- Getting In Was the Easy Part - The Escape - 18 September 2026
You made it through the dungeon. You avoided the traps, slipped past the enemies and finally reached the Treasury.Then the Beast wakes up…Now you have to go all the way back. The Way In Becomes the Way OutDuring the Escape, you return through the same rooms you explored on your way to the Treasury - only this time, you're going in the opposite direction, with a Beast chasing you.And the dungeon you remember isn't necessarily the dungeon you're going to escape through.Each biome has a different Beast with its own attacks, so what you're running from - and what you'll have to deal with on the way out - changes depending on where you are. Enemies enter their Alarm state, turning previously manageable encounters into bullet hell. Special Beast Traps placed throughout the rooms also activate during the Escape, introducing hazards that weren't there on your first visit.Getting to the treasure…
- Every Sound Matters - 28 August 2026
The dungeon is quiet. Almost too quiet.You carefully make your way through the corridors, watching the enemies patrol their territory. You wait for the right moment to move, trying to stay out of sight. Then you step on a pile of Coins.Clink.It may seem like a small sound, but in Don't Wake the Beast, even the smallest noise can change what happens next. Sound Can Give You AwayNoise is an important part of stealth. Different actions create different amounts of noise and can reach enemies from different distances. Walking normally creates only a very small sound, while opening a chest or a door creates medium noise. Stepping on coins or destroying a fragile decoration is much louder, and some actions - such as using an explosive charge with the grappling hook - can make a very loud sound. But noise isn't always something you want to avoid. Sometimes, making the right sound is exactly wha…
- Dungeons Full of Secrets - How Randomization Changes Every Run - 14 August 2026
One of our main goals with Don’t Wake the Beast was simple: no two dungeon runs should ever feel the same.That’s why the dungeon is built around layered randomization - both on a large structural level and in small details you notice while exploring. Big Changes: Dungeon LayoutEach expedition generates a new dungeon structure. This includes:Room and corridor placementSecret passagesRoom types and their roles Sometimes you’ll get open routes with multiple choices. Other times the dungeon forces you through tight, dangerous sections. This keeps exploration unpredictable and prevents players from relying on memorized paths. Small Details That MatterInside the rooms, even more randomness kicks in:Bones placementDecorationsLoot types (spawn points stay the same, but items change)Interactive objectsStronger enemy variants, influenced by dungeon hostilitySome traps Some special interactive obj…
- How We Crafted the Dungeons of Don’t Wake the Beast - 24 July 2026
When we started working on the dungeons in Don’t Wake the Beast, one of the first things we had to figure out was how the whole floor should feel from start to finish.Every room has its own purpose. Sometimes it introduces a small idea, sometimes it tests your movement, sometimes it asks you to sneak carefully past danger, and sometimes it simply gives you a moment to breathe before the next challenge. But the rooms also have to work together as one larger journey. You are not just clearing disconnected obstacles - you are making your way toward the treasure chamber, and eventually, you will need to escape.Because of that, our dungeons are intentionally quite linear.That word can sound negative when talking about level design, but for our game it made a lot of sense. The basic loop of Don’t Wake the Beast is built around going deeper into the dungeon, reaching the treasure, and then run…
- Don't Wake The Beast has been selected for the PAX Rising Showcase at PAX West! - 14 July 2026
Hey there, fellow thrill-seekers!Looks like it's time to pack the grappling hook once again. We're incredibly excited to share that Don't Wake The Beast has been selected for the PAX Rising Showcase at PAX West 2026!PAX Rising Showcase highlights a hand-picked selection of upcoming indie games, and we're honored to be part of this year's lineup. It's an amazing opportunity to introduce even more players to a world where every sound matters, every shadow could hide danger, and waking the Beast is usually a very bad idea.If you're visiting Seattle during PAX West, make sure to stop by and say hello. You'll get a chance to play the latest demo, sneak through dangerous locations, pull off daring heists with your trusty grappling hook, and-hopefully-leave without becoming someone's lunch.Can't make it to the show? Don't worry! We'll be sharing plenty of updates, photos, videos, and behind-th…
- Risky Rooms You Don’t Have to Enter - 3 July 2026
One of the core ideas behind Don't Wake the Beast is that not every reward should be easy to get. As you explore the dungeon, you'll occasionally discover optional side paths leading to special rooms. The important word here is optional. You can ignore them completely and continue toward the Vault. But if you're willing to take a risk, these rooms may offer powerful rewards, rare collectibles, or opportunities that could shape the rest of your run. Today we'd like to show three of these optional rooms. The GardenNot every secret in the dungeon is hidden behind traps and locked doors.The Garden is a peaceful place filled with strange underground vegetation. Adventurers who discover it can gather a few healing fruits, making it a welcome stop after a rough section of the dungeon. But that's not all. Players who pay close attention may notice that one of the trees reacts in an unusual way.…
- Secrets Await in the Depths of the Beast - 18 May 2026
In Don't Wake the Beast, exploring the dungeons isn’t just about surviving - it’s about discovering the little secrets hidden in every corner. Here’s a peek at what you’ll get to uncover:Collectibles with a TwistEach biome is packed with 10 unique collectibles, and finding them won’t always be straightforward. Sometimes you’ll need to take down a specific type of enemy, other times you’ll have to search destructible objects to reveal hidden treasures.Every collectible comes with a riddle - a text hint to guide your search. Some are tricky, some are funny, but all of them reward players who really look around and think creatively. The Mythical ChamberThen there’s the Mythical Chamber - a secret room hidden behind a fragile wall that doesn’t look breakable at all. Unlike normal secret rooms, you won’t spot it at a glance.If you want a clue, you can buy a Rumor from the Innkeeper. It might…
- Beast in the Vault - What Awaits You at the End of the Dungeon? - 19 December 2025
Dears,The Vault is the final destination of every expedition in Don’t Wake the Beast. It sits at the end of the 3rd Floor of the Dungeon, guarded by piles of treasure, shimmering coins, ancient artifacts… and one very unpleasant surprise:A Sleeping Beast. This room is designed as the climax of your run - unless you choose to leave earlier through one of the Dungeon Exits. Once you step inside the Vault, the doors slam shut behind you. There’s no turning back. Your only way out is through the Main Artifact… and whatever consequences follow after grabbing it. The Vault: A Golden TrapThe Vault contains three things:The Main Artifact you need to complete your expeditionA sleeping beast who really prefers not to be botheredA lot of optional treasureThe moment you pick up the Main Artifact, the Escape phase begins immediately. The Beast wakes up, the chase starts, and your priority becomes su…
- We’re heading to WePlay Expo 2025 in Shanghai! - 18 November 2025
We’re excited to share that our team will be attending WePlay Expo 2025 for the very first time. From November 22–24, you’ll find us on the show floor in Shanghai, presenting our upcoming titles to players, creators, media, and partners from across Asia.Our base of operations will be Booth B12, where we’ll be showcasing three games that highlight what we’ve been building this year:🎮 Order Automatica — a ritual-driven roguelike auto-battler full of dark atmosphere, synergies, and tactical depth.🕳️ Void Dungeon — a fast, expressive 2D action RPG with satisfying hack-and-slash combat and co-op chaos.😴 Don’t Wake the Beast — a stealth-focused roguelite full of mythical creatures, traps, and dynamic traversal.This is our debut at WePlay, and we’re looking forward to meeting players, creators, and fellow developers. These events always lead to great conversations, fresh ideas, and valuable…
- 🏰 Welcome to the Tavern - The Heart of Don’t Wake The Beast - 1 November 2025
Every adventure starts with a story, a drink, and a plan. In Don’t Wake The Beast, the Tavern is more than a cozy refuge - it’s your central hub, where heroes prepare for their next descent into the dark Dungeons below.The Tavern as a HubAfter each expedition, you return to the Tavern - a warm, noisy place filled with familiar faces and the smell of adventure. This is where you regroup, trade your spoils, and improve your chances for what’s to come.Not every service is available from the start. Some Tavern Regulars only show their true potential after you bring them certain rare items from the depths. As you progress, the Tavern slowly grows - revealing new opportunities and secrets. Meet the Tavern Regulars🧔 The TraderBefore setting out on your next expedition, you’ll sell all your dungeon loot to the Trader. Feeling bold? You can haggle for a better price through a unique minigame -…
- 🪝 The Grappling Hook - Your Best Friend and Your Most Dangerous Weapon - 17 October 2025
Every thief needs a reliable tool - and in Don’t Wake the Beast, that tool is the Grappling Hook.It’s not just a way to move around. It’s your lifeline, your weapon, your key to survival… and sometimes, your biggest mistake. ⚙️ A Tool for Every SituationThe Grappling Hook is the heart of our gameplay loop. You’ll use it to:Pull yourself toward walls and ceilings to sneak past guards or reach secret spots.Grab treasures and items from a distance, avoiding traps or watchful eyes.Trigger levers and switches from afar, solving puzzles without setting off alarms.Create paths and shortcuts that can turn a doomed escape into a perfect heist.Every throw is a small decision - do you take the risk, or stay quiet in the shadows?💥 Load It, Twist It, Freeze ItAs you progress, you’ll discover special Hook Charges that completely change how you play:Explosive Charge - Blow open secret walls or blast…
- Exciting news! - 29 August 2025
Hi Everyone! Today marks a special day in the development of Don’t Wake the Beast, as I can finally announce that my game has gained a publisher - better. publishing! The team (previously as better. gaming agency) has been helping me for a while now - first with Flooded and currently with Don’t Wake the Beast. When they decided to start a publishing label, for both parties it felt natural that my game would join their portfolio. Their new endeavour has just been announced at The MIX, together with a line-up of 2 other amazing games. Check out the entire showreel here:One thing that I wanted to highlight is that even though better. will support me throughout the development, I will retain creative control over the game, so don’t worry - we won’t change it into an FPS or anything else! I’m very happy to be shaping better. publishing’s catalogue with other talented devs and even though we’…
- Don’t Wake the Beast at PAX West & The MIX! - 27 August 2025
Hey Beast Tamers! 🐾We’ve got some exciting news: Don’t Wake the Beast is going on tour! 👉 From August 29 to September 1, 2025, you’ll find us at PAX West in Seattle (Games from Poland Area): 👉 We’re also joining The MIX (Media Indie Exchange) on August 29 – both online and in person! It’s the perfect chance to see the game in action and feel the vibe we’re creating. Here's where you can find Don't Wake The Beast this Friday, Aug 29th! 📢💻 ONLINE 💻 - Twitch/Youtube @ 9AM - HERE📍 ONSITE 📍 - 115 Bell St, Seattle, WA 9812 @ 7PM --- The event time is now in full swing! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth in Germany – it was amazing meeting so many players and sharing Don't Wake the Beast with you 🐾✨ --- But that’s not all – we’ve got one more big announcement coming soon... 🔥 Stay tuned!See you at PAX and The MIX!if you want to be a part of our adventures, follow us on: �…
- The Beast is Coming… to Gamescom & PAX! 🐾 - 17 August 2025
This summer, the Beast will travel far beyond its dark domain… and you might be the one to wake it. 🐾First stop: Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany. From August 20–24, you’ll find us at the Indie Arena Booth, Arcade section, A13. Step inside and try to survive the night without rousing the Beast. 🎮But the hunt doesn’t end there. The Beast will then cross the ocean to 🌊 PAX West 2025 in Seattle, USA – August 29 – September 1 – where it will lurk at Booth 1125 (Games from Poland). Whether you’re wandering the forests of Gamescom or the bustling streets of Seattle, beware: The Beast is always listening. 👂 The Beast is always watching. 👁️ And it really doesn’t like to be woken up… 😈 if you want to be a part of our adventures, follow us on: 📍 Facebook 📍 X
- A treasure hunter’s guide #2: How a typical run REALLY feels - 8 August 2025
Hey there, brave soul! So you’ve decided to dive into the ruins in Don’t Wake The Beast, huh? Cute. Let me walk you through what a “typical run” looks like - so when you’re sprinting for your life later, you can say, “At least someone warned me.” 😅Step one: The calm before the chaosFirst things first - prep time! Before you set foot in those ruins, visit the merchant. Trust me, you’re gonna need those consumables. BUY THEM. And don’t forget your grappling hook’s loadout. 🪝 Step two: The road to the vaultNow comes the fun part: the ruins. Beautiful architecture, rich history, and more death traps than you can imagine. Step wrong, and BOOM - you’re a cautionary tale. 💀Oh, and enemies? They’re everywhere, watching, waiting to ruin your day. Get spotted too many times, and guess what? They summon the Warden - an undead nightmare that will chase you until you hit the vault or die trying.…
- A warning from the beast - 17 June 2025
You dare step into my halls… little thief? 👀I am the oldest flame, the last echo of a thousand silent ages. My wings have cast shadows across kingdoms, and my breath has turned stone to ash. Beneath my talons lie riches gathered over centuries — offerings, trophies, legacies of empires long turned to dust.And yet, you crawl in like a whisper, threadbare cloak and rusted grappling hook, seeking my treasure.You think me blind? You think the beasts that roam these halls serve no master? Fool. They are my kin — scaled, fanged, and forged in shadow. They remember what was taken. They remember who dares to steal.Let me explain it to you, then. 1. Know whose hoard you disturb 🐲These are not ruins, boy. They are crypts of glory. Every gem, every goblet, every blade half-buried in sand — they do not belong to you. They are etched with oaths older than your bloodline. And when your trembling ha…
- PAX Rising Showcase: Don’t Wake The Beast Unleashed! - 8 May 2025
Hey there, fellow thrill-seekers! Hold onto your grappling hooks – Don’t Wake The Beast has been picked by the PAX East crew for the PAX Rising Showcase. It’s a solid chance to show off our world of traps, treasures, and teeth to a whole new crowd. PAX Rising Showcase is where some of the most intriguing indie games get to strut their stuff, and this year, we’re one of them. So, if you're heading to Boston, come find me. I'll be the one trying not to wake anything that has claws – or at least outrun it if I do. Can't make it? No worries – I'll be back with some fresh bruises and questionable stories. But if you’re up for the challenge and braving the chaos of PAX East, I’m sending over a map. Trust me, you’ll need it to find me… and to avoid the things that bite. Trust me, you’ll need it to find me… and to avoid waking up anything that bites. For now – it’s game on. PAX East, here we co…
- A Treasure Hunter’s guide to staying alive (mostly) - 6 May 2025
Hey there, fellow adventurers! :OrbGetThief: It’s me, your charming, slightly bruised treasure hunter, writing this totally voluntary guide while catching my breath in a suspiciously cozy cave. You’re probably wondering: “How does one survive ancient ruins, unearth legendary loot, and outrun ravenous beasts without becoming lunch?” Well, lucky for you, I’ve got the answers—or at least the bruises to prove what not to do. :luckyclover: Step one: The grappling hook :grapplinghook: Forget about carrying your grandma’s purse (no offense to Granny). Here’s what you’ll actually need: The Grappling Hook – the ultimate tool for treasure hunters in Don’t Wake The Beast - You know, the game I’m the hero of: single-player, challenging, roguelite, with procedurally generated levels? Ringing any bells? Yeah? I hope so. Getting back to the topic of grappling hooks, it is your tool for avoiding traps,…
- Don’t Wake the Beast on IGN Fan Fest 2025! - 24 February 2025
Hunters! It’s so great to be writing to you all again, as it's been a while since my previous update. Honestly, the Don't Wake the Beast announcement exceeded my expectations and sparked an even more intensive phase of work. Your positive reception of my project gave me a huge boost and I'm excited to finally share what I've been up to over the last 3 months. IGN Fan Fest 2025 I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that Don’t Wake the Beast will be part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, which is taking place from February 24 to March 1! That’s right, my game will be showcased during the digital event hosted by one of the most renowned gaming outlet in the world! This is a big deal for a small developer like me, and it feels incredible to be included in such an amazing lineup of indie titles. It motivates me to keep pushing and working even harder on the game. Empty-handed? No chance! You’ll definitely…
- Don't Wake The Beast is a blend of Thief and Spelunky where you must let sleeping dragons lie - 22 November 2024
The Hobbit movies are a mixed Baggins indeed - at once thunderous and thin, like butter scraped over too much bread - but one sequence I love from The Desolation of Smaug is Bilbo searching Erebor for the Arkenstone, while trying not to rouse the titular dragon from his slumber. Don't Wake The Beast is sort of that sequence plus Spelunkified procgen levels and Thief-esque stealth mechanics. Read more
