Prop Haunt News

Thank you everyone who has played and provided feedback!

Today is the first post-demo launch update, improving some visuals, fixing some bugs, and first attempts at balancing (Ghosts were winning a little too much). Read the patch notes below for more!



Demo Patch Notes

[h3]More balancing![/h3]

• Reduced the rate at which Ghosts fill up the orbs in each room from 5% to 4%.
  

[h3]Visual improvements[/h3]

• Orbs have a new appearance and are more obvious when being charged.
  
• Added UI elements for the Investigator in the lobby to see who is in the lobby and their ready status. The Investigator can now invite friends from the UI too!
  

[h3]Bug Fixes[/h3]

• Fixed haunts on a handful of props (the mop in the bathroom was very good at hiding it was haunted).
  
• Fixed an issue in the lobby where players would sometimes not appear in the lobby.
  
• Fixed an issue in the lobby where the Investigator could Ready, then switch roles or leave the game and the Ready status wouldn't reset, allowing the game to be started without one.
  
• Fixed an issue in the match where a Ghost would see the previous room props while haunting if they get zapped by the Investigator.
  
• Fixed an issue with overlapping effects for Stunned and Locked. The Stunned effect would sometimes hang around too long after being zapped.
  

There's more to come, so stay tuned! If you run into a bug head on over to our community Discord.

Thanks for playing!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2960220/Prop_Haunt/

It’s time to celebrate the launch of Prop Haunt’s demo!

I want to find the best Investigator and best Ghost. Show off your top ghost score or investigator score on Discord for a chance to win a $25 dollar Steam gift card!

Two winners will be chosen from each side, one top Investigator and one Ghost May 13th.

Good luck and have fun!

Guidelines

• Share your submission in our Discord under the #📷┃media channel
  
• Two winners will be chosen, the best scoring Investigator and best scoring Ghost
  
• Steam accounts must be able to receive a USD Steam gift card to receive it. No 3rd party card service will be used.
  
• Event ends May 12th
  

Happy Demo launch day!

Huge thanks to everyone who tried our playtest and gave their feedback. With all of that in mind I have revamped many of the mechanics in the game and added quality of life changes.


[h3]Demo Patch Notes[/h3]

[h3]Rebalanced Ghost powers and strengthened investigator powers[/h3]

• Ghosts now must work together to destroy three rooms by combining and funneling their power into an orb in each room.
  
• Investigators can now use their ultimate to zap and stun ghosts for a time and zap haunted props.
  
• Investigators can lock rooms preventing ghosts from leaving them for a time.
  

[h3]Ghosts no longer work against each other[/h3]

• Removed book to slow and reveal your fellow ghouls. Every ghost is your friend now.
  

[h3]New ghost win condition.[/h3]

• Ghosts now must destroy at least three rooms without being stopped by the investigator to win
  

[h3]Better Tutorial[/h3]

• Learn the game with new slides explaining ghost roles, destroying rooms, ultimates and the investigator role under “Tutorial” in the main and pause menus. (it’s seriously helpful now!)
  

There is of course more to come, but that'll need a bit more time to complete so stay tuned for more news on future updates. If you run into a bug head on over to our community Discord.

Thank you and happy hauntings!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2960220/Prop_Haunt/

[h3]Other News[/h3]
A community event has started! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2960220/view/532096041998090617 Share your best score as a Ghost or Investigator starting today to May 12th for a chance to win a 25$ Steam Gift Card!

Hello ghouls and investigators!

Welcome to my first official Devlog!

Before I begin, huge thanks to everyone who jumped into Prop Haunt’s very first playtest and gave feedback. I couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) do this without your help!

While I parse through feedback, bugs and features in preparation for the upcoming demo, here’s a brief intro to what Prop Haunt is and what’s in the works. Enjoy!
[h2]
Prop Haunt’s early beginnings.[/h2]

Now, if you’ve played ‘I’m on Observation Duty’ and ‘Prop Hunt’, you might have noticed some similarities between those and Prop Haunt. You’d be right, the idea was born while playing with friends when one of them said, “Why hasn’t anyone made a game combining this and Prop Hunt yet!?”.

In the middle of Udemy UE4 courses and a desire to make a multiplayer game, I said: “Why don’t we?”.

Prop Haunt was born!


Before I could make my own ghosts, yeah..it started like that. Thanks marketplace!

Development began in earnest in April 2024. It started as a family affair, my wife joining me to make the very first house level. Eventually, I’d be working alone again due to time constraints, but with help from the marketplace place I’d make due.

Being one person, sometimes you have to just work with what you have to get anything done at all.
[h2]
Prop Haunt’s Growth[/h2]

As with most early stages of anything, learning was the biggest challenge. I was determined to learn how to do the rigging and animation on my own. Meanwhile, knowing art is not my strongest suit, I outsourced concept and technical art like shaders and 3D models to companies and friends, then rigged/animated them myself. No more Pac-Man ghost!



Not a bad upgrade from the marketplace ghost, huh?

And of course, there is the challenge of gameplay. This is something ongoing and not just changing with my input, but players as well. Recently, the first playtest ended, during which I was lucky enough to receive vital and well-thought-out feedback about gameplay.

From cursor suggestions, balance issues for both ghosts and investigators, messaging clarity and more, I’ll be working on in preparation for the upcoming demo on April 18th.

[h2]Prop Haunt Now
[/h2]
Which brings us to the current state of Prop Haunt. Still in the early stages of development, there are bound to be many changes, especially with player feedback. Something I’m constantly looking for and gathering. As a labor of love, this game just isn’t possible without you!


Based on feedback from the playtest, I’ll be busy making changes for the demo, including:

• Rebalancing powers for Ghosts and the Investigator.
  
• Re-visiting the Level length.
  
• Better tutorial and clarity for game mechanics, such as what ultimate's do, the Investigator's job, and more.
  
• General polishing before the demo for a better experience and more feedback before early access.
  

The future also holds several improvements and additions as well. Later this month, you can expect these updates for starters.

• Hunter trap system
  
• “Trap” props so that when the Ghosts try to haunt it, it stuns them.
  
• Balancing and bug improvements from demo reports. To give feedback, please join our community on Discord.
  
• Second map created, lobby updated to change floor based on selected map.
  
• Steam achievements.
  

Thank you for checking out Prop Haunt! I’m very excited to be working, improving and building it with you. Join the community on Discord and keep your eyes open for more updates and news on the demo, coming April 17th.

Happy hauntings and I’ll see you in-game soon.

Prop Haunt's very first playtest has officially ended! 👻

Please take our heartfelt thanks for playing and to everyone who provided much valuable feedback:

[h2]THANK YOU!! 💜[/h2]

We'll keep our Feedback Form up for a few days longer so there's still time to let us know what you think and join the Steam gift card raffle.

Thank you again and keep an eye out for more Prop Haunt news on our official Discord! 🔍