If you are a fan of existential dread and underwater robots, drop what you are doing. The gaming preservation community just dropped a bombshell that has the horror genre buzzing. A pre-release prototype build of Frictional Games’ masterpiece SOMA has been uploaded to the internet, and it is an absolute goldmine of cut content, alternate history, and nightmare fuel.
For years, SOMA has been held up as the gold standard for narrative horror. But we always knew the game went through a rocky development cycle, shifting from a spooky “Amnesia in space” concept to the philosophical heavy-hitter we got in 2015. Now, thanks to a new leak on Hidden Palace, we finally have the files to prove it.
The Leak: What Just Happened?
Earlier this week, a user over on the r/GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit flagged a massive drop on the preservation site Hidden Palace. The release contains a prototype build of SOMA that predates the final retail version.
According to the initial analysis, this isn’t just a buggy version of the final game. It is a snapshot of a game in transition. The files include maps, scripts, and assets that paint a picture of a story that was significantly different from Simon Jarrett’s final journey.
What’s Hiding in the Files?
You might be wondering, “Is it really that different?” The answer is a resounding yes. Digging through the files reveals that Frictional Games cut or reworked huge chunks of the experience. Here is what dataminers are finding so far:
- Alternate Scripts: The dialogue and story beats in this build diverge wildly from the final game. Characters we know and love (or fear) had different motivations, and the pacing of the mystery was completely different.
- New Rooms and Areas: There are map files for areas of PATHOS-II that never made it to the final shipping version. These aren’t just empty hallways; they are fully realized environments that were likely cut for pacing.
- Different Music Tracks: The audio atmosphere is different, with unused tracks that suggest a different emotional tone for certain levels.
The Catch: You Can’t Just “Play” It
Before you rush off to download the zip file hoping to speedrun this new version, there is a technical hurdle. This release does not include the game binaries (the .exe files needed to launch the game). It is essentially a massive dump of raw assets and map data.
So, how do you see it?
To explore this content, you need to use the retail version’s map editor (HPL3 Editor). Modders and curious fans are currently loading these prototype maps into the editor to walk around and inspect the changes manually. It is a bit like being a digital archaeologist—sifting through the code to find the fossils of a dead game.
Why This Matters
Preservation like this is vital. Video games are notorious for erasing their own history. Once a game goes Gold, the “work in progress” versions are usually deleted or lost on hard drives that rot in a basement.
Seeing the raw, unfiltered creative process of a studio like Frictional Games is a rare treat. It shows us that masterpieces aren’t born perfect; they are iterated upon, cut down, and polished until they shine. The SOMA we got is brilliant, but the SOMA that could have been is a fascinating “what if?” scenario.
FAQs
1. Can I play this SOMA prototype on my PC?
Not directly. The leak does not contain the executable files. You can only view the maps and assets using the level editor tools provided with the retail version of SOMA.
2. Is the story different in this version?
Yes, the script files indicate significant differences in dialogue and plot progression, though the core themes likely remain similar.
3. Where was this leaked?
The files were uploaded to Hidden Palace, a website dedicated to preserving video game prototypes and development media.
4. Will someone make this playable?
It is possible that modders could “port” these maps into the retail game as a custom story mod, but because the scripting systems are so different, it would require a lot of manual work to make it playable.
5. Is this legal?
Technically, these are unauthorized files. However, Hidden Palace operates as a preservation archive. Downloading them falls into a grey area, so proceed at your own risk.
Conclusion
Whether you are a modder looking to reverse-engineer the scares or just a lore junkie hungry for more Pathos-II, this leak is the biggest news for the SOMA community in a decade. It is a haunting reminder that for every game we play, there is a shadow version that never saw the light of day. Happy digging, and remember—don’t let the WAU get you.