Hello everyone. We’ve recently released some bug fixes and small changes for the holiday update. Included in this post are details that you may have missed.

• Flamingo attack damage multiplier against SCPs is now 2.0x (was 0.9x).
  
• The Flamingo tape player now increases its odds of spawning each round until it is obtained from the tree.
  
• Fixed an issue where Flamingos would get stuck on Surface post-warhead detonation.
  
• Fixed an issue where Flamingos would grant object rewards when killed by humans.
  
• SCP-2536 now teleports to Chaos Insurgency as per any other human role.
  
• Grenades spawned by SCP-2536 will properly deal damage to players, instead of just scaring them.
  
• Restored SCP-173's Christmas/Anniversary Model.
  
• Fixed 173's death animation using its standard model.
  
• Fixed 173's teleport indicator sometimes not appearing correctly.
  
• Added more snow piles throughout all zones, primarily within important rooms.
  
• Fixed snow piles not regenerating after a set amount of time on Surface.
  
• Restored ‘snowy’ textures on Surface's terrain.
  
• Restored Christmas/Anniversary Fog throughout the Facility.
  
• Fixed Pit Shader not being recolored with the Xmas fog.
  
• Restored Chaos Train as a random variant of the Chaos Van during the event. Keep an eye out for flying cars!
  
• Disabled the Achievements Debug Menu.
  
• Fixed misaligned Clutter spawns on the Surface railings.
  
• Extended SCP-079’s fence ever-so-slightly so that you couldn’t jump in and get softlocked.
  
• Removed debug messages from the Server Console.

That is all for today. Have fun, and see you in the dark.

Hello everyone. After a long month of refinement during our Public Beta, we are happy to conclude and release the ‘Heavy Duty’ update. While we have plenty more in store for the 14.X lineage, we have decided to begin by releasing a redux of 2023’s Anniversary update alongside the full release. We’ll continue refining the last few remaining features in preparation for a festivity-free Facility.

We will briefly revisit what you can expect within this update. For a more detailed changelog of how the game iterated over the beta process, you can read more here.[docs.google.com]

As mentioned in the previous update notes, a primary cornerstone of the ‘Heavy Duty’ update is our changes to Heavy Containment Zone (HCZ). With ten new layouts and massive modifications to level design, we are happy to consider this the first proper ‘zone rework’ we have accomplished.

Following feedback regarding HCZ’s layout, we have opted to proceed with a few adjustments from the beta. We noticed that structures were spawning slightly less than intended, leading us to update our randomisation system. You can now expect an increased number of doors, clutter objects, and improved bulkhead consistency. Also, keep your eyes out for the newly finished Alpha Warhead room!

Another core feature of ‘Heavy Duty’ is the newly improved Respawn Overhaul systems. With a goal for gameplay decisions to feel more impactful in-game, players will have the ability to observe how actions directly affect the flow of the game.

The firearms within SCP:SL went through many iterations during the public beta. Overall bullet accuracy has been improved across the board for every gun, with reduced recoil also leading to a more user-friendly gunplay system. Much has changed since the start of the beta, so be sure to experience the new gunplay systems if you have not done so already..

We have reworked the 3-X Particle Disruptor and experimental weapon spawning systems during the beta. Alongside this, we will be showing off the new Micro-HID with the full release of this update. We hope you enjoy it.

SCP-1344 is the new SCP item released in this update. As our first item that directly toys with body horror, we are happy to release the ‘eye-catching goggles’ within this update.

This update also contains a massive amount of fixes, technical changes, and more for the game community at large. From new achievements, to a ton of bugs being fixed, and the addition of the new Speaker Toy, there are plenty of changes, the details for which can be found in the previously linked Beta Changelog.




The Christmas tree is back and ready to spread more cheer. This year, we have made adjustments to its available loot pool, meaning that players should expect helpful gifts more tailored to their current situation.

The Chaos Insurgency has also kept themselves off of the naughty list this year, meaning they can now receive gifts as well. How exactly they accomplished this is still to be determined.

We have heard your pleas, the Flamingos are back. Last year when we first introduced them to the public, we felt we accomplished our festive goal of bringing people together. This year we will be achieving the same, alongside some improvements and balancing changes. Here is what you can expect:

• As a whole, the possibility of SCP-1507’s tape recorder being a possible gift will be decided upon round start. The biggest downfall of SCP-1507 was the fact that they existed nearly every single round. Now, you can never truly expect when the horde may appear.
  
• SCP-1507 instances must stay together to have their maximum potential speed.
  
• Flamingos now deal reduced damage to SCPs. They are still capable, but it requires more planning and teamwork!
  
• The Flamingos are in your walls. They now spawn inside the HCZ vents.

The Piñata and cake are also making their return. Having been our first true wildcard seasonal feature, we have also found the time to be able to bring them back as well. Keep on the lookout, as SCP-956 moves twice as often!

We have been hard at work in getting this update out to you folks, and while we have certainly been busy, we are beyond happy to celebrate another year of SCP: Secret Laboratory with the community. From each and everyone at Northwood — thank you all for the unique opportunities you have given us!

Have fun, and see you in the dark.

- Northwood Studios

Hello everyone!

Now that you've had a chance to play with the rebalanced weapons for a while, we invite you to fill out this second part of the 14.0 Public Beta Feedback Survey.

https://forms.gle/vRChG2YyLoQj7sBj6

We thank you for your ongoing support and see you in the dark!
~ Northwood Studios

Hello everyone.

We have just released the second update to the Public Beta. Included are new CASSIE announcements, bug fixes, and more.

You can view a detailed list of the changes here.[docs.google.com]

See you in the dark.
~ Northwood Studios

Hello everyone.

Just a little while ago, we released the first update to the Public Beta. Included are changes to firearms, bug fixes, and more.

You can view a detailed list of the changes here[docs.google.com].

See you in the dark.
~ Northwood Studios

Hello everyone!

Now that the 14.0 Public Beta has been out for a while, we are eager to hear your thoughts on the changes it presents.

We invite you to fill out this Feedback Survey:
https://forms.gle/kkQGiib83Zc5iEmn9

We thank you for your ongoing support!

See you in the dark!
~ Northwood Studios

2024 has been a crazy, but incredible year for us. Perhaps even the most incredible. To end this year off, we are pursuing the Labour of Love award for the 2024 Steam Awards. SCP: Secret Laboratory has been, and will always be, a labour of love to us, and having the privilege of being able to work on it for the last seven years is nothing but an honour.

In the last year alone, we've completely overhauled Heavy Containment Zone, reworked the Experimental Weapons, added several new rooms and hallway variants in HCZ, implemented our new beautiful human player models, added a new SCP item, refactored our firearm system, reworked the respawn system, expanded the lore, and much more.

We're immensely pleased with what we've accomplished this year. We've heard your feedback, and we're excited to see what else we can do in the years to come! We're proud that SCP: Secret Laboratory has evolved into what it is now, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

So whether you're a veteran or a new player, we would be incredibly grateful if you could nominate us for this award.

In any case, we hope that you can stick around as we continue to further develop SCP: Secret Laboratory for many years to come.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy playing the 14.0 Public Beta as much as we enjoyed making it.

Apropos to the Steam Awards, we would like to use this opportunity to answer some community questions today! Due to the large number of questions, we have selected a portion of them to be answered in this post. But worry not, more will follow in the future.

The questions we will be answering today are separated in five categories:

• SCPs
  
• Humans
  
• Map
  
• Game and Update Development
  
• Servers and Modding

Let’s dive right into them!

Question
Will another playable SCP be added?

Answer
Yes, we do plan to introduce another playable SCP in the future. We have a few ideas, but we want any new SCP to be both distinct and well-suited to the multiplayer nature of the game.

In other words, our SCPs must be fun to play both as and against. In the past, we've rushed certain concepts, leading to issues and frustrations that we're still working to resolve to this day. To avoid repeating those mistakes, we'll be taking our time to prototype and test new SCP ideas before introducing them.

---

Question
Will you update or rework 079?

Answer
A complete rework of SCP-079 isn't planned anytime soon. However, we are actively looking to rework specific abilities that have been causing issues, such as door locking, as well as the SCP’s heavy reliance on teammates.

---

Question
Will you add neutral SCPs?

Answer
We aren't planning on adding neutral playable SCPs, mainly because introducing them would essentially create a new faction, which is not something we want to do anytime soon.

---

Question
Will you add AI-controlled SCPs?

Answer
AI-controlled SCPs aren't out of the question, however, there are no immediate plans to implement them. We would only make something AI-controlled if it doesn’t make sense for a human to control it, as some SCPs aren’t able to be AI-controlled without going against the core premise of the game, i.e. being able to fight as the SCPs or fight people controlling said SCPs.

---

Question
Will the Femur Breaker make a return in the future?

Answer
We aren’t sure. It may return in the future, as it is a unique mechanic to 106 that adds plenty of personality and gameplay mechanics. If it does make a return, it will probably not be used as a way to instantly kill SCP-106. If we cannot find a suitable way to implement this mechanic, there is a chance of it being removed permanently.


Question
Will there be new human teams/factions?

Answer
Although it's not completely impossible that we might consider such a thing in the far future, for now, making the Chaos Insurgency and Foundation both fit well into gameplay is already a lot to handle.

The main difficulty is that we’d want each faction to feel distinct. We’d want to explore these factions in depth, get them right from the beginning. Due to the quantity of work involved, it won’t be our focus for a long time.

---

Question
Will there be new types of weapons? I.e. Flamethrower, AoE, damage over time stuff, melee…

Answer
We like to experiment with new types of weapons everytime we add one to the game. No weapons — or special weapons — should feel the same to use.

---

Question
Will guards get a rework?

Answer
We recognise guards as one of the classes a large number of players do not enjoy as much as others. We believe there is room for some major improvements in the future.

---

Question
Will classes get more specific objectives?

Answer
As we continue to develop the game, we hope to add depth to the methods players can utilise to succeed in the game. A hypothetical facility guard expansion, for example, would probably benefit the most from such a rework.

---

Question
Will movement get a rework in the future?

Answer
We are satisfied with the current human movement system, but changes to specific SCPs, including new movement abilities, isn’t out of the question.

---

Question
Will classes without subclasses get subclasses in the future? (I.e. D-Class and Scientist)

Answer
There are no current plans, but it isn’t out of the question.

---

Question
Are there plans to make existing classes have specific perks? (I.e. New MTF having night vision or Chaos having gas resistance)

Answer
We haven’t experimented with perks for human classes, but like the previous question, it’s not ruled out. We want to avoid any human abilities that feel supernatural in nature. Abilities pertaining to something like the gas mask would require that we implement a set of mechanics that make it useful. In other words, it would call for a lot of work to implement this.

---

Question
Will there be crouching/proning?

Answer
We have no current plans regarding this.


Question
Will you rework Light/Heavy/Entrance/Surface?

Answer
Definitely. We will get around to reworking all the zones as time passes, starting with Heavy Containment Zone for the 14.0 update. The same treatment will be given to the other zones, as they have begun to show their age and require a full rework to be up to the standard that the game will soon have.

With every rework, we like to address the flaws in the current game map. These flaws include a lack of variety between rooms and a lack of interactables within them. We want to work with Level Design and create new and fun ways of navigating and interacting with our game world, while fixing the larger problems in the current maps, such as rooms that are easily camped. Once we complete Heavy Containment Zone, we will be moving on to rework another zone.

---

Question
Will you add new zones?

Answer
As of right now, the answer is no. This is not a priority since our goal is to expand upon the existing zones and flesh them out. Once the current zones have been reworked and the map is up to quality standards, we could look into potential (sub)zones, but only if they would add something meaningful to the game.

---

Question
Will you add new rooms?

Answer
Yes, no doubt about it. Adding new room variants is important for our future plans as they are very important aspects of the game. Each of these rooms have their own individual purpose to fulfil, and we plan to fill every zone with new rooms and room variants.

---

Question
Will you add more environmental hazards?

Answer
Environmental hazards are an extra layer of variety in the game, and variety is something we strive for. They act as additional layers of challenges for players, like the various pits and pipes in the Heavy Containment Zone. So yes, once we have the time, you can expect to see more of them.

---

Question
What is Level Design’s goal when reworking the facility?

Answer
Level Design’s goal is to make each zone feel different, either by its usefulness or by its theme, in order to create a completely different atmosphere for each zone.

For example, Heavy Containment Zone would act as a large hub of sorts while Entrance Zone is a maze of multiple different rooms and areas. That said, what each zone contains and the unique plans for each zone are still up in the air.

---

Question
How will the layouts of the different zones change in the future?

Answer
We want to make each round feel unique and different. One way to achieve this is to increase the variety and quantity of layouts. We want to make sure that the map is:

• Conductive to immersion, and by extension, horror;
  
• Varied enough so the player wants to explore and discover lots of loot;
  
• Visually up to par, and plays well;
  
• Allowing the player to seek different approaches to the situations that may occur.

---

We have implemented these objectives into our Heavy Containment Zone rework, where we added and changed some layouts.
Question
Will the Pocket Dimension get an update?

Answer
There is not an easy answer for this at the moment. What we can say is that 106 will have more work put into his fundamental design if we do decide to update him. This then raises the question if we need a Pocket Dimension at all. All approaches have benefits and drawbacks attached to them, and they will need to be considered thoroughly.

We are, however, looking at a visual rework to move away from the old visuals and update them to fit with our visions for the game.

---

Question
Will there be changes to the way humans gain access to navigate or escape the facility, without relying on 914?

Answer
We are currently looking into it, as we can see that current pathfinding and escaping relies heavily on SCP-914 and the loot in Light Containment Zone. This requires a lot of improvements such as better loot distribution and better escape paths (as seen in the Loot Overhaul PEARs test).

We’d like to explore different escape paths or ways to access areas once the game has expanded further and more in-depth human mechanics are developed. There are a lot of possibilities we could explore regardless of the direction we choose to take, however, we will be looking to improve these systems over time.


Question
Will you improve the game's optimisation?

Answer
Game optimisation is much more complex than people realise. For the past few years, we have been working on refactoring our codebase to improve both the maintainability and performance of the game. There are limits to what we can do due to SL’s reliance on third-party assets, but we have made significant improvements in our own assets and code. We are currently working to update and remove these third-party assets where possible, so you can expect to see gradual improvements in the game’s performance over time.

---

Question
Why do updates take so long?

Answer
Game development often takes longer than people might expect, especially when it’s done by a small, independent studio like ours with a limited budget. Additionally, most of the team members work on the game as a secondary job, dedicating their free time and energy to these projects. This combination causes updates to take longer to complete.

---

Question
Do you have a roadmap? Do you have an ETA for x?

Answer
We don’t have a roadmap, nor do we have any plan for one at the moment. Our primary focus remains improving the core gameplay experience by introducing new content, reworking the frustrating mechanics, and replacing assets from SCP – Containment Breach.

We have many projects and ideas we’d like to work on, however, as the community grows, their priorities often shift due to the ever-changing needs of our playerbase.

---

Question
Will you add new achievements?

Answer
Yes.

---

Question
What is the biggest priority when designing updates, and how is this determined?

Answer
This is difficult to answer, because of the countless factors that go into prioritisation. The main priority in an update is trying to fix a major deficiency within the game — for example, Heavy Containment Zone with 14.0.

Making this decision, however, is more complicated. It mostly boils down to whatever makes sense with the resources we have, as well as what might speed up other projects. The community also has a voice in this, with feedback through surveys and forums, as we try to listen to the improvements they’d like to see or what problems they have experienced. This is no easy task since the community has many subcommunities that each have their own requests.

We also consider the team’s motivation for certain projects, as we believe that being excited about what we are working on improves productivity.

---

Question
What is the end goal for SCP:SL? / Vision?

Answer
SCP:SL does not have a fixed end goal. We will continue to provide updates for as long as there is demand for new features, community support, and it remains financially viable.

---

Question
How do you plan to expand upon the horror aspects of SL?

Answer
Horror is a complicated topic in a multiplayer shooter. Multiple games with replayability struggle with this issue: how do you keep a game scary, while still being fun to play? Experienced players will get used to the horror, and will not find it as scary as before.

Our horror shines due to the fear of the unknown, the lack of knowledge of what is around the corner, while yet being brave enough to face it. Many aspects go into this, but these are the main ones that we want to touch upon for this question:

• Light and Sound
  The atmosphere makes or breaks the tension around each corner, which is at its best when isolated and alone. We want to make the facility feel darker and instill a feeling of dread into the players.
  
  
• Randomisation
  This is the fear of the unknown. What does the map layout look like? What threat are we facing? What can the threat do to you?
  When players don’t know what they will face in the dark, they are more likely to run away from a major threat instead of fighting it. We plan to expand on this more in the future, as this greatly increases the horror.
  
  
• SCPs
  Some SCPs are not that scary model-wise, like 049. We plan to fix this and perhaps add more to the roster to provide more variety in each game and add more uncertainty on what you might face.

Of course, most of these work best on the newer players. Experienced players already have a good grasp of the possibilities within each round and will get used to the scares.

---

Question
Will there be any form of monetisation in the future?/How do you make money on a free game?

Answer
We primarily monetise our game through our Patreon page, where you can support us directly. In addition to Patreon, we occasionally launch special campaigns, such as collaborations for exclusive plushies with Makeship or promotions with our server providers. In order to keep this project self-sustainable, we may explore additional non-intrusive monetisation sources.

---

Question
Will SCP:SL ever come to other platforms? (Linux, Mac, console, ...)

Answer
SCP:SL currently runs on Linux via Proton.

As it runs via an incomplete compatibility layer, it can be rather unstable, but we try to make it work. As for MacOS, the best we can say is that it's a little difficult, as we don’t have the necessary tools to test this at the moment.


Question
Will you consider adding community-made plugins to the base game?

Answer
Yes and no. We have previously implemented community-requested features into vanilla as an option, which are now server settings the server host can play around with.

That being said, with the LabAPI Project now open for public discussion, we have expressed our interest in providing better support for people to create the tools they need, specifically tailored to their (or others') servers, as opposed to creating basic and generalised features.

---

Question
Will you allow custom models/textures/sounds, and will modding support ever improve?

Answer
Our primary focus will always be delivering high-quality content and updates for the base game. While proper client-modding support is not entirely out of the question, we want to prioritise providing the best gameplay experience we can.

That being said, server plugins have been something we are strongly in favour of providing constant support for, as it helps servers moderate and provide some unique experiences tailored to what their communities want, with no need for downloading external assets.

In terms of providing an easily accessible server modding framework, our upcoming LabAPI is one of our goals, and we expect to provide more fun tools for modders to play around with and expand their custom created features within the constraints of the game.

---

Question
Will you add Steam workshop support?

Answer
While we aren't considering workshop support, we are looking into making plugin development and installation significantly easier with the release of the LabAPI, our own plugin development framework. Plugins are the primary way to add server-based custom additions. We're hoping to further support and aid plugin development throughout the future.

---

Question
Will you improve the server browser filters/make a matchmaking system?

Answer
If we are to revisit server browser filters, we'd consider expanding the system with more ways for servers to identify themselves and for community members to sort through them. Unfortunately, this is more difficult than it sounds, and ensuring that all filters are accurate will be a challenge due to the game’s wide variety of community hosted servers.

We currently have no plans for matchmaking at this time. It's difficult to ensure that players are sent to a server that follows all of the standards we'd like to achieve. Another significant challenge with any sort of matchmaking system is the unfair scenario where new players are matched with extremely experienced ones. We feel it's best for players to sort themselves into communities they enjoy.

---

Question
Will text chat ever be added?

Answer
The core goal of a system like text chat is to aid folks who may not have microphones. Due to the fast-paced nature of SL, we worry that a text chat would result in players being killed or otherwise punished for using such a feature. Instead of a text-based messaging system, we would rather explore alternative solutions for players without microphones, such as hand-signs or callouts.

---

Question
Will you rework Remote Admin?

Answer
The Remote Admin (RA) menu has gone through multiple iterations throughout the years. We are currently on RA 4.0, and are focusing on expanding the menu as needed whenever new features or commands are added. We would be open to RA 5.0 if this is deemed necessary, as we are always open to suggestions and potential features we can implement to aid server hosts.

---

Question
Will there be peer-to-peer servers? As in, will there be an option to host a game from within the client, without a need for a dedicated server?

Answer
Unfortunately, due to the chosen network architecture and technical limitations, such an option is unlikely to appear in the future.

Those were the questions for today's batch.

Be sure to stay tuned, as there is a second part on the way! Expect to get more of your questions answered, like why we decided to rework Heavy Containment Zone before Surface Zone, or why we are releasing more overhauls and balance changes instead of adding new content. But for now…

Stay safe, and see you in the dark.

- Northwood Studios

“Perhaps it was the allure of power. Resentment against the ones who solicited those heinous acts. Even the desire to see the world in ashes.

Such a question is asinine now. The bitter truth is that we have an enemy more dangerous than any, and they came directly from the halls and ranks of our own.”

- O5-12 | Arlington Summit (2011)

We’ve once again partnered with Makeship to bring you another adorable SCP: Secret Laboratory plushie!

This time, rather than being in the Foundation’s employment/confinement, we’re bringing you a plushie who is absolutely against everything the Foundation stands for.

For a limited time only, you can grab the Chaos Insurgency Plush from Makeship’s website:
https://www.makeship.com/products/chaos-insurgency-plush


Once the campaign ends, the plushies will no longer be available for purchase, so grab one while you still can!

https://youtu.be/tXFaGFilZWw

Hello everyone. After a month of refinement during our Patreon Beta, we are proud to announce that we’ll be moving to a public beta for further refinements and adjustments before full release.

You can opt-in to the beta by right-clicking SCP:SL in your Steam Library, and then by selecting the Properties tab.
From there, select the Betas category, and finally, select the Public Beta option from the dropdown menu.

And now, without further ado, let’s get into the changes!

As a cornerstone of the ‘Heavy Duty’ update, we have completed our first-ever zone rework. Included are massive changes to the Heavy Containment Zone (HCZ), with significantly improved sightlines, maze-like architecture, and plenty of new rooms. Following the recent improvements to our Level Design team, we are very excited for the future of the Facility.

One of our largest concerns with current gameplay is how much time is spent spectating the game. Following multiple Patreon Early Access Rebalancing Sessions (PEARS), we’ve decided to finally launch our reworked respawning mechanics. Our goal is for players to be in the game more and feel like their actions are impactful, while still retaining the unique structure of Insurgency versus Foundation versus SCP Subjects.

This update comes with balance adjustments and a global simplification to our firearm mechanics. Following community requests for guns to behave more akin to pre-Parabellum firearms, we’ve decided that this solution will be the best of both worlds. Nearly every weapon has been rebalanced, leading to a general decrease in recoil and more accessible shooting mechanics. We’ve also introduced more feedback when using weapons, including improved bullet impacts, fly-by noises, and tracers.
Want to learn more? We’ve explained this decision in more detail in our publicly released February Patreon post[patreon.scpslgame.com].

We have introduced a full overhaul to the 3-X Particle Disruptor, and will be giving the Micro-HID a similar treatment during the public beta. These two weapons in particular have shown their age throughout the recent months. With the teams behind their creation wanting improvements, we’ve found the time to hone these items and allow all special weapons to naturally spawn in dedicated lockers found throughout the Facility.

We have also introduced a new SCP item this update — SCP-1344! These eye-catching goggles allow their user to perceive targets through walls. This is our first item that directly deals with body horror, the next closest entity being the ugly syringe model from years back.
If you’re curious for more, we’ve just dedicated a whole Steam post showcasing how an SCP item goes from concept to implementation. Check it out here!

We’ve also introduced a plethora of fixes and improvements in this update. Due to the sheer quantity of them, we’ve opted to release a full list once the full update is around the corner. In the meantime, here are some notable highlights:

• Chaos Insurgency now counts as targets for the SCPs.
  
• Facility Guards now spawn together in the same room.
  
• Both SCP-268 and SCP-1344 are now visible on your player model while using it.
  
• Introduced 16 new achievements, alongside new artwork for existing achievements.
  
• Added some new loading screens.
  
• Improved the behind-the-scenes culling system.
  
• Fixed over 50 bugs.

Thank you all for your continued support. We’ll be working hard to finalise this update, and release it fully as soon as we deem it ready.

Have fun, and see you in the dark.

- Northwood Studios