- My New Game HarvestCo Is Part of Steam Next Fest! - 15 June 2026
Hey everyone!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
- Midnight Files: The Noir Cut is Out Now - 24 May 2026
Hey everyone!Midnight Files: The Noir Cut is now available.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.A New Noir ModeThe 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 origin…
- Major Update - Improving Investigations, Photos, and Case Flow - 20 May 2026
Hi everyone!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 t…
- "Missing in Forest Lake" - Day 1 Update - Fixes and Improvements - 24 January 2026
Hey everyone!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:Fixes: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.Vehicle improvements: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.New stuff:Added sprint to the DLC map. You can move…
- Update 1.6.01.25 and "Missing in Forest Lake" DLC Release - 17 January 2026
Hey everyone!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.What's new in update 1.6.01.25?Steam Deck and Steam OS SupportThe 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.FSR and DLSS Upscaling OptionsFor those wanting to improve framerate or reduce GPU usage, I've added support for FSR and DLSS upscaling.Interface Improvements:Resident file names now include the district name – easier identification.A marker has been added to the of…
- Input Toggle Mode, Translation Fixes & Quality of Life Improvements - 5 December 2025
Hey, everyone!Rolling out another round of improvements based on your feedback!What's New: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 poss…
- Major Update - New Case Available! Museum Heist Investigation - 28 November 2025
Hey, everyone!This is the moment I've been working towards - the first major content update from the roadmap is here!A brand new case has just been added to Midnight Files.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 investigateComplex evidence requiring careful analysisMultiple suspects with their own motivesThe MCPD database holding crucial connectionsYour mission: Solve the murder and recover the stolen artifact.Also included: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 abo…
- Major Update - Save System, Steam Cloud & New Features! - 12 November 2025
Hey, everyone! 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! What's New: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…
- Accessibility Update - Motion Sickness Solutions & Important Improvements - 8 November 2025
Hey, everyone!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.What's New: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!Pe…
- Day 2 Patch - Tutorial Overhaul & Quality of Life Improvements - 6 November 2025
Hey, everyone! 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. Day 2 Patch - What's New: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…
- Day 1 Patch - Database Search & Important Improvements - 5 November 2025
Hey, everyone! 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. Day 1 Patch - What's New: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 improveme…
- Midnight Files - Now Available! Your Detective Journey Begins Today - 4 November 2025
Hey, everyone!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.What awaits you in the full game: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 suppor…
- Your Feedback Shaped Midnight Files - Major Update Live Now! - 25 October 2025
Hey, everyone! 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! Key Additions: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 theor…
- Thank you for the feedback! Next Fest and the special demo end today. - 20 October 2025
Hey!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
- Special Next Fest update - new case files and localizations. - 12 October 2025
Hey, everyone!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.Added languages: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.Details & minor fixes: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…
- Midnight Files Demo Update - Difficulty Levels, Evidence Notebook & Optimization - 26 September 2025
Hey, everyone!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.Key additions: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).Fixes & improvements: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.D…
- Big changes in Midnight Files – try the new demo today! - 24 September 2025
Hey, everyone!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.Gameplay changes: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’…
