allowing us to showcase our game in development to many players.
We welcome you all with both excitement and anticipation.[/p][p][/p][p]This version will be the final Playtest before the upcoming Early Access in November.
During this period, we will collect a variety of data and carry out important improvement work based on it,
so that we can deliver an even more enjoyable gameplay experience in the Early Access version.[/p][p][/p][p]In this build, we have added several new elements, including a new themed floor, Vendor Missions and the Vendor Affinity System, and zombies with diverse appearances.
Through these additions, we aimed to further enhance the immersion and completeness of gameplay.[/p][p][/p][p]Of course, there is still much more we have yet to show you.
To achieve deeper combat experiences, balanced gameplay, and to complete the game’s unique ecosystem, we will continue development.[/p][p][/p][p]This test is only a part of that journey, and through Early Access and subsequent updates,
we will deliver an even more intense and enjoyable survival experience.[/p][p]If survivors continue to accompany us on this journey, it will be a great source of strength for us.
As we have done until now, we will continue transparent communication and steady development.[/p][p][/p][p]Once again, we sincerely welcome you to The Midnight Walkers.[/p][p][/p][h3]\[Major Update Notes][/h3][p]1) New Weapon “Baseball Bat” Added[/p]

• [p]A powerful aluminum bat has been added.[/p]
• [p]If the first strike lands successfully, you can deliver a series of strong consecutive attacks.[/p]

[p]2) New Zombie “Bomber” Added[/p]

• [p]At the Liberty Grand Center, a new zombie called Bomber, carrying gas and gunpowder tanks, will appear.[/p]

[p]3) Balance Rework Part 1 Applied[/p]

• [p]Some existing stats have been removed, and new intuitive item effects have been applied.[/p]
• [p]This Balance Rework is not the end; we will continue refining it through ongoing data monitoring.[/p]

[p]4) Vendor Mission and Vendor Affinity System Part 1 Applied[/p]

• [p]To enhance game continuity and short-term goal progression, Vendor Missions and the Vendor Affinity System have been introduced.[/p]
• [p]Once the Bartering System is added in the future, various items will be utilized in more meaningful and valuable ways.[/p]

[p]5) Equipment Score-Based Game Mode Segmentation (Test Application)[/p]

• [p]Rookie / Survival / Hardcore Modes are now matched based on Equipment Score.[/p]
• [p]Through this test, we will collect relevant data, and some elements may be adjusted based on the results.[/p]

[p]6) New Floor “Liberty Botanical Garden (7F)” Added[/p]

• [p]The dark and eerie Liberty Botanical Garden has been newly opened.[/p]

[p]7) Zombie Outfit Variation[/p]

• [p]Various zombie models have been added, providing a more diverse combat experience than before.[/p]

[p]8) Vendor Appearance Rework (3D Model Applied)[/p]

• [p]All previously used temporary AI-generated images have been replaced with newly created 3D-modeled Vendors.[/p]

[p]9) Trade Convenience Rework Part 1 Applied[/p]

• [p]Search and Filtering Features have been added, making the Trade System more convenient to use.[/p]

[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]