ASYLUM News

Greetings! We have a surprise weekend update. A petit patch. Heck, practically a hotfix. Some minor requested tweaks, and one annoying issue addressed:

• Fix: Some players were unable to play a certain film reel in the Therapy Room. So, it turns out that a recent improvement to make it easier to manipulate the film projector made a previously rare bug more common. Sigh... But now we can make sure that darned projector bug is squashed for sure!
  
• Fix: When starting a new conversation with Bruno around 10:00 PM, he could say some lines that were out of place. No more.
  
• Fix: Character names in the log book now look properly translated for Russian/Ukrainian languages. Note that if you're loading a previous save, you're still going to see their names in Latin characters; I'm afraid that's how the system works. However, it should all look good now from a fresh start!
  
• Fix: Near the end of the game, there was an artificial block that didn't make sense, thus preventing players from accessing certain hints in another floor of the asylum before completing the story. There's really no hidden mystery here: it's just a small design tweak. But if you're curious what the fix is, ask in "that" thread.
  
• Note: The owls, err, I mean the planks are not what they seem. That wasn't a plot hole.
  
• Fix: A long-standing one: added missing subtitle during the intro when Rebecca says "that" ominous line.
  
• Fix: Speaking of Rebecca, it was possible to either miss a flashback or seeing all her related flashbacks in an incorrect order depending on how you did things. Now those visions should play in the intended order.
  
• Fix: Just a small glitch, a certain glass item would mysteriously reappear in the Museum at around 3:00 AM. That pesky glass thingie will now stay where it's supposed to.
  
• Note: The blueprints are accurate. If a connection between certain locations in the asylum doesn't make physical sense, then that theory is incorrect.
  
• Build string: version 1.3.3066 (test with CTRL + V).
  

And that's it for today. Note we bumped the version numbering since we now have a stable build.

Moving forward, we're going to focus on outstanding performance issues, and anything else that pops up (please do let us know). Hope you're enjoying your weekend! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch Nail Gun Massacre.

We bring you a comfy and mostly run-of-the-mill patch, yet with a number of fixes some of you were requesting:

• Fix: During the ongoing storm around mid-game, rain sounds were very faint when inside the asylum. Now you can hear the storm outside, thus further enhancing the atmosphere throughout this momentous occasion.
  
• Fix: Last time we suggested everything should be properly localized now, but some problems remained in the menu. Now it really should be ready, including all achievements in the Steam client. Hopefully that's all!
  
• Fix: Following feedback from Russian fans, we reverted the wording for "Interviews/Logs" to a more appropriate one. You complain, we listen.
  
• Fix: After finding a certain little item related to another certain musical item, the task from the notepad kept throwing an incorrect feedback, thus confusing poor players to no end. None shall be confused moving forward.
  
• Fix: Clicking "Resume" after finishing the game could crash everything. Now you can't click resume. Don't insist, the game is over. Turn off the computer and enjoy your life.
  
• Fix: A tiny texture inconsistency in Hawthorne's desk. Really small thing, no hidden meaning here. We don't want any of these patch notes being misinterpreted as story clues.
  
• Note: Is the phrase "why are you doing this" being correctly interpreted? These tenses can get tricky.
  
• Fix: After unlocking a certain drawer early in the game, the task for this puzzle could annoyingly reappear, thus annoying attentive players. None shall be annoyed moving forward.
  
• Fix: "Hydrotherapy" had a typo in a number of maps.
  
• Fix: Similarly, the bathrooms were incorrectly labeled in some maps. Now everything is super consistent across the maps. Please stop nitpicking the maps.
  
• Fix: There was a mysterious vase disappearing and reappearing in the foyer, thus frightening distressed players. You still will be frightened moving forward, just not by this vase.
  
• Build string: version 1.2.3058 (test with CTRL + V).
  

And that's all for today! This is not the end, though, more polish and perhaps a few surprises are still planned. Stay safe!

[p]Well, well, well, look at this. You thought we forgot about updates, but nooooo... All of us were still working hard to put ASYLUM in pristine shape![/p][p]This is a sizable changelist. Nothing groundbreaking, but it's the sum of the parts what matter this time around. There's got to be something you were looking for. All the reports you sent have been taken into account and addressed. We're very close to tackling pretty much all (yes, ALL) of them![/p][p]The update today is particularly noteworthy because it marks the last of our localization tweaks. All 11 languages should be in top shape now. However, please do let us know if you bump into any other inconsistencies or typos.[/p][p]Also, lots of people have been writing to say how much they enjoyed the game. Thank you very, very much for those kind words! There's still a good deal of discussion about the story and conclusion, so be sure to check out the Steam forums for a number of tips in that long thread. Fans are still discovering nuances and different interpretations. It's not all about cosmic horror, y'know. [/p]

• [p]New: Language fixes across the board! So many of them it boggles the mind! As promised, we revised all 10 localizations besides English and everything should be in good shape now. If you do spot more stuff that needs our attention, please let us know.[/p]
• [p]New: When using a gamepad, the ubiquitous B button now turns back menu pages and puts it down when you're back at the index. This might seem like a minor thing, but it's a pretty cool usability improvement for those of you who check your records often.[/p]
• [p]Fix: No more oversized hand cursors. Some of you were experiencing large hands under certain resolutions. We thought you liked big hands, but clearly we were mistaken. For the small group that enjoyed them (🙋), the big hands shall be dearly missed.[/p]
• [p]Fix: Better handling of available resolutions for you to choose from, now ordered properly in the list too. Those of you who love fiddling with our artistic vision will have a great time now. Weird resolutions begone.[/p]
• [p]Fix: Some text pop-ups in the menu, especially for perusing achievements on smaller screens, should now look and behave properly. [/p]
• [p]Fix: In fact, the whole menu should be more consistent now, no more funny stuff. Top notch UX. Ye, we use fancy words to make the changelist more impressive. But if you feel like the menu is still acting up, let us know and we'll sack the menu. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Bruno no longer says a bunch incorrect lines depending on when you speak with him. Naughty Bruno, he clearly needs a raise. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Also, fixed some occasional weird animations with Bruno. After all this time, the guy deserved some extra love. [/p]
• [p]Fix: More suitable first time settings when installing the game on the Steam Deck. Now when you're done fishing rare species in Cast n Chill you can come back to our cozy ASYLUM. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Volume levels should work correctly now. The menu will honor your settings. Or should. Heck, maybe the menu needs a raise too. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Some of you experienced an everlasting sound of water flowing, even after restoring saved games. But it's not you, that was a bug after all. Relax, you can leave the asylum. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Proper keyring sounds! The keyring you're carrying should make noises only when you have it in your inventory. Again, it wasn't you. That is, unless you're hearing strange noises when you quit the game. If that happens, please come back to the asylum. [/p]
• [p]Fix: The subcategory labels in the Library should make sense now. No, that wasn't a hidden clue. Please stop looking for hidden clues. [/p]
• [p]Fix: There was incorrect feedback when using the valve for the last time. It's no longer incorrect now. You could say it's... correct. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Potential crash when advancing to 3AM related to achievements and a poor DLL that for once wasn't our fault. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Menu no longer closes automatically when deleting a saved game. Apparently some of you hated this. We kind of enjoy annoying you, but in the end we're making a product under the established rules of capitalism and happy customers are fundamental for the vicious system to thrive. [/p]
• [p]Fix: There was a wrong feedback while looking at certain windows in the Chapel after a certain series of events transpired. Last time we checked they're no longer wrong. [/p]
• [p]Fix: There was yet another wrong feedback when manipulating certain items in the Museum. According to our intelligence reports, they're no longer wrong. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Similarly, solving a puzzle involving the Chapel should be less frustrating now. Again, happy customers, etc. etc. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Better interaction with reels in the Therapy Room, automatizing some of the process in case you want to watch those absorbing tapes over and over again. [/p]
• [p]Fix: Some texts in Russian were being cut off because of an improved font. Not anymore! [/p]
• [p]Mac: Better handling of fullscreen for you fans of Mac. This should be the very last specific Mac bug we have in our queue, unless something else comes up. Let us know! [/p]
• [p]Build string: version 1.2.3044 (test with CTRL + V).[/p]

Ahoy inmates!

We trust you've been enjoying your stay in the Hanwell Mental Institute. It's been over two months since ASYLUM was finally unleashed, now nearing 300 reviews with a Very Positive rating. I can tell you that everyone at Senscape is delighted with the reception of a game that was a challenge to produce, and as a big 'thank you', today we bring a number of promised cool updates:

[h2]Trading cards![/h2]

At last, they're here. Find your favorite characters, all eleven featuring their original concept art. The big cards feature an in-game location that is somehow connected to each character:



Also, the badge progression is particularly cool, if I may say so. And wait till you see the foil one! Who will get it first?



[h2]Animated stickers! Animated wallpapers! Animated everything![/h2]

In addition to the cards, our Points Shop is open for business too. Players can now express themselves in a number of unique ways, from the unexpected fan-favorite Babydog (thanks Princess Magpie for her incredible work with this sticker) to highly disturbing avatars and wallpapers.



My personal favorite is Menacing Syringe:



Go impress your friends with this and much more in the Points Shop: https://store.steampowered.com/points/shop/app/230210

The new cards are a great opportunity to revisit Hanwell if you managed to get out. But careful, you may not be so lucky the second time 👀

[h2]Soundtrack now available![/h2]

Our intention was to release a number of add-ons and goodies next Halloween, but fans seem to have really liked the soundtrack and wanted to get it ASAP, and we listened. Now YOU can listen! Relive your favorite moments from the game:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1311030/ASYLUM_Soundtrack/?beta=0
You might be interested to learn that these are slightly alternate takes, the "composer's cut" so to speak. Since all the tunes were layered programmatically while in-game, these mixes may sound different (case in point, Undiagnosed Disease). We much prefer these takes ourselves.

[h2]Bug fixes galore![/h2]

In case you missed the patch notes, we've been squashing bugs and applying your feedback since launch day. Notably, full controller support and verified Steam Deck compatibility are in the bag. Mac users can now enjoy the experience without any issues as well.

We very much appreciate your patience and reports during these first few weeks. The game is more polished and stable now, and thus the frequency of updates will be reduced (but we're not done yet!).

Here's the full history of updates for your perusal:

1.1.25314 "Death to Videodrome" 1.1.25317 "Send more paramedics!" 1.1.25319 "Angels to some, Demons to others" 1.1.25326 "Bedelia! I want my cake!" 1.1.2544 "It's gone, MacReady" 1.1.25411 "Death by stereo!" 1.1.25421 "Ki ki ki, ma, ma, ma" 1.1.25430 "I've got a real good eye for prime meat!" 1.2.2971 "Your mother ate my dog!" 1.2.2985 "We're gonna get you"

And that's it for now. It's been a joy reading your comments and theories about ASYLUM, so please keep them coming. See you soon, and enjoy your weekend!

—Agustín

A minor, yet cozy update this week. More quality of life tweaks, addressing your comments. Note that the Mac build is finally in great shape!

• New: We're Steam Deck verified!
  
• Mac: Fixed an annoying issue in which cutscenes would lose sound.
  
• Mac: Properly switches to fullscreen now.
  
• Fix: Menu pages can now be turned with gamepad shoulder buttons.
  
• Fix: Eberschacher's tape can be played multiple times.
  
• Fix: Just as well, Hawthorne's tape can be played multiple times, in case you want to relive the horror.
  
• Fix: A certain item during a certain puzzle at 12:00 AM is now more visible. Nobody likes pixel hunting.
  
• Fix: Sometimes music could be missing when entering the Foyer for the first time.
  
• Fix: Conversation log feature more readable in different resolutions and properly honoring the selected language.
  
• Fix: Sometimes Julia could be missing while in certain areas of the foyer.
  
• Fix: A weird black square could appear in the Low Risk cell. Thankfully, the problem was real and you weren't losing your mind.
  
• Fix: Removed a hotspot in Rehabilitation that didn't make sense.
  
• Build string: version 1.2.2985 (test with CTRL + V).