Project Prison News

[p]Hello everyone! It has been quite a while since our last Steam update. Due to some personal matters, development was paused for a month after the demo launched, but I have been back at it since December.[/p][p][/p][p]I’ve been sharing smaller updates on Discord, but today I want to recap the major changes I’ve implemented over the last two months. These changes are available in the demo right now. While things might be a bit "unstable" as I fine-tune the balance, you’ll clearly see the new direction the game is taking.[/p][h3]1. Total UI Overhaul[/h3][p]The biggest change you’ll notice is the UI. I’ve rebuilt it almost entirely from scratch. It’s now much more functional, providing clearer information to help you manage your operations efficiently.[/p][h3]2. From "Reseller" to "Producer": The New Crafting System[/h3][p]I wasn't satisfied with the original trading loop (buying from smugglers and immediately reselling). It lacked challenge. Now, the game focuses on production:[/p]

• [p]Custom Recipes: You now create your own recipes for contraband (cigars, alcohol, etc.).[/p]
• [p]Sourcing Materials: Buy ingredients from the Local Market (at a premium) or compete for them in Auctions.[/p]
• [p]Production: Head to your stash room to physically craft and assemble your products based on your recipes.[/p]
• [p]New Sales Model: No more tedious door-to-door selling! You can now place items on shelves in your hideout for buyers to visit you, or fulfill large bulk orders.[/p]
• [p]Automation: You can still roam to find buyers, or hire gang members to handle the crafting and selling for you.[/p]
• [p]Vending Machines: We’ve added vending machines for direct contraband purchases.[/p]

[h3]3. Your Hideout, Your Rules[/h3][p]The gameplay has shifted toward a "retail" style. While you aren't opening a public storefront, your hideout now acts as a hub where buyers come to you. This removes the "chore" of early-game selling and lets you focus on growing your empire.[/p][hr][/hr][p]There is so much more I’ve added and even more still on the "To-Do" list. I would truly appreciate it if you could jump into the demo and let me know what you think of these new systems.[/p][p]I’ll be back next week with even more changes.[/p][p]Sayonara![/p]

[p]Last two weeks I've been working on improving the usability of the game. The biggest pain point was the UI. It was horrendous. It wasn't something permanent; it was a placeholder, and I was planning on improving it but just didn't get the time as I wanted to push the game for Next Fest. I'll explain how the UI is getting changed and how it will improve the gameplay experience.[/p][p][/p]

1. [p][/p][p]1.Map System: So now we have a 3D representation of the map. It shows all zones and buildings. It also shows all gang holdings, like which gang owns what part of the map. When you click on any building, it will show detailed information about that zone.[/p]
2. [p][/p][p]Trade Panel: Before, if you wanted to trade, the flow was something like this: You go near an NPC, press E/Interact, dialogue menu is shown, you have to find the Trade option, find and select whether you want to gift/sell or buy something and click on that, it opens up the inventory again where you have to search and find the item, it opens up the trade menu, and now you can finally trade. Based on the inventory and the many options, sometimes sell or buy is disabled, which creates lots of confusion. Also, the process is tedious since trading is something everyone has to do. To improve on it, now there's only one click: go near any NPC, press T, and it will show the trade window with all the details. What you have and what the NPC has. Based on that, you can gift/sell or buy items.[/p]
3. [p]You'll also notice that now we have a portrait system. So whenever you interact with any NPC, their portrait is captured and stored, making it easier to find NPCs from the database panel.[/p]
4. [p]In the zone panel, we can click on contraband to see recent trends. The best part about it is it shows current demand in that particular zone, and you can tweak the tax or selling price easily. Or you can also do it from the gang panel.[/p]
5. [p]The gangs panel will show gang information and tells you all the details you might need, whether you're fighting with any gang or have an alliance or trade deal (no tax in their zones).[/p][p][/p]
6. [p]Create Plot: You can give custom orders to your gang members now. Create hit squads to kill, harass, or teach a lesson to any prisoner. Or to raid territory or defend yours, you can do it easily with this panel.[/p]
7. [p]Negotiation Panel: It works like classic 4X games. You could offer daily payout, a one-time payment, any contraband, or a zone you have in exchange for something you want from the other gang. You can use this panel to negotiate a trade deal (no tax in their zone) or maybe offer an alliance, truce, etc.[/p]
8. [p][/p]

[p]There are many more changes here. I kept the same theme but improved the typography. My goal was to make something that clearly offers all necessary information. With this being done, I'll start working on improving the fighting system even more. Hopefully next week I'll be able to push these changes.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Made looting easier with visual indicators on dead bodies[/p]
• [p]Improved waypoint system - now possible to set waypoints from anywhere to anywhere (e.g., directly from prison wing to shower)[/p]
• [p]Added facial reactions when attacking or getting hit, with animations showing pain and other expressions[/p]
• [p]Added slight variations to give each NPC a slightly different face[/p]
• [p]Added looting icon displayed on dead bodies for easier identification[/p]
• [p]Added instructions in "How to Play" section on how to change camera view[/p]
• [p]Slight change in facial structure for larger body types
  Fixed arrest bug when getting arrested during sleep schedule[/p]
• [p]Fixed ragdoll bug[/p]
• [p]Fixed wall clipping issues while performing tackles[/p][p]
  [/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Reduced maximum solitary confinement duration to 1 day[/p]
• [p]Tweak hunger, hygiene reduction rate[/p]
• [p]Added popup notification to guide players on where to go next while playing minigames[/p]
• [p]Bladder and shower stats now start at 100%[/p]
• [p]Reduced contraband loot from defeated enemies to prevent excessive stockpiling[/p]
• [p]Inmates no longer buy excessive amounts of items from player to balance economy and prevent exploitation[/p]
• [p]Adjusted exercise stamina experience gain rate (was increasing too quickly)[/p]
• [p]Adjusted exercise minigame speed[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue where player would automatically wear all clothes again after removing them and starting a fight[/p]
• [p]Fixed typo when player rejects cloth request from prisoner[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue with generic request in laundry job[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue where laundry job doesn't award correct money amount[/p]
• [p]Fixed audio glitch with stamina level up[/p]
• [p]Fixed saving/loading issue when character reaches the roof through physics glitch[/p]

[p][/p]

1. [p]Removed the story. Game will now directly start simulating. It didn't land like I hoped it would. I will improve it and come back with something better.[/p]
2. [p]How To Play Section: Added How to Play section in the game. It will explain how things work and hopefully clarify some confusing mechanics.[/p]
3. [p]Camera Angle: No more janky camera angles. Camera view is now much better and will give a better view while performing combos or finishers.[/p]
4. [p]Improved fighting mechanics while fighting against multiple enemies.[/p]
5. [p]Fixed issue where NPC doesn't walk properly while holding dinner plate in the canteen.[/p]
6. [p]Fixed issue with dinner plate when player attacks any NPC while holding it.[/p]
7. [p]Hunger will now be at 100% at the start of the game.[/p]
8. [p]Better looking loading screens.[/p]
9. [p]Fixed issue with tackle attack.[/p]
10. [p]Fixed audio problem with the door. Now door audio is linked to main audio settings.[/p]
11. [p]NPCs will no longer start to cheer while they are waiting to attack you.[/p]
12. [p]Fighting with multiple prisoners is now generally improved. They will show more urgency.[/p]

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