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I wanted to share something a little different today. My new game, HarvestCo, is now part of Steam Next Fest, and the demo is available on Steam.
HarvestCo is a farming incremental idle game about turning a small, neglected field into a faster and more profitable machine. You start with simple tools and manual harvesting, then gradually buy upgrades, expand the field, improve rewards, unlock passive income, find rare golden crops, and deal with strange field events like UFOs.
If you followed Midnight Files and want to see what I am working on next, I would really appreciate you checking out HarvestCo during Steam Next Fest.
Thank you for your support!
Paweł / Paper Lynx Games
This is a major refresh of the game, focused on atmosphere, investigations, case flow, camera tools, and overall quality of life. A lot has changed in this version, and the goal was simple: make Midnight Files clearer, darker, and more satisfying to investigate.
Because many case systems and investigation files have changed, I recommend starting a new game after updating for the best experience.
The biggest visual addition is the new Noir Mode.
You can now investigate Midnight City in a black-and-white visual style inspired by classic detective stories and film noir. It changes the look and mood of the game quite strongly, especially during crime scene investigation and office analysis.
Noir Mode can be enabled or disabled in the settings, so you can choose whether you want to play with the new look or keep the original visual style.
The investigation structure has been improved.
The old system where you had to predict the location of the next crime has been removed. The focus is now fully on solving the current case, reviewing evidence, checking information in the police database, and identifying the person responsible.
You can now return to crime scenes after leaving them. If something does not add up, or if you think you missed a clue, you can go back and check the location again.
The first and third cases have been redesigned from the ground up. The second and fourth cases have also been improved and adjusted.
The camera system has been improved to make evidence photography clearer.
The camera now shows better feedback when an important object is framed correctly. This should make it easier to understand when a photo will be saved with a detailed note.
You can also review taken photos directly in the notebook, even while still at the crime scene. This makes it easier to compare details and check your evidence without waiting until you return to the office.
The camera has also been adjusted so photos should no longer appear overexposed.
This version also includes:
Key binding support
In-game music
Music volume setting
Several sound-related fixes
Removed repeated hint entries from the menu
Fixed database files appearing before the correct case date
Removed the difficulty system and investigation timer
Improved localization and case text
Updated tutorials and gameplay descriptions
Improved office and crime-scene flow
Updated newspapers and case-related texts
Cleaner hints and interaction prompts
Because many investigation systems, case files, evidence structures, and database entries have changed, older saves may not work correctly or may contain outdated progress.
For the best experience, I recommend starting a new game after updating.
As part of this version, AI-generated visual and audio assets have been removed or replaced.
Thank you for playing Midnight Files and for all the feedback. A lot of these changes were made because of things players pointed out after release, and I hope The Noir Cut makes the game feel much better to investigate.
Thanks for your support, and see you in Midnight City!
Paweł / Paper Lynx Games
I am working on a new update for Midnight Files.
This time I want to focus mainly on the things that appeared most often in player reviews, comments, and Steam discussions. The goal of this update is to improve the clarity of the investigations, make the evidence flow easier to follow, and remove the elements that caused the most frustration.
One of the bigger changes will be the removal of the system where players had to determine the next crime location. I know that for some players this part was too unclear and too often felt like guessing instead of actual deduction. I want the endings of the cases to feel more logical and better supported by the evidence collected during the investigation.
I am also working on improvements to the investigations themselves. Selected cases will receive revised threads, better connections between clues, and more polished puzzles. My goal is to make the solutions more satisfying and less arbitrary.
The update will also add a new optional noir visual mode. This is a black-and-white visual mode that gives the game a more classic detective atmosphere. It will be possible to enable or disable it in the settings.
new optional noir visual mode
removal of the next crime location system
improvements and redesigns for selected investigations
more polished case threads, evidence, and clue connections
the ability to review taken photos directly at the crime scene
a new photo hint system that shows when an object is framed correctly
menu fixes, including the removal of duplicated hints
translation fixes
The update is coming soon.
If you have played Midnight Files and have specific suggestions about the cases, puzzles, photos, UI, or evidence, please let me know in the comments or in the Steam discussions. Feedback about moments where it was unclear what the game expected from the player, or why a certain solution was supposed to be correct, is especially helpful.
One more important note. As part of this update, I am removing assets created with the use of AI from the game. This includes both visual and audio elements. Some of them will be replaced with new materials, while others will be removed or reworked so they fit the rest of the game better.
Thank you for all the feedback and for continuing to share your thoughts. It helps me better understand which parts of Midnight Files need the most improvement. Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Day 1 update for the "Missing in Forest Lake" DLC is now live. Thanks for the bug reports - they helped me catch the critical issues fast. Here's what's been changed:
Fixed the bug where the map wouldn't show up after loading a save and couldn't be unlocked again.
Fixed character clipping through terrain and falling under the map.
Reworked car physics. It now has proper mass and doesn't behave like a toy anymore. Collisions with obstacles work correctly now.
Added collision detection system that plays sound effects.
Completely rebuilt boat controls. It's more predictable and responsive now - should feel much better to use.
Fixed the bug that let you exit the boat in the middle of the lake, which would softlock the game. You can't leave the boat when it's too deep anymore - you'll get a message instead.
Added sprint to the DLC map. You can move around on foot much faster now.
Changed controller layout to fit sprint in. Crouch is now on D-Pad Left, sprint is on Left Stick Press (old crouch button).
A few other minor fixes.
Still working through your feedback. If you find bugs, report them on the forums - I read everything.
Good luck with the case!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
On January 23rd at 4:00 PM CET, update 1.6.01.25 and the free DLC "Midnight Files – Missing in Forest Lake" will be released. This is the final update from my launch roadmap, closing the first chapter of the game's development.
The game now features a dedicated "Steam Deck" quality mode that automatically adjusts graphics settings for comfortable gameplay on this device. Everything has been tested on Steam OS to ensure it works properly.
Note: The game doesn't have an official Steam verification badge yet – I have to wait for Steam to test it themselves.
For those wanting to improve framerate or reduce GPU usage, I've added support for FSR and DLSS upscaling.
Resident file names now include the district name – easier identification.
A marker has been added to the office showing where to throw darts from.
Auto-snapping for map pins – when marking, the pin automatically lands in the correct spot, highlighting the selected district.
Several minor bugs have also been fixed.
This is a free DLC and a standalone case taking place outside Midnight City. Two teenagers went missing after an incident at a roadside arcade in the Forest Lake area. Local police are searching for a suspect but don't have enough resources to search the entire region.
Your task is to find the missing teens – gathering evidence and connecting facts based on discoveries in the field. You start at a gas station, with the arcade as your first destination. There you'll discover evidence, obtain a paper map of the area, and set out to search the vast, fog-covered region.
New, large map outside Midnight City – forest roads and the Forest Lake area.
Arcade as the crime scene – exploration, evidence gathering, and unlocking the paper map.
Free vehicle movement and field investigation.
Database files – local police notes and information helpful in the investigation.
Additional locations to discover while working the case.
The DLC is completely free and requires update 1.6.01.25, which will be released on January 23rd before the DLC launch.
This update completes my launch roadmap for the game. Everything I planned will be released with this DLC launch. This also means a break from Midnight Files. The game won't receive new content in the near future – bug-fixing updates will still appear, but new cases or DLC won't be coming for a while.
I have ideas in the back of my mind, like a VR version – I think Midnight Files would make a pretty good VR title. I'm also constantly thinking about new locations and cases. However, these things will have to wait a bit.
This launch taught me a lot. I'd like to take that knowledge and apply it to something new, something fresh. That's why I can now announce that I'm starting work on a new game – something completely different.
Thanks for your support, and see you in Forest Lake!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Rolling out another round of improvements based on your feedback!
Camera & Notepad toggle mode - Added a new option in settings to switch between hold and toggle modes for the camera and notepad. Toggle mode lets you click once to activate and click again to deactivate, instead of holding the button. Default remains hold mode, but now you can choose what works best for you!
Translation improvements - Fixed various missing and incorrect translations throughout the game.
Screen flicker resolved - Fixed a bug causing black screen flickering under specific lighting conditions.
In-game menu camera bug fixed - Resolved an issue where the player camera would move when moving the cursor in the in-game menu. The camera now properly stays locked as intended.
Various minor fixes - Several other small improvements and bug fixes.
The update is live now. These improvements are possible because of your feedback - keep it coming!
If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
This is the moment I've been working towards - the first major content update from the roadmap is here!
What started as a carefully planned heist has left one person dead and a priceless artifact missing. Multiple suspects, conflicting evidence, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.
This case will challenge your detective skills with:
A detailed crime scene to investigate
Complex evidence requiring careful analysis
Multiple suspects with their own motives
The MCPD database holding crucial connections
Your mission: Solve the murder and recover the stolen artifact.
Save system improvements - Various fixes and optimizations to the save system and Steam Cloud functionality for a smoother experience.
The update is live now! This is the first milestone from the November roadmap, and I'm excited to hear what you think about this new investigation.
If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing and for your incredible support!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
This is a big one! I'm excited to announce a major update that adds one of the most requested features - a proper save system. You can now start a case and return to it whenever you want!
Save system implemented - The feature you've been asking for! You can now start an investigation and come back to it later. The game automatically saves when you leave the office (returning to menu or exiting the game). Note: You can have one active case at a time - starting a new case will overwrite your previous save.
Steam Cloud support added - Your saves are now backed up to Steam Cloud, so you can continue your investigations on any computer.
Notepad zoom feature - You can now zoom in on your notepad for better readability. Perfect for reviewing your notes and seeing all the details clearly.
Chess minigame added - Need a break from investigating? You can now play a game of chess in the detective's office. Sometimes the best insights come after clearing your mind!
Notepad text overflow fixed - Resolved the bug that caused text to spill outside the notepad boundaries.
Various bug fixes - Several other improvements and fixes to polish the experience.
The update is live now and will download automatically. This is a significant step forward for the game, and I hope it makes your detective experience even better! If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Today's update is especially important to me. I recently received feedback from a player experiencing motion sickness, and I want to address this properly. If you're facing similar issues or have any concerns, please don't hesitate to start a discussion thread - I read everything and work on solutions for the next updates.
Accessibility settings added - This is crucial! Players suffering from 3D motion sickness can now disable camera sway and increase the comfort vignette (the radial darkening effect that helps focus vision on the screen center). These options should make the experience much more comfortable.
Evidence completion tracker - When you've collected all evidence at a scene, a note will automatically appear in your notepad letting you know there's nothing left to find and it's time to head back to the office. No more wondering if you missed something!
Persistent player notes - Notes you add to your notepad now carry over to the office. You can reference them throughout your investigation instead of losing them when you leave the scene.
More photos per difficulty level - Increased the number of available photos for each difficulty setting, giving you more evidence to work with.
The update is live now. I genuinely wish I had been contacted through the discussion boards about the motion sickness issue - I could have addressed it sooner and prevented a negative experience. Please, if something bothers you or makes the game uncomfortable, reach out in the discussions. I'm always listening and ready to help.
If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing and for your patience!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Day 2 and I'm back with another update! Your feedback has been invaluable in helping me identify what needs polishing. Today's patch focuses on making the tutorial much more effective and fixing some annoying issues.
Tutorial system completely revamped - This is the major change! The tutorial now provides clearer explanations of the game mechanics and better guides you through how investigations should be conducted. It now appears center-screen, pauses other activities, and requires holding a button to dismiss - ensuring you don't accidentally skip crucial information.
Tutorial auto-disable after first case - I noticed many players weren't turning off the tutorial after completing their first case, causing it to pop up repeatedly. Now it automatically disables after you finish your first investigation. You can still manually enable it from the case selection screen if needed.
Notepad input bug fixed - Resolved an issue where adding a note could cause the notepad to hide while text input remained active. This was creating continuous sound effects and invisible text entry. Should be smooth now!
Various minor fixes - Several small improvements and bug fixes to enhance your detective experience.
The update is live now. Keep the feedback coming - it's directly shaping these improvements! If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Thank you for the incredible launch day! Seeing so many of you dive into Midnight Files and share your experiences has been amazing. I've been reading your feedback, and I'm already rolling out the first update to address some issues and add a highly requested feature.
Database search system added - This is the big one! You can now search the police database by entering keywords. The search looks through both file names and their contents, making it much faster to find specific information. No more scrolling through endless entries!
Leaderboard improvements - Fixed the ranking system. Scores of 0 no longer appear on the leaderboard, keeping the rankings clean and competitive.
Pinned notes text display fix - Text in previewed pinned notes now stays within the note boundaries. No more text overflow issues!
Various minor fixes - Several small improvements and bug fixes to polish the experience.
The update is live now and will download automatically. These quick improvements are possible because of YOUR feedback - keep it coming!
If you're enjoying Midnight Files, please consider leaving a review. It helps more detectives discover the game.
Thank you for playing!
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Midnight Files is officially OUT NOW! After months of development and an incredible Steam Next Fest, the full game is finally here and ready for you to play. Thank you to everyone who played the demo, left feedback, and added the game to their wishlists. Your support made this launch possible, and I can't wait to see you dive into the complete detective experience.
Multiple cases to solve - Investigate complex crimes across different locations in Midnight City. Each case brings new challenges and mysteries.
Full investigation toolkit - Use your camera, evidence notebook, flashlight, and detective board to piece together the truth. Every clue matters.
Atmospheric 1980s setting - Experience the tension and atmosphere through detailed environments and authentic period details.
Complete gamepad support - Play comfortably with full controller support, whether at your desk or on the couch.
Your choices matter - How you approach investigations and what conclusions you draw will shape your experience.
This is just the beginning. I'll continue to listen to your feedback and improve Midnight Files based on what you share. Every review, comment, and suggestion helps shape the future of the game. Ready to start your investigation? Midnight Files is available NOW on Steam. Thank you for being part of this journey! Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Thank you so much for all the feedback, reviews, and suggestions during Steam Next Fest! Every comment matters and directly shapes how Midnight Files evolves. I've been reading everything you shared, and I'm excited to show you how much has changed based on YOUR input.
This update brings major improvements to the investigation experience - from a completely redesigned computer interface to a new evidence notebook system. Let's dive into what's new!
Full gamepad support - You asked, I delivered! Midnight Files now has complete controller support. Investigate crime scenes from the comfort of your couch.
New evidence notebook system - The notebook now displays a checklist of things to look for at the crime scene, making investigations clearer and more organized. Plus, you can add your own custom notes (100 characters per note, unlimited notes) to track your theories and observations.
Notebook available in the office - Continue taking notes while analyzing evidence in your office. Perfect for connecting the dots between clues (100 characters per note, unlimited notes).
Redesigned computer interface - The old text-based system was immersive but frustrating for many players. The new graphical interface, inspired by '80s computers, makes navigating the police database much more intuitive and less frustrating.
Flashlight added - No more struggling with details hidden in darkness. Illuminate every corner of the crime scene.
Crouch system - Get closer to ground-level evidence and examine details from new angles.
Photo and paper preview system - Easily preview pinned photos and documents on your detective board. No more squinting at tiny details!
Enhanced photo system - Evidence entries now appear in your notebook even when photos aren't perfect, reducing frustration.
Improved object inspection lighting - Objects are now better lit during inspection, making details clearer.
Increased inspection zoom range - Get even closer to examine evidence thoroughly.
Reduced camera sway - Less movement when standing still for a more comfortable experience.
Detective board strings improvement - Strings now highlight on hover, making connections easier to follow.
Improved case file navigation - Smoother system for browsing through case files in the office.
Notebook keybind changed - Moved from \ to \ for better accessibility.
Updated gameplay hints - Refreshed hint list in the pause menu with clearer instructions.
Fixed a game-breaking bug that occurred when inspecting objects in the office.
Fixed rendering issues causing objects, floors, and walls to become invisible (Intel GPU compatibility).
Resolved display issues with certain Chinese characters.
Fixed gameplay hint display problems.
Improved various translations.
The update is live and ready to download. These changes wouldn't exist without your voices - thank you for helping make Midnight Files better!
If you haven't wishlisted yet, please add Midnight Files to your wishlist. Every wishlist helps bring this detective experience to more players.
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Thank you for every review, comment, and piece of feedback - it directly shapes Midnight Files. Today, October 20, Steam Next Fest ends, and with it the special/extended demo that includes a new case to solve. The standard demo will remain, but without this extra case. More details about the special demo:
If you haven’t played it yet, this is the last chance. Every note helps refine pacing, clarity, and investigation mechanics. Thanks for playing and sharing your impressions! If you like the direction, please add Midnight Files to your wishlist.
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
A new demo prepared specifically for Steam Next Fest is now live. I added an extra case - a brand new crime scene to investigate. The demo includes fresh leads, new evidence and a few puzzles you need to solve to push the case forward.
To reach more players, I added new localizations: Czech, Russian, Ukrainian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional). These languages are available in the game independently of the festival.
Throw strength indicator (darts minigame) - added a bar to help control throw power.
String highlight on the detective board - strings highlight on hover to make linking clues easier.
Detective Camera - improved detection for correctly taken evidence photos.
Translation fixes - corrected text in existing and new localizations.
First-run settings - default sensitivity and volume reduced to make initial setup easier.
UI fixes - small interface tweaks. Added a confirm button for settings to improve clarity.
Minor bugs - various small bugs fixed to improve overall polish.
Thanks for checking it out,
Pawel / Paper Lynx Games
Based on your feedback (thank you so much ❤️), I’ve made several important changes to the Midnight Files demo. These updates touch both the core gameplay and the technical side of the demo.
Difficulty setting - You can now choose a difficulty level in the menu, which directly affects how much time you have to solve the case. Prefer a slower, more methodical investigation? Now you can play that way.
Evidence notebook - While examining the crime scene, all discovered evidence and correctly taken photos are saved to a notebook. It’s easy to check what you’ve already found at any moment.
Demo size - The download has been reduced by ~50% (from 2.7 GB to 1.3 GB).
Reduced visible object popping (improved LODs).
Fixed a bug that allowed interacting with objects through walls.
Added a visual focus indicator in the camera-see exactly where the focus is.
Database printouts now include the file name in the header.
Clearer investigation flow-refined messages and hints (including new ones related to the notebook).
Several other small tweaks and polish.
The update is live and ready to download. I hope you’ll enjoy the changes!
Paper Lynx Games (Pawel)
The new Midnight Files Demo is now live. This is the biggest update since the start of the project – a pivot that finally gave the game its true direction. Instead of just reading piles of case files, you now get a proper investigation: from entering the crime scene, to collecting evidence, analyzing it, and finally identifying the suspect and the location of the next crime.
Item inspection – Evidence can be rotated and examined, just like in classics such as Resident Evil. Many clues aren’t visible at first glance – you need to carefully turn objects around to spot hidden details.
Photography – Taking a photo isn’t just clicking a button. Composition and focus matter – a well-framed and focused shot gives you a full, detailed description. Poorly done photos might only result in a basic note, or nothing at all.
Connecting evidence – A single item often doesn’t mean much, but when combined with another, it can reveal a completely new perspective on the case.
Environmental puzzles – Some evidence requires persistence and observation. You’ll need to open things, move objects, or notice subtle details. Simply “scanning the room” won’t be enough.
Streamlined case files – No more walls of text. The case files now only include notes from the evidence you’ve found and the photos you’ve taken.
Investigation board – All notes and photos can be pinned, moved around, and connected to build the bigger picture of the investigation.
MCPD database – Search has been improved with auto-completion and a history of entered commands, so you don’t have to type everything from scratch.
Time pressure – The old random events that disrupted investigations are gone. Now the only real pressure is time. You have from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM to solve the case.
Brightness setting – Adjust brightness for better visibility in darker areas.
Graphics presets – Quick options for different performance levels.
Performance improvements – Example from my PC: in the office scene on High settings, FPS jumped from ~180 to ~250 (RTX 3080 Ti).
This demo is meant to show the full gameplay loop and the atmosphere I’ve been aiming for since the beginning. Thanks so much for supporting the project – I’m building this solo, and your feedback is what helps me refine it further. Let me know what works and what still needs fixing. Every opinion matters.
Paper Lynx Games (Pawel)
About
This page aggregates Steam news feeds, patch notes, and developer announcements for Midnight Files: THE NOIR CUT, 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 Midnight Files: THE NOIR CUT 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.