Gear up, Survivors! The moment you've eagerly awaited is almost here. We're thrilled to unveil the much-anticipated playable demo of Serum, set to launch on the 5th of February, immersing you in a gripping experience that extends throughout the entire duration of Steam NEXT Fest until the 12th of February.
Prepare for an unforgettable journey!
The countdown to adventure begins as you step into the dangerous, apocalyptic world of Serum. Brace yourself for an immersive experience where survival instincts and strategic thinking are your best allies. Uncover the secrets of the Blight-ravaged universe and delve into the mysteries held by the powerful elixir – Serum.
What awaits you in the demo?
Explore the gripping narrative as the menace unfolds, revealing a world in chaos and a desperate need for a cure. As the clock ticks, discover how Serum becomes not just a lifeline but a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the brink of destruction. Assume the role of Adam, a daring Serum tester, and navigate through a perilous environment, crafting weapons, brewing Serum varieties, and facing mutated monstrosities.
Your exclusive opportunity!
This will be your exclusive opportunity to get hands-on with Serum, shaping its destiny with your feedback. Join the discussion on our Discord, share your insights, and become a part of the Serum community as we pave the way for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Save the Date: February 5th, 2024
Mark your calendars for February 5th, 2024, as Serum's playable demo unleashes the apocalyptic thrill upon Steam NEXT Fest. The countdown to survival begins, and the adventure awaits. Get ready to dive straight into the action and unravel the mysteries of Serum!
Games from friends: explore the chilling wilds in Winter Survival
As you brave the thrilling depths of Serum during Steam NEXT Fest, we also encourage you to venture into the frozen realms of Winter Survival, a masterfully crafted survival game by our esteemed friends at Drago Entertainment.
In Winter Survival, you find yourself thrust into a harsh, snowy environment where the relentless cold becomes your greatest adversary. The Winter Survival demo will be available all throughout the upcoming Steam NEXT Fest!
Games from friends: conquer the red frontier in Occupy Mars
We also invite you to dive into the uncharted territories of Occupy Mars, a survival game designed by Pyramid Games.
In Occupy Mars, you navigate a challenging landscape of the Red Planet, and try to survive the harsh Martian conditions. Conquer the inhospitable terrain and uncover the secrets of Mars as you embark on a captivating adventure.
Thank you for your interest and questions about Serum. We were inundated with so many to be able to answer them all, but here are answers to some of the more popular ones.
How will melee combat function? The combat in Serum is based around melee and range attacks. The players will be able to craft multiple weapons and choose the best one to face various enemies who are susceptible to different types of damage. Each melee weapon will have a basic attack and a strong attack. As the players progress through the game, they will be able to upgrade the previously crafted weapons and repair them.
Will there be the option to target lock and block? There will be an option to block the attacks, but to ensure a free flow of combat, there will be no target lock.
Will there be a story-driven DLC that emphasizes hardcore gameplay within the sci-fi (horror) world? Serum is a story-driven game from the start. There may be further expansions that will enhance the experience by adding additional content, but it’s still too early to say.
Is there a mode that's not cooperative-based, without an excessive focus on crafting, base-building, and extensive customization? As a story-driven survival game, the game is focused on crafting and brewing mechanics that are tied to the player’s progress throughout the story. Various assets and adversaries in the game are designed to encourage the players to be resourceful and explore the game word.
Is it possible to sign up for the closed beta/alpha tests? Not at the moment, but if the opportunity arises, we will make sure to let our community know about it. Please join our Discord and check for regular updates on our Steam page for further development news.
In which engine is Serum produced? Serum was initially developed in Unreal Engine 4, but we’ve decided that the best course of action will be to transpose the game to the latest version of the engine. Now, the game can be enjoyed using the latest technologies delivered by the power of Unreal Engine 5.
What is the backstory of Serum? The events in Serum take place in the near future, where the world as we know has been struck by a catastrophic event called The Blight. Due to the sickness caused by the event, the world’s population dwindled close to extinction. The only cure for the effects of The Blight is the mysterious Serum that the EVAS corporation used to develop the remedy.
What is the Serum’s function in the game world? Serum is the only cure for the effects of The Blight known to mankind. Depending on the type of sickness, people may require more potent variants of the remedy. After some time, it was discovered that extensive use of the Serum can cause suspicious mutations in living beings. Our story begins after a failed experiment to stop the effects of the mutation.
When and where is the game set? The game is set on an island where the main ingredient of the cure was initially discovered and where the EVAS corporation placed its base of operations in the year 2060.
Will it come to consoles? At this moment, our focus is on the Early Access version for PCs. We do, however, wish the game to be released on more platforms in the future.
Will there be multiple difficulty settings? The game will have only one difficulty setting that is tailored to suit more advanced and beginning players who are familiar with the survival genre.
Is Serum compatible with Steam Deck? At this moment, the game is not optimised to work with Steam Deck, but this may change before the planned release of the game in Early Access.
How many different formulas of Serum can be created for players to utilize and benefit from? We don’t want to spoil too much, but the ingredients for Serum can be gathered from many sources, and there will be a variety of formulas that the players can experiment with. Each one of those will come with its own set of benefits.
How will co-op work in Serum, do players work together, and is there a different goal to the main story if playing in co-op? The host of the co-op game will be playing as the main character of the story and have the same goals as if this were a single-player mode. The other players that join him will take on the roles of other survivors who join the player on his journey and work together to finish his task.
Is there a Serum that extends the amount of time until you need to take your next dose? The Serum brewed from the formulas discovered by the players can have various effects and extend the time needed before the next dose by a different amount of time.
We wish you all Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from all the teams at Game Island and Toplitz Productions.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media to see what else we’ve shared on the game so far including more revealing episodes in our deadly diary on 'X' (Twitter).
A sense of dread enveloped me as I entered the unfamiliar biome that can only be described as The Swamp. My search for more of the substance that had reshaped the world had led me here. I had to find more Serum. My heart raced, and my grip tightened around the handle of my makeshift axe as I took my first steps into the unknown.
As I waded through knee-deep water, I could smell the scent of decay coming from almost every direction. The leafless trees loomed overhead, their branches casting eerie shadows. I couldn't shake the feeling that every rustle in the underbrush and every ominous croak belonged to creatures altered by Serum.
A nervous chuckle escaped my lips as I mumbled to myself, "Hope there are no mutated mosquitoes here." The thought of facing grotesque, mutated bugs brought a smile to my face, a feeble attempt to mask the anxiety.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the swamp, freezing me in my tracks. I peered into the murky depths, my hand instinctively tightening around my axe. The water rippled, and from its depths emerged a massive creature. The Swamp had just unveiled its first secret.
Today, let's talk about some harsh truths and look ahead to a future that might hold unexpected surprises.
Before you dive into the mysterious world of the game, now's your opportunity to ask any questions you have about Serum. It doesn't have to be a matter of life or death, but maybe there's something you're curious about.
Remember, no question is perfect, and possibilities are constantly changing. The Serum might be the only way to uncover the truth!
Make sure to post your questions before midnight on December 15, 2023.
The spooky season is taking over Serum
Embrace the Halloween spirit, Survivors!
We are wishing you a spooky and exciting season while you gear up for the mysterious journey that will launch in 2024.
In the meantime, check out our small forest refuge as it undergoes a chilling transformation. Would you dare to go inside?
Near the ruins of an abandoned gas station, I caught sight of the Tentarats, a swift and deadly pack with toxic tricks up their sleeves. This place promised a potential solution, but the odds were stacked against me. Broken and battered, the gas station held the remnants of life before the catastrophe, now claimed by these agile creatures.
Their incredible speed and coordinated attacks posed a challenge. To make matters worse, their toxic spit could turn the battlefield into a lethal zone. Drawing near risked entanglement with their snout tentacles, a surefire path to serious harm. The air, already thick with tension, could become even deadlier if the Tentarats launched a barrage of their long-range attacks.
As I stood there, contemplating a strategy to outsmart these formidable foes, the gas station offered a glimmer of hope. A scavenger's paradise, it held the promise of tools, weapons, and resources that could turn the tide. But like the dormant cable cars, resurrecting a plan wasn't as simple as it seemed.
I may not be a seasoned tactician, but survival has taught me to rely on instinct and ingenuity. With each encounter, a careful dance unfolded – a dance with danger. As I faced the Tentarats and the ruins of the gas station, I knew that overcoming this challenge would demand more than just brute force. If there's an escape from this perilous dance, I'll find it – my will and hope lighting the way through the shadows of the gas station ruins.
As I stood at the edge of the forest, my eyes shifted towards the dormant cable car system that stretched across the landscape. Its broken cables dangled lifelessly, contrasting the island's vibrant beauty. The notion of this once-thriving transportation network now being completely useless intrigued me. It could have been the ideal means to traverse the island, weaving through the treacherous swamps, dense forests, and gaping canyons that separated its diverse regions.
I couldn't help but wonder about the island's past right before the catastrophe, when the cable cars were filled with EVAS scientists, providing easy access to its various research stations. It would be great to have these working again, but this would be no easy task. Since I am no engineer, I must rely on my survival skills and instincts, carefully planning each excursion.
The dream of resurrecting this once-majestic transportation system, while alluring, was nothing more than a fantasy. As I looked at the disabled cable cars, I realized I would need to find another way to navigate the island's challenges. After all, I have made it so far with nothing but my will and hope supporting my efforts. If there is a way out of this hell, I will find it either way.