Dustborn News

[p]The long-awaited macOS version includes everything added to the game since launch, including numerous quality-of-life improvements, optimisations and bug fixes, and new features from our major 1.14 update.[/p][p]This is (naturally) the best version of Dustborn — and we’re happy to finally bring it to Mac gamers![/p][p]A single-player, story-driven road trip adventure set in an alternate history America, Dustborn is a game about hope, love, friendships, personal growth, and the power of words (and also robots). Whether you’re returning to the highway or just starting your journey, this is a great time to join Pax and the crew on their cross-country adventures — particularly if you're a Mac user.[/p][p]Dustborn is available today for macOS 15 (Sequoia) with native support for Apple Silicon (M1/8GB RAM) and Intel (Core i5 2.7 GHz/16GB) Macs.[/p][p]Oh, and if you already purchased the Windows PC version of Dustborn, the Mac update is FREE.[/p]

[p]Since launch, we’ve had a ton of ideas for things we wanted to add to Dustborn. And since the release of v1.8 last autumn, we’ve been bringing those ideas to life, piece by piece — improving the game in meaningful ways, with help from our players.[/p][p]We’ve even made our roadmap public, giving the community an opportunity to suggest and vote on the features, fixes, and additions you care the most about. The feedback has been both generous and helpful.[/p][p]Today, we’re excited to announce our biggest and most ambitious update yet: version 1.14 — available now![/p][p]This update touches nearly every aspect of the game. Combat is punchier and more varied, with new hit effects, enemy types, and weapons — plus tweaks to timing, flow, and impact. Life on the bus is more dynamic, reflecting the choices you’ve made throughout the game. You’ll get deeper insight into each crew member’s Coda, and on your second play-through, you’ll finally get a glimpse into Pax’s previously hidden Coda changes. We’ve also added brand-new narrative content — including a fresh cut-scene in Maine — and made a ton of polish and bug fixes.[/p][p]There's a lot.[/p][p]For a look at what’s new in this update — and a recap of some of the most important things we’ve added since launch — check out our quick video summary:[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Dustborn has always been a passion project for our tiny team, and it means the world to us to see more people connecting with it. We’ll continue to listen, build, and share — with even more updates planned for the second half of 2025. So stay tuned![/p][p]And as always: thank you so much for playing! We appreciate you.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Change log — version 1.14[/h2][p][/p][h3]Combat overhaul[/h3]

• [p]New Justice enemy types, weapons, attacks, and combat challenges[/p]
• [p]Hits now spawn comic-style words like Wham!, Bam!, Thump![/p]
• [p]A whole bunch of tweaks to improve the feel and flow of fights[/p]

[h3]Bus life improvements[/h3]

• [p]The crew will now use the gifts you give them[/p]
• [p]The bulletin board tracks memories and mementos[/p]
• [p]Collected gifts appear on the bus[/p]
• [p]Improved dishwashing mechanics (seriously!)[/p]

[h3]CODA upgrades[/h3]

• [p]Added Coda text to the post-credits scene[/p]
• [p]You can now compare your end-game Coda stats with other players[/p]
• [p]Option to disable Coda pop-ups (community request)[/p]
• [p]On subsequent play-throughs, Pax’s hidden Codas can be toggled to visible[/p]

[h3]Content updates[/h3]

• [p] New cut-scene in Maine[/p]
• [p] Dynamic title screen that evolves with your crew[/p]

[h3]A LOT of bug fixes[/h3]

• [p] 78(!) bugs squashed — thanks to community reports on Steam and Discord[/p]

(Yes: we know it's April, the patch notes are coming in very late! No: this isn't an April Fool's post.)

Our latest content update is a relatively minor one, but addresses something we’ve wanted to do for a long time: more Herald, more context to the Puritans storyline. We’re not done with this yet — we have some additional plans for the game’s ending — but the new Pax-meets-the-Herald scenes in issues #4, #7 and #10 add important details and context to a part of the story we weren’t completely happy with.

Aside from that, there’s now an alternate way to enter the New Jerusalem mall, using Ziggy; the first of hopefully many radio broadcasts; and a couple of important bug fixes and optimisations.

We hope you enjoy this (minor) update! We have something really special planned for our next big content update, scheduled for “spring 2025”. (Norwegian spring, that is. Our summer doesn’t really begin until June.)

[h2]Change log — version 1.12[/h2]

[h3]Content updates:[/h3]

• New and updated Herald scenes in issues #4, #7, and #10.
  
• The first of several planned radio broadcasts added to the bus after leaving Liberty (issue #2).
  
• Alternate path to entering the New Jerusalem mall, using Ziggy. This path is Coda-dependent.

[h3]Bug fixes:[/h3]

• Fixed checkpoint saving for key moments.
  
• Resolved ME-EM “jiggle” issues on low frame-rates.
  
• Addressed several memory-related crashes.

"Dustborn is perhaps 2024’s most misunderstood game. Upon its release in August, an unfortunate barrage of online criticisms quickly usurped any opportunity for meaningful discourse about it. But having actually played the game, we wholeheartedly believe that its twisting story and vibrant world are worth experiencing."

This description from GLAAD, featured in their list of standout titles from 2024, is an affirmation of what the development team set out to achieve. Dustborn is a heartfelt story about inclusion and diversity in a world that often feels hostile to those ideals.

"Being nominated for a GLAAD Media Award means so much to me, both as a creator and as a gay man," writes Christoffer Grav, Senior Art Director at Red Thread Games. "With Dustborn, we set out to celebrate diversity and give a voice to those who often feel unseen. This recognition is a reminder of why representation in media matters and inspires me to keep telling stories that make a difference."

We are incredibly honoured and grateful for the nomination, and proud to be in such inspiring company.

You can read about the other nominees here:

https://glaad.org/glaad-celebrates-outstanding-video-game-nominees-at-the-36th-annual-glaad-media-awards-glaadawards/