3 New Contracts, MP5 Submachine Gun, and Location-Based Armor: BLACKWOOD Drops Its Major Contracts Update on Steam
Running a quiet Brooklyn DVD rental shop by day and executing underworld contracts across 2012 New York by night: since Act 1 launched on September 16, BLACKWOOD has carved out a distinct niche among fans of gritty third-person action thrillers. Developer AttritoM7 Productions and co-publisher IZilla Games have now rolled out The Contracts Update on the official BLACKWOOD Steam store page, delivering the game's first major free content drop alongside a 20% discount that brings the price down to $19.99 (regularly $24.99).
Executive Protection, Stunt Audition, and Deal Overwatch: Three New Side Contracts
The centerpiece of the patch is a trio of standalone side contracts that Anton can take on between Act 1 story missions. Each assignment tests a different facet of the game's combat and driving sandbox while helping fund your storefront's monthly expenses.
- Executive Protection: An urgent close-protection contract where you defend an architectural firm's CEO against multiple waves of heavily armed attackers.
- Driving Stunt Audition: A private precision driving trial built around high-speed drifts, narrow close calls, and stunt maneuvers behind the wheel.
- Deal Overwatch: A long-range sniper assignment evoking the methodical patience of Hitman World of Assassination, stationing Anton in a nearby apartment to watch over a high-stakes business meeting and eliminate threats before they reach the client.
MP5 Submachine Gun, Location-Based Enemy Armor, and Overhauled Melee Combat
Firepower expands with the arrival of the classic MP5 submachine gun. Players can pick up a civilian variant through the in-game internet gun shop, or head to the Black Market to purchase the full-auto MP5 alongside a suite of dedicated weapon modification parts.
Gunfights also demand sharper shot placement thanks to a new location-based armor system. Specific enemies now wear protective helmets and chest rigs that absorb gunfire on armored zones, accompanied by updated limb damage balancing and reduced bullet damage falloff through thin cover. On the player side, a dedicated UI tracker monitors Anton's armor level, and eating breakfast at the start of the day now grants 20 armor points ahead of purchasable armor kits coming in a future patch.
Hand-to-hand brawling has been reworked directly from community feedback, introducing fresh combo animations, an extra finishing punch variation, and a low kick designed to bridge height differences between Anton and his targets. Meanwhile, the cinematic shoot-dodge dives inspired by Max Payne feature dynamic collision height adjustments, 45-degree landing blends, and cleaner corner takedowns.
| Category | Contracts Update Additions | Gameplay Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Side Contracts | Executive Protection, Driving Stunt Audition, Deal Overwatch | Wave-based defense, drift stunt trial, and apartment sniper overwatch |
| Weaponry | MP5 Submachine Gun (Internet Gun Shop & Black Market) | New civilian and Black Market variants with custom modification parts |
| Armor & Survival | Location-based enemy armor (chest/helmet) & Player Armor UI | Armored hit zones absorb damage; eating breakfast grants +20 armor points |
| Melee & Physics | New melee animations, low kick, 45° dive landings & bullet penetration | Better height coverage in brawls and less damage loss through thin cover |
| Polish & Tech | Overhauled tutorials, Ultrawide UI support, PSO/SVC cache & mouse smoothing | Dynamic Mission 4 nightclub objectives and reduced aiming micro-stutters |
Endless Wave Mode, Act 2 Production, and an AI-Free Photo Contest
Beyond ultrawide monitor UI fixes, new background tracks, and a crossover replacing the Skybound Convict DVD item with OZARK inside Anton's rental store, developer Meheraj shared a roadmap update from AttritoM7 Productions. While production on Act 2 is officially underway (with Acts 2 and 3 slated for 2027), Act 1 players will soon receive additional side contracts, a localization patch, and a community-requested Endless Wave Mode unlocked after completing the main story missions.
To celebrate the milestone, the studio is running the America's Next Top Hitman photo mode contest from November 6 to November 30, 2026 (using the #ANTHBLACKWOOD tag across Discord, Reddit, and social channels) for a chance to win a $100 Steam gift card and the Supporter Edition DLC. Notably, the rules enforce a strict ban on AI tools: any screenshot altered with generative AI or NVIDIA DLSS 5 is automatically disqualified.
SEO consultant for over 20 years and digital entrepreneur, Charles "Grimtag" is the founder of Pro-Gamer.gg, Retrocharting.com, and Gamescharting.com. A competitive gamer, streamer, and retro game collector, he has worked in the video game industry for over 15 years, notably as a consultant for leading game price comparison platforms. Passionate about real-time performance data and gaming technology, he analyzes competitive esports, gaming hardware benchmarks, and creator workflows on Pro-Gamer.gg with an authentic player perspective.
