...
Browse GamesSteam news
Full Steam announcements and update articles for this title.
Prevent Helmer from resting at campfires if enemies nearby have seen him.
Increased the amount healed by mosswater potions as Helmer gets more max HP.
Fixed a bug where falling in a bottomless pit could not properly respawn Helmer.
Fixed a bug where carried items could disappear if carried far enough away from where they were found.
Fixed a bug where carried items could be held while midair, resulting in unintended animation.
Added SFX for when carried items are thrown and break.
Fixed several bugs causing targeting to not behave as expected.
Fixed a bug where the sparks created when blocking an attack would rotate with Helmer.
Fixed a bug causing hanging minecarts to phase through Helmer if he remained stationary.
Rebalanced falling rocks that do not leave behind rubble to do a large amount of damage to Helmer instead of causing an immediate knockout.
Fixed a bug causing the SFX of ziplines to end before the zipline ends.
Fixed a bug causing Karn's attacks to play at an unintended speed.
Fixed a bug causing a Boss's attack to not repeat the number of times that were intended.
Fixed a bug causing certain mini-boss HP bars to appear briefly after being defeated.
Added a stun state and animation that plays when a Nightwalker with a shield has their guard broken, allowing Helmer ample time to attack.
Altered blocking to require facing the source of the attack, ensuring Helmer and Nightwalkers cannot block attacks from behind.
Altered some attacks to bypass blocking.
Fixed several bugs causing enemies to not play walking animations properly.
Fixed a bug where a floating arrow was sometimes visible nearby archers.
Fixed a bug where enemies could suddenly disappear when defeated.
Fixed a bug where bats would not fall properly when defeated.
Fixed a bug where enemies would raise an alarm even if they were knocked out in a single blow or combo of attacks. Now the alarm is only raised once their stun ends, allowing the player to more easily stealthily take out enemies.
Fixed a bug preventing enemies from navigating on bridges that can be closed and opened.
Fixed several bugs related to dialogue resulting from speaking to someone or reading a sign.
Added thumbnail images for Save Games.
Fixed several bugs causing performance drops when entering new areas and when many enemies were on screen at once.
Altered several tutorials to improve their effectiveness.
Improved set decor in several areas that were empty or unintentionally left unfinished.
Fixed several bugs that could cause puzzle components to not behave as expected if Helmer walks far enough away from them.
Fixed a bug causing the carrots thrown in to the cart to not behave as expected.
Fixed a bug allowing certain pushable crates to become lodged in walls.
Fixed several bugs that prevented some gates and doors from opening correctly.
Update 1.0.7 introduced a change to where save files for the Mac version of the game are stored. Please refer to this guide on restoring saves made with previous versions of the game.
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Main Menu will be as follows:
Version: 1.0.11
After downloading the update file, please restart the game to apply the update.
Further updates will be distributed in the future for you to continue to enjoy Green Ember more comfortably.
AP is now only accrued on landing attacks that are not special attacks (Cost AP to use).
Re-balanced how much AP is received when landing attacks, receiving damage, and blocking.
Fixed a bug where using a special attack as part of a combo would cost 0 AP.
AP now resets to 0 upon death, or resting at a campfire.
Re-balanced Stamina recovery rate.
Fixed a bug where hit effects would play even when hitting an invulnerable enemy, including hitstop, graphical elements, and rumble.
Improved boss AI to better plan attacks based on distance from player, and to encourage variety of attacks utilized.
Re-balanced boss vitals, changing health, stun resistance, speed, and timing of phase transitions.
Re-balanced several boss attacks, changing properties such as damage, knockback, stamina drain on block, timing, duration of effectiveness, etc. Some attacks were altered by changing the number of times the attack is used in succession, or when the attack becomes available to the boss.
Added dialogue for bosses during phase transitions.
Ensure attacks that teleport bosses end the targeting state for the player.
Fixed several bugs causing bosses to become locked in place.
Fixed several bugs causing bosses to perform multiple attacks at once.
Fixed several bugs causing bosses to not use scripted attacks properly.
Fixed several bugs allowing bosses and mini-bosses to be repeatedly staggered.
Fixed a bug where defeated bosses could be targeted.
Added health bars for bosses and certain mini-bosses.
Updated the styling of the Game Over screen.
Updated the styling of the Item Popup.
Fixed a bug where navigating menus with the mouse on Mac was offset.
Fixed a bug where the player could become stuck if inputs were made quickly during a Game Over.
Added the ability to skip in-game cinematics via a new "Skip Cinematic" menu option. This will skip all dialogue and scripted events and animation from playing, and jump to the end state immediately.
Added the ability to skip pre-rendered cinematics via the same "Skip Cinematic" menu option.
Fixed several bugs in various in-game cinematics.
Ensured autosaving when resting at a new checkpoint resets vitals and inventory as expected.
Re-balanced several areas in Ch. 7, re-timing and adjusting falling rocks.
Replaced a health upgrade chest with a potion chest in Ch. 6.
Fixed a bug where falling rocks did not display shadows on lower graphics settings.
Fixed several bugs causing poor performance.
Update 1.0.7 introduced a change to where save files for the Mac version of the game are stored. Please refer to this guide on restoring saves made with previous versions of the game.
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Main Menu will be as follows:
Version: 1.0.10
After downloading the update file, please restart the game to apply the update.
Further updates will be distributed in the future for you to continue to enjoy Green Ember more comfortably.
Improved targeting, ensuring a new target is found if the current one is KO'ed. Improved logic of re-targeting, considering enemies vs. environment, distance, direction, and line of sight.
Helmer now must fight Malder before accessing the checkpoint or arena rooms near Karn's quarters in Ch. 6.
The game progress percentage is more appropriately scaled based on average playthrough times.
The state of shortcut doors, collectible keys, and saved prisoners are now be saved, ensuring doors remain opened, keys remain collected, and prisoners remain saved after loading.
Added the ability to skip pre-rendered cinematic movies via holding the interact button (Left Click on Mouse, Left Face Button on Controller). Added a radial UI element to denote this.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could become stuck in the draw bow animation in certain conditions.
Fixed several bugs where Helmer could become stuck in place.
Fixed several bugs where certain Cinematics would behave incorrectly if Helmer is defeated or if a save is loaded.
Fixed a bug where Bat enemies would incorrectly highlight blue even when not targeted.
Fixed several bugs where certain targetable enemies and environment elements would not correctly highlight blue when targeted.
Fixed a bug where the arena in Ch. 4 could be escaped.
Fixed several bugs where incorrect or no music would play when loading the game.
Fixed several bugs where NPCs would incorrectly appear when reloading the game.
Fixed a bug where the carrots in the cart in Ch. 1 would disappear when reloading the game.
Fixed a bug where the gate and/or falling tree for the large bat mini-boss arena in Ch. 1 would disappear when reloading the game.
Fixed a bug where some invisible checkpoints given to the player when objectives are completed could be activated by moving near them.
Fixed several bugs related to arena rooms in Ch. 3 where gates would not behave correctly.
Fixed a bug where crates could be dropped while midair, resulting in them floating.
Fixed a bug where the Nightwalkers that drop keys in Ch. 6 could be saved as defeated before collecting their dropped key, locking the player out from progressing the game.
Added some subtitle hints for the Bow & Arrows.
Fixed a bug where some levers would incorrectly load their state after being pulled.
Fixed a bug causing increased lag on the Mac version of the game.
Update 1.0.7 introduced a change to where save files for the Mac version of the game are stored. Please refer to this guide on restoring saves made with previous versions of the game.
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Main Menu will be as follows:
Version: 1.0.9
After downloading the update file, please restart the game to apply the update.
Further updates will be distributed in the future for you to continue to enjoy Green Ember more comfortably.
Delayed the conclusion of Helmer's aerial heavy attack (Slam), so that it only ends upon landing.
Increased the amount of time Helmer is vulnerable when being blocked by a Nightwalker with a shield.
Attempting to shoot an arrow when out of ammo will now result in Helmer attempting and failing to shoot.
Added several control hints to the first level.
Nightwalkers with Swords now attack slightly faster.
The game now autosaves to the current slot when exiting from the pause menu.
The completion state of puzzles can now be saved, ensuring crate and brazier puzzles remain completed when saving and loading.
The completion state of arena battles can now be saved, ensuring rooms with waves of enemies remain completed when saving and loading.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could become locked in place if a cinematic was started while Helmer was midair.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could become stuck when hitting a Nightwalker's shield with an aerial light attack.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could rotate unexpectedly while performing an aerial heavy or special attack.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could become stuck in the draw bow animation when buffering shooting an arrow.
Fixed a bug where the New Item Pop-Up could freeze when playing with a controller.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could jump while holding a grabbable item or aiming his bow, resulting in animation errors.
Fixed several bugs where Helmer's attacks would have FX and SFX skipped if the attack was used as part of a combo.
Fixed a bug where the cancel input would Roll while holding a grabbable item, rather than simply dropping it in place.
Fixed a bug where Helmer would not drop grabbable items when hit, resulting in animation errors.
Fixed a bug where SFX was missing from Helmer's aerial light attack.
Fixed a bug where enemies would lose track of Helmer if their guard was broken.
Fixed a bug where enemies hit with a thrown item could become locked in a strange rotation.
Fixed a bug where graphics settings occasionally would not be saved.
Fixed a bug where sound settings would not apply to pre-rendered cinematics.
Fixed several bugs where saving and loading would cause unexpected behavior or result in a loss of progress.
Fixed a bug where the gates of the Northeast Mine would not open when reloading a save.
Fixed several bugs where subtitles / control hints could display at the wrong time.
Fixed several bugs where some gates lacked slots and moved too quickly.
Fixed several bugs where some walls in the Dragon Tomb did not have collision, allowing Helmer to access unintended locations and skip sections of the game.
Fixed a bug where Karn could warp out of his arena in certain conditions.
The previous update introduced a change to where save files for the Mac version of the game are stored. Please refer to this guide on restoring saves made with previous versions of the game.
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Main Menu will be as follows:
Version: 1.0.8
After downloading the update file, please restart the game to apply the update.
Further updates will be distributed in the future for you to continue to enjoy Green Ember more comfortably.
Increased the attack power of Helmer's forward heavy attack (Shield breaker).
Increased the knockback power of Helmer's forward light attack (Thrust).
Enemies can now trigger spike traps.
Some Levers were configured to only be interactable once.
Campfires now ignite when Helmer moves near them, establishing them as his current checkpoint.
Chapter 3 - Added a short arena battle to the Northeast Mine after Helmer receives his sword.
Chapter 3 - Moved the chest containing the Bow in the West Quarry to after the Bat Mini-boss. Previously this entire section was optional, leading to an upgrade chest.
Chapter 3 - Several shortcut gates and doors were updated to be interactable.
Chapter 4 - Several doors serving as shortcuts were updated to be interactable. One in particular leads to a previously unreachable area, where the upgrade from Chapter 3 has been relocated to.
Fixed a bug where defeated enemies would respawn when Helmer moved far away from them and returned.
Fixed several bugs where some enemy encounters did not behave as expected.
Fixed a bug where enemy NPCs were vulnerable to attacks during cinematics.
Fixed several bugs where some walls in the Dragon Tomb did not have collision, allowing Helmer to access unintended locations and skip sections of the game.
Fixed several bugs where some tutorial / hint text messages would show the wrong content or appear at the wrong time.
Fixed several bugs where some signs would show the wrong content or be inaccessible for interaction.
Fixed a bug where some gates could be bypassed unintentionally while they were closing.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could become stuck in a gate if it closed while he was on top of it.
Fixed a bug where grabbable objects could be used to activate pressure plates.
Fixed several bugs where some moving crate puzzles could become broken by trapping crates within walls. To better demonstrate the range of these crates, set decor has been adjusted.
Fixed a bug where Helmer could activate a checkpoint regardless of lethal fall damage.
This update introduces a change to where save files for the Mac version of the game are stored. Please refer to this guide on restoring saves made with previous versions of the game.
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Main Menu will be as follows:
Version: 1.0.7
After downloading the update file, please restart the game to apply the update.
Further updates will be distributed in the future for you to continue to enjoy Green Ember more comfortably.
It’s been a joy hearing from you through game reviews, feedback, and the support you’ve shared online. Truly, thank you.
Now we’re excited to invite even more adventurers into the world of Green Ember and the origins of Helmer’s story.
To help share the Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb, we’ve officially launched Longtreader Games social media channels.
Youtube
If you’ve enjoyed the game, please share these accounts with your friends, family, and communities. We want the whole world to experience Helmer’s story.
A heartfelt Thank You to , , , , and others who’ve featured Green Ember on their channels. We’ll be highlighting their content and look forward to sharing more soon.
Exciting things are in the works, and we can’t wait to share what’s ahead in the coming weeks.
See you soon!
David Hopkins II
Longtreader Games
If you’ve ever visited a house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, you know the trick: he squeezes you down a narrow hallway so your shoulders brush the walls. Then, suddenly the room opens up and everything feels big and bright. That’s what the past few months have been like. Tight fits. Odd angles. Strange processes. A lot of shouting into the wind that something is coming.
We finally turned the corner into the big room.
“I don’t mind spreading the word about your game,” you say “but I don’t want to be salesy.” Totally fair. Here’s a templated script you can use to gently bring the Green Ember Game into the conversation.
Scenario: You’re at dinner with acquaintances. Someone relates a surprising fact. You respond: YOU:
“You know what else is surprising, \? Raising $250k from 2,655 backers for a video game based on a book series!” \ Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb is releasing as a novel AND a game … \ ... AT THE SAME TIME \! Let’s all buy it \. ” That kind of subtly lets you gently nudge people toward the Green Ember without being too forceful.
Seriously, for those who have supported us—financially, creatively, emotionally—thank you.
A few Mac players have reported that after installing Update 3, their saved games were no longer showing up when launching the game. The good news: the saves are still on the machine — macOS simply created a new application container during the update, causing the game to look in the wrong folder. Here’s the fix (drumroll)!
We'll leave you with this reminder: Quality thumbs train on Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb.
Huzzah! GAME IS OUT! Download it like you’ve never downloaded anything before.
We’re releasing the game at a special discounted price for launch. If you’ve followed the development, cheered us on, or wanted to dive in, this is the moment! Eager to swing the sword you earned in the demo? Here’s your chance!
What Awaits in the Dragon Tomb
Sword-swinging bunny-brawler combat
A gripping story faithful to The Green Ember series
Beautifully-crafted environments, puzzles, and bosses
A world fans will feel at home in — and one brand-new readers can jump into
This is the biggest creative leap we’ve ever taken, and your support is what made it possible. We can’t wait for you to experience Helmer’s story and explore the Dragon Tomb for yourself. Your thumbs will thank you!
It’s a quiet week of sorts. We’ve been scrambling for the better part of 2025, building the game, running the Kickstarter, launching the book, the demo, the rewards, and even the Christmas products. Some of you Kickstarter backers are already playing the game now. Others of you have followed our progress through this past year, and now you’re standing with us at the edge—like a high diver pausing a moment before the leap.
So in these last few days before launch, let me say thank you. Thank you for backing the Kickstarter, for telling your friends, and for helping grow the Green Ember off the page. Thank you for giving kids a new way to play the Green Ember. Thank you to all of you excellent spellers who caught typos. Thank you for wishlisting the game and downloading the demo and then testing it so thoroughly. We're fixing bugs and updating the build regularly to give the best possible experience for our players. Thank you to those who have sent notes of encouragement, helping us to push through the uphill moments.
In the Mind of the Maker, Dorothy Sayers describes creative work as having three parts: the idea, the energy, and the power.
The Green Ember idea gave way to immense energy—to design, code, illustrate, and test. Now we’re entering the power stage, when the work moves outward and takes on life in others. First, through our Kickstarter backers (keys have just gone out). Next week, as we release the game to (hopefully) many families who have never heard of the Green Ember before.
That’s when the circle completes. So even though we’re still working hard, we’re feeling a bit of anticipation—the point in a song when the music drops out, just before the drums hit.
S.D. Smith joins Andrew MacKay as they put the Green Ember Demo through its paces.
About
This page aggregates Steam news feeds, patch notes, and developer announcements for Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb, sourced from official Steam community posts.
Major updates, balance changes, and seasonal events often correlate with player-count spikes — cross-reference announcements here with the live charts on the main Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb statistics page.
Articles link back to Steam for full changelogs. SteamScope refreshes news entries as new posts are published to the game's Steam hub.