Two major updates this week — one for the lore-hungry, one for the mechanics-hungry — and both are now live on our Patreon.

This post gives you the short version. If you want the full details, the unredacted documents, and the images, head to Patreon where both drops are published in full.

1. DEVLOG #4 — Playtest Data & Tuning the Core Loop

SUBNET: Contracts is tightening up fast.

We’ve just completed another structured playtest cycle and the data was clear enough to start making real adjustments.

The devlog breaks down:

  • skill deck performance across two difficulty bands

  • completion rates for 1 and 2-player runs

  • how often traders were used vs bypassed

  • how often players hit soft-locks

  • the current balance curve for Stealth / Parkour / Hacking

  • the impact of the new risk economy (Keyseals & Adrenaline tokens)

  • the early signs of where the game is too efficient

We’ve included charts, raw numbers, and a few takeaways about what’s changing next:

  • lowering the brick-wall moments in sectors 3 and 4

  • increasing the value of tactical risk-taking

  • pulling Stealth down slightly so Parkour and Hacking stay competitive

  • tightening enemy reveals so late-game threats punish sloppy routing instead of random chance

All the data is visible for Patrons:

Patreon: Devlog #4 — What the Playtest data actually tells us

1. LORE DROP #6 — The Quiet Harvest

Every world has a chapter its rulers don’t want you to read. SUBNET has dozens.

The Quiet Harvest is the buried origin of Neuromorphic Handling Facilities.

This lore drop exposes how Scintillate dealt with early CNDD cases during the ESOS Absolute era. It covers:

  • the prototype ward hidden in Old Tramford

  • the first wave of CNDD victims

  • the “containment” directive that quickly turned into something else entirely

  • how the Slums coined the name The Quiet Harvest long before Scintillate sanitised it

  • how the facility eventually became NHF-01

On Patreon you’ll also find:

  • two original SUBNET concept images (Unmarked Van at Dusk and Prototype Ward #1)

  • a redacted internal Scintillate memo header

  • the timeline placement and political context

If you want the full narrative and the visuals, the post is here:

Patreon: Lore Drop #6 — The Quiet Harvest

What’s next?

  • Further refinement of SUBNET: Contracts mechanics
  • Deeper lore organisation, development and archiving ready for future posts