S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include News

[p]The S.E.M.I. — Side Effects May Include playtest registration is now open, and we’re excited to invite you into the newest experimental build![/p][p][/p][p]The doors of the clinic are open — for now.[/p][p]It’s your turn to run, test abilities, break everything that can be broken, and tell us what kind of chaos you found inside.[/p][h3]
Availability[/h3][p]The playtest is live from November 15, 16:00 GMT[/p][p]and will remain open until November 17, 16:00 GMT.[/p][p][/p][p]Jump in at any moment during this window —[/p][p]as long as you’re fast enough to escape.[/p][p][/p][h3]How to give feedback[/h3][p]Please share your impressions, bugs, issues, or moments of pure madness here:[/p]

• [p]Steam Discussions[/p]
• [p]Or join our Discord to chat with us directly[/p]

[p]
Your feedback will help shape the Early Access version — every comment counts![/p][p][/p][p]Good luck, patients.[/p][p]And remember: side effects are guaranteed. 💊[/p]

[h3]ATTENTION, PATIENTS![/h3][p][/p][p]🗓️ BIG NEWS: EARLY ACCESS DATE![/p][p]Our medical staff has made a decision: on November 20th, we're officially opening the clinic doors to everyone in Early Access![/p][p]Also, something interesting happened: while you were running through the corridors, over 50,000 people have already tried the demo, and 25,000 of them have added the game to their Wishlist! Thank you for your interest in our humble establishment![/p][p][/p][p]Now down to business. We've released the third major update for the S.E.M.I. - Side Effects May Include... demo. Inside you'll find new content, mechanics, and numerous improvements.[/p][p][/p][h3]📢 MAJOR CHANGES AND NEW FEATURES[/h3]

1. [p]Weapon Throwing. Go crazy not just from the environment, but from new features! Pick up a weapon with the E key, hold LMB to charge your throw, and release to send your "argument" flying. You can hit both enemies and other patients - on your conscience.[/p]
2. [p]Weapon Durability. No more endlessly whacking people with cucumbers. Weapons now can break from overuse. Take care of them![/p]
3. [p]Upgraded Guard. Our staff member has completed training courses. He's now much more dangerous and can send you flying with one hit. Don't provoke him![/p]
4. [p]Voice Chat (Push-to-talk). Finally coordinate your escape or just scream into the microphone by holding the assigned key.[/p]
5. [p]Korean Language Support. Our clinic is reaching a new international level![/p]

[h3]🔧 IMPROVEMENTS AND FIXES[/h3]

1. [p]Fixed the most common network bugs (huge thanks for your bug reports!).[/p]
2. [p]Added new skins for variety.[/p]
3. [p]Improved game interface - going crazy has become more convenient.[/p]
4. [p]Enhanced environments in some rooms.[/p]
5. [p]Fixed an annoying bug that allowed escaping the map using one of the abilities.[/p]
6. [p]Added new sounds and visual effects for complete immersion.[/p]
7. [p]Running animations look more natural (as much as possible in our case).[/p]
8. [p]Rebalanced weapon and ability damage.[/p]
9. [p]Fixed other minor bugs that hindered therapy enjoyment.[/p]

[p][/p][p]The updated demo is waiting for you![/p][p][/p][p]Add the game to your Steam wishlist so you don't miss the launch![/p][p]Found a bug, have a brilliant idea, or just want to share impressions? You're welcome to our Steam forums or Discord community! Your feedback is the best medicine for our project.[/p]

[h3]Meet the Lobby System! Now Escape is a Team Effort![/h3][p]We heard your feedback: assembling a full team to break out of the clinic could be challenging. To solve this, we're introducing a new feature — game lobbies![/p][p]Now you can team up with random patients and fight your way to freedom together. Here's how it works:[/p][h3]Create Your Own Game[/h3][p]Click the "PLAY" button in the main menu and choose a lobby type:[/p]

• [p]Public: Anyone on Steam can join your game, not just your friends.[/p]
• [p]Private: Only those you invite via the in-game menu (ESC) using the "INVITE FRIENDS" option can join.[/p]

[h3]Quick Join[/h3][p]Ready to jump right in? Click the "FIND MATCH" button in the main menu, select a suitable public lobby from the list (check the ping for the best connection), and hit "JOIN". That's it! You're on a team.[/p][p][/p][p]The updated demo is available for download now![/p][p][/p][p]Add the game to your wishlist and follow for updates – side effects are guaranteed![/p][p]If you spot a bug, have a suggestion, or just want to share your thoughts – visit our Steam forums or join our Discord.[/p]

[h3]ATTENTION, PATIENTS![/h3][p]Take your sedatives and fasten your restraint straps – our general intensive care unit is ready for your visit. The doctors haven't slept for nights, mixing the maddest ideas with a pinch of chaos to make your escape even more... interesting. Ready for your next dose?[/p][p]We've released the second major update for the S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include demo, packed with new content, mechanics, and improvements. Without further ado, let's get down to business.[/p][p][/p][h3]New features for the inmates of our favorite nuthouse[/h3]

1. [p]We heard your feedback and added a single-player mode.[/p]
   • [p]Here's how it works: if you're alone in the lobby and start a run, you'll be taken to a location designed for solo play. The game doesn't prevent other players from joining you during your escape on this map.[/p]
2. [p]Added 4 new rooms to the group escape. Will you manage to complete this obstacle course without getting fried by the traps?[/p]
3. [p]New Ability – 'Pyromaniac'. You can launch a fireball, just like a sorcerer... only with deviations. But be careful: the size of the fireball is not up to you! Your teammates will love this gift.[/p]
4. [p]Vendor. That very one who stood in every hallway, annoying you by refusing to give you pills. You can now collect candies on the map and use them to buy even more pills.[/p]
5. [p]Settings Interface. We've standardized the settings layout and added a new 'Controls' tab, allowing you to learn the game's main functions without memorizing hints on school boards in the lobby.[/p]
6. [p]Simplified the object throwing system. When charging a throw, release any button (LMB or RMB, or both at once), and the object will fly where intended.[/p]
7. [p]Ability – 'Meatball'. We've fundamentally reworked this ability's mechanics. Now you can:[/p]
   • [p]Launch yourself like a mad projectile towards enemies or... your own teammates.[/p]
   • [p]Your teammate can pick you up and aim your flight in the right direction.[/p]

[h3]Minor Improvements[/h3]

1. [p]Added a HUD icon that prompts you when you can pull a stuck teammate out of the floor or a wall. And yes, it's not a bug, it's a feature :)[/p]
2. [p]Updated the visuals of several objects on the maps.[/p]
3. [p]Reworked the visual design of the main menu.[/p]
4. [p]Added a bunch of new sounds.[/p]
5. [p]Fixed several bugs.[/p]

[p]The updated demo is available for download now![/p][p][/p][p]Add the game to your wishlist and follow the updates – side effects are guaranteed![/p][p]If you spot a bug, want to suggest an idea, or just share your feedback – visit our Steam forums or join our Discord.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Hello everyone![/h3][p][/p][p]We’ve released an update for the demo version of S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include, which includes improvements to trial rooms, enemy behavior updates, interaction tweaks, and a whole bunch of bug fixes.[/p][p]More than 11,000 people played the demo during the first week — and that’s incredibly encouraging. Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to play, experience the side effects, and share their feedback![/p][p]With so many players came a wave of suggestions, ideas, and thoughts.[/p][p]This helped us better understand what you expect from the game — and more importantly, where we need to improve mechanics, clarity, and balance.[/p][p][/p][h3]Thursday October 2nd Changelog (today):[/h3][p][/p][h3]1. Puzzle Room — Minecarts simplified[/h3]

• [p]Levers are gone — replaced with four direction buttons[/p]
• [p]Buttons with weights replaced by vertical movement buttons (up/down)[/p]
• [p]Bridge movement before the next room is now faster[/p]
• [p]Minecarts now have indicator lights to show correct/incorrect inputs[/p]
• [p]Wall levers for glass gates also now have indicator lights[/p]

[h3]2. Enemy Behavior Improved[/h3][h3]3. UI & Interactions[/h3]

• [p]You can now join another session directly from the lobby (previously only possible via main menu)[/p]
• [p]If a player is on fire or electrified, touching teammates passes the effect[/p]
• [p]Tutorial boards moved closer to the lever that triggers escape[/p]
• [p]Russian language added for all tutorial boards[/p]
• [p]New alternative throw control: you can now throw items with SHIFT + LMB[/p]
• [p]Throwing power mechanics reworked — now more predictable[/p]

[h3]4. Small Improvements[/h3]

• [p]Increased speed of elevators in trial rooms[/p]
• [p]“Transformer” ability:[/p]
  • [p]Enemies no longer deal damage while the ability is active[/p]
  • [p]Charge time reduced[/p]
• [p]“Meatball” ability:[/p]
  • [p]Damage increased[/p]
• [p]All interactive items and weapons now have highlight glow[/p]
• [p]New options in Settings:[/p]
  • [p]Mouse sensitivity[/p]
  • [p]Inverted camera toggle[/p]

[h3]5. Bug Fixes[/h3]

• [p]Suitcase melee weapon no longer falls through the floor[/p]
• [p]Monster Flask trial: door grid now opens correctly[/p]
• [p]Minecart trial: fixed audio clipping issues[/p]
• [p]“Alice” ability: giant form now deals damage properly[/p]
• [p]Fixed multiple areas where players could get stuck[/p]
• [p]Fixed audio delays in Madness system[/p]
• [p]Fixed skin display issues for “Parkinson’s Revolver” ability[/p]

[h3]6. Visual & Audio Updates[/h3]

• [p]New visual effects for “Transformer”[/p]
• [p]Updated VFX for “Alice”[/p]
• [p]Some hats are now animated and look even more chaotic[/p]
• [p]Refreshed visuals for several room props[/p]
• [p]Added background music during escape events[/p]
• [p]Added new sound effects for items, states, and abilities[/p]

[p]
The updated demo is now live![/p][p]Add the game to your wishlist and stay tuned — side effects guaranteed.[/p][p][/p][p]If you find a bug, want to share feedback or just chat — hop into the Steam Discussions or join our Discord. We read everything![/p][p][/p][p][/p]