The Apocalypse News

During recent development, I’ve been thinking a lot about one question:
If players have already experienced the core loop of exploration, gathering, building, and combat… what else would they want to do in this wasteland world?

Since announcing the project, I’ve received a lot of feedback in the comments. Many players have shared their thoughts and suggestions, and today I’d like to talk about a few of them — and hear more from you. I genuinely enjoy communicating with everyone, and your ideas often spark inspiration. As an indie developer without a large team dedicated to planning or analysis, I have to develop and think at the same time, hoping to discover the right “direction of inspiration” along the way.

For example, some players told me that “extraction shooters” are trending recently and suggested exploring elements of that style. The idea is to enter a smaller, dedicated map filled with hostile NPCs, monsters, and high-value loot. Within limited time and space, players scavenge gear and supplies while deciding when to extract. The more you carry, the higher the risk; play it safe, and you may earn less. Successful extraction lets you bring part of the loot back to the main world. This type of mode has a faster pace, clear goals, tension, and a strong sense of achievement — a good short-session experience outside the main world.

Many players also expressed interest in more cooperative PvE, especially modes like team-based raids or attacking major hostile strongholds. In these scenarios, players would clear enemies of increasing difficulty, push through defenses, break into fortified zones, and possibly challenge boss-level creatures for unique rewards.

I’d love to know how you feel about these ideas, or if you have better ones in mind.

Another direction I’m considering is recurring world events, such as periodic mutated zombie outbreaks, escort missions for resource convoys, enemy invasions in certain areas, or limited-time supply contests. I’m curious what everyone thinks about these kinds of events.

Of course, I want to emphasize that these expanded gameplay modes won’t change the core identity of The Apocalypse. The goal is simply to give players more pacing options within the wasteland world, enrich long-term progression, and make the game more replayable.

Now, I’d really love to hear your honest thoughts in the comments — they genuinely influence the future direction of the game!

Hello everyone, this is the developer of The Apocalypse.

In our previous dev note, we talked about PVE and PVP. This time, let’s dive a little deeper into the very first decision every sandbox survival player has to make — which server should I play on?

In sandbox survival games, the server often defines the rhythm and atmosphere of the entire world.
Some players prefer to explore alone, quietly building their own base at their own pace. Others enjoy teaming up with friends, helping each other, or even surviving side by side with strangers in a shared world filled with danger and stories. Different server settings lead to completely different experiences.

Some players love the freedom of single-player or private servers — no resource competition, no unexpected attacks. You can log in and out anytime, gather resources, and build your shelter in peace.

But many players are drawn to multiplayer servers, where the world feels truly alive. Maybe you’ll meet a stranger among the ruins — cautious at first, but later forming an alliance. Or maybe you and your friends will form a small squad, dividing tasks, rescuing each other, and surviving through waves of monsters together.

We believe that the beauty of sandbox survival lies in freedom — the ability for every player to define their own world. That’s why in The Apocalypse, we want each server type and gameplay mode to offer its own unique experience. Our goal is to build a flexible, inclusive server system that supports both the solo survivor and the communities that thrive together.

So, when The Apocalypse launches — which will you choose?

Will you create a solo world and explore at your own pace?

Start a private server with friends and build your post-apocalyptic base together?

Or join a large community server, where chaos and order are shaped entirely by players?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Your feedback will help us refine server settings and shape the focus of future tests.

If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to add The Apocalypse to your Steam wishlist — thank you for your support!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3619580

Hello everyone, I’m Da Fei, the developer of The Apocalypse.

First off, thank you so much for all the comments and support lately - I’ve been reading them carefully. Most of my recent work has been on developing multiplayer, and your discussions and suggestions have given me plenty of inspiration.

https://youtu.be/Efb9bwIxSI4

In this devlog, I’d like to share some thoughts on hot topics that many of you care about, and also give a glimpse at future plans.

[h2]Topic 1: Survival Pressure[/h2]
A lot of players asked: should a wasteland game have stronger survival pressure? Things like elite monsters, bosses, or even a dedicated “hardcore mode.” I think that’s a great idea.
But survival feels very different depending on the player. Veterans may crave more pressure, but new players could find it frustrating if they starve or dehydrate too quickly. That’s why I don’t want the base survival bar to be too high - it should leave space for exploration, building, and doing what you enjoy.
The real challenge will come from scarce resources and advanced gameplay. As for “hardcore mode,” I’ve been considering it, and it may come as a separate option later on.

[h2]Topic 2: Vehicle Customization[/h2]
This is by far the most discussed topic lately. Many of you dream of turning cars into giant war machines, or even roaming the map in a full-on mobile base. Honestly, I want that too!
Currently, the plan includes customizable parts like tires, armor, storage, functional add-ons like furnaces or sleeping bags, plus paint jobs. Over time, we’ll expand to things like mounted weapons or trailer modules - getting closer to the “apocalypse war rig” everyone imagines.
So if you’ve got cool ideas, drop them in the comments!

[h2]Topic 3: Exploration & Scavenging[/h2]
Players often say “scavenging junk” is the soul of a wasteland game.
I get it. What people really love is the thrill of cracking open a container and finding rare loot.
So in The Apocalypse, I want scavenged items to always have value - not just take up space. Beyond basic materials, there will be rare components, finished gear, and even items you can trade or craft into something special, so exploration always feels rewarding.

[h2]Topic 4: Servers & Multiplayer[/h2]
The most asked question: can we play with friends?
The answer is yes.
There will be official servers with separate PvE and PvP options, so you can choose your style.
Players will also be able to host their own servers - either local LAN or dedicated - complete with custom settings like resource respawn rates or enemy strength.
Looking further ahead, we plan to support modding, so you can create your own systems and even reshape the game entirely.

[h2]Closing Thoughts[/h2]
The Apocalypse is still deep in development, with features being tested and tuned. Some things I can share now, others will need feedback from playtests. But one thing is certain - I’ll keep listening closely to your ideas and bringing them into the game.
And as always, if you’re interested, please consider adding The Apocalypse to your Steam wishlist. It really helps us a lot.

See you in the next devlog!

Hello everyone! I’m the developer of The Apocalypse.

In our last two dev logs, we talked about whether we should add a quest system, and why survival sandboxes almost always start with chopping trees and mining stones. Today, I want to dive into a topic that has long sparked debate among players: in survival sandbox games, do you prefer PVE or PVP?

PVE — player vs. environment — is the classic survival experience. You face hunger, cold, monsters, and scarce resources, focusing on exploration and building. The pace is more controlled: you can gradually construct your shelter, enjoy the sense of achievement as you progress from nothing to prosperity, and immerse yourself in the world without fear of other players interfering.

PVP, on the other hand, adds the unpredictability of player conflict on top of environmental challenges. Alliances, betrayals, and resource battles turn every encounter into a story. A successful ambush or a desperate counterattack can create moments of drama and excitement that scripted challenges rarely match.

Of course, both have their pros and cons. PVE offers a more stable pace, great for solo players or small groups who want to slowly build and explore. PVP is more thrilling, but unexpected attacks can disrupt the experience. For developers, this isn’t just a gameplay decision — it shapes the entire atmosphere of the world.

When designing The Apocalypse, we knew from the start how important this choice would be. A post-apocalyptic world naturally fits tense survival and conflict, but we also want players to feel free to explore and build without endless griefing. That’s why our current idea is:

PVE as the core, ensuring solo players and small groups can enjoy survival and base-building.

Optional PVP servers or modes, for those who want intense player-driven conflict.

Beyond that, we’re also exploring events such as resource shortages or seasonal disasters, so even in pure PVE, players can still experience bursts of tension.

So, if you were playing The Apocalypse, which mode would you prefer?

Mainly PVE, focusing on environment and monster challenges.

Primarily PVP, where player conflict drives the world.

Or a hybrid approach, with PVE as the base but optional PVP zones or servers.

Your feedback will play a big role in shaping our future plans. Please share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

And if you’re interested in The Apocalypse, don’t forget to add it to your wishlist so you’ll be the first to know when we share new updates and gameplay features!

Thank you all for your support!

The Apocalypse has surpassed 20,000 wishlists on Steam!! This is a very important milestone for The Apocalypse.

Moving forward, I’ll continue sharing development updates and prepare for the upcoming test.

If you haven’t added it to your wishlist yet, now is the perfect time!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3619580/__The_Apocalypse/

Share it with your friends and let more survivors join this wasteland world!