If you've been hitting a black screen when trying to load your save in Constance, your nightmare is over. Developer btf has deployed the first post-launch update, version 1.0.2.77733, aimed squarely at stabilizing the launch experience and addressing the most frustrating blockers reported by the community.
Triage for Game-Breaking Bugs
Launch weeks are rarely smooth, and Constance had a few rough edges that needed immediate sanding. The headline fix here is the resolution of the "black screen" issue that occurred upon starting a save. There is nothing worse in a Metroidvania than fearing your progress is locked behind a void, so seeing this squashed within days of release is a good sign for the game's support life cycle.
Steam Deck users also get some love in this patch. Previously, video playback on the Deck was causing issues, breaking immersion in a game that relies heavily on its hand-drawn aesthetic. This update resolves those playback errors, making the portable experience much more seamless.
Gameplay Tweaks and Cheese Prevention
It wouldn't be a patch without some adjustments to the meta. The developers have targeted a specific "pogo cheese" exploit. While speedrunners love breaking movement mechanics, it seems this specific interaction was bypassing intended challenges in a way that trivialized the platforming.
Additionally, the Unstable Bubble mechanic has been tweaked so it no longer travels with elevators. This sounds like a small change, but in a precision platformer, consistent physics are king. If you were relying on elevator-assisted bubbles to bypass puzzles, you'll need to rethink your strategy.
Why does disabling code stripping matter?
Buried in the technical notes is a fascinating detail: the developers have disabled code stripping. For the average player, this changes nothing about how the game runs. However, for the community, this is a massive signal.
Code stripping is usually used to reduce game file size by removing unused code. By disabling it, btf is effectively leaving the game's internal structure more intact and accessible. This is often a precursor to better modding support, as it makes it significantly easier for community modders to hook into the game's functions without breaking everything. If you're hoping for community-made skins or level packs in the future, this is the first step toward that reality.
Patch Highlights
- Critical Fixes: Resolved black screen on save start and various softlocks.
- Steam Deck: Fixed video playback issues.
- Mechanics: Unstable Bubble no longer sticks to elevators; pogo exploit removed.
- Presentation: Improved feedback for note endings in the Violin Flashback sequence.
- Under the Hood: Code stripping disabled to facilitate future modding.