OWLMAN

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Latest news

• Announcements·3 Nov 2024Official

  The OWLMAN Overhaul is Now Available

  At the end of last year, I announced that OWLMAN was undergoing a significant overhaul of its original content, which quickly evolved into something more like a remaster. In fact, that overhaul has been just nearly feature complete for around six months now, so I felt it was owed that it be made available before year's end in 2024 (just missed Halloween ːsteamsadː ). This version is much closer to the original vision for the project than the release version, though there's still a lot more to explore here. There's a fair bit of cut content here due to time constraints, as the focus shifted to improving the core game concepts and enhancing the visuals and atmosphere. Content-wise, the overhauled OWLMAN should still take around or under an hour to find all three tapes. OWLMAN has always been a very experimental project for me personally, so there will likely still be some rough edges (please feel free to leave any feedback or bug reports in this post). Here's an outline of what's new: Totally overhauled map layout, with more remarkable points of interest to aid players' sense of direction. Getting a bit lost in the woods is intended, but now players should have a better indication of where to go. Enhanced visuals- respecting look a feel of the base game while being significantly more atmospheric. Completely remade the found video tape scenes, now featuring much more compelling sequences. Revised concepts of the gameplay loop- no more trial-and-error survival-horror-lite. Horror is more scripted and no longer relies on unreliable roaming AIs. This is what content was cut from the game and what still needs to be worked on: The very annoying and under-developed cave section The crazy wacky uncontrollable car. Infinite Chase mode for not providing much of value to the game overall. (Open to exploring a Free Roam mode in the future.) UI post process layer for increased VHS authenticity. Currently there are no major changes to the menu system (It's on the list. Also looking...
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• Announcements·24 Dec 2023Official

  OWLMAN Overhaul Coming Soon

  What started as a major update to the base OWLMAN game quickly grew into something more like a remake/remaster built on top of the original content. In addition to significant visual enhancements, overall game design has been reconsidered and implemented with feedback and the original vision for the game in mind. Also, while gameplay content is enhanced (or is new altogether), some aspects have been removed such as the chase mode (which didn't add much benefit to the game), and the janky car segment has been replaced with a walking segment. Overall, you can expect to play a more visually interesting experience with more varied scares and a more VHS authentic style. Here's a more specific breakdown of the game you can expect: An entirely redesigned map, with new signage and landmarks to aid in navigation. Enhanced visuals, including new and refined post process effects, improved lighting and environment models. A different approach to game design. Previously, gameplay was very trial and error in a not fun way. Scares are now tailored to the experience rather than relying on ambient AIs. It was also noted that the Owlman was encountered far too early in the experience. Pacing of the game should be much improved. Removed not-so-interesting content such as the chase mode. The driving segment has been replaced with a walking segment. Also removed the stupid cave segment (it will not be missed). Improved narrative sequence of events, context clues so players can better figure out the connection between the Owlman and the murder sequence, which was previously too cryptic absent the hard-to-reach bonus tape. Currently, I'm finalizing some art stuff and polishing up content. The remade game is otherwise already playable, so I hope to have something to give to you early next year. Most likely, the remade OWLMAN will release separately on Itch io, (for free), so I'll make another announcement here when that happens. At that time, I'll also likely retire this Steam store page t...
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• Patch Notes·23 Apr 2023Official

  Quick Update

  Made a few small changes to the game. While there's still new stuff I'd like to add, I'm updating a few requested things now so no one has to wait up for the bigger changes. Here's what's new: Adjusted flashlight brightness to be more balanced between indoor and outdoor spaces. Removed preset inputs for gamepad, should now be configurable. I don't own a controller to test this, so please do let me know if there's still an issue. Slightly shortened a few transition sequences.
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• Announcements·14 Mar 2023Official

  Owlman Is Being Set Free

  In anticipation of the release of my next game, and an OWLMAN followup, I am intending to set OWLMAN to be free to play. This seems like the right decision for the game's exposure, which it has up to now received very little of. Also, because players are generally spending much less time in game than anticipated, I'd rather not ask you to pay for it despite my personal time commitment to the project. That'll go into effect in the next month or so, so please do take this into account if you're interested in playing. In the meantime, here's a few things ready for you now. Here's what's new: Added a few locations from upcoming OWLMAN p2 to add more variation/landmarks to the environment. These replace some of the generic house ruins. Look for the barn visible from the starting point. These are mostly empty for now but will serve specific purpose in p2. Set the location of the hidden tape to one of these structures. I haven't heard of anyone finding this in its current location. Please note that this hidden tape can only be located after finding the basement tape. Added an alternate ending where the player escapes successfully. Changed aspect ratio to fullscreen for more VHS authenticity. Changed vehicle sounds. The engine audio no longer clips in and out. Small change to English only text font. Added a very slight ambient light to the world after returning from viewing the basement tape. Added a couple easter eggs. (Spoilers: Since the hidden tape is quite obscure, look for it now in the barn location after finding the basement tape. This is still pretty hard to get to considering that Owlman is directly in the path. The new alternate ending can be accessed through the tunnel also only after locating the basement tape.) EDIT: changed the first paragraph of this announcement for more precise language around my reasoning for the change.
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• Patch Notes·25 Feb 2023Official

  Launch Fixes

  Listed below is a few quick fixes for the launch build. If you encounter anything not shown here please feel free to drop it in comments :) FIXED menu not progressing to the game level. If this is still a problem for anyone please do let me know. Slightly adjusted vehicle handling (Stay on the road). Trees now cull at a distance. This is probably not a necessary performance update but it is carried over regardless from Part 2 (coming soon). Added fog to Chase World. FIXED item remained in Chase World which could place players back in the story level (embarrassing).
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