Back to the Dawn news & patch notes

Hello inmates,

As usual, thank you everyone for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Optimization:

Hello fellow inmates!

Since the update article last September, where we updated everyone with a couple of optimization and port announcements, we haven't had the time to share our recent development with everyone. With the Chinese New Year coming up, it was the perfect opportunity for us to think back on the year, and look forward into the future.

We'd also like to thank the players who cheered us on throughout the Golden Box Awards judging process. We'd also love to thank IGN China for awarding us the "Niche Glory" award of the year. We hope that with the combined efforts of developers and players, Back to the Dawn will become more "mainstream". As Back to the Dawn makes its way to Nintendo Switch and Playstation, we hope more players will experience the rich life of Boulderton Prison.

Reflecting on 2025

2025 was a landmark year for us. Back to the Dawn, 7 years after the project was first initiated, has finally become a fully released game. Besides the long-term support of old friends, we have also made many new friends - the total number of players of Back to the Dawn across all platforms has now reached over 500k, and players continue to share about our game via word of mouth.

That's why, as we give everyone the first update of the year, it is still our top priority to show our appreciation to everyone for your endless support. Thank you all so much for making this possible!

In this fast-paced era of trends that last only a week, we are truly blessed to have players with as much as patience and passionate as you are with us. The fact that the extensive tale of Boulderton and its inhabitants has found an audience is an incredible affirmation of our efforts.

If fixing bugs and releasing version updates make us feel more like "developers," then seeing everyone discussing the details of Boulderton and sharing their love for the game makes us truly feel that we have achieved as "creators." As always, we are still quietly collecting feedback from players regarding their game experience, and we are very grateful for everyone's comments and suggestions.

Champion Mode

Today, we're officially launching the "Champion Mode" content update! This will also be the last major update for the base game of Back to the Dawn. The "Champion Mode" will bring a more challenging "Champion Mode" to veteran escape artists. Completing this mode will reward you with a "Champion Dice Skin" corresponding to your chosen character, as proof of pushing your limits!

Groundhog Badge

And if you're someone who is the opposite, we've got something for you too! We've added a new mystery item to Thomas' "New Eden Mode" and Bob's "White Mode"—the "Groundhog Badge." Having this badge while sleeping on day 21 allows you to remain on day 21 the next day. This means players choosing this mode no longer need to worry about failing to escape before the deadline.

Russian Localization

Back to the Dawn now supports the Russian language! Massive thanks to "pol4rcat" who provided us with the Russian localization script. Furthermore, the game's Chinese voice acting work is nearing completion and will be available on Steam in March, simultaneous with the Nintendo Switch port launch.

And... Drumrolls please!

We have heard the call... And it seems like the Gray Cat DLC... may perhaps... be officially under development!!!

If Thomas' story is about protecting the city and his dream, and Bob's duty is to defend the nation and his beliefs, then Supernatural Investigator Bam's mission is to save the world and reality as we know it! And faced with a potential "chaos" crisis, he may need the assistance of two other "trainee investigators".

A mage, a warrior, a ranger — wouldn't this be the perfect hero party? With patience, a year from now, we shall unleash a resounding success!

Next, the details of update \!

Content update:

Hello inmates,

As usual, thank you everyone for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Bug Fix:

Hello inmates,

Thank you everyone for your feedback and support! Back to the Dawn is participating Spiral Up Publisher Sale, and you can enjoy a 10% discount on the game! The discount will last till 7th November so be sure to catch it while you can. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Below are the details of this update:

Optimizations & Adjustments:

Hello fellow inmates!

Back to the Dawn is proud to announce its participation in Tokyo Game Show 2025 from 25-29 Sept, and we invite everyone to join us in on the fun!

Simultaneously, the Steam Autumn Sale is currently ongoing, and you can purchase our game at a 10% discount! This discount will continue until 7th October and we hope everyone will share about this wonderful opportunity to dive into Boulderton Prison with your friends and family!

Hello fellow inmates!

Thank you everyone for your continuous support and feedback as usual! Many of you have requested it, and we've heard you — Back to the Dawn will be getting more console ports. The game will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation in 2026, and simultaneously, we will be releasing an official Korean localization. More information coming soon so keep your eyes peeled :)

As we prepare to share our game on more platforms, we will continue to improve the current game experience. Here are the fixes and improvements of the latest update:

Adding more languages to the Concept Art Collection：

The Concept Art Collection is now available in English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese! Players can access it by going to Steam game library, right-clicking Back to the Dawn → Manage → Browse local files. You'll find the PDF file in the root directory of the game.

Improvements:

Hello inmates,

Thank you for your continued support and feedback!

Here are the patch notes for this update:

Optimizations & Adjustments:

Dear Inmates,

Back to the Dawn is still on sale at 15% off, but the discount ends tomorrow. If you haven’t "entered prison" yet, now’s the time—don’t miss out!

Our game first entered Early Access in the winter of 2023, and it’s thanks to your support along the way that we’ve made it this far.

Some players once told us, “Thomas's storyline was already rich enough at the start of EA, why not move on to developing the new character, the Panther, sooner?” We truly appreciate this kind of understanding, but our small team tends to be a little stubborn. Just like how we insisted on entering Early Access in the first place—even if some players felt Thomas's route was already complete, to us, it wasn’t. So we chose to remain in EA until it felt truly finished.

To be honest, being a "Chinese EA game” has brought some doubt, and made some players hesitant to buy. But we have no regrets. Time will speak for itself. This was our first time developing something entirely the way we wanted.

And when we launched the game, your support gave us the confidence to go all-in. We poured all our resources and passion into this project, even at the cost of overextending ourselves.

This is the reality of most indie games—we constantly walk the line between ambition and practicality. Breathing life into this world and its characters is far from easy. Due to time and budget constraints, we’ve had to give up on many creative ideas we once envisioned.

Back to the Dawn is not a perfect game, but we can proudly say: we love every brick and tile of Boulderton Prison, and we’ve done our best to polish it with care. What we can promise is this—in the limited time we had, we gave it everything we’ve got.

On August 5, the game will officially leave Early Access and the price of the game will increase to $23.99 USD. This is something we promised from the beginning and a decision we made carefully. Rest assured, even though the game will be officially released, our work on Back to the Dawn won’t stop. We’ll continue monitoring its performance, actively fixing issues based on your feedback, and releasing optimizations as needed to provide a more stable and complete experience.

Time flies—it’s already the beginning of autumn again. It’s been three and a half years since we released our very first demo. Thank you for sticking with us all this time. As a CRPG, Back to the Dawn is not a “simple” game, and we’ve been lucky enough to meet a group of “not-so-simple” players.

Thank you for taking the time to experience the game and share it with your friends. Most of all, thank you for your support and patience. If this game has brought you any joy, then we’ve achieved our goal.

“Adversity may break us, but don’t let it defeat us.”

- Metal Head Games

Update on the Pricing Adjustment Progress:

Dear Inmates,

We have submitted a pricing adjustment request to Steam, but it was rejected as price changes are not allowed within 30 days after a game’s official release. We are currently confirming whether this 30-day period is counted from the end of the discount or from the release date. As a result, we will need to postpone the price adjustment to the week of August 18. If there are any further changes to this timeline, we will promptly update everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Dear inmates,

Thank you for your continued support and feedback!

Here are the patch notes for this update:

Optimizations & Adjustments:

• Improved the loading speed when using Memory Recall, with a faster loading animation and removal of scene information display.

• Optimized performance in sewer-related scenes.

• Adjusted the Befriended condition. You must now befriend a prisoner before you can deepen your understanding of them.

• Adjusted the trigger time for Thomas’s monologue when already befriended in Start New Game+. It can now be triggered on Day 1.

• Improved collision detection for the package cart on the first floor of the prison.

• Added the method to claim the Artbook in the DLC Bundle Guide on the main menu.

• Adjusted the method of claiming items from the package cart. The cart will now display a maximum of 100 item records at a time. After collecting items, reopening the cart will refresh and show the remaining items.

• Adjusted the UI layout of the Memory Recall (Load/Save) feature to improve the visibility of the New Save button.

• Adjusted the save logic in Fenra’s chapter. Automatic Memory Recall saves will no longer be generated during this chapter.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed a softlock issue that occurred after helping prisoners play cards in the General Building when time passed 5:30 PM.

• Fixed an issue where placing a Toothbrush Shank under Hakuna’s bed would show time consumption but did not actually consume time.

• Fixed an issue where the Black Panther escape cutscene with Fenra would get stuck in the operating room.

• Fixed an issue where players could challenge Crunchy in the hospital.

• Fixed an issue where entering the hospital examination room by guessing the password would result in a prompt saying the player had no password upon exit.

• Fixed abnormal door behavior for the Church Lounge and the Staff Block cleaning room.

• Fixed an issue where weapons with cutting traits could not use combat skills, specifically the Holy Sword.

• Fixed an issue where invisible walls appeared around chairs in the cafeteria.

• Fixed a text display issue where speaking to the guard in the Staff Block and going to the infirmary would result in garbled text.

• Fixed an issue where having the Iron Throne skill would prevent stamina gain when using the toilet in certain locations.

If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Dear inmates,

We've recently discovered that some players are unable to launch the game due to missing system libraries. To resolve this, we've updated the Steam auto-installation script.

This script is a built-in Steam file. After fully closing and reopening Steam, you may see a message like the one shown in the image when launching Back to the Dawn. Steam will then automatically download the necessary script.

Please note that you may need to wait on the launch screen while the script finishes downloading before the game starts. This process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.

This is completely normal, so there's no need to worry. Thank you for your understanding!

If you encounter any issues, please feel free to send us a bug report form.

• Added a new track: "Eyes on the Screen – Battle Mix"

  • Replaced the track: "Gambling"

Hello Inmates!

Thank you everyone for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Optimization and adjustments：

Hello inmates! Thank you all for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Fixes:

• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck or clip through the environment when interacting with the doors of the Chapel Lounge and the Staff Block Cleaning Room.

If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Hello Inmates!

Thank you once again for all your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Improvements and adjustments：

Hello, fellow inmates!

We've been collecting feedback from you all, and we may be a little slow in responding because we're busy with bug fixes, game improvements and general gamedev-ing, so please bear with us.

In the new version, we've upgrading the Black Panther Arc experience and updated the following: (spoiler warning on the mission flow!)

Optimizations and Tweaks

• Optimized the logic of releasing water from sluice gate \ at the sewer cave-in when Bob is the protagonist, so that the water will all be released on the same night as opening the sluice gate, and there is no need to release sluice gate \ again;

• Adjusted the rapport requirement for real-time display of prisoner location, now you can see the real-time location of the prisoner from the Relationships screen after befriending;

• When using Bob as the protagonist, even after getting to know Thomas in-depth, subsequent weeks can still trigger the Find Wallet dialog;

• With Bob as the protagonist, if the skill “Clue Hunter” has already been acquired, finding wolf fur will no longer trigger the skill discovery pop-up box;

• When Bob is the protagonist, if you enter the boiler room in the reverse direction, the first time you complete the sewage pipe mini-game, a success message will not pop up;

• Added clue hints for relevant interactions that need to be triggered in order to travel to the boiler room from the pipe area in Cell Block B;

• Adjusted the number of side dishes required to work as a cover in the Cooking Room, reducing the requirement to 1 side dish;

• Adjusted the difficulty of the Sewer Jumps by lowering the Agility attribute of all jump points by 2 points, and simultaneously lowering the Challenge Point requirement by 2 points;

• Adjusted the completion requirement of the Captain Bruce's mission “Pay Phone "Bugging"”, and reduced the number of eavesdropping to 6;

• Adjusted the cost of bribing Fernando to provide the surgery room with electricity to 200 dollars;

• In the first week with Bob as the main character, if the progress of the main line is not reached, the player will be temporarily prevented from changing cells;

• Optimized the unlocking of the door in the upper left corner of the recreation area, so that Bob will automatically open the deadbolt to unlock the door when he reaches the designated area;

• Adjusted the trigger conditions for thinking about crate puzzles in the Sewer's Electrical Room, reducing the number of crate pushes required and lowering the intelligence requirement for Thinking to 4;

• Added a camera prompt after starting the electricity in the electrical room to trigger a shortcut to the cistern;

• Adjusted the number of times the item "Corrosive Solution" can be used, increasing it to be usable 4 times;

• Optimized the art and audio performance of characters and scenes related to the Black Panther Arc.

Fixes

• Fixed the issue where the first arrival action to reach the sewers from the north corner of the sewers could trigger twice;

• Fixed the issue where the Tiger Combo triggered by a Rush action causing a critical hit that cannot be covered by the Pelican;

• Fixed an issue where trash cans remained closed when prisoners have rummaged through them.

\ Bundle is now live!

The Sultan's Game x Back to the Dawn bundle is here! Get 10% off your purchase with this adrenaline-filled deal!

Will you stay imprisoned or come to power? It's up to you!

If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Hello inmates!

Thank you everyone for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

Improvements and adjustments:

• Adjusted the combat skill "Disarm Stance", which will give an additional 8% dodge chance during its effect;

• Adjusted the combat skill "Riot Control", which will hit the target when used and will deduct an additional 10 points of the opponent's energy;

• Adjusted the recipe for the "Hang Glider Keel", reducing the required 9 dowels to 6; Using \ to pry the second lock of the double wafer lock on the side door of the pipeline area will not consume an additional focus point;

• Added task clues for how to approach the dining cart to hide the watch;

• Added floating highlight and interactive white label prompts for the interaction of the wooden board at the railing of the sewer;

• Adjusted the location arrangement of Phil the Otter on the third morning, so that Bob has the opportunity to "talk" with Phil alone;

• Adjusted the objective hints for the main quest related to the Cistern.

• Reduced the attribute requirements of the high platform jump action at the lower position of the sewer ventilation area from 10 to 8, and the completion points were also reduced by 2 points;

• Optimized action trigger that will lead to a route to the nameless open space. Now after checking the iron mesh, the player will be directly prompted how to go there;

• Added prompts for the hidden tool mission stage, and Bob will mark the suspected location on the map;

• Bob’s 1v3 ambush will now affect the actual combat based on his Strength attribute.

• Adjusted the initial acquaintance status of Lin the Pangolin when Bob the Panther is the protagonist.

• Adjusted the unarmed attack type of the Pelican and Swan from blunt to slashing.

• Reduced the Swan’s maximum HP by 10.

• Updated the performance point deduction rules for moving prison cells. After moving a cell once, subsequent moves will no longer consume performance points.

Bug Fix：

• Fixed the issue that the player get stuck on the ladder when the player interacted with the prison roof and ladder to view the iron barrel;

• Fixed the issue that the gray cat could not be beaten on the fifth night when Black Panther was the protagonist.

• Fixed an issue where invisible walls could occasionally appear in the cafeteria.

• Fixed an issue where completing the underground waterway route could sometimes prevent the first objective of the “Breakout” mission from being completed.

• Fixed a misalignment issue with the Fox's bathing position on Day 11.

If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Hello inmates!

Thank you for your support and feedback!

Here are the details of this update:

• Fixed the bug where after retrieving "Wesley's Recording Watch", there is a chance that the subsequent actions cannot be triggered, causing the progress of the main quest to be stuck. (For players who have already encountered this issue, subsequent actions for the main quest will be triggered after leaving the cooking room or actively interacting with the prisoner crafting table.)

Additionally, due to a Steam technical issue, there are currently two purchase options showing on the store page. Please make sure to choose the one with the discount! We’re urgently working to resolve this and apologize for the inconvenience.

We would also like to address an issue related to the support packs: the Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection is currently only available in Simplified Chinese due to scheduling and typesetting challenges. We plan to add other languages at a later date and hope for your understanding. Thank you for your patience!

If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Hello, inmates!

Since the official release of Back to the Dawn, we’ve received a lot of valuable feedback, and our team has been working non-stop to address the issues. Thank you all for your continued support!

Here are the details of the latest update:

• Fixed an issue where players would get stuck and unable to interact after entering the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene while using a controller.

• Fixed a bug where, after entering the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene while in the "borrowing a book" state, the borrow UI would remain permanently visible even after returning the book.

• Fixed incorrect quick key prompts when leaving the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene in controller mode.

• Fixed an issue where the number of days served would display incorrectly when playing as the Black Panther.

• Fixed a bug where collecting the “package mailed by Rocky” from the delivery cart would cause the game to freeze if there were other items already in the cart.

• Corrected several text typos.

We would also like to address an issue related to the support packs: the Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection is currently only available in Simplified Chinese due to scheduling and typesetting challenges. We plan to add other languages at a later date and hope for your understanding. Thank you for your patience!

Additionally, due to a Steam technical issue, there are currently two purchase options showing on the store page. Please make sure to choose the one with the discount! We’re urgently working to resolve this and apologize for the inconvenience.

We truly appreciate all the love and support you've shown for Back to the Dawn. We hope you're enjoying your time behind bars—especially following Bob’s storyline! If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.

Inmates, drumroll please! Back to the Dawn has exited Early Access and is now officially a full release game, featuring two playable main characters — including the much anticipated Bob the Panther!

On this wonderful occasion, it would be remiss of us if we didn't show our appreciation towards our early access players. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for playing Back to the Dawn while it was still in early access, providing countless invaluable feedback, sharing about our game with your friends, and hyping us up through this gamedev journey!

It is the enthusiastic feedback and support of our players that allowed us to complete Back to the Dawn. Without you, our “accomplices" and "co-conspirators", Back to the Dawn wouldn't be the complete game that it is today.

We bring to you Back to the Dawn version 1.0 — and wish you an exciting and unforgettable time within the confined walls of Boulderton Prison!

- Due to a technical problem with Steam, there are two base games available for purchase on the store page. Please make sure to purchase the discounted base game! We are urgently dealing with this issue and we apologize for the inconvenience!

For more information on the Black Panther Arc, please continue reading:

How to access the Concept Art Collection:

In Back to the Dawn's Supporter Pack DLC, we have included a concept artbook (only in Chinese).

Players who have the Supporter Pack DLC can access it by going to your Steam Game Library.

Right-click on Back to the Dawn and go to Manage > Browse Local Files. In the game root directory, you will find the Concept Art Collection PDF), as shown below:

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During Back to the Dawn 1.0's launch, the game will have a 15% off discount (July 18th - August 1st) and will be priced at US$16.99.

As compared to the EA version, Back to the Dawn 1.0 will have a significant increase in content with the addition of the Black Panther Arc. As a result, after the 1.0 launch discount, the game's price will permanently increase to US$23.99 and other regions will also experience a proportionate price hike. We hope to seek you understanding on this change.

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DLCs

In addition, to thank the PC community who have been supporting us throughout our EA phase, we have several DLCs that will be available on exclusively on PC. The details are as follows:

• Back to the Dawn – Supporter Pack DLC: Priced at $5.99, 10% off at launch Bundle option available with additional discount

• Back to the Dawn – Original Soundtrack (OST): Sold separately for $5.99, 10% off at launch

• Back to the Dawn – Game Modifier Toolkit (Free DLC): Includes features like satiety recovery, damage reduction, and dice bonuses to help players enjoy the story more smoothly. ⚠️ Please note: Activating any of these features will disable achievements for that save file. To re-enable achievements, start a new save or load a save from before using the toolkit.

Additionally, "Back to the Dawn" themed badges are now online, and Steam emoticons, profile backgrounds and animated avatars will also be sold simultaneously in the Steam Points Shop!

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New Game Bundle

A much-requested bundle with Threefold Recital is finally here! Enjoy a 10% bundle discount for two exciting mystery-filled furry games when completing the set.

About Threefold Recital

Threefold Recital is set in an oriental fantasy world where the metropolis of Bluescales faces turmoil after a long golden age. The mix of magic, modern, and ancient technologies challenges governance, while tensions between humans, beastlings, and dragons grow. In the shadows, a crisis looms...

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Last but definitely not least, Back to the Dawn 1.0 also has a same-day release on Xbox and will be entering Xbox Game Pass!

Enter the Boulderton Prison and kickstart a new adventure!

Thank you again for your support! If you have any suggestions for improvements, please take some time to leave your comments or reviews on Steam!

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Hello inmates!

Back to the Dawn Version 1.0 will officially launch on July 18 at 11:00 AM (GMT+8). With just 4 days to go, the excitement is building fast!

Lately, there’s been more chatter than usual in the yard and laundry room. You can feel the energy shifting—everyone’s getting ready to jump into Bob the Panther’s storyline and make their mark!

To thank all players for their support, anyone who purchases the game before the 1.0 release—including those who redeemed a key—will receive the Supporter Pack DLC for free. It has already been added to eligible players’ libraries and will unlock once the 1.0 update goes live.

At launch, the base game will be available at 15% off for two weeks (July 18 to August 1), priced at $16.99. After the discount period, the price will permanently increase to $23.99.

In addition, several DLCs and bundles will go live on Steam alongside the 1.0 version to support Panther Bob’s debut. Details below:

• Back to the Dawn – Supporter Pack DLC: Priced at $5.99, 10% off at launch Bundle option available with additional discount

• Back to the Dawn – Original Soundtrack (OST): Sold separately for $5.99, 10% off at launch

• Back to the Dawn – Game Modifier Toolkit (Free DLC): Includes features like satiety recovery, damage reduction, and dice bonuses to help players enjoy the story more smoothly. ⚠️ Please note: Activating any of these features will disable achievements for that save file. To re-enable achievements, start a new save or load a save from before using the toolkit.

• Threefold Recital × Back to the Dawn Bundle: A much-requested bundle is finally here! Enjoy a bundle discount for two exciting mystery-filled furry games when completing the set.

Life in Boulderton Prison is tough—but every day is a chance to change the game!

The full story begins on July 18. See you then!

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Back to the Dawn 1.0 FAQ

1. Q: What is the content and scale of the Black Panther Arc? How long does it take to complete the main storyline?

A: Bob’s story includes a full 5-act main storyline. In terms of script size and narrative complexity, it surpasses Thomas’s route. It will also take significantly longer to complete. To stay true to Bob’s personality and role, even the dialogues reused from other parts of the game have been rewritten in Bob’s tone to ensure full immersion while playing as him.

2. Q: Does Bob have different “starting background choices” from Thomas?

A: Yes. Bob enters Boulderton Prison as an undercover cop on a mission, so his background before imprisonment is completely different from Thomas.

3. Q: When does Bob’s story begin, and does he also have the 21-day time limit?

A: Although Bob enters the prison one month earlier than Thomas in the lore, his story starts on the same day Thomas arrives, and he also has a 21-day sentence limit. However, his story is not tied to the mayoral election in Thomas' arc.

4. Q: Are there new prison scenes added in the full version?

A: Yes. The Black Panther Route adds 22 new scenes in total, including 11 story scenes outside the prison and 11 inside the prison, though the new in-prison scenes are mainly for Bob’s nighttime exploration. No new daytime prison activity scenes were added.

5. Q: Does Bob also need to escape prison? Are there any new escape routes for him?

Yes, Bob also needs to escape.

And since we already fully explored the prison’s areas when designing Thomas’s route to provide a rich experience, we did not create new exclusive escape routes for Bob. Additionally, for story-related reasons, Bob will not be able to use some of the escape routes available to Thomas. However, even when using the similar escape routes, the experience and presentation will be quite different due to the difference between Bob and Thomas.

6. Q: Apart from the main story, does Bob have new side quests?

A: Yes. Since Bob is already a member of the Sharp Tooth Gang at the start of his story, he can access more core Sharp Tooth Gang missions—missions not available when playing as Thomas. His relationship with Bruce also results in a different set of tasks in that questline.

7. Q: In Bob’s route, will he also help Bam deal with the “entities from another world”?

A: No. Bob’s focus will be on his own mission, and the role of “junior investigator” will be taken up by Thomas instead.

8. Q: Does Bob have a romance storyline?

A: No, he doesn’t. Bob has a more urgent mission to accomplish. If Thomas is trying to save a city, then Bob is trying to save the entire country.

9. Q: Can Bob also finish the game “without throwing a single punch” like Thomas?

A: No. Bob’s storyline includes unavoidable battles. As an undercover cop, Bob faces more dangerous foes than Thomas the journalist. So be prepared. We’ve added new combat skills, weapons, and powerful tools exclusively for Bob. Discover and try them out!

10. Q: Will Bob’s story also feature multiple endings like Thomas’s?

A: Yes. Bob’s route includes three unique endings based on player choices, one "descriptive" ending similar to the “take the money” option, and two newspaper-style failure endings based on Bob's survival.

11. Q: Is Bob’s achievement system still based on Tarot cards?

A: No. Bob will have a completely different achievement system. What exactly is it? You’ll have to wait and see!

12. Q: I’ve already 100%-completed Thomas’s route, and Boulderton Prison feels like home. Will Bob’s route still be fun and surprising?

A: Absolutely. Trust us.

This concludes the FAQ for now. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out via Steam or our social media platforms.

Also, the Steam Summer Sale is almost here! From June 27 to July 11, Back to the Dawn will be available at its lowest-ever 15% off discount!

This summer sale is the last chance before the 1.0 full release to grab the game at a discount and get the Supporter Pack for free. Don’t miss it!

May the Father of the Forest bless you all~

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Boulderton Times • Prison News Bulletin

Listen up, inmates!

Word’s just come through the bars — Back to the Dawn Version 1.0 is officially scheduled for release on July 18. And with it? A new yet untold story lurks in the shadows, ready to pounce.

While Thomas quietly works on his escape from the inside, there is yet another person we should keep an eye on. And now, Bob the Panther is about to make his move! This isn’t just another cellblock shuffle, you're looking at a full-blown expansion with five new story acts, six different endings, 22 fresh scenes inside and outside the prison, Bob’s unique take on life behind bars, and a mess of dangerous new gang operations. The stakes are higher. The risks are real. Are you ready to walk in the panther’s shadow?

Now for some news that might just make your day! As a show of gratitude to all early supporters, everyone who owns the game before the 1.0 update drops will get access to the full Supporter Pack — free of charge. Once the full version is live, this pack becomes a paid DLC. So grab a copy of Back to the Dawn now to become an early supporter and get the DLC for free!

Here’s what’s inside:

• Two Special-Edition Dice Skins: Ace Reporter and Night Owl

• Cell Decoration Bundle: Includes three cell skins — Golden Wind, Breath of the Forest, and Disco Ball

• "Infernal Hero" Poster: Increases Reputation by 5 each night when placed in your cell, up to 5 nights

• "Floodlight" Poster: Increases Rapport with all inmates by 3 each night when placed in your cell, up to 5 nights

• "Hidden Room" Movie CD-ROM: Playable on computers in the General Building; no skill effects, but provides a unique 4D viewing experience

• "Zoo Breaker" Audio Cassette: Features the original Early Access main menu music, selectable in the settings

• Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection

*Final contents may be subject to change at launch.*

Keep your eyes open and your claws sharp. July 18 is when everything changes in Boulderton Prison. The cells won’t stay quiet for long.

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Supporter Pack

Our Discord Fanart Competition!

Introducing the supporting cast

Rocky

Hugin

Surtr

Bob, the Protagonist

Wesley

A New Furry Bundle!

Development Updates