Inquiries
Questions,
answered.
Only what’s confirmed. Anything undecided says TBA. Release: TBA.
The game
What is Declared Missing?
Declared Missing is an asymmetric stealth-horror game from 8-Bit Cache Studios. Ordinary people — the Survivors — wake inside an abandoned prison staged by a figure known only as The Host and must find a way out, while Hunters stalk the facility to stop them.
What type of game is it?
Online asymmetric multiplayer stealth-horror. Survivors play in third person and rely on stealth, sound, searching, teamwork and limited means of fighting back. Hunters play in first person and are the power role — faster in the dark, harder to stop, and able to capture Survivors.
What are the Survivors trying to do?
Find out which escape routes actually work this match, gather what those routes need, rescue detained teammates, and escape. The current development build ends at 18 minutes as the Fog engulfs the prison. Majority-based team results remain a design target, not the current result system.
What are Hunters trying to do?
Control the prison and stop the Survivors leaving: investigate noise, restore power to take control of sectors, capture Survivors and take them to the cells, and guard the routes they discover. Locking everyone in a cell is not enough on its own — detained Survivors can be rescued.
How do players communicate?
Proximity voice chat carries to the players around you, and walkie-talkies let a split team share routes and discoveries.
Who is The Host?
The mysterious figure who stages the Broadcasts and speaks through the prison’s radios, intercoms and monitors. His identity and purpose remain sealed.
Is it the same prison every match?
The geography is fixed, so you can learn it. The design varies access, supplies and escape opportunities. Those randomized configurations are still being integrated.
Match sizes
How do 1v3, 2v4 and 3v5 work?
They are planned scales of the same asymmetric experience. 1v3 opens one three-level cell block, the entire main Floor 1 and basement. 2v4 opens two three-level cell blocks, main Floors 1–2 and basement. 3v5 opens main Floors 1–3 with either the basement or rooftop escape, never both. Internal sessions have reached 1 Hunter versus 4 Survivors. The advertised configurations are not fully integrated or verified yet; no public build is available.
Will there be other maps?
The prison is the first map. More facilities are planned after launch; they are classified for now.
Why does the prison change with player count?
So every match size feels designed rather than crowded or empty. Fewer players get a tighter prison where every noise matters; more players get more floors, more routes and more objectives. The exact configurations are in development and will be tuned through playtesting.
Testing & the Founders Program
Will there be Alpha testing?
Closed Alpha is planned. You can register alpha interest. Requests are saved privately; confirmation emails are not enabled yet. Selection and access will not be guaranteed.
Will there be Beta testing?
Expanded testing is planned. Dates, eligibility and capacity are unannounced.
What is the Founders Program?
A crowdfunding preview. Reward concepts are not offers; no prices, dates, testing entitlements or purchases are available.
Are Founder rewards confirmed?
No. The preview shows possible cosmetics, recognition and digital extras. There are no confirmed rewards, testing entitlements, prices or offers. The design does not allow paid combat advantages.
Is the game pay-to-win?
Paid combat advantages are not part of the design. Crowdfunding and store details are unannounced; matchmaking and MMR are planned, not operational.
Release & platforms
What platforms are planned?
Windows PC is the initial target. itch.io is planned, with a listing Coming Soon. Future storefront links will appear only when verified.
When does the game release?
TBA. Declared Missing is in active development. We will not announce a date until we can stand behind it.
Is there a Steam page?
Not yet. When the official Steam store page exists, it will be linked from this website.
Where can I follow development?
Right here, on this website — the roadmap and status sections are updated as development moves. Official community channels will be announced and linked from this site when they open.
Development
Does Declared Missing use generative AI?
Studio policy prohibits generative AI in game visual and audio assets. Our production approach combines in-house work and licensed third-party assets, with provenance review before release. AI-assisted tools support engineering, code review, debugging and testing; they do not replace artistic direction or asset production.
What engine is it built in?
Unreal Engine 5.
Is the prison based on a real place or case?
No. Declared Missing is a work of fiction. The facility, characters, organizations and events are fictional and are not intended to represent any real institution, case or person.
Does it need an internet connection?
Declared Missing is an online multiplayer game, so play depends on an internet connection and on servers and platform services. Details such as account requirements and supported regions are TBA.
Declared Missing is currently in development. Gameplay systems, characters, abilities, environments, visual presentation, features, release plans, and other content shown on this website are subject to change before release.
Next step
Be there before the doors open.
Declared Missing is being built alongside its earliest community. Register your interest in future alpha testing. Selection, dates and access are not guaranteed.