It's been a busy year. Seven months have passed since we released the alpha demo on Steam, and many aspects of the game have changed drastically since then. We appreciate all your support and feedback. Thanks to this, we are now removing the demo to make room for a new, improved version, which is very close to the quality of the final product. We are also going to refresh the Steam page to make it more appealing and provide better clarity on the entire Numb - Just Dont Think About It experience. Expect an update in the coming weeks.

[ 2024-05-22 11:41:57 CET ] [ Original post ]

Over the past few months, a significant effort has been directed towards making every aspect of Numb coherent and cohesive. It's been a journey of meticulously crafting the art style, ensuring it not only creates the right atmosphere but also aligns seamlessly with the gameplay. [previewyoutube=f7xA_qyfakc;full][/previewyoutube] A key aspect of this endeavor was the implementation of dithering, a technique used to create texture and gradients in pixel art. The choice was not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ability to subtly conceal elements beyond the player's immediate reach, enhancing the game's mysterious and immersive environment.
The game's menu underwent a comprehensive overhaul. I redesigned each tab to be stylistically consistent and to accommodate the final system features that were in development. This was an essential step in ensuring that every element of the game felt integrated and intuitive to the player.
I've also reorganized the game elements to ensure clarity and sharpness, but only when the player is in close proximity to them. This approach adds a layer of depth and discovery, encouraging players to explore and interact closely with the game world.
In non-development-related news, some publishers have shown interest in Numb. I'm currently discussing a couple of potential deals, which could help in increasing Numb's marketing reach - discoverability is a real pain in the a** for any indie dev without a budget. If you want to help, consider following Numb on social media and spreading the news to any moody friend of yours looking to make their day worse by playing Numb. - Walter

[ 2024-01-24 15:57:39 CET ] [ Original post ]

We have updated the demo build of Numb to provide a better user experience with fewer distractions on the interface side of things.

Changelog:

• The interface now aligns with the progression of the storyline:
  • The bullet bar is not shown until the gun is obtained
  • The courage bar has been hidden
• Some features that are supposed to be activated later in the plot have been removed to avoid confusion, such as:
  • The ability to close one's eyes to escape dangers
  • The ability to crouch
• Hazards in the last part of the demo have been repositioned to teach the player the shooting mechanic, requiring them to load and fire to progress, thus avoiding the sense of frustration many encountered when unable to complete the demo
• It is now easier to escape from the unknown and return home
• Fixed some issues related to auto-movement in scripted sections
• Rebalanced sanity consumption to make it more fair
• Other minor bug fixes

As usual, we invite you to wishlist the game and try out the demo https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458780/Numb__Just_dont_think_about_it/

[ 2023-10-17 17:31:23 CET ] [ Original post ]

As the nature of our creation suggests, we aren't exactly the talkative type. Nonetheless, if you're interested in seeing Numb in the making, follow us as we work on it and feel free to ask us anything during the stream. Play the demo and wishlist https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458780/Numb__Just_dont_think_about_it/

[ 2023-10-13 21:19:42 CET ] [ Original post ]

useless, unusable, irrecoverable, superfluous, vain, excessive, ineffective, unproductive, fruitless. just don't think about it JUST DON'T THINK ABOUT IT just DON'T think ABOUT it jUsT dOn'T tHiNk AbOuT iT If you are intrigued, please consider adding Numb to your wishlist https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458780/Numb__Just_dont_think_about_it/

[ 2023-10-09 18:37:27 CET ] [ Original post ]

Dear Steam community, We are pleased to announce that the demo for 'Numb - Just dont think about it' is now live. This early access lets you get acquainted with the game before it's showcased in the upcoming Steam Next Fest. The demo comes with significant improvements compared to the original Itch.io one, and provides you a snippet of the game's environment and narrative, offering a taste of the atmosphere we've been crafting. As you venture through the demo, you'll begin to uncover a small portion of the mysteries that Numb's apartment complex holds. The demo can be downloaded directly from the Steam store page by clicking the 'Download' button. Your feedback is important to us, so feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the Numb community forum section here on Steam. We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing more about the world of Numb during the Next Fest. Thank you, the Empty Bottle team https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458780/Numb__Just_dont_think_about_it/

[ 2023-10-05 17:05:43 CET ] [ Original post ]

For many people, whether consciously or subconsciously, video games serve as a form of escapism from the drudgery of everyday life. Fast-paced action, loot boxes, and other immediate rewards are easy triggers for releasing dopamine in our limbic system. However, what happens when we shift from a gameplay-centric experience to a narrative-driven one? The story takes the lead and the game demands a conscious effort to be fully appreciated. In an ironic twist, Numb yanks you away from the numbness of most popular games and immerses you in an introspective journey between reality and perception. 'Introspective' is the key here: B, our protagonist, is an ageless, genderless character devoid of backstory - the ideal vessel for your persona. We've created a world where your daily routines are your only lifeline, but even those are filled with hidden dangers. This game explores the complexities of mental health through a lens that is as empathetic as it is unsettling.

Who are we, anyway?

We are Empty Bottle, a collective of seasoned and slightly cynical game developers who grew tired of working on flashy AAA games. We pitched Numb to numerous publishers to increase its scope and be able to work on it full-time. However, in the era of games as a service and an over-saturated indie market, finding an interested investor is a huge struggle - let alone when the game delves deeply into complex topics such as mental health and personal trauma and features a minimalistic, not flashy aesthetic style. As a result, we are working on Numb on the side while carrying on our daily jobs. While our time is limited, we still aim to complete the production of the game before the end of the year and keep you posted about it along the way. Additionally, we do not have any financial resources, and while we do not ask for donations, any funding we receive will alleviate our personal expenses in the creation and promotion of Numb. But the biggest help you can provide us right now is playing the demo, and letting us know your opinion, be it positive or negative. You can try the demo on Itch.io. See you in the comment section, and make sure to leave a review and add Numb to your Steam wishlist. Cheers, - the Empty Bottle team

[ 2023-07-04 17:18:25 CET ] [ Original post ]