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The Outer Islands

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The Outer Islands

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An exploration-driven mystery set on quarantined Scottish islands, where you investigate abandoned settlements, uncover hidden clues, and reveal the truth behind a decades-old government seal.

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A Clean Slate Means a Clean Investigation

Mar 1

Today I tackled something that sounds small on paper, but turned out to be structurally important: making sure a New Game truly starts clean.

Previously, starting a new game or travelling to a new area didn’t automatically clear all stored photographs and detective board data. The systems were working — but they weren’t being reset in a way that felt seamless or intentional. Players shouldn’t need to think about clearing evidence manually. If you begin again, the world (and your casework) should begin again too.

Under the hood, this required adjusting how and when certain systems initialise. The main menu exists in a different world state than gameplay, which meant the camera and gallery systems didn’t actually exist at the moment the “New Game” button was pressed. So instead of trying to force a reset too early, the logic was moved to trigger at the correct point — when the player character and investigation tools are fully active.

The result:

• Starting a new game now fully clears the gallery
• The image board and detective board reset properly
• Moving to a new area begins cleanly
• No manual clearing or hidden steps required

It’s the kind of invisible improvement that makes everything feel more solid and deliberate. A detective game relies on clarity and control — and that includes knowing your investigation state is trustworthy.

As always, thank you for following the development journey.

— Cris

The Outer Islands

Demo Update! Unveiling Asylum Rock: A New Chapter in The Outer Islands

Exciting news, explorers! The demo for The Outer Islands has expanded, now allowing you to venture all the way to the gates of the mysterious Asylum Rock. This colossal asylum looms over a desolate, heavily quarried island, reachable only by the gondola from Gondola Island. As you approach this strange and ancient structure, a myriad of questions arise: What secrets lie within the asylum's walls. Where have all the inmates vanished to. And what makes this place so cyclopean and eerie. Asylum Rock is not me...

olblue

21 hours ago

General Discussions

Demo Update - Unlock the Secrets of Asylum Rock

Feb 26

Exciting news, detectives!

The demo for The Outer Islands now allows players to venture all the way to the gates of Asylum Rock. This colossal and peculiar asylum looms over a desolate, heavily quarried island, reachable only via the gondola from Gondola Island.

As you stand before Asylum Rock, a wave of mystery washes over you. What secrets does this ancient structure hold. Where did all the inmates vanish to. Its cyclopean size and strange architecture provoke a sense of unease and curiosity.

In this demo, you will experience the haunting atmosphere that envelops Asylum Rock. The sounds of hissing steam and clanking pipes create an unsettling backdrop as you explore. Each step you take could lead you closer to uncovering the truth behind this forsaken place. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the experience and share your theories about the asylum's past. What do you think happened here. The journey into the unknown awaits!

The Outer Islands

The Outer Islands is now live on Steam

Feb 25

I’m very pleased to finally say this:

The Outer Islands is now live on Steam.

After a long stretch of building, refining, and quietly obsessing over details, the page is officially up.

If you’re new here, welcome.

The Outer Islands is a detective-driven, exploration-focused experience set in 1956. There’s no combat and no timers — just atmosphere, isolation, documents, puzzles, and the slow process of uncovering what happened.

The demo takes you to Gondola Island, where you can explore, gather evidence, and begin working out how to reach Asylum Rock.

If the setting or tone catches your interest, wishlisting the game helps more than you might think — and it tells me you’d like to see more.

Thank you to everyone who’s followed the project so far. This is a big step.

Welcome to the islands.

The Outer Islands

Are you a detective?

What kind of detective games do you like? What sort of puzzles are your kind of thing? Please do let me know as it really helps me tailor the game to what you want! Cris R

olblue

22 hours ago

General Discussions

Camera System Upgrade Announcement.

Following extensive testing, the camera system in The Outer Islands has undergone a significant upgrade. This enhancement integrates the camera as a core component of the clue system and gameplay loop, moving beyond its previous role as a mere aide to memory. When players capture a photograph of a clue, the system will now store that clue, creating a photographic note in their document inventory. This change aims to deepen the investigative experience, allowing for a more immersive engagement with the gam...

olblue

Feb 26 @ 4:10pm

General Discussions

The Discord

https://discord.gg/9tyFJkZCRB In the shadow of The Outer Islands, a community awaits, rich with potential and creativity. Our Discord server offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in discussions that delve into the depths of the game’s world. Engage with Cris, the developer, and share your thoughts on the unfolding narrative. This platform is not merely a chat room; it is a gathering of minds eager to explore the intricacies of the game. Here, you can meet fellow players who share your passion...

olblue

Feb 26 @ 9:57am

General Discussions

Share Your Favorite Puzzle Moments!

Puzzles are a core element of many games, and we want to hear from you!. What types of puzzles do you enjoy the most. Are you a fan of logic puzzles, riddles, or perhaps environmental challenges. Share your thoughts and experiences with us. Let's dive into what makes puzzles enjoyable and engaging in gaming! If you are following development, wishlist the game and tell us what you want to see next. What would make this update most useful for you. I really enjoyed the Hound of Shadows puzzles on the Amiga b...

olblue

Feb 26 @ 6:00am

General Discussions

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