- Dead Detention 1.8 - 9 October 2026
This patch improves the plot token system while using a Gamepad, tweaks some character sprites, and further polishes the script.Patch NotesPlot TokensA magnifying glass icon now shows when a hidden plot token is present on the screen.While using a gamepad, the cursor doesn't show when a plot token is present until it's moved first.Character SpritesDr. miller: Moved her smile pose onto yellow card.Red: Moved her closed eyes pose onto red card.Sora: Redrew her frown and smile poses, moved her smile pose onto yellow card, moved her bat pose onto red card, made her phone pose orange, moved her shocked pose onto newspaper and removed the color from her bat hold pose. Also fixed her chin looking wonky on some poses.Naomi: Moved her hold phone pose onto newspaper, and her smile pose onto yellow cardMax: Removed color from his sweat pose, moved one of his bat hold poses onto cardboard and redre…
- Dead Detention 1.7 - 7 May 2026
Version 1.7 of Dead Detention is out now! This is a small update, but it makes some really important improvements to the script--it polishes lots of dialogue, further beefs up all the character arcs and improves some of the sequencing. It also makes a few additional visual improvements--especially to the night time sequences! (Which look so much nicer now!!)You can check out the full patch notes below....Patch NotesScript and SequencingPolished, rewrote and shuffled around lots of dialogue to improve flow, strengthen character arcs, and cut down on exposition. The main scenes that were improved are:Meeting the other survivors.All of Dr. Okaby's and Dr. Miller's scenes together.The Episode 5 ending.Added some extra sounds, screen shakes and onomatopoeia bubbles.Fixed the "obviously" typo that was introduced in v1.6 (whoops!).Double hyphens are now used to represent em dashes.VisualsScrib…
- Dead Detention 1.6 - 6 December 2025
Version 1.6 of Dead Detention is out now! This is a small update that backports some new features and tweaks from one of my new games currently in development--namely a dialogue box closing animation--but I also took the opportunity to refine the writing and visuals a bit more! You can check out the full patch notes + the updated trailer below...Patch NotesInstructionsInstructions on how to play have been added to the start of Episode 1. These explain the controls and how to beat microgames.Writing and SequencingRewrote and polished lots of dialogue.All three character arcs have been strengthened.Added a few more jokes and punched up some existing ones.Lots of small adjustments have been made to improve pacing and sequencing.Fixed some grammatical errors.MicrogamesAdded a new microgame to Episode 4 that happens during a short new scene.Improved the Episode 5 microgame where you have to…
- Dead Detention Version 1.5 - 23 August 2025
Version 1.5 of Dead Detention is out now! It features improved Gamepad controls, a new unlockable extra, QOL updates, and lots more! It's also 70% off for the next two weeks!This will be the final major update for the game (though I'll continue to fix any bugs or issues that pop up, of course), so I've gone through and updated the Steam page to show what the game looks like now, too.Patch NotesRedesigned Microgames for GamepadsAlmost all the microgames have had tweaks and redesigns to make them work as well with Gamepad buttons and joysticks as they do with a mouse.Other Microgame ImprovementsImproved ClaritySome small adjustments were made to some microgames to make their objectives more readable at a glance:Episode 1 and 2: Added a spinning baseball bat to the touch all icons microgame + changed the moving icons microgame to be similar.Episode 5: Added the correct answer faintly to th…
- Update 5 Coming August 23rd! - 4 August 2025
The Final Update for Dead Detention - Version 1.5 - will be released in two weeks on August 23rd! (This will be timed with another sale.) You can try the beta version early by selecting the beta branch from the build options!!My main focus was to improve the Gamepad controls in the microgames, as well as add a final bit of visual polish. Version 1.5 also adds a new unlockable extra called "Microgame Marathon." This mode plays through all the microgames in order with shuffling backgrounds and songs!You can check out the draft of the patch notes early here on the community forums.I've also gone through early and updated the Steam page screenshots and trailer showing what the game looks like now after all five updates. 😊😊😊Until then,Jack
- Dead Detention Version 1.4 - 14 July 2025
Dead Detention Version 1.4 is out now. It includes a new song, a new flashback scene, more arts and crafts theming, plus lots of other tweaks and improvements. It's also 70% off for the next two weeks!Patch NotesStronger Arts and Crafts Visual ThemingPaper PlatesMoved some round background scribbles onto paper plates propped up by randomly colored straws.Some of these plates spin.BackgroundsEach time the background changes, random arts and crafts supplies are placed along the edges.Supplies are also shown randomly around the edges of the screen during scribbles. (Added in 1.41)There are now two more backgrounds that might be chosen instead of cardboard; newspaper and a messy table. (Added in 1.41)Added shadows to the paper sheets. (Added in 1.41)Character StrawsCharacters are now propped up by randomly colored straws taped to them.More Tape and Pins etc.Added tape and pins to the receiv…
- Steam Zombies vs. Vampires Fest 2025! - 26 May 2025
Dead Detention is part of Steam's Zombies vs. Vampires Fest 2025! To celebrate, you can grab the game for 70% off throughout the week long event! You can also grab the soundtrack for 20% off, too. Thanks for playing! More soon, Jack
- Dead Detention Version 1.3 - 12 April 2025
Dead Detention Version 1.3 is out now. This is easily the biggest update yet! It adds stronger arts and crafts visual theming, new visual effects, atmospheric audio, hard mode improvements and better pacing in Episode 5. The game is also 60% for the next two weeks, and the soundtrack is 20% off. Patch NotesMore Arts and Crafts ThemingScissors When characters die, they're now cut up by scissors.UI Added sticky tape to window titles, crosses and other elements. Added bulletin pins to the morality icon, inventory slots and the episode select. Added popsticks to the plot token icons. Added staples to the window description box. Paper particles spawn from clicks in the title screen, and from buttons in-game.Transitions The black cardboard now tears in and out instead of fading.Intro Redesigned the intro screen to have lots of crafting materials.Overlay Effects Paper particles now spawn and b…
- Dead Detention Version 1.2 - 3 March 2025
Version 1.2 of Dead Detention is out now! It features a detailed polish pass across the entire game; mostly focused on refining lots of the visuals. It also features new microgames, more accurate achievement icons, new Steam branding, and other neat improvements. The game is also part of the "Visual Novel Fest" Steam Festival - which just kicked off - and is 40% off for the next two weeks! Patch NotesEpisode 1Microgames Updated "Thinking 1" microgame: Made the placement of lightning bolts further apart. Updated "Running" Boss Minigame: It now only gets faster once, until it repeats in Episode 5.Visuals Added a yellow, patterned background to all the times Max gets an idea. Improved the shading on Max when he erases from the blackboard. Added heart bubbles to Naomi hugging Sora. Made Max fully blue when grabbing Sora. When Sora escapes from Max's grasp, Max is now silhouetted, with a dif…
- Dead Detention Version 1.1 - 17 January 2025
Version 1.1 of Dead Detention is available now! This first major update features many improvements, fixes and tweaks. The biggest update is the improved performance - which fixed several issues with the texture pages. It plays so much smoother now. Check out the full patch notes below: Patch NotesImproved PerformanceMany sprite groups have been reorganised, and some larger ones placed onto separate pages, lessening or removing the small load times or freezes when they'd display. These include: Characters Scribbles Microgames Windows Main MenusMain Menus Changed the new game button to display Naomi instead. Updated all the Episode select buttons to display different scribbles that cover the whole sprite. An error sound plays when trying to select a locked episode or locked extra.Character Design RefinementMax Shaded face on closed eyes pose. Improved bragging pose.Sora Improved face on b…
- Patch 1.06 - 15 October 2024
Minor Fixes and Improvements Lowered texture page size for faster sprite loading Fixed "Dai" surname inconsistencies in the character bios Wrote a different final dialogue line to better reflect the themes of the story Balancing Made the boxing minigame *slightly* easier in hard mode
- Patch 1.05 - 13 October 2024
Minor Fixes Fixed some alt dialogue not displaying Fixed the Library plot token showing after the fire starts Fixed the boss shadow's right leg missing texture Episode 4 Developed the ending scenes further Episode 5 Improved the bike crash scribble Improved the kill together scribble Expanded the Sora death dialogue + added some sounds Added a sad version of the game complete theme to the bad ending
- Patch 1.04 - 13 October 2024
Writing Fixed "fire escape" typo in episode 5 Fixed "see ya" typo in episode 6 Changed "Mum" to the American form ("Mom") Added some alt dialogue to reflect previous choices Settings Added a gamepad rumble setting UI The faces on the moral choice bars are positioned more centered Fixed the cursor not showing after finishing the boss rush with a gamepad or keyboard Episode 1 Improved the library fire scribble Add some more camera shakes Episode 2 Added paper outlines around the vent's nails, and they fade in nicer Fixed the edges being cut off slightly in the Max's phone scribble + fixed the white specs in the night alts Episode 3 Max and Naomi blush for a moment when they hold hands Episode 4 Escape boss sequence improved: added them screaming before the run microgame + the boss scribble changes once complete Fixed the boss showing their edge when bobbing up and down Expanded Max promis…
- OUT NOW! - 11 October 2024
My comedy/adventure visual novel "Dead Detention (Rescribbled)" is out now! It features.... 6 Episodes 3 Endings 15 Songs 3 Difficulties (Including an unlockable Hard Mode) Dozens of Microgames LOTS of scribbles Several extras to unlock (such as secret lore and a boss rush mode) Make sure to get it now to take advantage of the 10% off launch discount! Happy Halloween! Jack
- OUT OCTOBER 11TH! - 7 October 2024
Hey everyone! DEAD DETENTION is releasing this Friday - on October 11th! (Just in time for Halloween!) It features 6 episodes, 3 endings, 15 songs, 5 unlockable extras, 10 achievements, dozens of microgames, and a LOT of scribbles! Make sure to wishlist the game and try the demo of Episode 1 if you haven't already! The game is so crazy, but it has a really deep, sneaky sadness beneath it all... I think it's all come together really cool. Happy Halloween, Jack
