Key Highlights:
- Nightdive Studios releases The Thing: Remastered Patch 1.1.
- Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch receive significant optimisations.
- Players await details on a potential physical release later this year.
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Nightdive Studios has rolled out a substantial update for The Thing: Remastered, bringing a host of improvements and bug fixes to refine the experience.
Known for reviving classic titles such as Turok, Doom, and Quake, Nightdive continues to cement its reputation in game restoration.
Since launching in December 2024, The Thing: Remastered has become the studio’s fastest-selling title, proving the enduring appeal of the 2002 survival horror classic.
Originally developed by Computer Artworks, the game serves as a sequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 horror masterpiece, placing players in the role of Captain Blake as he investigates the fate of the Antarctic outpost.
Nightdive’s ambitious 4K remaster preserves the original’s squad-based gameplay and paranoia-inducing mechanics while refining visuals and performance.
The latest update, Patch 1.1, released on 11 February 2025, addresses key issues affecting console players, alongside optimisations for the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
Among the most notable fixes are crash resolutions during Thing beast encounters, improved display effects, and a highly requested adjustment—Whitley finally has new trousers.
Additionally, Steam Deck players can now experience the game at proper frame rates when using the Vulkan renderer, while Nintendo Switch users benefit from enhanced performance.
Fans have embraced The Thing: Remastered for fixing one of the most frustrating aspects of the original 2002 release, and the latest patch continues to refine the experience.
Nightdive Studios has also hinted at further updates, including the possibility of a physical edition later this year.
As The Thing enjoys renewed popularity, players are eager to see what Nightdive will tackle next.
There are two new upcoming Halloween games that are currently in development using Unreal Engine 5. John Carpenter is heavily involved in the project, but if Nightdive were to get included, it could be right up their street.
The Thing: Remastered Patch Notes – February 2025 Update
General
- Fixed the Conspiracy Theorist achievement (retroactively applied to old saves).
- Resolved a softlock where Stolls would stop running to the black tech lab door.
- Fixed crashes related to detonating C4, quitting the game, and Thing beast encounters.
- Added a “Most Recent” button in the load menu for easier access to the latest save.
- Autosaves now display the level name instead of just “Autosave.”
- Fixed a bug where falling from curbs in the roadway tunnel could prevent stepping onto higher surfaces.
- Resolved missing key bindings in input options on first launch.
- Improved performance when querying dynamic game options.
Gameplay
- Adjusted weapon firing rates to properly respect button mashing (excluding the pistol).
- Reduced ammo and health dispenser output based on difficulty (customisable in settings).
- Marked certain grenades as volatile, restoring original game behaviour.
- Adjusted Blake’s facing direction after the weather station cutscene.
Levels
- Fixed incorrect collision in the first level where characters sank into the snow.
- Resolved collision issues on watchtower handrails, stairs, and out-of-bounds areas.
- Renamed Carter in Strata Medibay to Hawk, restoring unused voice lines.
- Added a missing green light to a save terminal in the third level.
- Fixed floating medipack dispensers and improperly positioned ammo boxes.
- Addressed infinite looping sound bugs that caused audio issues across multiple levels.
Display
- Corrected depth of field flickering issues.
- Made glass doors in the submersible level transparent.
- Improved normal maps on posters and boards.
- Updated Whitley’s trousers to a new model.
Sound
- Fixed speech audio inconsistencies where dialogue did not correctly follow speakers.
PC-Specific Changes
- Added autoexec.cfg support for customising console variables.
- Improved performance using the D3D11 renderer.
Steam Deck
- Fixed frame rate lock when using the Vulkan renderer outside the Steam client.
All Consoles
- Fixed a bug causing Blake’s head and legs to disappear when leaving first-person mode.
- Resolved an issue with flickering lights in the Norwegian base.
Nintendo Switch
- Optimised overall performance.