Pacify

Hello,

I just uploaded a small patch with a few adjustments.

I lowered the difficulty of several aspects of the headquarters level. It should be easier to complete.

The in-game voice chat is set to high quality audio. It has environmental and situational special effects that cannot be heard using outside voice chat. The mouths on the players animate when you speak. Your voice changes during certain status effects like being smaller, slowed or changed in some way. Different environments cause your voice to change and adjust for more realism.

I am still working on the next map that will use the in-game voice chat.

Thanks,

Shawn

Hello everyone,

I spent over a year and a half porting Pacify to consoles, much longer than I expected, but it is finally done. After finishing the final console port (last October), I started building a new game. I was creating a proximity voice chat system for that game, and as I was working on it, I decided it would be great for Pacify. So, I shifted focus and added it to Pacify. It came out great. It is easy to use and has fun voice effects based on the environment and certain situations. I had fun testing it, and it gave me some great ideas for new monsters. And now, I am working on a new map update for Pacify.

Today, I'm releasing the first part of this update that includes the proximity voice chat, special voice sound effects, graphic upgrades, plus many bug fixes.

I'll be fixing any bugs that come up with this release while working on a new map with new monsters, designed around the new proximity voice chat.

Be careful, the monsters can hear you now!

Shawn

For Mac OS Users: The voice chat system is not supported on Mac OS at this time. You are able to hear, adjust the volume and mute other players with voice chat, but they will not be able to hear you.

Fixed a small glitch on the Mac version of the game that wouldn't allow them host or join properly.

If you are on a Mac and Pacify isn't show the "Update" button yet please restart Steam.

If you were on a Windows PC and were not having trouble, you shouldn't have to do anything.

Shawn

Hello everyone!

I have been working on other platforms for the last few months and found several ways I could improve the performance of Pacify. I decided to take some time and implement these improvements for everyone here. The game will run much faster on older hardware (180-300 fps) and extremely fast on new hardware (600-800+ fps). I fixed several potential crashes, and network problems that could have been causing people trouble. I know it isn't a new map, but for new players coming to the game and players coming back to the game, I want them to have the best possible experience.

Major frame rate improvements More than doubled the framerate in many areas of every level. Optimized almost every object and program running in the game. Areas and effects that caused major slowdowns have been resolved.

Major network fixes and lobby flow Fixed disconnects issues when loading a new mission. Fixed possible disconnects leaving or joining a lobby. Added the ability to change the mission from the lobby screen. The server list is unfiltered and shows which maps the host has chosen. Games will not appear in the server list once started. New players cannot join your game once it has started. After returning to the lobby, the host will appear in the server list and new players can join again.

Fixed an unresponsive black screen problem that could happen during game launch for some players.

Language settings are saved correctly and are reapplied on opening the game.

On the farm map, I adjusted Karen's (the farmer) eating habits. She has a cooldown timer after eating a live chicken, before she will eat another one. She won't immediately eat another, but she will still attack you, eat any chicken you are holding and eat a poison chicken.

Have fun! Shawn

In this update:

-The game has been optimized more -The total file size has been decreased from 10gb to under 2.6gb -Settings are applied and saved in a new way. -The "Auto" button in the Options menu, will run a quick test and automatically choose quality options for you.

If you have not been able to change or save your settings in the past, please comment below if this fixes that problem.

Thank you for playing Pacify! -Shawn

P.S. If you would like to reset the video and controller save files on your computer, you can delete the "Saved" folder listed below.

For Windows: Type this into the search bar or folder path "%localappdata%\Pacify" (%localappdata% should bring you to the folder C:\users\YOURUSERNAME\appdata\local) Delete the folder named "Saved", then open Pacify

For Mac: Press CMD+Shift+G to Open the Go To Folder Menu Then enter the below path and click Go /Users/YOURUSERNAME/Library/Application Support/Epic/Pacify (replace YOURUSERNAME with your username) You can delete the "Saved" folder you find there and then open Pacify.

Hello,

Some users are experiencing an issue where they cannot change any setting in the options menu. This is a fix for that problem. Everything should work fine for new users, but if you are already experiencing the problem, you can go to the Options menu and toggle Fullscreen Off and then back On to fix the problem. You should be able to change any setting and save the settings after you do that.

If you need to reset your video settings, here is a save file that you can delete:

On Windows go here: %USERPROFILE%/AppData/Local/Pacify/Saved/SaveGames/videosettings.sav

On Mac go here: User/Library/Application Support/Epic/Pacify/Saved/SavedGames/videosettings.sav

Once you delete that file, everything should work fine after you open the game again.

I hope that helps, Shawn

Hey everyone,

I am still optimizing and adjusting the Headquarters, and I decided to increase the max number of players in the Headquarters. Here are the most important changes of this update:

-When you host a game with Headquarters chosen, the max player amount has been increased to 6.

-More graphic optimizations in Headquarters.

-Fixed the doll count to update accurately when burning the dolls in Headquarters.

Make sure you get the download the newest update to be able to connect to your friends. I recommend people hosting multiple players should always be the person in the group with the best computer and fastest internet connection.

Have Fun! Shawn

Fixed syncing issues with the doors in headquarters.

Fixed the "Don't Do It" achievement. Open a cell with the monster inside to activate this achievement.

Thanks for the feedback and bugs you have posted in the discussions. I will continue to monitor the issues and correct them.

If anyone is having trouble understanding the Headquarters update, a player named Raptvre wrote a great guide in the guides section that should help. You can find it here: Headquarters Guide by Raptvre

Shawn

A few people are having a problem saving settings in the options. This patch fixes it.

I did still notice that if "Fullscreen" is set to YES in your current save, it may not save the resolution correctly. Switching "Fullscreen" to NO and then back to YES seems to fix the problem.

You can also start fresh by deleting your save files, which are only for video settings. Go to this folder: %localAppData%\Pacify\Saved\SaveGames and delete the "videosettings" file.

I hope that helps, Shawn

Fixed a chair that people were getting stuck on. Fixed the entrance door not appearing to be open for all players. Adjusted the difficulty and game progression.

Make sure you download the new update or you might not be able to join the lobby with other players. Sometimes this requires reopening Steam.

Thanks for playing Pacify!

Hello All!

The Headquarters update for Pacify is ready!

Have fun running around in the headquarters of the Paranormal Activity Helpers. There are new monsters, achievements, leaderboards, and more.

You can play with up to 4 people, and for a real challenge try it alone!

Download the update, open the game and choose Headquarters from the drop down "mission" menu.

I will be fixing any problems I see, while checking the comments, reviews, gameplay videos, and live streams.

It is very exciting for me to release new content for you, and I hope you enjoy it.

Have fun! and THANK YOU to everyone! Shawn

Hello Everyone,

The update released today includes optimizations and bug fixes for Pacify to run on Valve's new console, Steam Deck. These optimizations will allow you to play Pacify on the Steam Deck. With Pacify set to medium quality at Steam Deck's native resolution, it runs at 60 frames per second. The optimizations will also help the game run on a broader range of computers.

I am still working on the PAH HQ map as well! I will give out a release date when I feel it is ready.

Make sure you download the newest update. You will not be able to connect with friends, if you have different versions of Pacify. If you notice any problems with this update, please leave a comment below.

Thank you for playing and sharing Pacify! Shawn Hitchcock

Squished some bugs Fixed a problem the game not updating correctly in multiplayer Fixed the sound on the puppy gate Fixed a spot where you could jump out of the map

Please restart your Steam client to make sure you have the same update as everyone, or you won't be able to connect to others.

Thanks, Shawn

The wait is over, the Pacify Woods update is live.

Enjoy the new map and the witch that lives there! There are 11 new achievements, 3 new leaderboards, and many bugs fixes since the last update.

To play the new update, choose "Woods" as the mission on the main menu.

I hope you have fun with the new update. I will be watching, reading, and correcting any bugs that I see as soon as possible.

Below is a little background on this mission.

Thank you everyone, have fun! Shawn

========= BEGIN MISSION TEXT FROM PAH INC.=========

There is an old estate outside of town, in the middle of the woods. The estate has a strange history. It is the resting place for witches of the past. The groundskeeper is supposedly a witch herself named Agnes Rose. There is a rumor that several hundred years ago she was convicted of being a witch, but she couldn't be killed. And, it is said that she still resides at the estate watching over the witches' graves.

Several children have gone missing in the area over the last century, and the town's people are sure Agnes Rose has something to do with it. No one entering the estate has ever come back. So, PAH Inc. would like you to go to the estate. We are very interested in seeing if the rumor is true or not. Please investigate, and bring any evidence of paranormal activity back to headquarters for testing.

Thank you, PAH INC.

========= END MISSION TEXT FROM PAH INC.===========

Optimized the farm more Fixed a compatibility issue with MacOS Catalina

Woods Update Info: I am still working on the "Woods" update daily. I will release it when I feel like it is ready. I want it to be a scary and a fun experience. I will announce the release date a week before I release it.

Thank you everyone, Shawn

Please restart Steam if you are having trouble connecting with friends. Everyone needs to be on the same update.

Back again with a small update.

• Fixed a problem where Mac users couldn't connect to Windows hosts. Mac users can now join Windows hosts and vice versa, but Mac users will not be able to participate or hear the voice chat

• Fixed a glitch in the lobby menu

Shawn

Please report bugs below in the comments.

Restart Steam if you can't connect.

-Voice Chat added for Windows users

I haven't added the in-game instructions yet, but:

Press T to use your radio / walkie talkie.

Press V for regular voice that only works close to other players.

Please comment below if this update causes you problems.

Make sure you restart Steam if you can't connect to your friends.

Shawn

Update: I just tested and Mac users cannot connect with Windows Users now. If you want to play with your friends cross platform. Right click Pacify in your library, click properties, then choose the Betas tab. Now drop down the list and choose BeforeVoiceChat. Close and wait for the game to update. You will be able to play with anyone that is using the same Beta but you will not have the voice chat feature.

More quick fixes

-Fixed problem with quitting a single player game and getting trapped in a lobby

-Optimized the Farm even more, you should get great framerate now!

-Fixed being able to walk around while the game was paused

-You can now look up and down at a greater angle

Thanks for the amazing support and comments!

Shawn

As always, if you have problems with connecting after the game updates, restart Steam and it will probably fix.

Here's another small update.

-Volume slider added to the options menu. -If all players lose or the server quits the game, everyone returns to the lobby now. -Optimized the Farm even more. -Fixed a bug where Emilia wouldn't change into a monster for everyone.

I experimented with Voice Chat, but it wasn't very good quality, so I removed it. I will look into that more.

As far as the "Woods" map goes, after several revisions, I think I like the map layout. I am programming the characters, items and gameplay. I am trying to get it out ASAP, but I still have a lot left to do.

Please comment below if this update causes you any problems. I will be checking here all weekend and correcting any errors that it causes.

Thanks, Shawn

Make sure to restart Steam to ensure you have the most current update. If you don't, you won't be able to connect with others.

Ok trying to run this patch through again. Last time it caused some problems. This is not the Woods update yet. I will release it as soon as I am finished it, even if it is before October 31.

This patch should fix audio and video issues some were having and a few other bugs.

If you cannot connect with your friends, make sure you completely close Steam. This will ensure that you get the update. If one person has the update and one doesn't, it won't let you both connect with each other.

Thank you, Shawn

If you have problems with this update, please comment below and I will check into it.

If you would like to revert back to the last update you can do this: -Right click Pacify in your library -Choose Properties -Now choose the BETAS tab -Drop the first list down to BeforeLastUpdate -Then close.

This will download the last working version of Pacify. But you can only connect online with players that have the same version as you.

UPDATED 4:23am 9/9/2020 I reverted this patch back to the previous version of the game for now. Make sure you close Steam and reopen to get the most current version so that you can connect with your friends.

===========ORIGINAL PATCH TEXT=========== This patch will hopefully fix a few bugs that were causing problems.

If you cannot connect with your friends, make sure you completely close Steam. This will ensure that you get the update. If one person has the update and one doesn't, it won't let you both connect with each other.

If you have problems with this update, please comment below and I will check into it.

If you would like to revert back to the last update you can do this: -Right click Pacify in your library -Choose Properties -Now choose the BETAS tab -Drop the first list down to BeforeLastUpdate -Then close.

This will download the last working version of Pacify. But you can only connect online with players that have the same version as you.

Thank you, Shawn

I have been rolling out bug fixes since the FARM update released.

Today's update includes a huge fix for random network disconnects. It may have affected the DOLLS and FARM missions. Hopefully it now works great everyone.

I optimized the FARM area some without losing too much visual quality. I recommend setting your computer to 1920x1080 or less and medium quality if you have an older PC or Mac.

The FPS cap has been raised for people with faster computers and monitors.

Several other bugs have been fixed as well and I will continuing to fix bugs as I see them posted.

Thanks for the bug reports, comments, and reviews. I am reading it all and working on as much as possible.

Shawn Hitchcock

The "Farm" update is finally done! I am sorry I took so long. I hope you enjoy it.

The menu has a new option.

Choose "Dolls" for the original game and "Farm" for the new game.

I added new achievements, leaderboards and several bug fixes.

I cannot say THANK YOU enough to everyone! You are all amazing!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Shawn Hitchcock

Based on requests I added a few more languages to the game:

Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Turkish and Thai.

I am still working on more content. I will post teasers eventually.

Thank You!

-Shawn