To our dearest OG open beta players: Thank you SO MUCH for patiently awaiting this patch! We're happy to announce that the itch.io beta is caught up to speed with our newly released Early Access version on Steam. Speaking of Steam, we've got two reminders for our beta players:

• As you revisit your itch.io account in V.0.5.4.3, remember that the game will reset as part of the new level progression system. Your achievements however will remain unaffected.
• You get an AI2U Steam key as part of your itch.io purchase of the game! If you haven't received your key yet, please email support@alterstaff.io with more info.
• You may not see pre-EA patches and maintenance notices in the title screen options; you can revisit exact notes on our itch.io devlogs.
• AI2U does not support cross-platform syncs, meaning your virtual copies of AI2U on itch.io and Steam are managed under different accounts. Treat them like two different physical game cartridges!

We thank our epic beta players for helping us reach our STEAMY milestone on Steam while keeping this precious itch.io version alive! Here are the exciting updates you can expect in this exciting chapter in AI2U:

MAIN STORY

• AI2U now has an overarching plot connecting all the levels, NPCs, and your role in the grand scheme.
• Start at the Catgirl's Apartment to unlock her witchy and hologram counterparts.
• Don't forget our feathered friend guiding us through this new world! Be nice to him; he's just a little guy.

THE ATRIUM

• A safe space: Build enough trust to summon the NPCs to a cozy spot where you hang out without the escape room drama looming over your shoulders. We are THRILLED to launch this heavily requested feature after months of development 💕
• Theater: Rewatch brand-new cutscenes in a cozy corner.
• Shop: Earn gems in-game to shop for inventory items, various features, and outfits for the girls! Speaking of fits...

NPC Customization

• Cosmetics: Your favorite NPCs will happily rock brand-new outfits just for you!
• Personality: The yanderes want you to love them for who they are; select predefined tags to add more playfulness to your chats.

GAMEPLAY UPDATES

• Various bugfixes (Thank you to our Open Beta OGs for all the reports since March!)
• Updated cutscene animations for most endings (We love gazing into our fave NPCs' eyes during these)
• Lighting adjustments in the levels (for ambiance! 🔮💫)
• NPC behavior improvements (Treat them the way you want to be treated for favorable outcomes 😼)

SPECIAL COLLABS

Check out the FIRST LOOK at Early Access with our partnered creators—it's fun learning from some of the senpai-est AI2U players!

- Envmai

- Greenskull AI with a special promo code that will grant you an exclusive goodie!

V.0.5.4.3-specific Patch Notes

AI Dialogue

• Adjusted the NPC filter to avoid unfairly flagging words like "butter."

Bugfixes

General

• Fixed the issue where tutorial dialogues occasionally appeared empty.
• Known issue: The patch notes may not display correctly in the main menu for some players.

The Atrium

• Fixed the issue where NPCs in Chat Only mode did not acknowledge good endings from the previous round.
• Fixed the issue where NPC cosmetics would appear inaccurately in the customization preview.
• Fixed the issue where NPC cosmetics would not apply upon entering a level for the first time.

Level 1

• Fixed the issue where the catgirl's PC couldn't connect to Wi-Fi even with the correct password.

Level 2

• Fixed the issue where the witch would get angry repeatedly upon seeing the secret room door open.
• Fixed the witch's eyebrows to match her cosmetic settings in one of the bad ending cutscenes.
• Fixed the issue where pressing "V" in the forest maze crashes the game.
• Fixed the issue where pressing "C" in the forest maze could soft-lock the game.
• Fixed the issue where identical potion recipes spam the Mission Goal panel.
• Fixed the issue where potion recipe names were initialized too early in each restarted round.
• Fixed the issue where ending animations would play in inaccurate map locations.
• Fixed the issue that caused the ghost to get stuck in the maze.
• Fixed the issue where the ghost sometimes did not attack players.
• Known issue: The first time the player gets killed by the ghost outside the cabin, there is a chance that pressing the "Enter" or "C" key won't respond. To temporarily fix this, for the first issue, the player can press "Esc" to pause and unpause the game. For both issues, re-entering the cabin will restore functionality. This issue will be hot fixed soon.

Level 3

• Fixed an issue where George's ID card couldn't spawn in the level.
• Fixed the issue where players could not plot a course to the engine room in minimap guide mode.
• Fixed the issue that caused the NPC to twitch during ending animations.

Gameplay

Level 1

• Adjusted the apartment key spawn locations in the bathrooms and indoor gardens.

Level 3

• Increased the number of crew member ID cards generated per round.

Visuals

General

• Added visual effects for restoring health.

Level 2

• Improved witch's living room, it's more cozy now (more rooms rework in progress!)

Level 3

• Added visual effects for speed to some of the ending animations.

UI

• Adjusted the pointing arrow locations in the tutorial to prevent them from covering item descriptions.
• Added auto-scroll for long dialogues.
• Added error messages for failed redemption attempts.
• Added error messages for failed login attempts.
• Optimized existing localization options.
• Renamed "Goth Catgirl" cosmetic to "Jirai Kei Catgirl" for a more accurate representation of its visual style.
  • Known Issue: The catgirl may still call her look "goth" when asked while wearing the renamed outfit.

Audio

• Added sound effects to all Blue Parrot tutorial dialogues.

HOT FIX - V0.5.4.3.1

2025.2.12

- Fixed an issue blocking players from achieving One More Round Achievement if Virtual Caretaker achievement is unlocked at first.
- Adjusted the NPC filter to avoid unfairly flagging words like "hourglass, cucumber."
- Fixed an issue when player is saved by the witch and back to the cabin, enter/c key no longer works.

Hot Fix - V.0.5.4.3.2

2025.2.21

• Adjusted the NPC filter to avoid unfairly flagging words like "titan".
• Fixed a bug for level 2 potion recipe not displayed correctly in mission window.

Hot Fix - V.0.5.4.3.3

2025.3.26

• Add catgirl's birthday cake item!🎂
• Catgirl can now realize it is her birthday on March 26th.
• Fixed a bug for some mission goals that can't be localized correctly.
• Change Dark Blue Crystal to Sapphire.