- Fixing an issue where if you saw the W,N ending a 2nd time, a portion of it would be super dark
- Fixing some typos. "It's" is a villain.
- Fixing an issue that would prevent from appearing
- Fixing insanely rare but technically achievable collision issue in the final section
- Fixed bug with the content warning not showing correctly for first time launch
- Some optimizations and memory reduction improvements
[ 2025-03-13 21:42:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
I. THANK YOU FOR A GREAT LAUNCH
THANK YOU to everyone who snagged a copy of DEAD LETTER DEPT. and for leaving your reviews. This launch blew my expectations quite out of the water, and DEAD LETTER DEPT. has managed to achieve the 'Overwhelmingly Positive' trait with over 600+ reviews from you amazing folks. So seriously, holy @#$% THANK YOU!
,,,,,, ,,,,,,
II. DAY OF THE DEVS: SF EDITION
DEAD LETTER DEPT. was lucky enough to sneak itself into the next upcoming Day of the Devs event. Happening this weekend, March 16th, this particular one is paired right next to GDC. It's open to the public and attendance is FREE. If you're close to the SF area and want to check out a bunch of weird interesting indie developed games, it's worth a peak (Even though it's paired with GDC you don't have to be a developer to attend this event). I took this opportunity to finally get the Steam demo build updated so it'll now has some of the accessibility and mouse features that were added since the original 2022 demo. (I'm also going to add the Linux version of the demo today while I'm at it) ,,,,,, ,,,,,,
III. THE STEAM SPRING SALE
DEAD LETTER DEPT. is currently on sale again for the annual Steam Spring sale, running from March 13th thru the 20th. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1627350/Dead_Letter_Dept/ ,,,,,, ,,,,,,
IV. DEAD LETTER DEPT. SOUNDTRACK
The soundtrack is well under way. I'm aiming to arrange it in a style that tells a good story & blurs some moments of the game into it here and there. I'm looking to release it initially through Bandcamp & Steam. I'm also investigating putting out a one-shot VINYL edition- that's not a thing I'm not expecting to be necessarily a high demand item (it's more a personal goal/curiosity of mine), BUT hey IF YOU WANT VINYL please reply to this and LET ME KNOW, as having a head count drastically changes the math I'm looking at. ,,,,,,, ,,,,,, That's all for the moment. Thank you all again, I'll make another Steam post when the soundtrack approaches its release. -Mike
[ 2025-03-13 17:00:55 CET ] [ Original post ]
DEAD LETTER DEPT. + BLOOD TYPERS TEAM UP TO CREATE THE 'BLOODY KEYS' BUNDLE
Belief Engine & Outer Brain Studios have teamed up to create the 'Bloody Keys' Steam bundle, where you can nab both DEAD LETTER DEPT. + Blood Typers, both iconic new horror typing games, for a discount. The game Organ Quarter, also by Outer Brain Studios, is one of my personal favorite VR horror games ever. So it's a big honor to be able to make this bundle with them on their brand new release Blood Typers.
What is Blood Typers?
TYPE TO KILL in this survival horror adventure, played entirely with your keyboard. Blast zombies, manage your inventory, and work together to survive and escape. Choose from a roster of characters then plan your escape from this bloody homage to old school horror. But remember... death is just a typo away. In singleplayer or 1-4 player co-op, you find yourself trapped in a procedurally generated movie campus as it warps into a nightmare. Manage its limited resources right or you might not make it through the night Check out the 'Bloody Keys' Bundle here: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/50718/Bloody_Keys/
[ 2025-02-24 22:34:18 CET ] [ Original post ]
- Hot fixing a critical issue preventing native Linux build from launching correctly if you have updated glibc to v2.41 (which apparently broke a lot of backwards compatibility, and fun fact was released the same day as DEAD LETTER DEPT.) Steam Forum thread about it here.
- Cloud syncing on Linux should now fully function correctly
- Fixing a rare edgecase issue where entering a Vertical Tab (somehow) in a very very specific circumstance could somehow cause the save data to get corrupted and ultimately reset itself. Also, I learned that Vertical Tabs are apparently a thing, but how you enter one in 2025 is a complete mystery to me (chime in if you're familiar with using these in the modern age).
- Adding an error screen on launch to notify you if the Save Data is corrupted/not loadable, which will give you some options to consider. Mainly added this to catch any other weird circumstances after encountering the crazy Vertical Tab thing. If I'm very lucky nobody will ever see it.
- Fixing the Recommended Controller layout for SteamDeck not showing up correctly
- Fixing minor bug where the Display Resolution setting would get confused and show the wrong entry
- Several other minor polish & fixes
[ 2025-02-13 11:52:26 CET ] [ Original post ]
Patch 1.4
- Entire UI has been all adjusted to now properly layout for all horizontal based aspect ratios instead of clipping off the screen for edge cases like 3:2. Even in the weirdest of ratios it will still try its best.
[ 2025-02-10 22:09:27 CET ] [ Original post ]
Patch 1.3
- Fixed an issue that might have made later parts of the game too dark on some certain setups
- Made the chances of yourself more lenient
- A bunch of various improvements & minor fixes
[ 2025-02-06 10:10:03 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello Data Conversion Operators. Another new patch is available.
Patch 1.2
- Identified some edgecase situations that could make typing sessions eternal
- Completely patched THE leak in reality that could drop you into a void
- Fixing Mouse Smoothing options and expanding them a bit to 3 settings: YAxis Only, X & Y Axis, and OFF
- Added even lower Mouse Sensitivity floor to hopefully help Data Conversion Operators with high DPI mice
[ 2025-02-04 10:39:23 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello Data Conversion Operators. A new patch is available.
Patch 1.1
- Fixing issues with save data leaking out in unintentional ways if you started a new game.
- Fixing issue with the End Game playtime total calculation.
- Fixing issue with the interactive items in your home not displaying the totally correct dialogue after loading a game
[ 2025-02-03 11:02:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
In 1.0.3
- Fixed a problem that would cause you to suddenly leave your computer and noclip out of reality
PREVIOUSLY
In 1.0.2
- Fixing an issue where the filesystem could use invalid characters and possibly break the game
- Fixing issue where some of the description text for items in your home don't properly reset when starting a new game
1.0.1
- Fixing a video codec issue that would cause some letters to not appear correctly, usually as a complete solid black or solid white object, and basically be unsolvable for users on certain Windows machines. (Please reach out to me ASAP if you find yourself encountering this in version 1.0.1 or higher.)
[ 2025-02-01 01:38:37 CET ] [ Original post ]
Thank you Data Conversion Operators for an intense 1st day. I'm working around the clock to patch up any game-breaking issues.
In 1.0.2
- Fixing an issue where the filesystem could use invalid characters and possibly break the game
- Fixing issue where some of the description text for items in your home don't properly reset when starting a new game
- Adding some support to try and debug an elusive issue where you can suddenly be sent into a 'void' (see this thread for more info), and maybe a band-aid to try and correct for it until it's completely pinned down. This bug haunts me and I will spend the entire day hunting it.
Previously in 1.0.1
- Fixing a video codec issue that would cause some letters to not appear correctly, usually as a complete solid black or solid white object, and basically be unsolvable for users on certain Windows machines. (Please reach out to me ASAP if you find yourself encountering this in version 1.0.1 or higher.)
[ 2025-01-31 21:11:43 CET ] [ Original post ]
Fixing a video codec issue that would cause some letters to not appear correctly, usually as a complete solid black or solid white object, and basically be unsolvable for users on certain Windows machines. Please reach out to me ASAP if you find yourself encountering this in version 1.0.1 or higher.
[ 2025-01-31 03:31:56 CET ] [ Original post ]
Taking a temp job while you get situated in a new city, you are tasked with data-entry-like work of typing up the words and addresses on mail & letters that were not deliverable- due to bad handwriting or other odd reasons. As the days pass, strange stories begin to emerge from the mail, you can't ever shake this feeling you're being watched. [previewyoutube=uCByepaHNyg;full][/previewyoutube] Working in a dingy warehouse, isolated from anyone and everyone, your only connection to the outside world are glimpses of letters that couldn't reach their destination. As time goes on, working conditions become questionable and dreamlike. Oddities and cracks begin to appear. Making money for rent is important, but at what cost.
- USE YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARD to type in various prompts, and attempt to decipher damaged images
- MULTIPLE ENDINGS & buried secrets to uncover
- NO TWO PLAYTHROUGHS are exactly the same
- A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MAIL to voyeur through, and catch glimpses into other lives
- ATMOSPHERIC HORROR MOOD with rich sound designed to crawl under your skin
[ 2025-01-30 17:58:26 CET ] [ Original post ]
DEAD LETTER DEPT. ARRIVING JANUARY 30TH FOR
WINDOWS + LINUX / STEAM OS
It's a long story really. What began as a casual investigation into making sure the game functionally runs on Steam Deck, turned into: 'Oh, the game appears to run surprisingly well on Linux???' Frankly I anticipated random filesystem explosions and graphical razorblades to have to solve for this, like with any port. But nope? It's been tested on 4 different distros (Zorin, Arch, Ubuntu, and the SteamOS of course) and appears to run pretty identical to its Windows counterpart. So I think that's cautiously optimistic enough results to try.
Frankly making a Linux version automatically solves a MASSIVE GAMEBREAKING VIDEO CODEC issue if the game would be run under Proton (on the Steam Deck), so I might as just publish a Linux version.
I realize the Linux user demand for this game isn't necessarily huge (to be fair I haven't listed it as Linux supported yet either), but I'm willing to give it a fair shot. Linux fascinates and terrifies.
[ 2025-01-20 19:39:34 CET ] [ Original post ]
[previewyoutube=p7KFd_WxOlM;full][/previewyoutube]
It's been a strange & difficult path but it is with great pleasure I'm able to announce DEAD LETTER DEPT. is finally going to be arriving on STEAM, this month on January 30th.
Taking a temp job while you get situated in a new city, you are tasked with data-entry-like work of typing up the words and addresses on mail & letters that were not deliverable- due to bad handwriting or other odd reasons. As the days pass, strange stories begin to emerge from the mail, you can't ever shake this feeling you're being watched.
Working in a dingy warehouse, isolated from anyone and everyone, your only connection to the outside world are glimpses of letters that couldn't reach their destination. As time goes on, working conditions become questionable and dreamlike. Oddities and cracks begin to appear. Making money for rent is important, but at what cost.
Please do me a favor if you can and do share DEAD LETTER DEPT. around, whether it be the TRAILER or the STEAM PAGE. And if you are media/a creator and need assets, please check out the presskit and reach out if you need anything.
-Mike
[ 2025-01-09 14:54:19 CET ] [ Original post ]
[previewyoutube=sIyIh7-1P7o;full][/previewyoutube]
Thank you for your patience all this time. I'm happy to finally present the new full trailer for DEAD LETTER DEPT. to celebrate the game coming close to being completed. Let me know what you think.
DEAD LETTER DEPT. is an experimental typing horror game experience, placing you as a transplant moving to a new city working in a temp job- helping to transcribe undelivered mail that failed automated computer recognition. Whether because the mail was damaged, the handwriting was illegible, or something worse. Working in a dingy warehouse, isolated from anyone and everyone, your only connection to the outside world are glimpses of letters that couldn't reach their destination.
You use your computer keyboard to type in various prompts presented, and attempt to decipher damaged images. As time goes on, working conditions become questionable and dreamlike. Oddities and cracks begin to appear. Making money for rent is important, but at what cost.
PLEASE THE ALGORITHM ELDRITCH LORDS BY WISHLISTING NOW
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1627350/Dead_Letter_Dept/
Stay tuned,
-Mike
[ 2024-10-24 18:15:33 CET ] [ Original post ]
After what feels like ages, the game is in the final stages of development, so look forward to a bunch more announcements & details coming soon. Thank you for your patience.
In the meantime, a new trailer for DEAD LETTER DEPT. will be revealed at the 2024 Indie Horror Showcase, which will air live on October 24th.
[previewyoutube=HoElAQR2iaE;full][/previewyoutube]
[ 2024-10-08 18:29:58 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello. The demo for DEAD LETTER DEPT has been patched to fix a couple odd bugs that might soft-lock the game in bizarre un-intended ways. While DEAD LETTER DEPT is admittedly mysterious on purpose, if you find the game locking up or no longer responsive to keyboard input, please report it via the Steam forums.
[ 2022-10-05 20:40:07 CET ] [ Original post ]
. is participating in Steam's NextFest all this week from October 3rd-10th.
Come and try out the demo and sample the atmospherics for this October- the greatest month in the world. Then tell all your friends with physical bodies to do the same. Make sure to do it within 7 days. Finally, feel free to leave any feedback in the Steam forums or through the private survey form here. Happy typing!
[ 2022-10-03 16:46:10 CET ] [ Original post ]
I'm happy to announce that the demo for . is now available to check out on Steam for PC!
The demo is an updated version of the early demo released via the Haunted PS1 Demo Disc: Spectral Mall compilation. It contains:
- New content
- Key rebinding
- Bug fixes to some particularly weird situations
Incidentally it will also be participating in the Steam Next Fest next week, October (3rd-10th)
Next Fest, if you're unaware, is now a sort of heavily ranked sort of situation to get to the top of the list (or at least to not be buried 200 clicks deep), so please tell a friend or 5 you think would be interested in . during Next Fest, and help keep it out of sinking into the pit.
Additionally if you have any feedback
(love or hate, give it here), I want to know it. Feel free to post it in the Steam forums or you can use this private survey form and unload it there.
[ 2022-09-30 16:00:46 CET ] [ Original post ]
🕹️ Partial Controller Support
🎮 Full Controller Support
- [0 B]
AFTER MOVING TO THE BIG CITY
you got yourself an apartment, and secured a temp data entry job- just to keep you afloat till something better comes along. YOUR OFFICIAL TITLE IS A DATA CONVERSION OPERATOR, but you're really more like a warm body who types up all the junk computers still can't read.
D A Y - T O - D A Y
you go to work & process the images displayed on your terminal, and type up whatever random text is in front of you. Whatever can be made out, that is.
Sometimes the mail you receive is a little strange- letters and lost mail, some mangled and twisted, that have travelled from place to place with nowhere else to go.
Sometimes, it feels like it's talking to you directly through the screen...
USE YOUR KEYBOARD to type in various prompts, and attempt to decipher damaged images
MULTIPLE ENDINGS & buried secrets to uncover
NO TWO PLAYTHROUGHS are exactly the same (Estimated playtime: 120min per run)
A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MAIL to voyeur through, and catch glimpses into other lives
ATMOSPHERIC HORROR MOOD with rich sound designed to crawl under your skin
Mouse & Keyboard are REQUIRED
Key re-binding is available, but a keyboard with Function Keys and Control Keys (Insert, Page Up/Page Down) is strongly recommended.
Featured in the HauntedPS1's Spectral Mall Demo Disc collection
M̶O̶R̶E̶ ̶T̶O̶ ̶C̶O̶M̶E̶...
- OS: Tested on Zorin. Ubuntu. SteamOS. Arch Linux
- Processor: Intel CPU Core i3 or AMD equivalentMemory: 8 GB RAMStorage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required
- Memory: 8 GB RAMStorage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required
- Storage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required
- OS: Zorin. Ubuntu. SteamOS
- Processor: Intel CPU Core i7 or AMD equivalentMemory: 16 GB RAMStorage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required
- Memory: 16 GB RAMStorage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required
- Storage: 3 GB available spaceAdditional Notes: Keyboard & Mouse required