Pool of Madness News

[p]Hail, void hunters![/p][p][/p][p]Friday 13th sounds like the perfect day for a Pool of Madness update. So let's dive right into some new chaos we've brewed:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We're thrilled to announce that Pool of Madness is getting a brand new coat of eldritch paint![/p][p]Originally crafted by a two-person team without a dedicated 3D artist, the core loop came together extremely fast and was very well-received during our first playtest - just a month after the game jam that spawned the abomination now known as Pool of Madness.[/p][p]But we always planned a visual overhaul: to better express the game’s dark essence, sharpen the table’s clarity, and amplify the horror aspects of cursed pool. Or, in simple terms: among other things, the game was damn too dark and while it served the horror part, it didn't necessarily align with the pool aspect, where visual sharpness is key.[/p][p]Enter Jarek: an experienced art director with a taste for the unholy, now aboard to swell our ranks to three as the ship sails further into chaos.[/p][p][/p][p]But enough talking, here are the visuals:[/p][p][/p][p]The first game jam prototype, internally dubbed "Cthpoolu":[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Latest updates as we're transitioning into a new art style:[/h3][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Apart from replacing previous assets, improving lighting and such, Jarek is also transmuting our long-lurking ideas into 3D reality - stay tuned for more in this department, as we can’t wait to share them with you very soon![/p][p][/p][p]
The lookout reports strange lights on the horizon. The sea grows aware of us.[/p][p]Captain’s log[/p][p][/p][p]We're nearing 40,000 wishlists! Thank you to everyone supporting us on this voyage![/p][p]If you haven't wishlisted yet, now's a great time to do it and help us pass this milestone. [/p][p]Seriously, do it, otherwise void lurkers will haunt your dreams.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We're happy to report that PoM has been featured in the TBTF Festival, celebrating the most interesting turn-based titles. The Fest is currently featured on the main Steam page - give it a peek![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We can't wait to get more hands on the deck so that you can test out some of these features straight out of the furnace and give us your thoughts and suggestions. We'll be sharing more info regarding limited playtests on discord soon - make sure to jump in if you want to participate! Just click the discord icon below![/p][p][/p][p]Hear you soon![/p]

[p]A quick November update, voidhunters:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]"Cthpoolu" - the first-week prototype.[/p][p][/p][p]Pool of Madness started as a spontaneous 2-person game jam - an attempt to "combine storytelling with pool". Within a couple of days we had a prototype that turned out very fun and a month later the early playtest hit Steam for Lovecraftian Days to a great reception.
[/p][p]Our initial idea was to release the game for free (like our previous title, Dagon: by H. P. Lovecraft) in EA, and switch to the paid model later, but since its inception Pool of Madness morphed from a spontaneous side project to our main focus and the most fun project we’ve ever worked on.
[/p][p]We have a unique eldritch baby in our hands, so we want to allow it to grow into a more powerful and wicked form than originally anticipated, and this means a longer development cycle, new cooperation possibilities and such. Long story short, we've decided to shift to: lower price at EA launch, price increase upon completing EA (at 1.0).[/p][p][/p][p]Designing PoM logo.[/p][p][/p][p]Since we've tested out the majority of what we consider foundational features in the past months (and plan to do so until the end of year) and made improvements to important areas like physics, we're ready to start spinning up a release plan.
[/p][p]Current EA launch date: 2026-when-we-feel-it's-ready-for-EA. Meaning: when PoM is in a state that allows you to enjoy the game while we continue developing it and shaping the final form with the community.[/p][p][/p][p]In other news, lately we've been working on some interesting torture dev... table contraptions, to add another layer to the gameplay. Here's a little taste:
[/p][p][/p][p]The ritual must continue.[/p][p][/p][p]...as well as boss fight mechanics, but that's a story for another time.[/p][p]
[/p][p]That's it for now, see you around![/p]

[p]Pool of Madness has been selected by the Yogscast Team to be featured during the Tiny Teams festival starting tomorrow![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To celebrate, we’re launching an updated demo, featuring a… gun when the festival starts! [/p][p]In fact, if you look closely, you'll notice that it’s already available… just click here and download the demo.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
The gun will land in your hands shortly after you attempt the first ritual. Let us know what you think of this new gameplay twist![/p][p][/p][p]The game now also includes a bug reporting form, so please let us know if you encounter any problems. It will take just a moment.[/p][p][/p][p]Enjoy! And remember: The ritual is law. Everything else is yours to break.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Praise the void and grab the ammunition![/p]

The album, titled “Spells”, is the newest release from Alembik, the project by a member of Owls Woods Graves, Medico Peste, Over the Voids, Hauntologist, and live bassist of Mgła.



The majority of proceeds from the pre-sale of the CD version of the OST and t-shirts go directly to Anima International, an organisation dedicated to reducing animal suffering.

Listen to the full OST here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMRgP67oHII
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5uYLlYDCkCxzuNfK6AEpn2

Wishlist and Follow:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1066740/

In other news
- we just passed 3,000 followers on Steam! Thank you!
- we continue our charity efforts with Dagon
- ...and we're working on some cool stuff for Pool of Madness (32,000 wishlists and counting)

That's all for now, thanks for reading!

Time to celebrate Lovecraftian Days 2025! All Dagon: by H. P. Lovecraft DLCs are now 20% off for the duration of the festival!

[h3]New playtest of Pool of Madness for Lovecraftian Days 2025[/h3]



One year ago, we unveiled our new project - a Lovecraftian roguelite pool - during Lovecraftian Days. Today, as LD 2025 launches, we'd like to invite you to the latest playtest. Among other things, it
features an item viewing mechanics connected to the game's story.

Give it a try, even if you don't fancy yourself a pool player - it's a best of its own! Simply click on download the demo to play.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2873750

Some of the features:

• a short introductory ritual for new players
  
  
  
  
• initial foundations for a boss fight (early WIP) and ritual progression mechanics
  
  
  
  
• item viewing mechanics and first interactive items (look around the room from time to time)
  
  
  
  
• many under-the-hood improvements and bugfixes
  
  
  
  

Thank you to Fulqrum Publishing for shining a light on our games and charity efforts!



As always, all feedback is welcome - leave us a comment on our Steam forums or
discord - it will help us improve the game!