This is it - the final patch before launch! Patch #5 is bursting at the seams with features and fixes, including many requested or suggested by YOU, the Dead State community.

Now, while we’re giving you lots to chew on today, we want to remind you that this isn’t the final game - endings are being reserved for the final release, and there will still be many improvements coming before the final launch. In other words, there's still plenty to look forward to!

With our upcoming release in mind, we’ll be updating the Known Issues post later today, so make sure to check there first before reporting bugs; that will help keep the forums and boards laser-focused on tracking brand new issues.

Without further adieu, allow us to give you a peek under the hood at the new changes you can expect in today’s patch.

• Added a nifty Statistics pop-up on the Goals screen.
  
• Added a To Do List feature that allows you to track tasks more easily. This feature is still being adjusted.
  
• Performed a major morale balance pass based on community feedback.
  
• Added a first-pass loot highlighting system which will display an icon over loot within your field of view by toggling the system with the ‘Z’ key. This system will be polished further to improve its appearance in the future.
  
• Fixed a host of dialogue and crisis event issues, such as repeating dialogues, missing or broken dialogue options, unexpected behavior of dialogues or events, and many, many more - so many I’m definitely not listing them all out one by one ;)
  
• Fixed a host of level issues, such as broken loot containers, blocking issues, incorrect enemy names or parties, and as above, there are just too many to list individually!
  
• Completed remaining loot and combat passes on all levels.
  
• Added more level-specific party barks.
  
• Completed majority of remaining art polish passes.
  
• Added new undead models for medical staff (doctors and nurses).
  
• Thanks to community feedback, we changed Wild Dog to be controlled by the player and not take actions of its own in real-time.
  
• Thanks to community feedback, we made the initial fence repair task less confusing by requiring the wire fence to be repaired before the wooden fence can be built.
  
• Thanks to community feedback, we made ‘trade’ jobs continue until cancelled without requiring manual reassignment every day.
  
• Thanks to community feedback, unvisited locations are now highlighted on the area map.
  
• Thanks to community feedback, building roofs will now remain hidden while any ally is inside or any visible enemy is taking it’s turn.
  
• Thanks to community feedback, we found and fixed an issue with the player Impenetrable perk and ally Fortify trait which was breaking upgrades.
  
• Changed the ally Fortify trait to “Resourceful”, which collects additional parts every day.
  
• Set up many missing ally-given locations to be revealed on the map.
  
• Adjusted fuel consumption by vehicle based on community feedback.
  
• Fixed corrupt data items issue.
  
• Added two new positive status effects given by training in the Gym or Shooting Range: “Aimed” and “Pumped”.
  
• Made ‘attack’ the last option on smart cursor cycle for allies.
  
• Added Strength requirement information to melee weapons.
  
• Fixed an issue preventing Shield Bash attacks from working.
  
• Fixed an issue preventing dog’s Ferocity and Takedown attacks from working.
  
• Fixed a bug which revealed all fishing areas on the map once one was found.
  
• Added several neutral encounters with NPCs who will now not attack unless provoked.
  
• Added icons for several special items.
  
• Fixed a bug which prevented weapon accuracy penalties for certain special attacks from working.
  
• Added ability for dogs to work Guard Duty jobs per community request.
  
• Removed dogs from crisis event calculations.
  
• Moved dog’s “Bark” attack to the second slot on their attacks to streamline using dogs in combat.
  
• Added stairs to maps which were missing them.
  
• Fixed an issue with some levels not showing the time of day correctly.
  
• Added two more “Miniboss” encounters to find.
  
• Fixed Wood and Stone Reinforced Fence models to not hide characters during fence gate dialogues.
  
• Fixed Michiru to be unavailable until she’s been taught more English.
  
• Added English Teacher, Custodian, and Security Guard jobs.
  
• Implemented game over if fence is broken for any 3 consecutive days.
  
• Implemented Mobile Radio upgrade that allows you to reassign any ally’s task from anywhere you can access the Shelter screen.
  
• Fixed issue with fishing pole being removed from inventory upon return to Shelter.

… And the list goes on :)

If you’ve been actively beta-testing and providing feedback, now is the time to test more furiously than ever before and let us know about particularly game-breaking or progress-blocking issues. More feedback on balance - in combat, loot, morale, or elsewhere - is also still enormously helpful. All of you have been essential in helping us get the game where it is today, and we hope you’ll keep helping us right up to - and beyond - launch day. Just two weeks more to go, everyone!