Pizza Slice News

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[/p][p]We were truly thrilled by the warm response to the Pizza Slice playtests. So many of you wanted to take part but could not because of the limited scope of the tests. We know you’re still eager to play though, which is why we have a surprise lined up for you - an incoming demo! [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Yes, the demo is scheduled to launch on October 3rd! This is just a few days away from now, crazy! But that’s the pace of working at a pizzeria - you need to meet the demand! [/p][p][/p][p]This time around everyone will have free access to the demo, so if you were unlucky enough not to get an invite for the playtests, now’s your chance to check the game out.[/p][p]For those of you who have already played the game, we’re happy to announce some changes have been made to the build, based on your feedback.
[/p][h3]Scope of the Demo[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Some basic information first.[/p][p]You will be able to find the game’s demo page down below.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]This will be a single player experience, which will showcase the basic gameplay loop: from shopping for ingredients, through prep work, to creating pizzas, serving them and keeping your clientele satisfied. The game will allow you to play for 5 in-game days - enough to get a grasp for the mechanics and the flow of the game, while leaving an appetite for more.[/p][p][/p][p]The amount of available ingredients and ways in which you can expand your restaurant and your business will be limited. However, you will still be able to compose your own pizzas and set your own prices for them.[/p][p][/p][p]Pizza Slice continues to be in development. The current state of the build does not represent the final quality of the game.[/p][p][/p][h3]Build Information & Requirements[/h3]

• [p]Platform: Windows PC via Steam[/p]
• [p]Controller Support: Partial Support[/p]
• [p]Supported Languages - VO: English, Text & Interface: ENG, FR, IT, GER, ESP, PL, PT-BR, RUS, PT, Simplified CN.
  [/p]
• [p]Hardware Minimum Requirements:[/p]
  • [p]Windows 7 (64-bit) or newer[/p]
  • [p]Intel Core i3, 3,20Ghz / AMD Phenom II X4 955, 3,2Ghz[/p]
  • [p]4 GB RAM[/p]
  • [p]Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 / AMD R7-260x[/p]
  • [p]DirectX 11[/p]
  • [p]6 GB free HDD Space[/p]

[p][/p][h3]The scope of changes from the playtests[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]First and foremost, we have improved the tutorials across the game - more precise wording and object highlighting have been added, so you will always know what the game tries to teach you. [/p][p]We’ve also added an easier way to check out the recipe you’re creating - it will be above the pizza decoration station and there will be a dedicated action to look directly at it.[/p][p]When decorating your pizza you will also see what kind of ingredients you’ve already put on your pie (and how much sauce has been added).[/p][p][/p][p]Secondly, we’ve added an option to hold more than one ingredient at the same time. This drastically changes gameplay and helps with the overall hustle.[/p][p][/p][p]For the creative players out there, we’ve lessened the strictness of what shape the pizza needs to be. Feel free to experiment with unique designs! To make the dough rolling more enjoyable, we’ve redone how the mechanic works - now all you need to do is hold the button above the pie and stretch it towards any direction you want. [/p][p][/p][p]We’ve made the gesture wheel interactable with client NPCs, improved the gamepad button layout, added new SFX and music, rebalanced how often the clients will enter the restaurant and how often it will be sabotaged and more! [/p][p][/p][p]We will share full patch notes in a separate devlog, closer to the launch of the demo, so that our lovely playtesters have a point of reference for changes made since they last had the chance to play Pizza Slice.[/p][p][/p][h3]Feedback Form[/h3][hr][/hr][p]The demo will have a fresh new Form to fill out, accessible from the main menu of the game (it will redirect you to Google Forms), where we will once again humbly ask for a few minutes of your time to share your thoughts and experiences with Pizza Slice. We want to bring you the best modern pizzeria simulation out there and we can achieve it only by working alongside our community. [/p][p][/p][h3]Upcoming features[/h3][hr][/hr][p]We’re continuing to develop the game, expanding the core features, most notably a Co-Op mode for the game. Although it won’t be ready for the start of the demo, expect a future playtest to be established specifically for it. We will keep you all informed on our progress and upcoming plans for Pizza Slice. [/p][p][/p][p]Remember to join our pizza loving Discord community![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]See you at the table![/p][p]The Pizza Slice team[/p]

[p][/p][p]We promised you a few post-playtests notes based on the forms you’ve filled out. Some of you were more exuberant and some were strictly on point, all of you though were extremely helpful! All in all we’ve received well over a hundred filled out answers, which is a phenomenal statistic given the very limited access to the playtests. So without further ado, here’s a neat summary of your likes and dislikes and what we’re going to do about them.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Good[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]When it comes to the whole experience you were very positive 80% of you gave a rating of 7 or more out of 10. Thank you! This means that we’re on the right track and we now need to iron out the details and improve some of the more frustrating mechanics you did not like. [/p][p][/p][p]We were over the moon, when we saw almost everyone mentioning that they enjoyed the ‘freedom of action’ aspect of the game - the need to go shopping, make the prep work, clean and serve clients outside of only designing pizzas. This was clearly our base concept for the game and it validates the whole idea for us. [/p][p][/p][p]A lot of you also mentioned the art style and the game’s visual mood - thank you on behalf of the artists working on Pizza Slice! Our goal was to create a romanticised, cosy version of New York and it clearly hit the mark. [/p][p][/p][p]From the gameplay perspective the most often mentioned mechanic was pizza creation - from the various steps required to prepare and bake one to the freedom of designing your own custom pies. This feature was very closely followed by shopping, throwing objects and doing dishes - the last one took us a little by surprise, but we’re happy you’re enjoying doing mundane chores (we hope you’re helping at home with this as well!).[/p][p][/p][p]In summary, you mostly agree that there’s a lot of stuff to do in the game and that Pizza Slice excels in offering the whole restaurant running experience and not just a part of it. That’s truly music to our ears![/p][p][/p][h3]The Bad[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]The most disliked aspect of the game was, what can generally be described as, ‘hustle’.The need to constantly run with ingredients with a never ending stream of impatient customers waiting to be served was a tad too much for most of you. This also includes a short amount of time available for your prep work. We hear you! We’re looking into changes, which will improve this part of the game, while still preserving the realistic aspect of the ‘busy work’ when running a restaurant. [/p][p][/p][p]One of the more frequently mentioned critiques was how you roll your dough into a fantastic pie, ready to be topped off with delicious ingredients. Even though you liked the pizza creation process in general, this aspect remained a nuisance. We agree with you on this and changes will be made. [/p][p][/p][p]Finally, the tutorial and the lack of communication from the game - some of you had issues understanding how everything should be done properly. This is definitely something we will look into immediately. Another aspect of this problem was the lack of understanding what is considered the ‘ideal pizza’ - most notably the score for the sauce. This is also something we will be working on to improve as soon as possible. 
[/p][h3]The Ugly[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Yes, there were bugs. We’ve made two hotfixes to resolve the most pressing issues during the playtest but some of them unfortunately needed more time to be fixed. We’re on them! [/p][p][/p][p]Having the chance, we would also like to thank the entire playtest community, as you’ve been very understanding and patient throughout the whole event! 
[/p][h3]So, what’s next?[/h3][hr][/hr][p]
With the basic concept for Pizza Slice validated by you, we’re now moving into polishing the experience - looking into the critique and improving the design of less favourable gameplay mechanics. We’re also expanding the features you’ve experienced as well as preparing completely new stuff but that’s a topic for a future devlog. [/p][p][/p][p]For those who didn’t have a chance to check the game out and those who didn’t have enough of it - we’re planning to give you guys another opportunity soon. We’ll keep you updated on our plans as they iron out internally. [/p][p][/p][p]In the meantime, consider joining our Discord server, where you can wait for said opportunity alongside fellow pizza lovers.[/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]See you at the table![/p][p]The Pizza Slice Team[/p]

[p][/p][p]After three weeks of intensive testing, the playtests for Pizza Slice are officially over. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every participant who took part and voiced their opinions on the experience. Your feedback is essential for us to move forward and make the game you all want to play and enjoy. Thank you for the filled out forms and questions asked on our Discord server. You’re the best![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]What’s next for Pizza Slice?[/h2][hr][/hr][p]We will once again go through all of your feedback to analyze the experience through the lens of your perspective and plan out our future work. We will be sharing some fine details from the questionnaire with all of you in a future devlog, so you understand where the project is heading. [/p][p]
For anyone who requested but not received a playtest invite - don’t worry, you will have another chance to test the game out soon! There are already plans in motion to invite more players to check the game out before the release. As we cook, please be patient and you shall be rewarded :) [/p][p][/p][p]In the meantime, consider joining our Discord server, where more like-minded pizza enthusiasts hang out and discuss everything, from their favourite italian pie flavours, to what they would like to see in the game.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
See you at the table![/p][p]The Pizza Slice team[/p]

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[/p][p]The playtests are slowly coming to an end. For anyone who has received the invite and haven’t had the chance to play the game, this is your last chance to do so. The playtests are running until September 16th. [/p][p][/p][p]The playtests are a perfect opportunity to help shape the future of Pizza Slice and in a way co-develop the game alongside us. We’ve already gathered precious data from you, however, as the Polish saying goes - the appetite grows as you eat and only less than 10% of you actually filled out the feedback form :c .[/p][p][/p][p]We would really, REALLY appreciate it if you took a few minutes out of your day to complete the survey. You can access the form directly from the main menu of the game. If you’ve spent some time with the build, please let us know what you think about it! Keep in mind that we’re working on a special Playtest summary, so the more info, the better![/p][p][/p][p]A huge thank you to everyone who has participated up until now. You are the OG pizza pioneers and together we will make the tastiest slice of gaming to come :) [/p][p][/p][p]As always, we cordially invite you to our Discord server, where you can connect with us directly.[/p][p][/p][p]See you at the table![/p][p]The Pizza Slice Team[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]The playtests are in full swing by now. Thank you to everyone involved for your participation, feedback and the filled out forms. You’re really making a difference and helping us out tremendously! [/p][p][/p][p]Based on your comments and suggestions we have a new set of improvements, which by the time you read this, should be live. Please update your game!
[/p][h2]Patch notes[/h2][hr][/hr][h3]New functionality and improvements[/h3]

• [p]added a highlight to all work stations in the tutorial.[/p]
• [p]added a new hint to the Emotion Wheel.[/p]
• [p]Added new actions to the Emotion Wheel - ask the customer to leave the restaurant, ask the client for additional time. [/p]
• [p]The telephone booth now shows a “Available in the full release” prompt.[/p]
• [p]Added a shopping cart and a notification while shopping. After leaving the store, the player receives more time to make the payment.[/p][p][/p]

[h3]Balance[/h3]

• [p]Decreased the frequency of rivals sabotaging the restaurant.[/p]
• [p]Increased the clients’ waiting time to be served.[/p][p][/p]

[h3]Input[/h3]

• [p]Changed the gamepad mapping scheme - the run action has been moved to the left stick button.[/p][p][/p]

[h3]UI/UX[/h3]

• [p]The naming conventions in the game have been standardized and improved.[/p][p][/p]

[h3]System[/h3]

• [p]Fixed a few minor bugs and made general improvements to the game’s stability[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]
We’re also happy to announce that we are expanding the pool of participants for the playtests. Please check your emails.[/p][p]This will probably be the last group of people, who will receive an invitation. If you haven’t been selected this time, please be patient for future opportunities.[/p][p][/p][p]After playing the game, please remember to fill out the form, available directly from the game’s main menu. Your feedback will shape the direction of our future work, so consider using a few minutes of your time to fill it out - we will appreciate it immensely! [/p][p][/p][p]If you haven’t done so already, please consider joining our Discord server, where you will find other like-minded pizza enthusiasts. It’s also a great place to talk with us directly.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]See you at the table![/p][p]The Pizza Slice team[/p]