Why Early Access?

“"Separium: 12th Elevator" is an expansion and experimental project of Team Pearl's interdisciplinary art and our first release on Steam. This game is based on the fictional space of "Separium" within Team Pearl's universe. Previously, Separium was showcased as an interdisciplinary art project combining art and technology in offline exhibitions across South Korea in 2022 and 2023. It draws inspiration from the "backrooms" genre and the indie game "The Exit 8", offering players a unique anomaly simulation experience. In this game, players step into the role of an administrator within Separium, navigating the elevator system by remembering elements and completing missions set by AI 'Purry'. However, the final mission relies on Purry's question, with the game's ending determined by the AI.

The beta version of "Separium: 12th Elevator" was first unveiled at Sónar+D in Barcelona, Spain, in June 2024, where it was selected as one of Sónar+D’s featured projects. We are excited to embark on this journey with players, gathering feedback to continuously evolve and enhance the experience.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We expect "Separium: 12th Elevator" to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. This timeline allows us to gather valuable feedback, make improvements, and add new content based on community input. However, the exact duration may vary depending on development progress and the scale of updates we plan to implement.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“For the full version of "Separium: 12th Elevator", we plan to expand the unique anomaly-driven experiences of the Early Access version, refining gameplay mechanics and enhancing visual storytelling. We aim to introduce additional missions and various branching endings within the Separium universe, deepening interactions with AI 'Purry' and enhancing story immersion. Furthermore, we intend to add new environments and a range of elevator scenarios to increase replayability and deepen the simulation experience.

We also plan to incorporate player feedback to improve accessibility, balance difficulty levels, and optimize performance across platforms. While we cannot make specific promises for each feature, our focus is on delivering a fully immersive experience that captures the essence of the Separium universe.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version of currently includes the core gameplay elements, allowing players to experience the unique anomaly simulation and interact with AI 'Purry' through the initial missions. The main elevator mechanics, basic visual storytelling, and branching paths are in place, giving players a solid introduction to the Separium universe. However, this version is still evolving, and additional missions, expanded interaction options, and refined visual and audio elements are planned for future updates.

We are actively gathering feedback to enhance accessibility, optimize performance, and adjust the difficulty balance, ensuring an engaging and immersive experience that will evolve as the game develops.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“We plan to offer at a reduced price during Early Access to show our appreciation for the community's participation and feedback. As we continue to expand the game with new content and enhancements, the price may increase for the full release to reflect the added value and improvements made along the way.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“We’ll actively engage with our community through the Steam page and social media, using these channels to gather feedback and share development updates. The Steam Community forums will serve as our main hub for player discussions, where we’ll respond to suggestions and address any issues raised by players.”