The Spotter: Dig or Die News

[p]PATCH 1.0.5 is live on Steam DEMO version.

Fixes: [/p]

• [p]Fixed FPS drops caused by mirrors by optimizing reflection rendering[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the detector could not be picked up[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the terminal would not close properly when pressing Esc[/p]
• [p]Fixed a bug in the mini-game where barrel collision would not disappear[/p]

[p]General Improvements and QoL Adjustments: [/p]

• [p]It is no longer possible to pause the game during cutscenes[/p]
• [p]Added an option in the audio settings to disable gross sounds (farting and burping)[/p]
• [p]Localized some notes texts[/p]
• [p]Replaced several underground loot items[/p]
• [p]Updated ranged mutant to add a visual distinction[/p]
• [p]Improved lighting in certain areas of the map[/p]

[p]Please restart Steam to update the game. We continue working on further improvements and polishing. Cheers![/p]

[p]🏁 Demo Speedrun Challenge During Steam Demo Festival

From February 23 to March 2, during the Steam Demo Festival, we are launching a speedrun challenge for our demo. Your goal is simple — complete the demo and finish all required objectives faster than anyone else.

🎯 Required objectives (must be completed for your run to qualify): [/p]

• [p]Reach Tier 2 technologies (it’s not necessary to unlock all the upgrades.)[/p]
• [p]Find and activate the first artifact[/p]
• [p]Prevent Frodo the dog from being kidnapped (if the UFO didn’t show up, you got lucky)[/p]
• [p]Open the garage with the car[/p]

[p]Only runs that complete all listed objectives will be considered valid.

🏆 Rewards:

🥇 1st place — 3 full game keys + access to the closed pre-release playtest + your name in the game credits
🥈 2nd place — 2 full game keys + access to the closed pre-release playtest + your name in the game credits
🥉 3rd place — 1 full game keys + access to the closed pre-release playtest + your name in the game credits

📋 How to participate: [/p]

• [p]Complete the demo and finish all required objectives.[/p]
• [p]Record your full playthrough.[/p]
• [p]Upload the video to YouTube.[/p]
• [p]Post the video link in our Discord (https://discord.gg/UHj5XEHDZb) channel called challenge for verification.[/p]
• [p]Include your final completion time in the message.[/p]

[p]📌 Rules: [/p]

• [p]Only full runs with all objectives completed will be accepted.[/p]
• [p]The video must be continuous, with no cuts or edits.[/p]
• [p]The use of bugs, exploits, or any unintended mechanics is strictly prohibited.[/p]
• [p]We reserve the right to reject any submission that violates fair play rules.[/p]

[p]After the festival ends, we will review all submitted videos and determine the winners based on the fastest valid completion time. Results will be announced after all submissions have been reviewed. If you believe you have what it takes, this is your chance to prove it.

[/p]

[p][/p][p]That’s it. The demo is officially live.[/p][p]You can jump in right now, start digging, start defending, and see how long your gas station survives the nightly raids.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]If you enjoy your time with the demo, please consider leaving a Steam review after your first session.[/p][p]Early reviews matter more than most people realize. They help the demo gain visibility, reach new players, and give indie teams like ours a real chance to grow during launch moments like this. Even a short review written today can make a big difference for us. And remember, you can always edit or update your review later as the game evolves.[/p][p]And of course if you have suggestions for new content, improvements or need to relay some performance issues, please do also fill out our Feedback Survey![/p][p]Right now, your support helps shape what happens next. We’ll be watching closely, reading everything, and collecting feedback as it comes in.[/p][p][/p][p]👉 Join our Discord and share your thoughts with us directly.[/p][p][/p][p]Now go hold the line![/p][p][/p][p]Cheers! [/p][p]The PuppyRoar Team[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p]Looking for more?[/p][p]Check out the Forklift Interactive publisher page and follow it to see new games and updates as they arrive.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p][/p][p]Spotters, it’s almost time...[/p][p]The Spotter's brand new demo goes live this Thursday, and we want you there from the very first minute. This is a big milestone for the team and the beginning of a new phase where your feedback helps shape what comes next.[/p][p]Dig deep. Build smart. Defend hard.[/p][p][/p][h2]⭐ How you can support the launch[/h2][p]Demo launches are huge for indie teams, and your support really makes a difference, so please:[/p]

• [p]Play the demo when it goes live;[/p]
• [p]Leave a Steam review about your coolest moments;[/p]
• [p]Give us all your thoughts for improvements and additions in the Feedback Survey;[/p]
• [p]Wishlist the game to help more players discover it;[/p]
• [p]Tell your friends (especially the ones who like explosions)![/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]💬 Join our Discord[/h2][p]Want to share feedback, report bugs, or hang out with the team?[/p][p]👉 Join our Discord[/p][p]We’ll be watching closely and can’t wait to see your first runs. See you on Thursday![/p][p][/p][p]Cheers! [/p][p]The PuppyRoar Team[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p]Looking for more?[/p][p]Check out the Forklift Interactive publisher page and follow it to see new games and updates as they arrive.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]Hello Spotters![/p][p]We are back with a quick post-playtest update for you! First of all, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who played and shared their feedback. We truly value it![/p][p]A short summary:[/p][p]A total of 1,400 players participated. For our small team, this is a very good result. We received a lot of valuable input, and it truly helps us improve the game.[/p][p]The statistics are strong: the median time played was 49 minutes, while the average demo completion time is around 40 minutes. That’s a great level of engagement.[/p][p]We are carefully reviewing all the feedback and we have already implemented a number of changes. Below is a list of updates made based on the playtest results:[/p][p][/p][h3]⚠️ Fixes:[/h3]

• [p]Fixed missing key assignment option in the main menu for the Character and Turret[/p]
• [p]Garage windows should now save properly when the garage is unlocked[/p]
• [p]Camera adjusted to prevent clipping through walls[/p]
• [p]Ground smoothing while peeing reworked to prevent pushing the player into the ground[/p]
• [p]Small floating ground particles should now get cleaned up[/p]
• [p]Fixed missing audio effects due to incorrect sound class settings[/p]
• [p]Missing Turkish glyphs added to the game’s font[/p]
• [p]Fixed minor misspellings[/p]

[h3]🎲 General Game Improvements and QoL Adjustments:[/h3]

• [p]The saving process was reworked so the game should no longer freeze when exiting the turret or when saving at the bed[/p]
• [p]You can now pet Frodo the dog at any time[/p]
• [p]Motion blur can now be turned OFF in the settings[/p]
• [p]Default game volume balance adjusted[/p]
• [p]Added anti-aliasing type setting[/p]
• [p]Head bob can now be adjusted for players prone to motion sickness[/p]
• [p]Reworked the motion detector to make it more useful and user-friendly[/p]
• [p]Slightly reduced fall damage[/p]
• [p]Added a dig location indicator[/p]
• [p]Frodo (the dog) should not bark as often anymore[/p]
• [p]Aliens will not bother the player until he learns how to use the turret[/p]
• [p]Added reload indicator above auto-turrets[/p]
• [p]Added a board in the garage to track vehicle repair progress[/p]
• [p]Added a mirror in the garage so you can look at your beautiful self![/p]
• [p]Various audio improvements[/p]
• [p]Starting from the second shovel upgrade, you can now hold LMB to dig without repeated clicking[/p]

[h3]🖼️ Visual & Lighting Improvements:[/h3]

• [p]Improved environment visuals and lighting[/p]
• [p]Added virtual shadows, a new lighting technology to soften shadows (can be toggled in the settings)[/p]

[h3]⚖️ Balance Changes:[/h3]

• [p]Rebalanced main turret recoil[/p]
• [p]Rebalanced inventory upgrades[/p]

[p]Cheers! [/p][p]The PuppyRoar Team[/p]