1. The April Fools’ joke about the tip line became a genuine feedback hotlines, with fans actively calling in and leaving messages.
2. The studio has listened to over 1,000 voicemails, receiving a mix of questions, compliments, jokes, and even food orders.
3. The hotline serves as a nostalgic, community-centric way for gamers and developers to stay connected, contrasting industry trends of disconnect.
4. New Blood is actively developing new content, including expanding ULTRAKILL’s latest Act III and working on future levels.
Last month, the publisher known for some of the coolest retro-style shooters, New Blood Interactive, decided to have some fun with an April Fools’ joke that quickly turned into something more real. They set up an old-school hotline where players could call and leave questions, suggestions, or simply chat about their games. Surprisingly, the line, which was launched on April 1, is still ringing with calls, over a month later, and they are taking them every day.
Feedback and Fun Responses
What started as a joke became a genuine way for fans to connect with the devs, and the responses have been quite amusing. Some callers shared real feedback, others ordered food, and some just tried to stump the team with classic jokes like “Is your refrigerator running?” The studio shared on May 1 that they listened to more than 1,000 voicemails and thanked the fans for their support, questions, and humor. They promised to have some answers to the fans’ questions soon.
Memorable Voice Messages
One message stood out to the team, where a fan suggested an interesting game idea: “Hey, you ever think about making a game where you fight bugs? It’s all the rage these days, and you’ve got so many bugs to choose from.” This message, among others, was shared publicly to show how the community is engaging with the hotline.
Video and Voice Acting Highlights
The YouTube announcement titled “Call the New Blood Tip Line Today” was full of personality and featured some fun voice acting. Gianni Matragrano played the Gloomwood Huntsman, and composer Andrew Hulshult appeared as the hero from Amid Evil. What was initially meant to be a silly joke turned into a heartfelt way for fans to interact with the developers, creating a sense of community in an industry often perceived as detached from its players.
A Unique Connection
The constantly ringing answering machine is a cool throwback to old-school gaming culture. It’s a wholesome touch that helps build real connections between gamers and developers, which is quite rare nowadays. Instead of being just a business, New Blood’s hotline feels like a fun, communal experience, keeping the spirit of classic gaming alive.
What’s New at New Blood
The studio is busy with other projects as well. Their flagship game ULTRAKILL just released Act III, titled “Godfist Suicide,” where players are thrown into the depths of hell with Layer 8 called “Fraud.” This update adds four new levels, a fresh Prime Sanctum, and a hidden level for players to discover. The final layer, “Treachery,” is still in the works and coming soon with new surprises.