First, update the demo to Demo Alpha 0.20.18 (Steam does this automatically when you restart it). The black screen on some Windows setups was fixed in 0.20.17. For language problems, delete only options.eopt from the saves folder. Dev Dev
Quick fixes by problem
| Problem | Fix | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black screen on launch | Update to 0.20.17+ | Fixed for some setups Dev |
| Very long loading | Install on an SSD | Known issue Dev |
| Language won’t change | Delete options.eopt | Official workaround Dev |
| Can’t change resolution | Reset settings (same file) | Player report Players |
| Controller stuck in menus | Update to 0.20.18 | Fixed Dev |
| Stuck in the boss nest | Update to 0.20.18 | Temporary fix Dev |
Black screen when launching
On launch day, many players got a black screen (some heard a sound or saw a logo first). A developer replied in the Steam thread that the team was looking into it, Players and Alpha Demo 0.20.17 shipped the same day with a fix for “an issue that was making the game load as black screen in some windows configurations.” Dev
- Restart Steam so the demo updates to the latest build (0.20.18 or newer).
- If it still happens, you can try the settings reset below. It is harmless to your save, though the developers haven’t named it as a black-screen fix.
- Still stuck? Report your setup on the official Discord or the Steam discussions. Dev
Long loading times
“Long loading time in some setups” is listed as a known issue the developers are still investigating. Dev The store page says the game runs on an HDD but recommends an SSD for the best experience. Official
Language won’t change (official workaround)
On some systems the language setting doesn’t apply. Until there’s a final fix, the developers suggest resetting the options file: Dev
- Close the game. Quit Emberville or the Emberville Demo completely.
- Open the saves folder. Press Win+R and open %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\CygnusCross\Emberville\Saves\
- Delete only options.eopt. Delete the file named options.eopt. Do not delete anything else in the folder.
- Relaunch. Start the game again. Settings return to defaults and your save is untouched.
Delete only options.eopt. The developers stress not to delete anything else in that folder: your save lives there too.
Resolution won’t change
Players have reported being unable to change resolution in the demo. Players There’s no official fix for this specific issue yet; resetting options.eopt (above) returns all settings to default, which is the safest first step.
Controller and menu problems
Demo Alpha 0.20.18 fixed: shoulder buttons (L/R) in some menus, gamepad UI navigation, the controller not working in the main menu after creating a character, and the radial menu opening at the wrong time. It also added experimental keyboard-only menu navigation. Dev
Where your saves are
Saves and settings live in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\CygnusCross\Emberville\Saves\. Back this folder up before experimenting. The game also supports Steam Cloud. Dev Official
FAQ
How do I fix the Emberville black screen?
Update the demo first: patch 0.20.17 fixed a black screen on some Windows configurations. If it persists, report it on the official Discord or the Steam discussions; the developers said they are investigating.
Why does Emberville take so long to load?
Long loading on some setups is a known issue the developers are investigating. The game runs on an HDD, but they recommend an SSD.
Where are Emberville save files?
Saves and settings are in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\CygnusCross\Emberville\Saves\ on Windows.
Will deleting options.eopt delete my save?
No. According to the developers, deleting only options.eopt resets settings to default and does not erase your save.
Sources
Labels: Official store page or pinned post · Dev developer statement · Players community report, not confirmed by the developer · Press coverage.
- Dev Steam announcement: "Demo - Patch Notes" (Alpha Demo 0.20.17) — 2026-10-19
- Dev Steam announcement: "Demo - Patch Notes" (Demo Alpha 0.20.18) — 2026-10-22
- Players Steam discussion "Black Screen?" (developer acknowledged) — 2026-10-19
- Players Steam discussion "Can´t change the resolution" — 2026-10
- Official Emberville — Steam store page (app 2295170) — 2026-10-29
- Dev Steam announcement: "What to Expect from Emberville Early Access" (incl. official FAQ) — 2026-10-19
Spotted something outdated? Emberville is still in development; values can change between demo patches, Early Access and 1.0. See how we source.