- Deceive Inc. September 8th Maintenance Follow-Up - 9 September 2026
Unfortunately at this time, we're hitting the rollback button.Live should now be back up and running as it was. The beta may be down still, but give us just a little time to sort that out. I'm going to have it back in the meantime until we're ready to try a live rollout again. Where we got toMigration was successful in terms of the actual data being brought over.We found an issue with EAC on the PC builds where a server would kick clients after it had completed a match and cycled to a new match.We found an issue with the console ingestion where the correct account data was not being found and applied on login.We spent some time seeing if this was a backend-only kind of change that we needed, but it became apparent that we'd likely need new console builds to rectify the issue. Console builds aren't too quick to turnaround and get properly tested, so we need to take some time with this on…
- Deceive Inc. September 8th LIVE Downtime (Dedicated Server Rollout) - 8 September 2026
Hi everyone!We will be doing a pretty large downtime to LIVE.This will be to migrate our current backend to the new private servers backend as well as deploy those builds to all platforms.I don't currently have an estimate for this downtime, as we want to take our time with it and make sure we check everything in our power. I would expect it to be at minimum a few hours.
- Dedicated Servers Beta: 1.12.02.72378 - 4 September 2026
Late post! We have completed Beta maintenance and the beta is available again.Patch 1.12.02.72378:Some localization integrations for the Server Browser UI (as well as some space savings for longer server names. Should be up to 22 characters now)Proper integration of currently-live balance values as the default balance configuration. You will need to replace your current balance json with the default.json in the Templates folder to update values.A few miscellaneous backend changes related to the development side and general hardening. You may need to restart Steam or verify your install files to grab the update!
- Beta Downtime - 4 September 2026
We will be entering downtime shortly for the Private Servers beta in order to deploy a patch to it. This patch will look to do the following:Some localization integrations for the Server Browser UI (as well as some space savings for longer server names. Should be up to 22 characters now)Proper integration of currently-live balance values as the default balance configuration.A few miscellaneous backend changes related to the development side and general hardening.Update note: This maintenance has now been completed and the beta is available again. You may need to restart Steam or verify your install files to grab the update!
- Beta Update: 1.12.01.72372 - 27 August 2026
Dedicated Servers Beta Maintenance has completed. The server and client have both been updated to 1.12.01.72372.Make sure to either restart Steam or verify your files to make sure you catch the update!Important note:If you start up a server and notice that your account is not gaining exp or other stats, please fully close your server and go to: \\steamapps\\common\\Deceive Inc. Dedicated Server\\DeceiveInc\\Savedand delete the GameServerCredentials.json file.This update contains the following fixes:Localized map names showing improper text when viewed by another client.Issue where account progress was not properly replicated from the August 22nd database snapshot.In order to fix the database issue cleanly, we reapplied the snapshot from August 22nd. As such, if you played in the Beta and got stats accrual there, you will see your stats go back to from when the Beta opened.Thank you for…
- Dedicated Servers Beta Maintenance - 27 August 2026
Hi all,We'll be bringing down login access to the Dedicated Servers Beta shortly in order to facilitate a small patch.We saw reports of players not having their live progress transfer to the beta appropriately and will be doing a recopy of our database snapshot to address this issue alongside a fix for the cause.We expect this downtime for the beta to be about 1 hour, but it may go on a bit longer.This downtime only affects the Dedicated Servers beta, Live will continue to operate as normal.Thank you!
- Deceive Inc. Dedicated Servers Beta Test - 26 August 2026
Hey Agents!We’re happy to announce that we’re ready to open up beta testing for the community servers update to the broader public!I want to kick this off with a very important notice: While you are on the beta, do not buy Bonds The beta is our new backend we’re moving to and when we do a final migration from live, the data/progression accrued there will be overwritten during that last data transfer.On the topic of account data, please note that our beta snapshot is from August 22nd. So if you've played live very recently, you may notice a small delta in your account stats or any unlocks you did in that time.So with that out of the way, let’s get down to the details of the beta and associated update!Starting and Managing Your ServerAt the time of this posting, the Deceive Inc. Dedicated Server Tools app should already be in your Steam library now. Searching for Deceive in the library se…
- 'Live-service is a red flag for us': Why one publisher is embracing an older kind of multiplayer hit: peer-to-peer, server browsers, and organic community - 18 August 2026
It's a frustrating thing to watch good games disappear. We've seen it happen time and time and time again: studios spend years on a cool multiplayer thing, bank on it being popular enough to become a live-service hit, then toss the entire project into the trash when that doesn't happen... Read more.
- Closed game studio returns to un-live service its game with community servers before shutdown: 'We don't believe Deceive Inc. should quietly disappear' - 16 July 2026
In a rare reversal of live service demise, a beloved but "dead" live service FPS will not shut down, but instead receive custom server support that ensures it'll be playable forever. Long live Deceive Inc... Read more.
- The Future of Deceive Inc. - 16 July 2026
Hello Agents!When Sweet Bandits created Deceive Inc., they built a game that brought together an incredible community. From fan art (more Octo abs, thank you!) to weekly custom matches, you all have continued to show that there is still a community enjoying this game.We'd like to share what we've been working on to keep Deceive Inc. playable long into the future.Although Sweet Bandits had to close their doors, we don't believe Deceive Inc. should quietly disappear because the services behind it aren’t sustainable forever.We're actively rebuilding Deceive Inc.’s backend to be sustainable indefinitely and support community-hosted dedicated servers.When this work is complete, you'll be able to host your own servers using a dedicated server application, browse community servers directly from within the game, and join community-hosted matches just as you do today.What does this actually mean…
- The Steam Summer Sale is here! - 2 July 2025
Grab Deceive Inc. for 80% off in the Steam Summer Sale! Offer ends July 10th!
- A Message from Sweet Bandits to Our Players - 3 December 2024
Agents, I come today with heartbreaking news that we must share with the entirety of the Deceive Inc. community. There is no easy way to say this: The Sweet Bandits team is no more. After a long and difficult road of trying to get Deceive inc. in a state where it could thrive, we have reached the breaking point for the studio, unable to continue this adventure with you. While this is a moment of great sadness for us, we are happy to have been given the chance to create this universe and share it with you all. We were amazed by the passion of this community and this has been a driving force for us all along, pushing us to try and make this project reach the potential it has. We’ve put our heart and soul into this game and nothing makes us happier than seeing it resonate with other people across the world. The path ahead is currently being charted by our partners at Tripwire Interactive.…
- Scoundrels and Sentinels Hotfix 2 - 8 November 2024
https://media.tripwirecdn.com/102824/sandsbanner.jpg Scoundrels & Sentinels Hotpatch 2 Agents, we are rolling a very small hotpatch to address a variety of issues as well as deploying an all-new skin bundle for Squire. New Content: Rigid Raccoon Bundle It’s time to deploy into the field with the all-new Rigid Raccoon bundle including a legendary skin, a unique intro pose, a title and an avatar! https://media.tripwirecdn.com/110824/rigidracoonbundle.png The bundle is now available in the shop for 2000 bonds. General Fix for a server crash issue Fixed Red’s “you have my bow” intro pose (For real this time!) Fix for cross-platform friends/parties issues. Fix for text getting cut off in some ability descriptions. (We are aware of some text going outside the box, but this is preferable to cut text for now.)
- The most underrated shooter of 2023 is free on Epic right now, and going for cheap on Steam - 7 November 2024
Deceive Inc. is an extraction shooter that foregoes the usual gritty shooter thematics in favor of spies, gadgets and colourful locales. In our review , Russel Adderson described it as "a creative blend of sneaking and shooting that will have squads coming back for more." It's well worth trying, and there's no reason not to, because it's currently free on the Epic Games Store ... Read more.
- New Deceive Inc. Twitch Drops Campagin is Live! - 7 November 2024
Agents! We have two new exciting promotions starting today for Deceive Inc. share! Twitch Drops for Deceive Inc are back with a campaign for the Scoundrels & Sentines season! Twitch drops will be live Thu, Nov 7, 10:00 AM - Fri, Nov 29, 9:59 PM CST. Drops are available for all Platform versions. All players need to do is link their Deceive Inc. account to Twitch to enable drops. Watch for 30 minutes and claim the Duckies: Ink reward Watch for 1 hour and claim the Potion Failed: Intro Pose reward Watch for 2 hours and claim the Pyromancer Chavez: Skin reward
- Scoundrels & Sentinels Hotfix - 6 November 2024
https://media.tripwirecdn.com/102824/sandsbanner.jpg Scoundrels & Sentinels Hotpatch Agents, like we discussed last week, are rolling out a hotpatch addressing a variety of issues that have been affecting the game. We are also still working on resolving back-end issues and wanted to give a bit more info on where we currently stand. Server Issues While these back-end issues are not part of the hotpatch itself, we wanted to give a bit of an update on where we are with them. Please note that since this is server side, we will continue deploying fixes outside of this patch without any download needed on your side. Party Issues: We have resolved issues with players being stuck out of matchmaking after being kicked out or disbanded from a party. Server Disconnect Issues: We have identified the problem and we are going to deploy a potential fix tomorrow. We are keeping a close eye on this one…
- Deceive Inc. Scoundrels and Sentinels Is Now Live! - 31 October 2024
https://media.tripwirecdn.com/102824/sandsbanner.jpg Agents, We are back with a fantastical catalog and a massive update that aims to shake up the meta in a myriad of ways. From ability reworks, to new gadgets and expanded capabilities for existing gadgets, there is something for every build in this patch! Here’s what you can expect to see: A new Fantasy Adventure catalog with 50 levels of unlocks Reworked abilities for Ace, Chavez, and Yu-Mi Two new gadgets The introduction of map Variants A yacht-full of balance changes that aim to shift the meta in interesting new directions. An increased level cap to 700 with a unique ink to acquire to go along with it! Let’s dive into it! Major Additions New Catalog Scoundrels & Sentinels Assemble your party and roll for initiative in our all-new catalog: SCOUNDRELS & SENTINELS. We are thrilled to reveal our new fantasy-themed catalog bringing you…
- Deep Dive: Map Variants - 28 October 2024
https://media.tripwirecdn.com/022224/opofull.png Agents, We are back for another look into new elements coming with season 5. This time, let’s take a look at what’s new in the maps department with the introduction of map variants! We want to increase variety when you queue into a match, adding new elements that make matches more different from each other. The map variant system was built with that in mind, allowing us to spin off an existing map in a new version with its own unique element without doubling the work required for the team. These map variants can then be added in the matchmaking pool with the original version of the map to expand match variety. To inaugurate the concept, we have created two map variants that will present a whole new vibe for Fragrant Shore and Hard Sell! In addition to featuring a new time of day with bespoke lighting conditions, these maps will both featu…
- [PSA] Deceive Inc. Backend Test Brief - 24 October 2024
Agents, Player feedback and participation were helpful during yesterday’s testing period. To ensure the update provides the best player experience possible upon final release, the test will be extended to run today. Additionally, during this PC test, bots will be added to the mix to help with the effect of not having access to crossplay. Please keep in mind that this is a temporary adjustment specifically for the duration of this backend change test only and will be reverted once the testing is complete. Double XP will continue. The team will monitor for player feedback, and any reports of oddities will be beneficial. As always, we appreciate your continued support.
- [PSA] Deceive Inc. Backend Update - 23 October 2024
Agents, Deceive Inc. will undergo a backend update today at 11:00 AM EDT. This rollout will start with PC players on both Epic and Steam. During the first 24 hours of this update PC players will be isolated from console players and the ability for crossplay between PC and console will be temporarily unavailable. The development team will be monitoring the update during this time. We ask that any PC players who experience any oddities or issues please report them as soon as possible so we may address any complications as quickly as possible. The backend update will then roll out to the console platforms, barring any issues. We thank you for your patience during these necessary steps and will provide double XP during the initial 24 hours of the update.
