Cryptid Keeper News

[h3]First off... Thank you! [/h3][p]Thank you to everyone who has purchased Cryptid Keeper, shared feedback, reported issues, or simply spent time exploring the world. Launch week is always unpredictable, and your support has meant more than I can properly put into words.[/p][p]As a passionate solo dev, I’m fully committed to making Cryptid Keeper the best experience it can be. I’m actively listening to player feedback, monitoring discussions, and improving the game step by step. Every report, suggestion, and message helps shape the future of the game.[/p][p]Development does not stop at launch. Cryptid Keeper is very much a living project, and this first week is only the beginning.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Patch Notes:[/h3][p]Cryptid Keeper 1.0.5 - Launch Week Patches & Fixes:[/p][p]Updated on 05.02.2025 @ 19:00 GMT[/p][p]Bug report fixes:[/p]

• [p]Fixed some SFX not effected by menu sound controller.[/p]
• [p]Fixed 'Ghost Caught' (Cemetery Level) ui text not showing for some players.[/p]
• [p]Fixed & balanced Grimberry, Shadowvine & Duskleaf collection (World Map).[/p]
• [p]Fixed Catch Nets in 'Battle levels'. Catch Nets now help towards capturing Cryptids and Alien as well as slowing them down in battle.[/p]

[p]QOL Changes:[/p]

• [p]Removed Numbering system from 'Zoo Tasks' as it confused people into following it linearly, when it was designed to be done at any pace/combination.[/p]
• [p]Added W,A,S,D (Left Analogue Stick) prompt to start of game as it was not made clear to players how to move in the game world.[/p]
• [p]Cryptid & Alien catching system balanced.[/p]

[p][/p][p]To report any bugs you find, please check the Discussions tab on steam here: [/p][p][/p][h3]Looking Ahead:[/h3][p]Here’s what you can expect going forward:[/p]

• [p]Ongoing polish, balance, and improvements based directly on player feedback.[/p]
• [p]Regular updates and patches to improve stability and overall experience.[/p]
• [p]Planned Free DLC content, expanding the world, creatures, and systems of Cryptid Keeper.[/p]

[p]I want Cryptid Keeper to grow into something special, not just a one-and-done release, but a game that continues to evolve.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your continued support![/p]

• [p]Double Jackdaw[/p]

[p][/p]

[p]After a long road of development, Cryptid Keeper is officially available.[/p][p]Explore the world to track down strange Cryptids and alien creatures, capture them using traps and radar pings, then bring them home to restore and manage your very own Cryptid Zoo.[/p][p][/p][p]What you can expect:[/p]

• [p]Creature collecting with light RPG progression[/p]
• [p]Hands-on zoo management and care.[/p]
• [p]Breeding and hybrid Cryptid combinations.[/p]
• [p]A cozy but eerie atmosphere inspired by folklore and the unexplained.[/p]

[p]What's next?[/p]

• [p]Free Future DLC & Updates.[/p]
• [p]Surprise Cryptid Additions.[/p]
• [p]Patches & Fixes.[/p]

[p]To those who have already bought, or If you plan on picking it up, thank you for the support! [/p][p][/p][p]Let us know your thoughts! Leaving a review helps massively during launch.[/p][p][/p][p]A huge thank you to all of the players![/p]

• [p]Double Jackdaw[/p]

[p]Get Cryptid Keeper on Steam![/p][p]DoubleJackdaw Website[/p][p]BlueSky[/p][p][/p]

[p]I'm happy to share that Cryptid Keeper Trailer has been featured on GameTrailers YouTube channel and IGN's website.[/p][p]This kind of coverage means a lot, especially as the game is still in active development, this is a massive milestone so thank you to the editors/team at IGN for featuring my game.[/p][p]If you’ve arrived here via the feature: Welcome, and thank you for checking the game out.[/p][p][/p][p]Development is ongoing, with updates, improvements, and content planned for future free DLC as we move toward release in early 2026![/p][p][/p][p]Player interest and Steam Wishlists genuinely make a difference, helping the game reach more people and getting the word out. [/p][p]If the game looks like something you’d enjoy, consider adding it to your Wishlist to stay up to date on future news, and release announcements.[/p][p][/p][p]Happy New Year to you all, whether you're new here of have been following for a while, I'd just like to say thank you for being here.[/p][p][/p][p]I will now crawl back into my Sasquatch cave and finish the last few bits ready for release![/p][p][/p][p]Lee @ DoubleJackdaw[/p][p][/p][p]www.doublejackdaw.co.uk[/p][p]https://www.ign.com/videos/cryptid-keeper-official-announcement-trailer[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p][/p][h3]Hello Cryptid Catchers![/h3][p]Cryptid Keeper Version 1.2.0 (release version) development is wrapping up over Christmas as we shift into final feature lock, polish, and launch prep. The game is firmly on track for an early 2026 release and I cannot wait for you to experience it.[/p][p][/p][h3]Major Feature Changes:[/h3]

• [p]Added Cryptid Breeding![/p][p]What happens if you mix a Bigfoot with Mothman? MothFoot, BigMoth? [/p][p]Well now you can breed Cryptids to make wacky variants![/p]

• [p]Zoo System Updated and Overhauled:[/p][p]Fixes and updates to the zoo system have been implemented to make zoo life even more fun![/p]
  • [p]Updated Cryptid food/feeding system.[/p]
  • [p]Updated Veg farming.[/p]
  • [p]Visitors and pricing updates.[/p]
• [p]World Map Overhaul! [/p][p]Major changes and updates to World Map.[/p]
  • [p]Localised Areas to World Map - Easier to find way around.[/p]
  • [p]Added Fast-Travel back to Camp - Gameplay flow improvement.[/p]
  • [p]Minimap updates[/p]
  • [p]HUD Updated and polished.[/p]
• [p]Story finalised and ready:[/p][p]Winding storyline, with twists and turns aplenty![/p]

[p][/p][h3]Technical Fixes:[/h3][p]Optimization & Stability[/p]

• [p]Engine-Level Optimization: Navigation, background scene loading were refactored to reduce CPU spikes.[/p]
• [p]Code Cleanup: Code changes to better optimise gameplay/load system and several heavy loops rewritten for efficiency.[/p]

[p]Art & Audio Polish[/p]

• [p]Final animations and code added for late-game cryptids.[/p]
• [p]Sound effects finalised - (Speech, sounds, Cryptids in Zoo)[/p]
• [p]Sound system tuned and balanced, more music added.[/p]

[p]A Few Teasers Before Launch[/p]

• [p]Lots of enterable locations added to the map. Each with story/lore-driven gameplay.[/p]
• [p]Added CryptEx (Cryptid Exchange) where you can swap regular Cryptids for Rare, exclusive ones!)[/p]
• [p]Even more standard/rare/glowing Cryptids added![/p]

[p]What’s Next
The rest of winter is pure polish, QA, marketing attempts and ensuring the 1.2.0 release candidate is rock-solid. Full release is just around the corner.[/p][p][/p][h3]Linux Version added![/h3][p]With the news of the new Steam Machine release in 2026. I have added Linux (and Steam OS) version. Cryptid Keeper will be available on Steam OS (Steam Deck and Steam Machine) and modern Linux PC's! (Check requirements to check if it will run).[/p][p][/p][p]Final Trailer Coming Soon![/p][p]Currently working on the final release trailer, keep your eye out for it here on Steam and YouTube![/p][p][/p][p]Wishlist Cryptid Keeper now on Steam![/p][p][/p][p]Stay in touch: [/p][p]Visit the DoubleJackdaw Website![/p][p]Subscribe on YouTube![/p][p]Follow on BlueSky:[/p][p][/p][p]Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Feliz Navidad.[/p][p]Thank you.[/p]

• [p]Lee @ DoubleJackdaw[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Cryptid Keeper Fun Stats...[/h3]

• [p]Development Time: 2.53 years (Up to now)[/p]
• [p]Lines of code: Over 80,000[/p]
• [p]Artworks Created: Over 1700 items[/p]
• [p]Hours Spent Developing: Thousands.[/p]
• [p]Music tracks in soundtrack: Over 40 Tracks[/p]
• [p]Hairs lost on head: All[/p]