News Tower News

[p]After almost 2 years of early access, News Tower launches today, November 18!![/p][p][/p][p]Step into 1930s New York and build a newspaper empire from the ground floor up: shape your editorial line, lead a bustling newsroom, and chase the scoops that make tomorrow’s front page. [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p] [/p][p]
[/p][h2]Build a Paper, Build a Tower[/h2][p]This is a proper tycoon: develop your newspaper and become New York’s new media mogul. Construct and manage your Tower from printer to toilet, keep your operation humming, and make the calls that turn raw leads into banner headlines. [/p][p]
[/p][h2]Create Your News Room[/h2][p]Recruit, assign, and mentor a full staff reporters, editors, photographers, typesetters and more. With over twenty staff roles to fill and unique traits to juggle, every layout and deadline becomes a strategic puzzle only a cool-headed editor-in-chief can solve. [/p][p]
[/p][h2]Decide What Tomorrow’s Scoop Will Be[/h2][p]Sift a news feed with 1,000+ news items, send journalists to investigate, then lay out your pages with photos, charts, illustrations and ads to match your readership. Your editorial “perception” informational, moderate, or sensational shapes who you reach and how they react. [/p][p]
[/p][h2]Conquer the Competition[/h2][p]Don't get it wrong, you are the underdog here. 2 other newspaper are already established, with their faithful readers. It will take strategy and care for their interest to get them to switch their subscriptions to you. But this will be the way to unlock better customization tool for your news room and boost your staff's expertise.[/p][p]
[/p][h2]Work the City’s Factions[/h2][p]Power players from the ruling elite to back alley dealers, offer quests that bring influence, valuable rewards and complicated choices. Pick allies wisely; a helping hand today can become tomorrow’s scandal. This city never sleeps. [/p][p]
[/p][h2]What You Can Do Today[/h2]

• [p] Build your Tower (printer to toilet): design departments, balance comfort, productivity, and costs. [/p]
• [p] Hire and manage your newsroom: assign tasks, juggle traits and stress, hit print day on schedule. [/p]
• [p] Overcome competitors: race to claim stories and expand your readership across districts. [/p]
• [p] Set your editorial line: tune perception, page design, and ads to your audience. [/p]
• [p] Decide the headline: choose what leads the edition, and watch the city react. [/p]
• [p]All of this from 1930 until the end of 1939 across the US & Europe[/p]

[p][/p][p]We are running a Launch contest from today until January 1st. Climb to the top and stay there to earn both glory and real rewards![/p][p][/p][p]Finally, if you liked the game, we would like to invite you to leave Steam reviews. As News Tower has been in development for the past 6 years, it would be a tremendous help to share the word around.[/p][p]The game is on discount (-20%) until December 2nd, so grab it now and start printing![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]P.S: A special shout-out to everyone who followed us on the road to 1.0, your feedback sharpened every system and screen, and paved the way of the last year and a half. [/p][p]As a quick reminder, your old save will not be compatible with this final 1.0 build, due to all the polish and extra features added, you will need to start fresh. [/p][p]– The News Tower Team[/p]

[p]Hello Newsbearers! [/p][p]From Launch day to January 1st 2026, we’re running a community-wide challenge across News Tower’s four leaderboards. Climb to the top, hold your place, and finish in 1st place at 15:00 CET on January 1st to claim glory (and some sweet rewards) —for everyone to see. [/p][p][/p][h2]The Leaderboards[/h2]

• [p] The Decade[/p]
• [p] Half-Decade[/p]
• [p] Beat The Jersey Beacon[/p]
• [p] Beat The Empire Observer[/p]

[p]Pick your newsfront—or go for all four. Your task is simple: achieve the highest possible score on the leaderboard(s) in your game mode, and still be sitting at #1 on January 1st.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]What Winners Get[/h2]

• [p] For each leaderboard, the players in first place for each game mode (Intro/Classic, Highrise and Lowrise) on January 1st will receive: [/p]
• [p] An in-game article about your victory, visible to all players—immortalizing your achievement.[/p]
• [p]A custom-made vinyl of the News Tower soundtrack signed by the developers.[/p]

[p]Yes, that’s up to four twelve winners and four twelve immortalized headlines.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]How to Take Part[/h2][p]Play News Tower in any game mode and push your scores on any (or all) of the four leaderboards. Keep improving—leaderboards are competitive and will change throughout the contest. [/p][p]Be at #1 on January 1st at 15:00 CET to win for that leaderboard. [/p][p]Pro tip: name your Tower cleanly (see rules below), play fair, and protect those saves—nothing stings like losing top spot the week before the finish line. [/p][p][/p][h2]RULES (READ ME)[/h2]

• [p]No cheat codes in your save. Any use of in-game cheat codes excludes that save file from the leaderboards.
  [/p]
• [p]No cheating of any kind. Any detected cheating or tampering results in exclusion from the contest and leaderboards.
  [/p]
• [p]Name guidelines apply. Your News Tower name must not include profanity or obscenity. Keep it clean.[/p]

[p]We’ll enforce these rules strictly to keep the competition fair and the headlines earned.

[/p][h2]FAQ[/h2]

• [p]When does it run? From November 18 through January 1st 2026 (inclusive). [/p]
• [p]How are winners chosen? The player ranked #1 on each leaderboard in each game mode on January 1st at 15:00 CET. [/p]
• [p]Can I win more than one leaderboard? No. If you are #1 on more than one leaderboard, the board with the closest percentage difference will pass to the next winner. Only the board you have the largest winning lead on will stick.[/p]
• [p]How will you reach out to winners? Winners will be contacted through Steam after being announced on Discord. If you are a winner, we will reach out to you through your Steam profile - adding you as friend to get all required details to send your prizes.[/p]

[p]
Sharpen your pencils, rally your newsroom, and chase those front pages. We can’t wait to write about you.

– The News Tower Team[/p]

[p]Hey Newsbearers!

Before we hit 1.0, we wanted to gather everything in one enormous blog. This FAQ brings together your most‑asked questions, feature summaries, and a look back at our journey to launch so far. Thank you for playing the demos, sending feedback, reporting bugs, and cheering us on. Your support has shaped News Tower every step of the way. ❤️

[/p][h2]18 months of Early Access — the recap[/h2][p]What a ride for the game already... Since the EA release in February last year we released four major updates and countless updates/patch/improvements shaped by your feedback and support. We couldn't be more grateful for this amazing journey, and hope you will be thrilled to discover what lies ahead.[/p][p][/p][p]We streamlined the pre-1.0 path and shipped four major updates shaped by your feedback: [/p]

• [p]Starting in February 2024 we launched the game in Early Access[/p]
• [p]Endless Mode update March 13, 2024[/p]
• [p]Age of Photography update June 12, 2024[/p]
• [p]Employee of the Month update Sept 17, 2024[/p]
• [p]Going International update Feb 17, 2025[/p]
• [p]We're excited for Nov 18th,2025 when News Tower will hit 1.0 and be fully released on Steam for PC and Mac, localized in 7 different languages. [/p]

[p]Read the roadmap post for the full journey: Latest Roadmap [/p][h2]What’s coming at 1.0[/h2][p][/p][p]We have a lot of content planned for 1.0, we did some deep dive throughout the summer to present the main aspects:[/p]

• [p]Timeline extension — Keep printing until end of 1939 across the US & Europe, which will mark the official end of the game. (But you will have the option to switch to Endless mode and keep playing)[/p]
• [p]Competitors + Perception — The Jersey Beacon and The Empire Observer fight you for districts; trigger time-sensitive District Conflicts and defend your reputation week to week.
  Deep dive: Competitor System Spotlight[/p]
• [p]Factions, revamped (+ new Military) — Mayor, Mafia, High Society, and the new Military faction; 8 unique NPCs per faction with meaningful trade-offs.
  More reads: Faction Deep Dive · Mafia vs. Mayor · Military vs. High Society[/p]
• [p]Leaderboards — Compare runs and climb the charts.[/p]
• [p]Two new unlockable towers — Fresh layouts, new strategic possibilities. [/p]
• [p]Plus — Loads of discoverable objects, decorations, achievements, and a broad polish across different systems.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]When does 1.0 launch?[/h3][p]A: Get the presses ready, the game launches on November 18, 2025, in the late afternoon (Central European Time, CET).

[/p][h3]What changed since the Summer Community Test?[/h3][p]A: Thanks to testers, a large number of changes and implementations were made, including: [/p][p]Some Feature improvements[/p]

• [p]Clearer Competitors: better introduction/readability of the system, tighter District Conflicts, stronger mid-game challenge. [/p]
• [p]We've re-worked main & side quests for the Mafia and the Mayor (pacing, clarity, payoffs).[/p]
• [p]All factions have almost completely new questlines[/p][p][/p]

[p]Content additions[/p]

• [p]The news coverage has been extended to the end of 1939.[/p]
• [p]New Military faction[/p]
• [p]2 Unlockable towers. [/p]
• [p]New objects, new decorations, achievements, and more.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]What’s the price? Do EA players pay again?[/h3][p]A: The price, once the game has hit 1.0, will be $24.99. The increase reflects the added systems, content, and polish at launch. If you already own Early Access, 1.0 is a free update. No extra purchase is required.

[/p][h3]Which platforms?[/h3][p]A: The game will be available on PC & Mac on Steam. It will also be localised into seven different languages. (French, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian and Chinese)[/p][p][/p][h3]Are EA saves compatible?[/h3][p]A: Unfortunately, No. With the faction revamp and the new competitor systems, old saves aren’t compatible—even if you played the Summer Community Test in July. A fresh start ensures stability and access to all new content.

[/p][h3]Do you cover continents beyond North America & Europe?[/h3][p]A: While some major events in history took place outside of the western countries in the 1930s, like the sino-japanese or the ethiopian-italian wars, however it didn't fit well in the structure and balancing of the game. This is why we are focusing only on the North America and Europe news which is already a lot to cover in an indie game.. [/p][p][/p][h3]Any plans for post-launch?[/h3][p]A: Our focus right now is set on making sure 1.0 launches well and to be ready for new feedback, new improvements and suggestions we can quickly add to the game in the weeks/months after 1.0

[/p][p]Discord: Join our server for developer Q&As, patch notes, feedback channels, and playtest announcements.
X: https://x.com/NewsTowerGame — Follow for bite-sized updates, polls, and trailer drops.

[/p][h2]Wishlist on Steam[/h2][p]Wishlisting helps more than you might think—it tells Steam (and us!) that you want to see this project succeed and ensures you’ll be notified on release day and major updates.

[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]From our very first blog in 2021 to today, you’ve helped us build something we love. Your ideas, bug reports, and kind words made News Tower stronger at every step. We hope you feel that care in every system, story, and song.

If you’re new here: welcome to the newsroom. If you’ve been with us since the early drafts, thank you for keeping the presses running.

See you on November 18.

– The Sparrow Night (Studio Nul) & Twin Sails Interactive team[/p]

Hey newsbearers!

We've got a big drop of news this week—our newest feature video, Behind the Music of News Tower, is on YouTube now, and there have been a few changes to our release planning!

[h2]A Change to the Release[/h2]
While the new 1.0 game content is finished, stable, and ready, the new launch date ensures News Tower gets the spotlight it deserves in a busy season for strategy and tycoon fans. News Tower will now launch on November 18 with loads of new and interesting content for you to explore. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes, and we appreciate your understanding as we take the extra time to polish.

[h2]Behind the Music of News Tower[/h2]
This in-depth look explores the journey of creating the game’s unique soundtrack and how it came to embody the vibrant spirit of 1930s New York.

🎥 Watch the full Behind the Music of News Tower video now!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The video features our lead developer, Bart van de Sande, who worked together with music producer Jack van de Ven to compose a soundtrack that elevates every moment of gameplay. To bring their vision to life, they collaborated with members of the renowned New Cool Collective, resulting in a tailor-made 14-track album built exclusively for News Tower.

The result is a soundtrack filled with energy, atmosphere, and authenticity designed to immerse you in the golden age of newspapers.

In this feature, you’ll hear answers to questions like:

• Why live jazz over digital sounds?
  
• What was your vision for each track?
  
• How did you approach composing each score?
  
• Who played the soundtrack and how were they chosen?
  
• Did the music evolve during studio sessions?

If you want to support the work of the developers, check out the soundtrack on Spotify and YouTube. You can also pick up the supporter pack on Steam!

• Spotify News Tower Playlist
• Supporter Pack on Steam
• YouTube News Tower LoFi

As always, thank you for supporting News Tower. We’re thrilled to share not just the game, but also the artistry and creativity that bring it to life.


[h2]A Quick Note on Pricing[/h2]
As we approach 1.0, we’re aligning the price to reflect the scope of the game. The price will move from $19.99 to $24.99 ahead of release.



– The News Tower Team

Hey Newsbearers!

The faction spotlight continues, and today we’re diving into two very different powerhouses in New York City: High Society and the Military. These factions represent opposite ends of the city’s social and political spectrum, and just like with the Mafia and the Mayor, helping one will hurt your reputation with the other.



That’s right: supporting the refined and wealthy elite of High Society will sour your standing with the Military, and siding with the Military’s strict order will cut you off from the luxuries and influence of High Society. Once again, the choice is yours, but choose carefully, because both factions come with hidden agendas and powerful rewards.



[h2]Agendas of Influence[/h2]

Every faction in News Tower carries its own hidden agendas. These missions, delivered by unique NPCs, are how you’ll climb the ranks and unlock new opportunities. The catch? Every agenda you complete draws you closer to one faction and further from the other. Balance your allegiances wisely, or commit fully and reap the rewards.



[h2]High Society’s Bonuses[/h2]

High Society thrives on culture, wealth, and prestige. Support them, and they’ll help elevate your newsroom to elegant new heights:

• Neutral: Opens up the Art Gallery in Essex, supporting the High Society's hidden agenda.
  
• Trusted: Opens up the Steinbeck Residence in Union, offering a way to passively write fiction pieces over time for a random category.
  
• Respected: Constructs the Public Library Garage at the Construction Yard in The Bronx, offering buff objects for reporter skills and potential risk reductions.
  
• Esteemed: Opens up the International press Agency in Somerset. The agency offers the I.P.A machine, allowing you to sell any news article to the agency at half the price.

[h2]Military’s Bonuses[/h2]

The Military offers structure, discipline, and efficiency. Align with them, and you’ll build a newsroom that runs like clockwork:

• Neutral: Opens up the Veteran Camp in Nassau, supporting the general's hidden agenda.
  
• Trusted: Opens up the Hospital in Nassau, offering ways to mitigate injuries.
  
• Respected: Constructs the Military Base at the Construction Yard in The Bronx, offering ways to improve the task speed of your employees.
  
• Esteemed: opens up the Steel Mill in Nassau, offering discounts for floor prices.

[h2]Order or Elegance?[/h2]

With High Society offering culture and wealth, and the Military providing strength and structure, the decision comes down to what kind of empire you want to run. But remember, you can’t have it both ways. Every choice you make shifts the city’s perception of your paper and can potentially end up closing doors to the opposing side for good.

Will you chase prestige and elegance, or discipline and order? The fate of your newsroom is in your hands.



– The News Tower Team