- Patch 1.3 - Checkpoints & Ward 4 - 29 July 2026
Dear Doctors,Since you took up your position, the Sanatorium has continued to improve its procedures. This update focuses on stability, progression, and quality-of-life improvements.ChangesAdded a Restart Ward button to the pause menu.Rebalanced the appearance of Witness characters in Ward 4 to improve ending progression.Added additional safeguards during ward initialization to prevent progression issues.FixesFixed an issue where some variables were not reset correctly when restarting a ward or loading a game.Fixed an issue where players could occasionally fail to receive cards they were meant to obtain via event or dialogue.Fixed an issue where NPC dialogue could fail to appear in certain situations, including some cutscenes in Ward 3 and parts of Ward 4.Fixed minor translation issues.Save Game CompatibilityTo ensure a stable experience, existing Ward 4 save files will automatically be…
- Bugfixes 1.2.3 - 28 June 2026
Fixed a level transition issue that could remove cards which should carry over into the next ward.Restored previously discovered records that may have disappeared because of this issue.Fixed a first-startup resolution issue that could set the game to an unsupported display mode.Fixed certain events not adding their cards to the correct hand.
- Bugfixes 1.2.2 - 20 May 2026
Fixed an issue where NPC dialogue events could fail after a dynamically selected dialogue had already been played. Added an extra safeguard to ensure the Ward 4 ending triggers correctly. Improved reliability when releasing witnesses. Added clearer blinking prompts in the treatment view when treatment can continue or a patient can be released.
- Patch 1.2.1 - 14 May 2026
Fixed the credits video not playing on some platforms.Adjusted the tutorial window position on Day 1’s Phrenology Chart so it no longer covers the hint diary page on Steam Deck.
- Patch 1.2 - Improvements to Clinic Practice - 6 May 2026
Dear Doctors,Since you took up your position, the Sanatorium has made several improvements based on your feedback. Thanks to your participation in clinic governance, we have already implemented multiple improvements to the clinic’s work environment:Patient Overview – Providing additional information during treatment.Steam Deck Verified – You can now guide the healing of minds while traveling.The Board has now approved a further clinic quality-of-life update focused on money balance, Endless Mode variation, and general stability.This also includes improvements brought to our attention by you, such as Resolution and Screen Mode Options and Skippable Game Over Cutscenes.These changes add new shop options, random money events, display settings, and several fixes to prevent progression and UI issues.We remain grateful for your continued service and dedication. Please reach out to us on Disco…
- Patch 1.1 - 23 March 2026
Dear Doctors, The Board has approved a small procedure update focused on **Steam Deck** support. These changes improve screen layout, controls, and readability on the Deck, with a few fixes that help everyone. We remain grateful for your continued service and dedication. Please reach out to us on Discord, Steam, or on our Subreddit with any feedback or questions you have. Compatibility (Steam Deck Focus)Views / DisplayAdded Steam Deck camera zoom presets (for Default and Ultra-Wide layouts).Added adaptive aspect ratio support on all platforms.Better support for ultra-wide screens and uncommon resolutions.Increased card size globally by 10%.Cards (Steam Deck)Added a Focused / Unfocused card display mode:Unfocused: card description is hidden (cleaner on small screens).Focused: full description is shown.This is currently Steam Deck only.Steam Deck ControlsFixed an issue where the Ladder an…
- Patch 1.06f - 30 January 2026
ChangesThe Endless Card Upgrade has been moved to Ward 2 for clearer progression and based on feedback that players would like access to Endless Mode sooner. Bugfixes Ward 4Resolved issues with the ending where some players encountered fragmented or missing story conclusions.Releasing any of the witness patients will now trigger a visit. Releasing additional patients will correctly lead into the ending sequence. Fixed an issue that could cause players to become stuck after Day 4 in Ward 4. Added a save game rectifier to address progression problems in Ward 4. Players affected by this issue will now be automatically reset to the starting checkpoint of Ward 4.Fixed a bug that allowed cards to be accidentally played onto a patient file while a syndrome discovery window was open. Fixed an issue where the dialogue window was not properly hidden when selecting “Cancel” in the pause menu. Fixe…
- Patch 1.05 — Clinic Procedure Update - 13 December 2025
Dear Doctors, Thank you for your continued diagnoses, careful observations, and steady feedback. We have implemented several procedural adjustments within the clinic to address the concerns raised by our esteemed staff. Changes A considerable number of notes and reports have reached our administration, and several stood out as recurrent themes. Station Briefing The Station Briefing now includes a full patient roster with their recorded or suspected symptoms. This provides a clearer overview of each ward's condition before you begin your rounds. Treatment Clipboard A commonly requested improvement. During treatment, you may now consult a dedicated clipboard listing all current patients, including a marker indicating your present position in the treatment sequence. Minor AdjustmentsAdded a subtle mechanical animation to the treatment-room speakers when the gramophone is active.Patients no…
- Patch 1.02d - 12 November 2025
This update resolves several major release issues and improves overall stability. Thank you to everyone who has played our game — and special thanks to those who reported bugs in-game or on Discord, and shared logs and save files to help us track down difficult issues. We appreciate your patience. Our two-person dev team is working hard to fix the problems preventing some of you from enjoying the game fully. Major FixesMissing Card Descriptions Fixed a critical issue where card descriptions disappeared, even after restarting or verifying game files. Content Loading Stability Addressed a complex underlying issue with how the game loads and links its data. This bug caused unpredictable behavior across multiple systems — from disappearing text to broken interactions. The loading process has been rebuilt to ensure more consistent startup and prevent cascading errors. Murder Mystery Logic Fi…
- Patch Notes 1.01a - 8 November 2025
Dear Doctors, Thank you for your support. We were inspired by all the encouraging messages and comments. We appreciate all your feedback, reports, and save files. Based on what we've seen since launch, we've made a key change to improve stability and reduce the chances of getting stuck in critical campaign sequences. Core Update Removed the autosave from the office table. Campaign save points now occur in the player’s room, not at the table. This significantly reduces soft locks and allows better error recovery. Bug Fixes Fixed a crash when an experimental card attempted to hit more targets than it should. Fixed an issue where localized card descriptions could disappear on slower systems. Fixed a bug where Endless Mode remained active even after being deselected. Fixed an issue in Endless Mode where the Janitor’s drop station shutters would remain closed. Fixed a bug preventing the menu…
- Patch 1.0 - 7 November 2025
Fixes and ChangesFixed an issue where a player could be stuck in the results screen after reloading savesFixed an issue in Ward 1 Day 3 where players were getting stuckFixed an issue with Japanese font and vertical spacesMinor fixes for other languagesMore fixes and improvements coming soon!
- Developer Release Live-Stream - 6 November 2025
Enter Castle Woods with the Developers of "Sanatorium - A Mental Asylum Simulator". Join us for our release live-stream!We'll play a little, talk about the game, its development, and anything else that interests you. Watch us play, ask questions, give feedback, say hi!We're looking forward to meeting you live!
- Patch Notes 0.98.7e - 5 November 2025
Fixes and ChangesChanged so that ward starting funds are now added to the player’s total money when applicable.Fixed a bug that could prevent players from being promoted to Ward 2.Added a safeguard to prevent save file deletion on macOS and Steam Deck due to file permission issues.Marked player preferences as persistent to prevent them from resetting during normal gameplay loops.Adjusted office layout to prevent accidental table interactions while the inventory is open. NotesThis update focuses on stability improvements, save safety, and smoother early progression between wards.Additional localization and polish updates will follow in the next patch.
- Patch Notes 0.98.7c - 3 November 2025
FixesFixed a bug that could block progression after treating extra patients in Ward 2.Fixed a bug that prevented NPC dialogue from triggering correctly in key story moments.Fixed a bug that caused the gramophone to start/stop when closing the Diagnostics Catalogue.Fixed a bug where pressing (B) on Steam Deck could close both the catalogue and patient file.Fixed a bug that prevented closing patient files in certain save states.Fixed a bug where prestige values did not update correctly after release.Fixed a progression issue in Ward 1 where prestige stayed maxed with no way forward.Fixed a bug with the typewriter sound setting not saving properly.Fixed a bug where undiagnosed patients appeared late and blocked treatment.Fixed incorrect log entries in end-of-day summaries.Fixed a bug that allowed shop cards to be clicked before they were visible.Fixed a bug where the gramophone would not a…
- Launch Blog 2: The Roaring Twenties - 24 October 2025
Welcome back to the Sanatorium Blog! Today, we wanted to talk about the era this game is set in and the narrative behind the game. The 1920sThe original idea was to investigate professional mimicry and decision-making as central game mechanics for an academic bachelor’s thesis. The guiding question was: How can psychiatry be represented in a game through impactful choices and card-based mechanics? A 1920s asylum provided an ideal setting, as its historical backdrop—marked by ethical ambiguities and the limited psychological knowledge of the era—created a compelling and challenging environment for exploring these themes.We struck a balance between historical accuracy and creative interpretation to keep the game engaging. While it’s not a fully accurate historical simulation, it’s set in a world rooted in real history. This approach resonates with modern players, allowing them to explore…
- Launch Blog 1: Behind the Sanatorium - 22 October 2025
The countdown to Sanatorium has officially begun! As we get closer to launch, we wanted to provide some background on the game.We started Sanatorium for our graduation project during our time studying game design. We have no professional background in this field and had to rely on research and even consultations with various experts. Thanks to these experts, we were able to deliver a strong historical foundation for our fictional narrative. One of these experts was the curator and professor of psychiatry from the Museum of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Berne in Switzerland.We received astounding feedback from professionals in the field after playing the demo. They weren't talking about the diagnoses or treatment methods, but about the bureaucracy within the institutions and their core approach to patient care, which, according to them, still feels strangely familiar in som…
- Enter the Asylum on November 6th! - 7 October 2025
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2059090/Sanatorium__A_Mental_Asylum_Simulator/ That's right folks, mark your calendars because on November 6th you'll be able to get your hands on Sanatorium. You'll play the part of a Doctor during the 1920s when you'll get a mysterious letter asking you to head into a Mental Asylum. How will you treat your patients? From archaic theories on medical conditions to building your perfect treatment deck, there's an endless amount of content to experience within Sanatorium! Over the coming weeks we'll have plenty of blogs going over what Sanatorium is all about, keep an eye out for them! Card-based workplace adventure gameplay Diagnose, treat and heal patients with archaic methods or choose to be gentle Each patient file is a card puzzle of symptoms hidden and visible Story Campaign with 4 Chapters Branching Story with multiple Endings Over 100 Symptoms, I…
- 🔴 SANATORIUM 🎨 ART-DECO Livestream - 24 January 2024
During a great Sunday Live-Stream, our Lead Artist will live-create artworks for Sanatorium - A Mental Asylum Simulator. Watch the process and ask questions! Let's celebrate Art-Deco and beautiful vector art!
- Sanatorium @ SteamNEXT 2024 - 24 January 2024
On Monday, we celebrate the first public demo of Sanatorium - A Mental Asylum Simulator. Join our live Q&A / Dev Steam. We'll show the newest Demo of Sanatorium - A Mental Asylum Simulator and answer your questions live!
- Simfest 2023 begins today and Sanatorium is part of it! - 20 July 2023
We are thrilled to announce that Sanatorium – A Mental Asylum Simulator will be part of Simfest – the Steam festival celebrating all things related to simulation games. From today through the 24th of July, 10am PDT 2023, you will be able to experience some of the latest and greatest simulation titles, in addition to what the future holds for the simulation genre with other coming soon games. From simulators which cover hobbies you would love to experience to job simulators which revolve around your dream career (even out of this world ones), Simfest will feature a wide variety of titles in the genre. Simfest is a Steam festival co-hosted by Auroch Digital and Stray Fawn Studio. This year’s event will be the second Simfest, after Simfest: Hobby Edition took place in 2022. Join SANATORIUM and many other incredible simulation games in Simfest 2023. We hope to see you there! https://store.s…
