Ells Tales: Chairbound News

This small update includes the following changes:

• Some minor fixes have been made to the Leaderboard functionality so that the game doesn't send data when it's not needed.
  
  Also, one player managed to tweak a variable in their save file (or something like that) to 0, so that result ended up showing on the Leaderboard too. We won't touch this line, since it's our mistake and it looks funny! But we decided to replace the fancy 00:00 with an equally fancy GG:WP, lol.
  
  
• The logic behind the REDUCED CAMERA SHAKE option has been updated.
  
  As we mentioned in the patch notes for the very first update, the game has two types of camera shake: the one triggered by character animations when you're moving with WASD keys, and an additional, fake shake. Previously, this option just disabled the fake camera shake.
  
  Now, we've completely removed that fake shake from the game, and the option instead tweaks the character's WASD animations. It looks a bit clunky, but we hope it'll help players who love the game but get physically uncomfortable from the camera movement.
  
  
• Fixed a bug with interactive item collisions that could cause some chairs and the beloved madman to topple over at the start of the game.
  

Best Regards,
Ells&Pills

Hi, Ells&Pills is here!

This update includes the following changes:

• The game now features destructible environments, specifically glass surfaces.
  To implement this, we had to significantly rework the entire level geometry to separate the glass models from everything else, as this feature wasn't originally planned for the game.
  It might seem like a small detail that doesn't affect anything. But no, as one player pointed out in the comments: "You find a pistol and there's glass in front of you that you just want to shoot! You shoot, expecting a cool effect, but nothing happens". So it's a small but important thing—it's all about those pleasant emotions.
  
  Important note: This feature can significantly impact FPS when ray tracing is enabled, as the GPU has to process many reflections from individual translucent glass shards.
  
  
• The logic for applying the red keychain from the alarm clock has been updated to make it clearer for players what exactly it does.
  
  
• The alarm clock's spawn locations have been adjusted to make it appear more often in players' field of view.
  
  
• 3 new Achievements have been added. Don't worry, none of them are complicated or obscure. These achievements have been obvious and long overdue, so we decided to add them now and close this issue.
  
  
• The icons and text on the game rules screen have been aligned to make it look less chaotic.
  
  
• DLSS has been updated from version 310.3.0.0 to 310.4.0.0.
  
  
• On the game page, a disclaimer has been added before the description:

The next major update will be called "Mutations" and will focus on new types of monsters in the game's bonus mode, so that mode won't feel like a boring stroll in the park. Many of you asked for some hardcore elements—hardcore is coming, heh!
As for the release timeline—October or November. We'll try to make it in time for Halloween, since that's the main holiday for beloved indie horrors!

Best Regards,
Ells&Pills

Hi, Ells&Pills is here!

This major update includes the following changes:

• Leaderboard added (BETA).
  This feature was basically begging to be included right from the game's release, but alas, we were too dumb and didn't have the time to dive into C++ to make it happen. We develop all our games using the UE Blueprints visual programming system, and C++ is only used very rarely, when there's absolutely no way around it.
  But now we've finally buckled down, studied up on it, and added this cool feature to the game. Worth noting, this is our first time implementing something like this, and we have no clue if it'll work perfectly right out of the gate. :D So, expect possible additional patches with fixes.
  
  
• Full controller support added.
  Somewhere in the Steam Community discussions, we mentioned that for now, we could only add partial controller support, since our game menus are designed for keyboard and mouse.
  But that was only until today! Recently, we polished up the menu in our first game, Ells Tales: Egg, and decided not to stop there. So, we completely overhauled the game menu in Ells Tales: Chairbound, and now you can fully enjoy the game without touching the keyboard or mouse. This applies not just to gamepads, but also to Steam Deck.
  
  
• Game rules screens reworked.
  Now, instead of text key names, we use icons with images of mouse buttons, as well as keys on the keyboard, Xbox 360 gamepad, and Steam Deck. IMO, it's way better, and these improvements will definitely come in handy for us in the future, just like the controller-adapted menu.
  
  
• Added an FPS+ option that cranks all graphics settings down to minimum. This should help players rocking older laptops.
  
  
• The physics settings from the additional physics branch have been moved to the main game build, so the branch with the additional game build has been removed. Now the physical simulation should work more correctly and consistently for everyone.
  
  
• Minor bug fixes.
  

We also want to remind you (because these news posts are rarely read, and if they are, only the latest ones), that it's quite possible that Steam Community Items will also be unlocked for our first game, Ells Tales: Egg, until the end of 2025. So, if the game is sitting in your Wishlist, this is a great chance to support us and the game a bit by buying it.

Additionally, we'd be super grateful if you follow us right here on Steam, and also add our long-suffering game in development, Ells Tales: Idols, to your Wishlist. This is also super important, even if it seems like a small thing:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/3234970/Ells_Tales_Idols/

Best Regards,
Ells&Pills

This small update includes the following changes:

• The logic for the "OUR GAMES" button has been updated.
  The link now opens in the Steam overlay using a different method. Otherwise, it opens in the user's default browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc). The main reason for this change is that Valve tested the game on Steam Deck, and instead of opening the link, a black screen appeared.
  
• Added a new "RULES" section in the pause menu with all game keys and what they do.
  We noticed some players don't check the rules at the beginning and get lost during the game. Now you don't have to go back to the main menu to see them again.
  
• Minor bug fixes.

Also, the game build in the additional branch has been completely updated. If you have problems with the behavior of physics in the main game, then switch to the additional build.

Best Regards,
Ells&Pills

Hi, Ells&Pills is here!

We're thrilled to announce that starting today, Trading Cards, Badges, Emoticons, and Profile Backgrounds are now available for the game! Everything happened because of you and your amazing support! HUGE THANKS!



Our very first game, Ells Tales: Egg, also gained some popularity and was enjoyed by many players, but its path to unlocking Community Items has been delayed. Although Steam doesn't share exact details, it's possible that all these Items will be available for this game by the end of 2025. So, if you're waiting or hesitating on buying Ells Tales: Egg, the moment is now! :)

Also, we'll share some really awesome news with you on October 21st! Be sure to check the game's page in the Store or the Steam client so you don't miss it! Stay with us! There's lots of fun ahead, as always! ;)

Best Regards,
Ells&Pills