Mindlock - The Apartment news & patch notes

Of course, we’ve also received constructive criticism that helps us continue to improve Mindlock. Opinions on the puzzles differ: Some find the hints appear too quickly, while others would like even more guidance. What’s considered a hard or easy puzzle varies from player to player. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/9a48907cae142659fc692aec120e5fbac1d950e2.jpg As a developer, I’ve always aimed to strike a balance that works for the majority. However, there were two frequently criticized puzzles that have now been revised and simplified:

• Repairing the Clock: You can now make fewer mistakes, and a single error no longer triggers a full restart of the minigame. This should reduce frustration.
• The Flamethrower: Handling has been simplified so you no longer need to open the inventory repeatedly. Additionally, there’s more time to deal with the grabber arms. After all, the battle shouldn’t be fought against the inventory system, but within the story itself.

The update is now available—we’re looking forward to your feedback on these changes!

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Join the Horror at Steam Next Fest!

This week marks our exciting participation in Steam Next Fest! Dive into the early stages of our game through the demo, featuring the voices of Colin and Veloria in both German and English. Enjoy our stunning, original soundtrack and brace yourself for the chilling adventure ahead.

Routines - Official Music Video Out Now!

Have you caught the latest hit from our soundtrack? The official music video for "Routines" is not only catchy but also introduces you to the mysterious owl character. Check it out now! Loved the demo? Connect with us on Discord or follow us on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content and updates. We’re just getting started, and there's much more to come.

Happy Horror, Folks!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2669150/Mindlock__The_Apartment/

Project Planning

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/1788702a5365f928cc7f6ea756fec30be66c6469.jpg The development of Mindlock - The Apartment is divided into monthly milestones, delivered to my publisher, United Soft Media. These milestones form the chronological chapters of the game. Additional tasks include managing the Instagram channel, creating a demo, revisions, and promotional graphics. At the end of each month, I present the next month's concept and receive feedback. The previous milestone is reviewed with significant support from their QA department.

Pros and Cons of Working Solo

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/7fd333bb4c11d45b30d41d83f72280a6284a5499.jpg A key topic is working hours. While I save time on meetings and don’t need a ticketing system, I can't multitask like a team. However, working solo allows direct insight into all areas of the project, easing bug-fixing and making daily work varied. The solitary nature might not suit everyone, but I've always had intrinsic motivation for solo projects since school. Feedback and problem-solving can be challenging without multiple opinions, but my publisher acts as a valuable substitute for colleagues. Their regular feedback and support are invaluable.

Collaboration with United Soft Media

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/0577086db2b4313abd97132786f44c47b0e5d4ad.jpg Throughout development, United Soft Media advises me in weekly meetings, and I can seek feedback anytime. This contact fosters a team spirit. Our shared goal of creating a strong, successful product and potentially even a brand for the global market enhances enjoyment and motivation.

Next...

For anyone interested in learning more about our development processes, I recommend our devlog "My Punk Past and the Musical Journey of "Mindlock" Here we provide insights into the thougs behind the music, fitting to our next devlog about the mindlock theme. Don't forget to add the game to your Steam wishlist and follow us on Instagram.

From Punk Band to Game Developer

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/5822530ae956ce4f2f14aad05d4894eb8d6055ed.jpg My personal journey has always been closely linked to punk. I spent years as the bassist and singer of the band PRANX. A little Easter egg in "Mindlock": An EP cover of my band adorns Colin's wall – a drawing by me that dates back seven years. My punk mindset not only flows into the music but also into questioning our societal system, an attitude that I find reflected in Colin, the main character of "Mindlock."

Colin: A Reflection of Social Critique

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/857fdf2dd666befcb4740ec0904dde3477e1464a.jpg Colin lives the punk mantra "Punk's not dead" with a corresponding poster and a dusty guitar. He questions the system, feels like a cog in the machine, and expresses his dissatisfaction. Over time, however, I have developed a more mature perspective, growth that I also allow Colin to experience. "Mindlock" declares: The world is not just black or white.

The Creation of the Soundtrack

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/e914f90a3134da3bead3b581b9cd762a2d204c8b.jpg Currently, I am working on the soundtrack of "Mindlock," which deliberately has a punk influence but ultimately strikes a calmer tone that captures the game's atmosphere. Markus Zierhofer of AudioCreatures supports me in developing the lyrics and the professional production. My experiences in songwriting and sound design also flow into the background music, which weaves thematic motifs and thus enhances the mood of the game. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/94ec6ff57d1ef731595977e412e5e40f853d8850.jpg Although I still enjoy attending punk concerts and remain loyal to the music, surprisingly, I prefer jazz while working on "Mindlock – The Apartment." A development I did not expect. Interestingly, I now receive support from a film music composer and a game composer, both of whom help fine-tune the soundtrack. Their expertise in film music and game soundtracks adds an additional dimension to the game's musical design.

Behind the Scenes

For anyone interested in learning more about our development processes, I recommend our devlog "Behind Closed Doors: Colin's origins" Here we provide insights into the creation of "Mindlock" and the conception of Colin. Don't forget to add the game to your Steam wishlist.

At the heart of "Mindlock – The Apartment" is a story designed to captivate and surprise the player repeatedly. Other games, like "Return of the Obra Dinn", focus their storytelling on gameplay mechanics. In contrast, "Mindlock" prioritizes a compellingly narrated story to bring out the profound and humorous aspects of the game world, with unexpected twists and multifaceted characters in the best possible way. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/27a20e969b0ff3dba10dcaaba481a65d793cb176.png Throughout the development process, which you can follow in more detail on Instagram, it was important to me to provide players with a maximum variety despite a minimalist adventure control scheme, which mainly consists of walking, examining, and interacting. Players explore not only the present but also Colin's world of thoughts and the memories he gradually rediscovers. These narrative variations differ both in graphic style and gameplay. Especially with the thought processes, it was possible to consistently make Colin's perspective understandable and to make the planning of strategies an experiential aspect. They offer exciting, engaging mini-games that enrich the gameplay. For example, crossing a river requires Colin to meticulously plan each step and choose the best route across the stones to safely reach the other side, or transforming a piece of soap into another object. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/071ee20dda4b7ecf6e3ecc3ad32249f5032a3e42.png Stylistically, the different narrative levels also vary: The present is dark and detailed, as described last month, while memories are sketched and presented in a bright, cloudy tone, fading over time. Colin's thought processes, on the other hand, are graphically abstract and simple, consisting of lines and stick figures. As a solo developer, it was also attractive for time reasons to intentionally design some scenes simply to tell a comprehensive story and offer extensive gameplay. By the way, you can already add the game to your Steam Wishlist! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/1aca3e5d6623b431425daf856901efc701188b82.png

Influences like the "Gorillaz" music videos, cartoon-style video games such as "Sly Raccoon", and Tim Burton's stop-motion films have profoundly shaped my life. My artistic journey began with hand-drawn comics at age 7 and evolved into creating digital graphics on a tablet during my college years. An artist's unique signature is always discernible, even when their projects span various styles. For Mindlock's art style, I intentionally drew heavy inspiration from Tim Burton's distinctive approach. The combination of pale skin tones, abundant black and darkness, intentionally imperfect lines, and cartoon-esque anatomy strikes the perfect balance between eerie and whimsical. This blend is mirrored in the storyline, which infuses serious and somber themes with dry humor, marrying depth with entertainment. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/df19cfa9a2cd2a743b0902cba3dcc9bd51197407.jpg Beyond style, the right technique is crucial to shape spaces as envisioned. I initially used photo templates for the first screens, providing immediate, coherent perspectives and vanishing points. Later, I shifted to using Blender 3D, allowing for more personalized and efficient sizing of tables, cabinets, and objects. Like the photos, the 3D views were reimagined in Mindlock's style, akin to the techniques seen in games like EXIT: Trail of the Griffin. This 3D approach is especially beneficial when designing interconnected spaces with uniformly positioned doors and windows. While some areas are intentionally rough and sketch-like, such as playable memories and thoughts, I've poured a great deal of attention into details elsewhere, notably in the intricate character animations. Focusing on quality over quantity, particularly with animations, is a principle I uphold and regularly showcase on our Instagram channel. I often draw multiple frames for each second to capture fluid, dynamic movements, rather than opting for longer but less impactful animations. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/1f323680312a13bc219c5ae8af6b537bc93f92c8.jpg During the lengthy development process, an artist's style may evolve, often due to improved skill and practice. It's crucial to regularly ensure that all elements cohesively blend into a functional and engaging whole.

It all began in an inconspicuous silence. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt the need to start a small project at home. While drawing, I developed a sketchy style in which I then created a small, chaotic apartment from only a few screens. That’s how the apartment came about. I quickly came up with the perfect basic idea for my project: how would a person deal with their own front door disappearing one morning? It was obvious that this story needed a main character who suffered from inner conflicts and dissatisfaction. I invented Colin Walker, whose deep personality could provide enough material to fill the small apartment with a lot of content and memories. It’s funny what a small stone can sometimes trigger when it starts rolling. Because what was initially planned as a little gimmick gradually developed into a complete game idea with a complex story. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/867a98e06c4ed4393920c4e0f7d169627e20e9d2.png I love it when video games give their players something. A lasting feeling or even some motivation that you carry with you into everyday life. And that’s what I want to create with the story of „Mindlock“! The missing front door simply causes Colin to take the time to look at his own life instead of just blindly keeping it running. It may sound banal, but I think a moment of pause can help many people in all kinds of life situations. Too often, we are stuck in our routines without taking the time to question them consciously. The beauty is that „Mindlock“ is, at its core, a philosophical story for all people. Next month I will take you deeper into the creation of the artwork and the new screenshots. Come with me on a journey through emotional highs and lows – represented in the form of a modern adventure game with great attention to detail, promising countless hours of fun. „Mindlock – The Apartment“ will be released in November / December 2024 in cooperation with United Soft Media (USM). We gladly invite you to introduce the game to your friends. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44735356/c0580b6d2fe4a871c829e8bca2bd05894d0fac65.png