Hey Akuparians! Guess what, its our birthday!, Akupara Games is turning 8 years old and to celebrate, we have put The Darkside Detective on sale for 78% off! Be sure to grab those deals, check out our lovely event page, and check out the sales! Maybe the game youve been waiting for is waiting for you here, with a crisp sale to match. https://store.steampowered.com/sale/akuparagames8thanniversarysale
Also, to celebrate, we will be hosting a multi-hour stream with tons of activities, announcements, and more! Stream is starting at 11:45 PM PDT! We really hope to see you there - and heres to another year of publishing your favorite indie games on the market https://www.twitch.tv/akuparagames - Riv otter

Hey Detectives ! We have a new detective on the force. Theyre a bit small and really really enjoy bread but Im sure well get along great. I expect you both to get along and use your detective skills to solve those unsolved cases out there. We have teamed up with the quacking detective over at Happy Broccoli Games to bring you, the Duckside Detective Bundle which includes both The Darkside Detective and Duck Detective: The Secret Salami at a 15% discount!
Help them both solve the mystery in their hometowns and navigate through twisted information told by witnesses and suspects in their own comedic- I mean serious ways! Check out the bundle here! https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/43383/The_Duckside_Detective

The Darkside Detective - Bug Fix Update v2.66.1626.10816

• The Case Files will flickering any time you enter the Main Menu
• PlayStation Controllers Set up having some of the wrong button images on PC Platforms
• Press to Start Screen not detecting PlayStation Controllers until after input on PC Platforms
• Click to Start Menu Issue using controllers
• The D-Pad occasionally not working in the Main Menus
• Case 7: Santa's Coat having no Hotspot Text in most languages
• Case 9: A Save/Load or Leaving/Re-Entering the Screen causing the Vent Hotspot to layer over the Rat Hotspot
• PS5 Controller not working on most PC Platforms
• Case 4: The Gremlin appearing for a brief second on entering the Evidence Room after already being collected
• PS4 Controller Image showing when using a PS5 Controller on PC Platforms
• Police Car and Loading Screen Text missing on Loading Screens
• The Screen getting really dark when opening the Quit Game Menu from the Main Menu

Bugfixes

• Issue with Dialogue not being in the correct state after Resetting the game, causing softlocks
• Language: How to Play, controller screen layout is inconsistencies between languages
• In Windowed Mode the Cursor doesn't Scale and Items don't Scale with everything else except when dragging them
• Game won't save after completing the second case
• Case 4: Possible to un-light the Nodes in a way you are not meant to
• Case 7: Visual issue with Armelia's Portrait
• Migration Issue with Save Files
• Restarting a Case while Dialogue is on Screen will make Dialogue Choices unable to be interacted with
• Item Hotspots can overlap inventory causing the wrong item to be picked up on smaller screens
• Case 6: Leaving and re-entering a Screen makes the Tapestry Hotspot layer over the shopkeeper's Hotspot

Hey detectives, We have released a patch for Darkside Detective that fixed issues with older save files not being compatible with current DSD1 Builds, fixed issues where saving during a case causes the player to load into an infinite loop, and more. You can read the full patch notes below.

Patch Notes

• Fixed issue with older save files not being compatible with current DSD1 Builds
• Fixed the very slow cursor speed in Cases 6 and 7
• Fixed some hotspot errors in Chinese localisation
• Fixed Unity splash screen showing at the start
• Fixed issue where saving during a case causes the player to load into an infinite loop.
• Fixed issues with being able to interact with minigames and hotspots while the game is paused
• Fixed issues where save/loading would cause items to disappear/reappear incorrectly
• Fixed various visual and audio glitches on save/loads
• Fixed the strange behaviour on the How To Play Menu after completing Case 9
• Fixed various hotspot inconsistencies and placements
• Improvements and minor bug fixes to the menus
• Fixed issue where resetting the game caused the Power Button to show up in the Main Menu on Consoles
• General optimisation and improvements to load times
• Minor bug fixes

Hello everyone! This update fixes an issue that was preventing game progress from saving!

Fixes:

• Cotton candy in the inventory blocked by giant tree hotspot
• Game freezes a little before and after Dialogue Chunks
• Controller Issue related to dragging Items
• Case 5: The sticky tape that's supposed to be in Nigel's lair is not there, and strange portrait visual issue

Fixed the following bugs:

• Black screen on Baits Motel
• No Transition In Between Screens
• if you give emily the milk out of order, the candy shop is closed and you cannot add floss to fountain, breaking case
• Dialogue not refreshing correctly
• Achievements not triggering reliably
• load music carries into cases
• Tape hotspot on table in cave in Loch Mess remains after picking up tape
• Unity splash screen at the start
• Case summary for Tomb Alone is cut short
• Resizing issues going in and out of Windowed Mode
• Issue clicking through Item dialogue while your Cursor is still on the Item
• Various visual and SFX glitches being caused by Save/Load
• You can interact with the Case 1 Minigame when Paused
• You can't click on McQueen for their usual dialogue when in the Shooting Range Screen
• You can interact with the Minigame when clicking through dialogue in the Case 4 Water Pipe Minigame
• You can interact with the final Minigame (Tinfoil Hat) of Case 5 while Paused
• You can interact with the Minigame when clicking through dialogue in the Case 5 Computer Minigame
• There are 2 Screens McQueen will still have Shoes on after the point he takes them off
• You can't click on McQueen for his usual dialogue when in the Spooky Doorway Screen in Case 8
• Can't click on McQueen for dialogue on one of the Screens in Case 2
• The End of Case Music doesn't loop in Case 3
• McQueen's Head does some weird quick movement in Case 4
• The Corridor Hotspot in Holding Cell One not low enough in Case 4
• You can interact with the Wire Minigame while the Game is Paused at the Carpark Screen in Case 4
• Issue when holding down the Mouse to light up all the Arrows at once on the Computer Minigame in Case 5
• SFX Issue after making the Tinfoil Hat in Case 5
• Layering issue with the Lockpick Minigame in Case 6
• You can't click on McQueen when looking in the Dumpster in Case 6
• McQueen's Hotspot doesn't adjust when he is using the Stilts in Case 6
• You can't click on McQueen on any of the outside Graveyard Screens when he is disguised as a Zombie
• There is no Notebook on the Screen during the Final Minigame of Case 6
• You can sometimes get 2 Glyphs to go onto the same section of the Life Ring on the Final Minigame of Case 6
• Using the Mouse to control the Zombie Munch Arcade Game in Case 7 can feel really bad and unresponsive a lot of the time.
• The Zombie Munch Results Screen can get in the way of the Notebook in Case 7
• Faith Invaders issue in Case 7
• Cursor will stay Greyed out if you Pause during the Faith Invaders and Zombie Munch Arcade Games in Case 7
• You can interact with the Faith Invaders and Zombie Munch Arcade Games in Case 7 when Paused
• Another small issue with the Faith Invaders Arcade Game
• 2 small issues with the Jump Rope in the Toy Store Screen in Case 7
• One of the Vent Hotspots takes you to the wrong part of the Vent in Case 7
• The Loading Screen doesn't resize to Windowed mode like everything else does
• Another issue with not hearing the traffic SFX on the Carpark Screen in Case 7
• Issue if you Quit Game while in the Space Cutscene in Case 9
• The Cursor disappears for a second or two when clicking on the Used Circuit Breaker in Case 9
• Strange behaviour on the How To Play Menu after completing Case 9
• Shooting Range Gremlin Gunfire Audio kept looping even when they weren't shooting and even when they were knocked out
• The "White Board" Hotspot should be "Whiteboard" on the first Screen of Case 6
• Issue with the Electricity and the 2 Green Lights for a brief second when you enter the Electricity Minigame in Case 2
• Possible tweak to the Computer Puzzle in Case 2
• You can make the Train SFX carry over to other Screens on the Darkside in Case 3
• Delay before the Cursor appears again after progressing the dialogue you get after dropping the Vent on McKing's Car in Case 4
• SFX Issue when you enter Nigel's Cave in Case 5
• On rare instances the Screen can sometimes be half way too high
• Wrong sound plays when going through one of the Church Doors in Case 6
• Weird Head movement in the Zombie Munch Arcade Game in Case 7
• Cursor doesn't stay Greyed out if you replay the Faith Invaders Minigame
• Opening the Pause Menu or Clicking on the Quit Button will start the Zombie Munch Minigame
• If you complete the Zombie Munch game while one of the people are Blue then they will be Blue briefly if you Replay in Case 7
• Using the D-Pad on Controller highlights the Notebook
• Minor adjustment to the Waitress Hotspot in Case 9
• McQueen's Hotspot is mostly unclickable on the Case 6 Mafia Car Screen
• Issue when opening the Options Menu when Dialogue is on the Screen
• You can bring up the Pause Menu in the Quit Game Menu via the Main Menu and get a little blocked

Hey, detectives! There are 13 days left to fund the Dooley and McQueen plushies! Mcqueen is 71% funded and Dooley is 69% funded. If you purchase both the plushies you will get 10% off your order! Remember: In order for these cuties to get shipped out, we need the campaign to reach 100%! https://shop.makeship.com/3Jggm4P While you wait for the campaign to reach 100% (after telling your pals, of course), head on over to your local coffee shop with some pals, and you may see some familiar faces while you grab a bite together. Can you find ALL of the different easter eggs in the art?
-Riv Otter

Hey, detectives! Were teaming up with Makeship to develop Dooley and McQueen plushies! Were thrilled to announce the crowdfunding campaign for Dooley and McQueen plushies with Makeship. Take Dooley and McQueen with you on your own investigations! These plushies have velcro on their hands to hold items like hotdogs, a magical occult book or even each others hands. Pre-orders start now until March 7th! As this is a crowd-funding campaign, in order for these to be made and shipped to you all, the campaign must reach 100%! https://shop.makeship.com/3Jggm4P
-Riv Otter

Hey, detectives! Just chiming in to point that our good friend, the dinosaur you all know and love, Nigel has been funded on Makeship! If you'd like to get your Nigel plush, you have about two weeks from today to round out your purchase! For more details, check in with the Makeship campaign here: https://www.makeship.com/products/nigel-jumbo-plush That's all the news that's fit to print! Enjoy your weekend! -Buddy

Hey, detectives! Hope everyone's enjoying the new case! And keeping your thoughts away from the lizard people by wearing your trusty tin foil hat, like our good friend Nigel! If you'd like a little conspiracy theorist all your own, click this link to take a look at Nigel's fluffy, big foot believing self. Here's how the campaign will work: 1) The campaign runs for three weeks! 2) Once we get 200 orders, the plushes get made! 3) Orders are only open during the campaign and can't be placed once it completes, so get them now! The Nigel plush comes with a copy of the first game free, so if you're itching to find a way to introduce your friends to Darkside Detective, this is a spectacular opportunity. And if you wanna see what makes Nigel so famous in the first place, make sure you come hang out in the Akupara Games Discord this monday at 7PM Eastern/4PM Pacific to watch me stream the Loch Mess case he features in!

Hey, Detectives! Well, well, well, if it isn't new cases coming to The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark. Coming soon, you say? Completely free for all players of the second Darkside game, you say? LIKELY STORY! If you want me to take your story seriously, you're going to need to provide me an alibi. Like a reveal trailer for all three bonus cases! You have that, you say? [previewyoutube=Xs4rLnXwh3c;full][/previewyoutube] Well, I guess your story checks out. Sorry for the inconvenience but you know how we handle things in the Darkside Division. Haphazardly and without a ton of foresight.

Good news Darkside detectives, we've pushed an update to The Darkside Detective!
As you may be aware, we recently released The Darkside Detective on new platforms (e.g. Xbox, PS4, PS5 & Stadia), as well as a sequel called The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark (which is also available on Xbox, PS4, PS5, Switch and Stadia) and as part of that development process, we made a bunch of improvements for stability and performance to the framework we've built for the Darkside series. Now that the game has been out and stable on multiple platforms, we're delighted to bring all that work to the original game. If you've had a fairly frictionless experience playing The Darkside Detective, you shouldn't notice much new, but over the few years the game has been out, some people have experienced bugs, and this new version should address those issues. A complete changelist is:

• More stable save system, fixed many of the issues that in a small number of cases caused issues with saves becoming corrupted
• Added the option to save during gameplay
• Added gamepad control remapping
• Miscellaneous small gameplay fixes and visual improvements
• Improved performance
• Modernised architecture to improve maintainability
• Fixed gating issues in the bonus cases

Hello again, Detectives! It's finally here! You can play The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark right here, right now. Picking up after the events of the first game's final case, A Fumble in the Dark answers all the important questions that have been on all of our minds!

• What's McQueen been doing since Dooley's gone?
• What's Dooley's grandma like?
• How on Earth is there a castle full of Dooleys in Ireland?
• What clown would think it's cool to name himself after a viral rash?
• If Dooley was a luchador, what might that luchador be like?
• What were Dooley and McQueen like in high school?

• Follow us on Twitter!
• Follow us on Instagram!
• Follow us on Facebook!
• Join the Discord!

The Darkside Detective is now available on PS4, PS5, Stadia, and Xbox (compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series S|X.) With the release of The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark on April 15th (next week!) it's a great opportunity for you to head back, check out all nine cases in the first game before returning to Twin Lakes.Grab your trench coat, tune your sixth sense and join the Darkside Division as they investigate the outright bizarre, the downright dangerous and the mildly confusing cases of Twin Lakes. Flesh-hungry tentacles, mafian zombies, and the occasional missing sock are no match for The Darkside Detective. [previewyoutube=V31ASq_uK8g;full][/previewyoutube] Where cultists crawl, where demons dwell, where the occult occults? *ahem* That's where youll find Detective Francis McQueen, the lead investigator of the criminally underfunded Darkside Division. When evil darkens the doorsteps of Twin Lakes City hell, even when it just loiters around shop fronts or hangs out in shady alleyways hes there, ready to investigate the cases that nobody else will. He is The Darkside Detective. The COMPLETE SEASON ONE collection of this multi award-winning comedic serial adventure sees Detective McQueen and his sidekick, Officer Patrick Dooley, investigating cases plaguing Twin Lakes and its colorful citizens. Point at everything in sight, click around mysterious and eerie locations, and use your wits (or borrow a friends) to lay these cases to rest!" Feature List 9 paranormal bite-sized micro cases to investigate around Twin Lakes City, including a Christmas Spectacular Special At least three jokes Cutting edge, high definition pixels One free curse-removal, up to and including mid-level witch hexes Music from Ben Prunty, the audiomancer behind gems such as Into the Breach, Subnautica, and FTL

How's it going, all you spooky folks? In case you haven't heard, Hitcents is running a big exciting Steam event called The Big Adventure Event this week! From January 21st to the 25th, a bunch of adventure games are getting together for this celebration of all things adventure-y and point-and-click-y. So, obviously, The Darkside Detective is part of it! We've got a bunch of fun streams popping up throughout the event, and on Friday, January 22nd at 2PM EST we've got one happening for The Darkside Detective that you won't wanna miss. There are plenty of other amazing adventure games taking part in The Big Adventure Event, too, and plenty of them are going to be streaming just like us! So show some adventurous indies a little love, and until next time! Discord: http://www.discord.gg/spookydoorway Twitter: https://twitter.com/ds_detective Website: http://darksidedetective.com/

Eagle-eyed fans may have seen this news coming, but today it is official! Akupara Games will be publishing the upcoming release of The Darkside Detective: Season Two as well as taking over as publisher for The Darkside Detective: Season One! Were proud to partner up with Spooky Doorway, some of the wittiest and most clever devs in indie gaming. From intricate puzzles to hilarious dialogue, theyve brought the not-quite-normal world of Twin Lakes City to life. Whether youre brand new to the point-and-click adventure games or youve been following the genre since the Monkey Island, The Darkside Detective has what youre looking for! You can wishlist Season Two and purchase Season One today! If youre new to The Darkside Detective mythos, make sure to join Spooky Doorway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Discord!

The Darkside Detective: Season Two

• 6 brand new standalone bite-sized micro cases to solve in The Darkside Detective franchise, with more to come post-launch
• Detective McQueen goes big with an international case of global proportions
• Twin Lakes hottest fashion trends
• Pixel optimization for better facial recognition
• Use of an innovative combination of noises known as Moo-sak to build atmosphere and chase off lonely, eerie silence

The Darkside Detective: Season One

• 9 paranormal bite-sized micro cases to investigate around Twin Lakes City, including a Christmas Spectacular Special
• At least three jokes
• Cutting edge, high definition pixels
• One free curse-removal, up to and including mid-level witch hexes
• Music from Ben Prunty, the audiomancer behind gems such as Into the Breach, Subnautica, and FTL

We made it, chums, and with 72 hours remaining! Looks like were going hunting for Dooley! We want to thank you from the bottom of the cursed well where weve hidden our hearts. Were so pleased with the support weve gotten here, on social media and on our discord . We have announced a bonus case stretch goal (info below) but whatever happens from here on out, were very happy and excited to start - in fact, we already have. Cases are being blueprinted, scene pixelated and jokes are percolating. Anyway, onto the stretch goal case:

Stretch Goal Case: The Darkside Detective Anthology McQueen and Dooley aren't the only people in Twin Lakes and they certainly aren't the only ones living interesting lives. The anthology case consists of a number of short shorts focused on a day in the life of other characters you've met in Season 1 The Bloodwolves, Ghouley and McScream, and Raxa. So, if that tickles your fancy, theres still time to bump up your pledge and share the kickstarter on social media. Remember, every time a person pledges, an angel gets its wings (or something). Stay Tangible, Spooky Doorway

The Fund-O-Meter™ says we've just passed 75% of our Kickstarter goal! Thanks for all the support, folks. We've 9 days left on our campaign, so be sure to tell your pals! To celebrate a little, here's some new season 2 art. Click HERE to visit the campaign page

The Fund-O-Meter™ says we've just passed 50% of our Kickstarter goal, only one week into the campaign! Wowzers! Thanks for all the support, folks. Be sure to tell your pals!

We're very close to 50% of our Kickstarter target now! darksidedetective.com/kickstarter

The Darkside Detective: Season 2 kickstarter is live. 45% of our goal has already been reached. After saving the city in season 1, McQueen and Dooley deserve a holiday in sunny old Ireland. Back their Kickstarter campaign today and help their dream come through.

The Darkside Detective: Season 2 kickstarter is live. 37% of our goal has already been reached. Help Tesla out by jumping on over to Kickstarter and backing season 2.

Wait… Did you hear that? That slimey slurrpy sound. Something has oozed out from a portal left ajar, a strange and unholy thing:
That’s right, we want to bring you more Darkside Detective - a whole new season in fact! Right now, right this very second, season 2 is over on kickstarter waiting for your support. So, head on over to the kickstarter page, help us reach our goal and pick up some fun merch along the way. And, if you want to spread the word on social media, we won’t try to stop you. Heck, open your window, scream it into the dark starry void and see it anything eldritch wants to chip in. We’ll take all the support we can get. Stay humanoid, friends. Spooky Doorway

We've got NEWS! Our kickstarter is officially launching on Wednesday 12th! Save the date! Please tell your friends. Spread the good word.

If you want to know more about upcoming Darkside stuff, or just talk with the team, you can join us on our shiny new Discord. You can check it out HERE

Today we're announcing our upcoming kickstarter for Darkside Detective Season 2. The campaign will be launching in early September. With your help we can return to the world of The Darkside Division and The Twin Lakes PD, and deliver a new series of spooky cases. CHECK OUT OUR PREVIEW VIDEO Cheers, The Spooky Doorway Team

To celebrate 1 year since our PC launch, we've released a free update. Join Detective McQueen and Officer Dooley as they investigate Baits Motel! WATCH THE NEW TRAILER

] Hey folks, Would you be so kind as to vote for The Darkside Detective in Adventure Gamers' Reader Choice Poll? A BIG thanks from the Darkside Division! HERE'S THE LINK

] Hey folks, Would you be so kind as to vote for The Darkside Detective in Adventure Gamers' Reader Choice Poll? A BIG thanks from the Darkside Division! HERE'S THE LINK

Attention all recruits! To celebrate our impending launch on the Nintendo Switch on February 7th, we're running a 40% sale on Steam for the next 48 hours! What a time to be alive (or dead, as this is only a minor inconvenience in the world of The Darkside Detective) Sale starts 6pm GMT / 10am PST

Attention all recruits! To celebrate our impending launch on the Nintendo Switch on February 7th, we're running a 40% sale on Steam for the next 48 hours! What a time to be alive (or dead, as this is only a minor inconvenience in the world of The Darkside Detective) Sale starts 6pm GMT / 10am PST

Some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. What's the worst that could happen? Find out in a brand new case from the Darkside Detective. It's Free, just update your game and play Buy Hard! There's a lot more of Twin Lakes to explore, people to meet and mysteries to investigate. We wanted to show that off, as well as thank our fans for the support they've given us throughout the year. Merry Christmas, Detectives.

Some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. What's the worst that could happen? Find out in a brand new case from the Darkside Detective. It's Free, just update your game and play Buy Hard! There's a lot more of Twin Lakes to explore, people to meet and mysteries to investigate. We wanted to show that off, as well as thank our fans for the support they've given us throughout the year. Merry Christmas, Detectives.

Hello, Linux-friends, We know that some of you are experiencing an issue where the game starts and all you see is a jet black screen. While you might think this is the game, we assure you it is not. It seems to be an issue with some Linux configurations, especially when prime synchronization is in use. Essentially, a 0x0 resolution is being auto detected for fullscreen mode and being used by the game startup. It's not a perfect solution but a workaround (until we patch it) is to navigate to: ~/.config/unity3d/Spooky Doorway/The Darkside Detective/ and edit the prefs file to be like this: 0 1080 1920 This will set fullscreen mode to false and force a windowed resolution of 1920x1080. If it doesn't help, it would be awesome if you could forward on your Player.log and prefs files from the above directory to tracey {at} spookydoorway {dot} com We hope this helps some of you, The Spooky Doorway Team (but mostly Tracey)

We recently sat down with Adventure Gamers to talk about making The Darkside Detective and adventure game development. LINK

WATCH THE NEW TRAILER [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S4eWxZNpyU]

A scene from our new mini case - POLTERGUYS (play here)

http://darksidedetective.com/polterguys/

This is a scene from the museum in the finale case.

So as we're getting even closer to finishing the game, we've just realized that our final word count for Darkside Detective will come in at about 35k when we're done. That's a little more than Broken Age.

Happy holidays from Twin Lakes.