From Steam Demo to Next Fest: Our Journey Continues!
From Steam Demo to Next Fest: Our Journey Continues!
Hello everyone! 👋
We’re incredibly excited to share everything we’ve been working on since releasing the demo for Hollow Stories: Lockdown on Steam. The feedback has been amazing, and we’ve been busy implementing improvements and polishing the experience.
But first, the big news…
🚀 We’re Joining Steam Next Fest 2026!
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Hollow Stories: Lockdown will be featured in Steam Next Fest! This is a huge milestone for our small Mexican indie studio, and we can’t wait to showcase what we’ve been building to the global gaming community.
What to Expect During Next Fest:
🔴 Live Developer Streams
Join us for behind-the-scenes looks at development, Q&A sessions, and live gameplay demonstrations. We’ll be sharing insights into our creative process and answering your questions!
🎮 Content Creator Collaborations
We’ve partnered with amazing streamers and content creators who will be playing Hollow Stories: Lockdown live during Next Fest. Watch them experience the horror firsthand!
🎬 Exclusive Developer Showcases
Special presentations highlighting the game’s unique neo-retro mechanics, noir storytelling, and the challenges of developing a survival horror game as a Mexican indie studio.
🎁 Special Announcements
Stay tuned for exciting news and reveals during Next Fest. We have some surprises in store that we can’t wait to share with our growing community!
📋 What We’ve Been Working On
Here’s a breakdown of all the updates and improvements we’ve made since the demo release:
February 3, 2026 - Shadow VFX Improvements
🎨 Visual Enhancement
We’ve enhanced the shadow visual effects throughout the game, creating a more immersive and atmospheric horror experience. The lighting now reacts more dynamically to player movement and environmental changes.
February 2, 2026 - Save Room Visibility
💡 Quality of Life
Based on player feedback, we’ve improved the lighting in save rooms to make them easier to spot. We also redesigned the computer layout for better usability during those tense moments.
February 1-2, 2026 - Camera & Achievement System
🏆 New Features
Implemented new camera mechanics and integrated Steam achievements! Players can now unlock achievements through in-game photography and exploration. More achievements coming soon!
January 31, 2026 - First-Person View System
🎯 Gameplay
Updated and refined the FPS aiming mechanics. The transition between fixed camera exploration and first-person aiming is now smoother, giving players more control during combat situations.
January 30, 2026 - Save System & UI Revamp
🔧 Technical
Added the ability to erase save slots and prevented selection of empty slots in the load menu. The entire load menu has been revamped with a cleaner, more intuitive interface.
January 29-30, 2026 - Camera & Animation Polish
🎮 Polish
Extensive editing and polishing of demo cameras for better cinematic flow. Fixed input action mappings and prevented weapon-switching mid-animation glitches that caused awkward character movements.
January 28, 2026 - Environment & Materials
🎨 Assets
Updated textures throughout the police station, adjusted bathroom scales, added blood decals in strategic locations, and improved material quality for a more immersive 90s noir atmosphere.
January 27-28, 2026 - Menu & Inventory Fixes
🔧 UI/UX
Fixed button issues in the map menu, resolved inventory bugs, and added a generic confirmation popup system for better player feedback during critical actions.
January 26, 2026 - Main Menu Redesign
🎨 Visual
The main menu now features a completely new look that better represents the dark, noir atmosphere of Hollow Stories: Lockdown. More intuitive navigation and visual polish throughout.
January 23-26, 2026 - Multi-Language Support
🌍 Localization
Spanish and Portuguese translations are now fully integrated! We’ve gathered and translated hundreds of text entries throughout the game. The localization system is live and ready for more languages in the future.
January 23, 2026 - Leg Attack Cinematic
🎥 Cinematics
Successfully integrated the leg attack cinematic into gameplay. This dramatic sequence adds tension and showcases the brutal reality of the world players are navigating.
January 23, 2026 - Lever Mechanics & New Assets
🔧 Polish
Implemented a new lever animation and interaction system. Added broken wall assets to create more dynamic environmental storytelling and path progression.
🎮 Try the Demo
If you haven’t played the demo yet, now is the perfect time to jump in and experience the neo-retro horror of Hollow Stories: Lockdown!
💬 Join Our Community
We’re building Hollow Stories: Lockdown with passion and dedication. Your support means everything to us as we continue to grow and improve the game.
🙏 Thank You
To everyone who has supported us, played the demo, shared feedback, and believed in our vision – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to share more of Hollow Stories: Lockdown with you.
Stay tuned for more updates, and we’ll see you at Steam Next Fest! 🎮
Hollow Sense Team
Crafting horror from the heart