Darkwater News

Hello Divers!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Submarine Layout Contest! We had so many great entries, it was really hard to choose a winner. But we have chosen so drumroll please...

The winner of our Submarine Layout Contest is
[h2]Horator with the F1R3 Submarine![/h2]


Horator's sub makes use of some of the newest systems added to the game, pairing them with the worst piloting room and a defunct engine, while keeping the layout easy to navigate. We felt it took on the brief of a starter sub, being basic but useful and leans into a particular play style which we're excited to try.

Horator wins a free copy on Steam of Darkwater, as well as free copies of two other Playstack titles, Balatro & Abiotic Factor. And of course their blueprint will be added to Darkwater!

The runner-up also gets a free copy of Darkwater - which is trevormoney1 with the Patrol Boat! We felt it was a really good layout for a solo player, who could take on the challenges of combat without worrying that their sub would be destroyed with the inclusion of the automatic pump.


We also want to give some honourable mentions to the rest of our final shortlist:

• admin55500 for the Blacksmith Submarine 2.0 for a sub that took a unique playstyle into account.
  
• jdeltaruff for the T-AX1, which to us looked like a very funny challenge sub!
  
• DieselWolfy, whose sub the Turtle Raider was the first entry to our contest and had at least two of us routing for them, but was ultimately decided as too OP for a starter sub.
  
• bodje, for the Nostrumarine which was beautifuly compact and simple, but lost at the final hurdle of debate.
  

Did you enjoy this contest? Let us know - we might well run some more!

Until next time, under the ice.

- Playstack & Targon Studios

Attention Divers,

We've deployed a hotfix addressing balancing for the Brimstone update and a number of bugs.

General

• Fire damage no longer triggers Containment Room alien spawn
  
• Increased Containment Room spawn timer: 3 -> 5 seconds
  
• Flamethrowers can now be placed on weapon/equipment racks
  
• Model added for dropped Blowtorch
  
• New sound effect added for crate falling over in Containment Room
  
• Kraken Tentacle melee range reduced: 2.5 -> 1.9

Bug Fixes

• Increasing the width/height of a submarine will now adjust wall dependent systems (Pneumatic
• Launcher, Porthole, Torpedo Bay, Etc.)
  
• Fixed issue where AI agents would fight to stand in the same spot (most common with infected)
  
• Fixed issue with Infected Diver "Frantic" AI state
  
• Bombs now rumble outposts again upon exploding
  
• Fixed collider in StorageLoading(3x5) room that players could clip under
  
• Outpost entrance ladders given collider - no more hiding behind them
  
• Sledgehammer and Knife no longer clips through hand in blocking animation in 3rd person animation
  
• Fixed arcade machine title display issue with certain languages
  
• Can now see diver icons when diver returns from enemy submarine
  
• Clients no longer see a hit marker when shooting at dead enemies
  
• Fixed issue with challenges not displaying correct progress in lobby list
  
• Fixed saves slot display issue for certain languages
  
• Fixed issue with store door collider
  
• Fixed issue with extinguisher holder shadow
  
• Fixed issue where rocks continued launching after winning/retreating in a Geothermal Vents biome
  
• Fixed Reload Warning formatting on weapons for certain languages
  
• Enemies can no longer walk through closed doors on player submarine
  
• Biome effects that are in the process of triggering as a battle ends will no longer trigger
  
• Fixed issue where resolution setting was getting overridden to "Auto" on startup
  
• System repairing network code improved
  
• Multiple players can now repair the same system without the repair speed slowing down
  
• Flamethrower Refill Station now only displays "Refill" when equipped flamethrower has less than 50 fuel
  
• Fixed issue where loading a new language in main menu wouldn't update save slot translations
  
• Two players can no longer interact with the same terminal at the same time

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Thanks for supporting Darkwater on its Early Access journey!

Are you experiencing bugs? Please let us know in our bug report form here.

- Targon Studios

[p]Attention, Divers.
[/p][p]The ocean has frozen over. You're not getting out any time soon. But that doesn't mean your vessel can't be a good foundation for your escape. 
[/p][p]We're launching the Darkwater: Submarine Layout Contest - this is your chance to shape the decks that might one day save your crew and get you to safety. 
[/p][p]Using the provided PNG layout template, submit your very own submarine design. Think of it as a starter sub - it’s going to be basic, but useful. Will you prioritise crafting, or combat? Will your piloting terminal be right by the water pump, or the other end of the hall? It’s up to you.
[/p][p]The best blueprint will be added to Darkwater when the game launches into 1.0, and receive a free copy on Steam of the game, as well as two other Playstack titles Balatro & Abiotic Factor. The runner-up won’t leave empty-handed either, getting a free copy of the game too. [/p][p][/p][h2]Contest Overview[/h2]

• [p]Begins: Monday September 29 2025, 6pm BST | 10am PST[/p]
• [p]Deadline: Monday October 13 2025, 6pm BST | 10am PST[/p]
• [p]Winners Announced: Friday October 17 2025 on the official Discord[/p]
• [p]Prizes:[/p]
  • [p]Winner: Their winning entry added to Darkwater at 1.0 release, along with their name in the game credits, one Steam copy of Darkwater, and one Steam copy of Playstack titles Balatro and Abiotic Factor. Plus the
  • *Winner** role on Discord![/p]
  • [p]Runner-up: One Steam copy of the game
    [/p]

[h2]How To Enter[/h2]

1. [p]Join the Darkwater Discord.[/p]
2. [p]Head to #submarine-layout-contest channel.[/p]
3. [p]Submit your layout by the deadline.[/p]

[p][h2]Contest Rules[/h2]

• [p]One submission per entrant - your most recent submission will supersede the last.[/p]
• [p]You must use the provided PNG template.[/p]
• [p]You must use only available in-game modules.[/p]
• [p]Entries must be suitable for all ages.[/p]
• [p]Include your Discord handle on the image. No watermarks.[/p]
• [p]No use of AI.[/p]
• [p]Max file size: PNG under 10MB.[/p]
• [p]Contest is only open to residents of specific regions, see full terms & conditions.[/p]
• [p]Winners will be contacted via Discord. You’ll need to verify with an email.[/p]
• [p]All decisions are final.[/p]
• [p]Full terms and conditions can be found on https://www.playdarkwater.com/submarine-contest[/p]

[p][/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Darkwater's second major update, Brimstone, is available now! This update adds a series of fire based weaponry, submarine systems, items, mechanics, challenges, and more![/p][p][/p][p]To celebrate the release, Darkwater will be on sale for 30% off as part of the Steam Autumn Sale, and we are running a contest to give you a chance to get your submarine layouts added to the game officially! Check out the full details on that competition here, and check out the full patch notes for the update below.[/p][p][/p][p]Patch Notes - Brimstone Update[/p]

• [p]Interaction manager vastly improved. Priority system added to interactable objects (can now interact with objects through doors, can repair leaks through lanterns, etc.)[/p]
• [p]Firearm ammo count now displays when fired/reloaded[/p]
• [p]Submarine weapon accuracy formula modified: Mines more likely to hit, missile harpoon weapons (Lance, Trident) less likely to hit[/p]
• [p]15 new enemy submarines implemented[/p]
• [p]3 achievements added for the 3 new challenges[/p]
• [p]New banner image added to main menu[/p]

[p]Fire Mechanics[/p]

• [p]Fire mechanic implemented. Rooms can now catch fire which can spread across submarine[/p]
• [p]Standing in fire damages entities 2 hitpoints every 0.5 seconds[/p]
• [p]Water levels above 25% extinguishes fires in a room[/p]
• [p]Doors reduce fire spread by 50%[/p]
• [p]All Engine Rooms now contain a Fire Extinguisher[/p]
• [p]New fire warning icon for submarine display (similar to leak icon)[/p]
• [p]Fire spread speed tied to difficulty[/p]
• [p]Fires now have a chance of detonating explosive items inside of the room it's burning[/p]
• [p]Fires damage systems (each fire dealing 5 system damage per second)[/p]

[p]Challenges[/p]

• [p]Challenge mode added to the lobby terminal[/p]
• [p]New Challenge: Precious Cargo[/p]
• [p]New Challenge: Defunct Engine[/p]
• [p]New Challenge: Late Lockdown[/p]

[p]Items[/p]

• [p]Flamethrower Implemented[/p]

[p]Submarine Systems Manual Fire Suppression (1x1):[/p]

• [p]Manual Fire Suppression (1x1) room implemented[/p]
• [p]Can be manually turned on to shower the submarine with water to douse fires[/p]

[p]Automated Fire Suppression (1x3):[/p]

• [p]Automated Fire Suppression (1x3) room implemented[/p]
• [p]Automatically detects fires and douses them with water[/p]

[p]Defunct Engine (1x2):[/p]

• [p]Defunct Engine (1x2) implemented[/p]
• [p]Provides 0 boost to evasion and 0 boost to retreat[/p]
• [p]Catches on fire after getting destroyed[/p]

[p]Heavy Workshop (2x3):[/p]

• [p]Heavy Workshop(2x3) implemented[/p]
• [p]Equipped with a Workshop and Trash Compactor[/p]
• [p]Equipped with a Blowtorch and Flamethrower[/p]
• [p]Equipped with a Flamethrower Refill Station (costs 1 fuel)[/p]

[p]ContainmentRoom (3x2):[/p]

• [p]Containment Room(3x2) implemented[/p]
• [p]Contains live aliens stored in crates[/p]
• [p]When damaged, releases aliens into the submarine[/p]

[p]Items[/p]

• [p]Fire Extinguisher implemented, can be used to extinguish fires[/p]
• [p]Fire Extinguisher added to loot pools: EnemyDrops_Diver, Industrial_Large, Industrial_Medium[/p]
• [p]Fuel Barrel explosion damage reduced: 95 -> 75[/p]
• [p]Fuel Barrel explosion generated leaks lowered: 2 -> 1[/p]
• [p]Fuel Barrels now generate fires after exploding[/p]

[p]Submarine Weapons[/p]

• [p]Brimstone (Torpedo) implemented. Catches targeted room on fire[/p]
• [p]Flame Torpedo Mk.1 implemented. Catches targeted room on fire[/p]
• [p]Bombard (Mine) implemented. Catches rooms on fire[/p]
• [p]Shrimpshot.[/p]
• [p]New weapon effect: Fire[/p]

[p]Bug Fixes[/p]

• [p]Fixed issue where water could spread through walls in certain circumstances[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue where repair progress wouldn't display for damaged systems when not holding a wrench[/p]
• [p]Fixed typo in Abandoned District description[/p]
• [p]Fixed incorrect space in evasion bonus display in store/layout screen[/p]
• [p]Small Medical Kits can now be stored in the cabinet of Medbay (2x2)[/p]
• [p]Fixed weapon target icon staying on screen after battles rarely[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue where 20 credits was improperly removed upon resetting the submarine (issue with the code believing the hire crew lever was pulled)[/p]
• [p]Water splashing walking sfx no longer plays when water isn't visible on ground[/p]
• [p]Submarine inventory now properly syncs over network in store[/p]
• [p]Purchased store weapons now properly syncs over network[/p]
• [p]Fixed door collider in Penal_BedroomHall_01(5x4)[/p]
• [p]Players can no longer run through the shop door as it's closing when somebody is trying to edit submarine[/p]
• [p]Can no longer queue up attack while blocking[/p]
• [p]Restart button no longer displays to clients in end screen[/p]

[p][/p][p]Thanks again for all your support - and don't forget to join the Discord to chat with fellow divers![/p][p][/p][p]See you below the surface.[/p][p]- Targon Studios & Playstack[/p]

Attention Divers,

We've deployed a hotfix addressing a number of bugs.

General

• Increased Depth Charge spawning chance
  

Bug Fixes

• Fixed AI navigation issue in room Refinery_OilStorage(3x4)
  
• Fixed AI navigation issue in room Laboratory_Offices_02(3x4)
  
• Improved outpost hallway generation. Impossible to reach sections should be much less common
  
• Fixed issue with Factory outposts spawning with impossible to reach areas
  
• Fixed issue with Residential outposts and Soviet Residential outposts spawning with impossible to reach areas
  Issue with Seismic Rift biome background colour fixed
  
• Kraken Tentacle leak no longer hovers above floor
  
• Gramophone room can no longer generate leaks}
  

[hr][/hr]

Thanks for supporting Darkwater on its Early Access journey!

Are you experiencing bugs? Please let us know in our bug report form here.

- Targon Studios