News Tower News

[h3]GOOD MORNING to all and to everyone else as well![/h3]


This patch brings a new batch of fresh improvements and fixes.
Check it below!



[h2]IMPROVEMENTS[/h2]

[h3]User Interface[/h3]

• The main menu has been updated:
  
  
  • Improvements to the Load menu:
    
    • The game versions a save was created in is now displayed.
      
    • Autosaves are now displayed next to the corresponding game.
      
    • The month is now also displayed.
  • A new “Score” menu has been added, allowing players to review their past score screens shown at the end of December 1932.
    
  • The Settings menu has been revamped.
• The Score screen at the end of December 1932 now displays the “Total Net Earnings” graph.
  
• In-game hamburger menu has a new style.

[h3]Elevators[/h3]

• Elevators are weighted better now, employees chose their path more wisely regarding stairs or elevator. An elevator becomes more attractive the more floors an employee has to travel. If an employee only has to go one floor, taking the stairs is often preferable (but not always, depending on how close the elevator is to the target).
  
• Elevator doors close faster.

[h3]Audio[/h3]

• Audio added for: Newsbook opening, the unlock of story files, UI tracing links for both the Newsbook and the Area Map, and when employees level up.

[h3]Miscellaneous[/h3]

• Silver tags don’t appear before March 1930 anymore.
  
• Trash discomfort range is a bit shorter.
  
• Employee bubble for a lawsuit has a tooltip now that says “Lawsuit”.
  
• AI regarding transportation has had a slight overhaul. Resupply can carry a max of 3 crates, > lv 3 = 2 crates, from level 9 is 3. This only applies to paper, coal, food and lawsuits.
  
• An animation has been added for the floor addition.

[h2]FIXES[/h2]

• We've implemented a change that prevents the same news article title from appearing twice in a single week. No more duplicate headlines!
  
• Pressing space bar while changing employee name no longer pauses the game.
  
• Protester guide icon displays "Protesters" as tooltip instead of Mobsters.
  
• Bug fixed where the ad menu would block when it had multiple pages.
  
• Fixed intro postcard input field getting selected after confirming newspaper name.
  
• FMOD upgraded from 2.02.04 to 2.02.20, should fix the no sound issue some people reported.
  
• Some minor issues regarding confirm dialogs have been fixed.
  
• Fixed some animation glitches when an employee is holding an item.
  
• Employees that were holding an item when the game got saved: when the game is loaded again, they would wander around without a goal at first, often dropping their items or taking a detour. This should be fixed now.
  
• Fixed the annoying automatic desk pickup when selecting an object while zoomed out pretty far
  
• Fixed the 15th floor crash. Max floors is 31 now and the crash will never happen because adding gets blocked.
  
• Various minor fixes.

[h2]BE A NEWSBEARER, BE PART OF THE TOWER[/h2]


Join the community to participate in building the best possible version of News Tower!

💌 Come to our Discord
✅ Follow us on Twitter

Be kind to yourself and each other,

Until next time, dear ones!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Hello hello to all newsbearers above and beyond![/h3]

Today we are implementing this hotfix to address the problem where in certain situations the loading and saving of a game will take a very long time. If your game was affected by this, saving it again with this patch should solve the issue.

This issue was reported to us respectively by both KnightModern and Cueball on Discord:
"After turn 30+, it's way longer to save the playthrough, load the save, and advance to the next week, sometimes it's crashed when trying to save and the new save became corrupted."

"I dunno why I'm still playing, but I'm on Day 67, and saving the game is getting laggy."

Thanks to you both!

Btw that's an excellent opportunity to remind you that the team and devs are present on the official News Tower Discord so if you want to ask or share anything with us, head on over there! You will be welcomed warmly :)

Cheers and until next time in the Tower!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Good day to all newsbearers, and to the others too![/h3]


After about a week of testing the Endless mode on a dedicated beta branch, we are happy to announce that it is releasing on the default branch of the main game for all to enjoy today!
A special thanks to all of you who participated in the test and sent us precious feedback that allowed us to release it for everyone this fast.



Please note, this new mode features randomized news items and lacks the score tracking and historical precision of the main game!
Although the gameplay balance in Endless Mode may shift, know that we are diligently improving the quality of this game mode during Early Access.

Below a list of all additions, improvements and fixes added to the main branch following this week of beta testing on the preview build.
Many of these elements were already implemented in the preview build and are simply now being put on the main branch - some others are newly added!




[h2]ADDITIONS[/h2]

[h3]End of run recap screen[/h3]

• After you print your December 1932 issue, a new screen will recap your newspaper’s achievements. It shows data such as your record sales numbers, your staff levels or even how many districts you unlocked.
  
• While this screen appears even though you complete a run started on a previous version, some data will be missing (perfect district unlocks, tags colours).
  
• For the time being, this screen is only shown once, and the game doesn’t allow you to review it after the end of your run. We are working on a solution for this. In the meantime, make sure you grab a screenshot if you want to show it around!

[h3]Endless Mode Preview Build[/h3]

• After that recap screen, you will have the option to return to the main menu or to continue playing the game in 'Endless Mode'.
  
• The 'Endless Mode' allows you to continue conquering NYC and developing your tower without any time constraint or limit.
  
• Please note that 'Breaking News' are not implemented in the that game mode. News items that you will report on in this mode may also be historically inaccurate and more generic.

[h3]Printer[/h3]

• Added a 5th printer module that can be purchased at the Industry City Harbor for 64 Influence points.

[h3]Tutorial Hints[/h3]

• Added a tutorial hint that explains items prioritisation in the Article Drawer.
  
• Added a tutorial hint that explains comfort items diminishing returns (e.g. multiple clocks are not the best way to improve comfort).

[h2]IMPROVEMENTS[/h2]

[h3]Elevator[/h3]

• The operation of the elevator has been significantly improved.
  
• It will alternate up and down and pick everybody up along the way. It will let people out on the floors they want to go to.
  
  Explanation:
  Imagine there are elevator doors on floors 1 through 4. If there are three reporters waiting on floor 1, each destined for floors 2, 3, and 4 respectively, the elevator will now efficiently pick them up in sequence, stopping at each designated floor in order.
  
  Previously, the elevator would have gone directly all the way up to floor 4, causing delays for passengers bound for intermediate floors. For instance, an employee wanting to go to floor 2 would have experienced a significant wait before reaching their floor.
  
  This issue was also exacerbated when additional passengers joined the journey, further prolonging the travel time for everyone.

[h3]Production chain[/h3]

• We've enhanced the process for managing the "skipping" of the copy editor or re-inserting it into the production chain (via a simple click on the square on the article card in the drawer). In the previous and current version alike, you can remove the copy editor from the chain if it’s still on its way to the typesetter. However, previously, if you accidentally removed the copy editor, there was no way to reinsert it. With our latest update, you now have the flexibility to both remove and reinsert the copy editor as needed.

[h3]Miscellaneous [/h3]

• Severe AI improvement for chain items! Walking time is now taken into account. Should cause much more logical decisions.
  
  Explanation:
  It turns out that our AI wasn't factoring in travel time between workstations when deciding where to go. Instead, it was only considering the "level" of the stations and how many items were already being processed there.
  
  This oversight sometimes led to the AI making illogical moves, wasting precious time in the process. But fear not! We've implemented a fix to address this issue. Now, the AI takes travel time into account when determining its path between workstations.
  
  This fix should result in smoother and more efficient AI behavior, making your gameplay experience even better.
  
  
• Taxis now honk when dropping off reporters coming back to the building.
  
• Manually dropping items in storage slots no longer adjusts the camera view to encompass the whole inventory, making it easier to quickly manually drag items without the camera changing.
  
• Bigger name pools, reducing the chances of duplicate names.
  
• At least one discomfort icon is shown even on max zoom out level.
  
• Security can now arrest up to 4 protesters at a time. This is dependent on its level (divided by four).
  
• Intro postcards are now always skippable, even on first time playing.

[h2]FIXES[/h2]

• Security Booth Z-sorting issue fixed where a door right next to it could pass through it.
  
• Fixed printer next/previous page button (borders) sometimes not visible.
  
• Fixed disappearing quest/district picked indicators. Which could happen in rare cases (but this was only visual, not game breaking).
  
• Fixed "increased by" expense entry showing 100% increase with 0 value.
  
• Fixed an exploit where stashing and unstashing would reset the objects durability value (broken/cleanness).
  
• Spelling corrections that were pointed out on Discord.

[h2]KNOWN ISSUES[/h2]

• Total Net Earnings section of the Recap Screen: the calculation behind this section is incorrect and displays inaccurate information.

[h2]Be the newsbearer you know you can be[/h2]

Join the community and talk with team, other players, and share your feedback anytime you want!

💌 Come to our Discord
✅ Follow us on Twitter

Take care of yourself and of each other, newsbearers!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Greetings, newsbearers from all horizons! [/h3]


We're absolutely thrilled to share this news with you all!





[h2]"OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE"[/h2]

Thanks to your incredible support and dedication, we've reached a monumental milestone on our Steam page – News Tower is now rated as "overwhelmingly positive" based on over 500 player reviews!



This achievement wouldn't have been possible without each and every one of you who took the time to leave a review. Whether you shared your thoughts, praised our efforts, or offered constructive feedback, your voices have made a huge difference in shaping News Tower into the game it is today.

Your honest and (often) insightful words have propelled us forward, helping us identify areas to improve but also to celebrate our successes with you, the News Tower community - the newsbearers.

[h3]From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.[/h3]





[h2]YOUR REVIEWS SHAPE THE GAME - LEAVE YOURS![/h2]

But the story doesn't end here! We're still actively developing News Tower, and your continued feedback is crucial in shaping its future. We are listening!

So, if you haven't already, we'd love for you to drop by our Steam page and leave your own review. Your feedback helps us continue to improve and refine News Tower, ensuring that it remains an exciting and enjoyable experience for all.

[h3]Don't be like this irresponsible walrus and leave your review to support us![/h3] ⏬








[h2]A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: OUR ROADMAP[/h2]

We've got some thrilling updates and features in the pipeline, and we can't wait to share them with you. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!







[h2]BE A REPORTING NEWSBEARER[/h2]

Join our wholesome and active community of wondrous newsbearers, and be part of the journey as we work together to bring you the best possible game experience!

💬 Come to our Discord
🐤 Follow us on Twitter

Once again, a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your incredible support. It matters a LOT to us. Let's keep climbing the tower of success together!

Together, we will bring tomorrow's scoops to the world!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]BREAKIN NEWS! GATHER 'ROUND NEWSBEARERS![/h3]


Today we have come bearing gifts!
The 'Endless Mode Preview Build' branch is now OPEN!

We loved your enthusiasm and support as we've worked hard and fast to make this happen.
In this initial phase, we are testing this new 'Endless Mode' and are gathering your feedback and opinion on it to improve it to the maximum of our abilities.
This means you'll have access to all the content and improvements introduced in the latest main update, along with all the improvemends and fixes implemented with this one, described in more detail below!

[h3]Here's everything you need to know:[/h3]



[h2]Why a Preview Build?[/h2]

This 'Preview Build' is the first of many initiatives we are taking to include you, our community and players, in the development process of News Tower.
As part of our ongoing efforts to refine and improve the game, we're inviting you to test out key features that will have a significant impact on the core gameplay loop.
Your feedback during this testing phase will play a crucial role in shaping the final version, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone.




[h2]What's included in the Endless Mode Preview Build?[/h2]

This branch giving you access to the Endless Mode Preview Build is updated to the latest patch available on the main branch plus an additional update from which you can find the content in this blogpost. Keep in mind this is a preview build, and as such, much will still have to be improved. This is also why we ask for your help!

Join the "Endless Mode Preview Build" channels on the Discord to share your feedback on this preview build: https://discord.gg/V9ZRjXaq





[h2]How do I join the Preview Build branch on Steam?[/h2]

To access the "Endless Mode Preview Build" branch, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Steam client.
   
2. Click on the "Library" tab.
   
3. Right-click on "News Tower" and select "Properties".
   
4. Click on the "Betas" tab.
   
5. In the "Beta participation" field, select "EndlessMode_PreviewBuild".
   
6. Click on the "Close" button.
   
7. The game will now be updated to the "EndlessMode_PreviewBuild" branch.

You're in! :)



[h2]Important information regarding your saves[/h2]

You can:
- Continue playing with your old saves in this Endless Mode Preview Build. It will allow you to access the Endless Mode. Note that some of the information displayed on the summary screen will not be correct if the save comes from a previous version.

You cannot:
- Load a save of the preview version into the Live build available on the default branch.

We advise and invite you to create a backup save to be sure you can reload them in the Live build, just in case, to avoid losing any progress or content.

- You can find your save here for Windows:
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\LocalLow\Sparrow Night\News Tower

- And here for Mac:
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Application Support/com.Sparrow-Night.News-Tower/




[h2]ADDITIONS[/h2]

[h3]End of run recap screen[/h3]

• After you print your December 1932 issue, a new screen will recap your newspaper’s achievements. It shows data such as your record sales numbers, your staff levels or even how many districts you unlocked.
  
• While this screen appears even though you complete a run started on a previous version, some data will be missing (perfect district unlocks, tags colours).
  
• For the time being, this screen is only shown once, and the game doesn’t allow you to review it after the end of your run. We are working on a solution for this. In the meantime, make sure you grab a screenshot if you want to show it around!

(Kindly ignore the "total net earnings" sum as the calculation leading to it was wrong - it will be corrected ASAP.)

[h3]Endless Mode Preview Build[/h3]

• After that recap screen, you will have the option to return to the main menu or to continue playing the game in 'Endless Mode'.
  
• The 'Endless Mode' allows you to continue conquering NYC and developing your tower without any time constraint or limit.
  
• Please note that 'Breaking News' are not implemented in the that game mode. News items that you will report on in this mode may also be historically inaccurate and more generic.

[h3]Tutorial Hints[/h3]

• Added a tutorial hint that explains items prioritisation in the Article Drawer.
  
• Added a tutorial hint that explains comfort items diminishing returns (e.g. multiple clocks are not the best way to improve comfort).

[h2]IMPROVEMENTS[/h2]

[h3]Miscellaneous [/h3]

• Severe AI improvement for chain items! Walking time is taken into account. Should cause much more logical decisions.
  
• Taxis now honk when dropping off reporters coming back to the building.
  
• Manually dropping items in storage slots no longer adjusts the camera view to encompass the whole inventory, making it easier to quickly manually drag items without the camera changing.
  
• Bigger name pools, reducing the chances of duplicate names.
  
• At least one discomfort icon is shown even on max zoom out level.
  
• Security can now arrest up to 4 protesters at a time. This is dependent on its level (divided by four).
  
• Intro postcards are now always skippable, even on first time playing.

[h2]FIXES[/h2]

• Security Booth Z-sorting issue fixed where a door right next to it could pass through it.
  
• Fixed printer next/previous page button (borders) sometimes not visible.
  
• Fixed disappearing quest/district picked indicators. Which could happen in rare cases (but this was only visual, not game breaking).
  
• Fixed "increased by" expense entry showing 100% increase with 0 value.
  
• Fixed an exploit where stashing and unstashing would reset the objects durability value (broken/cleanness).
  
• Spelling corrections that were pointed out on Discord.

[h2]NEWSBEARERS, ASSEMBLE[/h2]

Join the community and talk with team, other players, and share your feedback anytime you want!

💌 Come to our Discord
✅ Follow us on Twitter

Take care of yourself and of each other, newsbearers!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]