News Tower News

[h3]Greetings, fellow publishers & aspiring media moguls of the roaring 1930s![/h3]

The ink is set, the presses are primed, and we are THRILLED to unveil the release date for News Tower!!
Thanks to all the feedback we gathered from the Closed Beta, we have been able to set the grand launch date for News Tower early next year!
Thank you, once again, for all the feedback and support you have given us during this Closed Beta.
It was invaluable.

We cannot wait to have you experienced this game we put so much love and energy into.





[h2]📰HOT OFF THE PRESS!
FEBRUARY 13TH EDITION UNVEILED![/h2]

Mark your calendars for a ♥ date ♥ with the most anticipated newspaper tycoon: News Tower releases in Early Access on February 13th! 🎉

Get ready to have a heart-to-heart with influential and potentially unsavory people as a Valentine's Day treat ♥



Dive into the bustling world of 1930s NYC, where the clatter of typewriters and the hum of printing presses echo through the streets as the newsboys shout "Extra! Extra!" from the top of their lungs...

Your journey as an influential publisher awaits, with headlines to craft, stories to unfold, and the fate of your News Tower hanging in the balance.
Will you navigate the treacherous waters of journalism, striking deals with the mafia, or uphold the integrity of the free press?
The choices are yours to make, and the city, as well as we, are buzzing in anticipation.





[h2]📝 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS[/h2]


[h3]On which platforms can I access the Early Access version?[/h3]

Currently, News Tower's Early Access is available exclusively on Steam for Windows PC. We're exploring possibilities for other platforms in the future. Stay tuned for updates!

*****************

[h3]In what languages is News Tower available?[/h3]

News Tower is currently available only in English in his Early Access phase. We appreciate your understanding as we focus on refining the game! More languages will surely come along at a later point.

*****************

[h3]Will there be ongoing improvements and updates during Early Access?[/h3]

Absolutely! We're committed to enhancing News Tower continuously during the Early Access based on your valuable feedback. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the game's development!





[h2]🗞️ JOIN THE COMMUNITY[/h2]
Talk with the devs & other aspiring tycoons

Join our vibrant community of passionate journalists and tycoons, and be part of the journey as we strive to bring you the ultimate newspaper tycoon experience.

💬 Join the devs & the community on Discord
🐤 Follow us on Twitter

[h3]Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.[/h3]

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

[h3]Greetings to you, tycoon enthusiasts and future publishers![/h3]

First off, a massive and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who signed up for the Closed Beta. Your support means the world to us as we're working very hard to bring the best possible version of News Tower, and we are so excited for you to try it during this Closed Beta!

[h2]Guess what? The Closed Beta is officially live! 🎉 [/h2]

For those of you who have been selected, congratulations are in order!
You simply need to check your Steam email confirming your access.

If you missed the boat, there's still a chance; we might open another round of playtesters on Friday, December 2nd... so grab your mouse and click on the "Request Access" green button on our Steam page right here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1649950/News_Tower/



[h2]WHERE DO I SHARE MY FEEDBACK?[/h2]

During this Closed Beta, we highly recommend that you join our Discord to give your feedback and discuss with the team and devs!
This will make it much easier for us to gather everything you might share and answer to everyone in one place :)
There are even dedicated channels on our server for the Closed Beta participants.

You can join the Discord right here:

BRING ME TO THE NEWS TOWER DISCORD PLEASE TY



[h2]WHAT CONTENT CAN I EXPECT?[/h2]





[h2]KNOWN ISSUES[/h2]

[h3]IMPORTANT[/h3]

• On rare occasions, employees can get stuck in the tower. Picking up the employee will fix this.
  
• Introduction can lock on rare occasions, somewhere in the second week around building the stairs to the newly added floor.
  
• Selling workstations (such as typesetters and assembly tables) while an item is being processed results in the loss of the item. The incomplete item can never be finished and may lead to unexpected game behaviour, such as the inability to save for a couple of weeks or potential corruption of the save file.
  If you did happen to come across this bug, delete the item using the trash can button on the article drawer.

[h3]GAMEPLAY[/h3]

• Employee’s salary is severely undercooked, best left untouched.
  
• Employees that get unassigned from their desk while walking a staircase or elevator will fall to the ground and drop their item if they were holding one.
  
• “No Light” status icons are affected by lamps rotating after placing an object.
  
• News item completion time estimates are sometimes too high.
  
• Some objects take up less space than the visual shows (Gramophone, Telegraphing station).

[h3]NYC MAP[/h3]

• Tags that are asked by districts are sometimes overrepresented in the following week’s news.
  
• Some items in the shops are missing an icon.
  
• The “Globe” buff object must be bought in a shop even though it is automatically obtained when playing with introduction.
  
• The “Clock” object must be bought in a shop even though it is automatically unlocked in both play modes.
  
• The “Wide Lamp” object must be bought in a shop even though it is automatically unlocked when playing without introduction.

[h3]UX[/h3]

• Article drawer sub item can be hidden in some cases. Closing and expanding all items fixes this.
  
• The purple Mayor tag is displayed as a Mafia tag.
  
• Clicking on the portrait of a reporter in the employee list doesn’t do anything if that reporter is assigned to a Storyfile in a news item.
  
• For limited stock build objects (e.g. Telegraphing station), the amount left in stock displayed in the top left corner of the build card doesn’t update after placing it in tower.

[h3]VISUAL[/h3]

• Lots of Z sorting issues (especially for employees that are holding stuff).
  
• Some pedestrians are missing an umbrella when they’re walking in the rain.
  
• Lamps stay rotated when building in pause.

[h3]IN-GAME TEXT[/h3]

• Contains a lot of spelling mistakes.

[h2]FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS[/h2]


[h3]What platform can I play the Closed Beta on? [/h3]

The News Tower Closed Beta will be available on PC for Windows.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Can I register after Closed Beta starts? [/h3]

You can still register for the Closed Beta, but we might be able to invite other players than those we selected on November 28th.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Will there be another Closed Beta? [/h3]

We do not intend on having another Closed Beta before our launch early 2024, so don’t miss out and register right now!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Am I allowed to share what I see? / Is there a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place? [/h3]

There is no NDA for our Closed Beta, you can share and stream your game.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]When is the early access starting? [/h3]

We are targeting an Early Access release for News Tower in early 2024.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Will I be able to keep my progress at launch? [/h3]

As we're still in development, significant changes are on the horizon during and after the Closed Beta. Unfortunately, this means progress won't carry over to the full launch.




Keep in mind that the Closed Beta represents a work in progress, providing an early look at the rich content and mechanics that will define News Tower when it launches in Early Access.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!!!

We are VERY excited to see you in the world of News Tower!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Dear publishers-to-be and aspiring media mavens,[/h3]

This upcoming Monday November 27th, join us on our Twitch channel or on YouTube at 5pm CET / 8am PST / 11am EST to meet the devs, talk about News Tower and ask them your questions before the Closed Beta goes live!



With the participation of Robert, Bart & Jan-Maarten you will discover how to get started in News Tower! We will give you some context about the game but also share some tips & tricks to ensure a smooth start. And, of course... show you what your great end-game news tower could look like, should you be tenacious enough to get there!

There will be no shortage of things to enjoy before you dive into Closed Beta yourself!

Plus... we will also be giving away keys to get access to the Closed Beta, so don't miss out on your chance to secure a spot!



[h2]A little bit more about who you'll meet in the stream...[/h2]

[h3]Robert[/h3]

Our developer and programmer Robert is making sure everything is running smoothly. With his degree in game development and being an avid gamer, he provides invaluable insights on how to adapt News Tower to the current gaming habits.

[h3]Bart[/h3]

Lead developer and composer of the game’s music. Studied jazz guitar at the conservatory of Amsterdam. A creator at heart, he found a way to express himself through music and the creation of video games. Bart is a perfectionist and is doing everything he can to make sure you have the best game possible.

[h3]Jan-Maarten[/h3]

Jan-Maarten serves as our Creative and Art Director, drawing from his prior experience on 'Turmoil,' another indie game, which ignited his passion for game development. He's responsible for the captivating art and visuals in our game, crafts the multitude of news items, and thinks about the way the game is supposed to be played. During his free time, he enjoys birdwatching and playing board games.





So, set a reminder and tune in for a good time with us on Twitch right here or on YouTube there, at 5pm CET / 8am PST / 11am EST on Monday, November 27th!

Take care and see you soon in the Tower,

The News Tower Team

[h3]Greetings, future publishers and tycoon enthusiasts!! [/h3]

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all the players who've jumped on board for the Closed Beta – your support means the world and we're so excited for you to try News Tower.

Today we are gathered here to share the latest scoop - the dates of the Closed Beta!

We're thrilled to announce that the News Tower Closed Beta is set to unfold from November 28th to December 5th, offering an exclusive sneak peek into the vibrant world of 1930s NYC journalism and newspaper publishing!






[h2]HOW DO I REGISTER?[/h2]

To join in and try to secure your spot, you simply need to register through our store page by clicking on the "Request Access" button:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1649950/News_Tower/

You’ll get informed if you are selected once we’ve started the Closed Beta process, later this month.

Your experience and feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the game, and thus we invite you to join our Discord community to share your thoughts directly with us during this Closed Beta.
Channels and forums will be set up to facilitate the feedback and discussion process :)




[h2]WHAT CONTENT CAN I EXPECT?[/h2]





[h2]FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS[/h2]

[h3]When is the Closed Beta?[/h3]

The News Tower Closed Beta will start on November 28th at 2PM CET and end December 4th at 10 AM CET.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]What platform can I play the Closed Beta on? [/h3]

The News Tower Closed Beta will be available on PC for Windows.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Will everyone get invited? [/h3]

We will select some players first to get invited on November 28th. Depending on the number of players registered, we might invite more to join by December 1st, so you can still register after November 28th.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Can I register after Closed Beta starts? [/h3]

You can still register for the Closed Beta, but we might be able to invite other players than those we selected on November 28th.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Will there be another Closed Beta? [/h3]

We do not intend on having another Closed Beta before our launch early 2024, so don’t miss out and register right now!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]How do I know if I have access? / How do I access the Closed Beta?[/h3]

If you’re selected, you will receive a mail from Steam on November 28th when the Closed Beta starts!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Am I allowed to share what I see? / Is there a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place? [/h3]

There is no NDA for our Closed Beta, you can share and stream your game.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Where and how can I provide feedback during the Closed Beta? [/h3]

Our Discord channel and Steam forums are going to be the place we’re looking for feedback.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]When is the early access starting? [/h3]

We are targeting an Early Access release for News Tower in early 2024.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[h3]Will I be able to keep my progress at launch? [/h3]

As we're still in development, significant changes are on the horizon during and after the Closed Beta. Unfortunately, this means progress won't carry over to the full launch.




Keep in mind that the Closed Beta represents a work in progress, providing an early look at the rich content and mechanics that will define News Tower when it launches in Early Access.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!!!

The journey begins on November 28th – see you in the world of News Tower!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Greetings, aspiring journalists and media moguls![/h3]
 
[h3]As we’re approaching our Closed Beta, we’d like to share more info about one of the key game mechanics.[/h3]

As an influential publisher navigating the bustling streets of 1930s NYC, you will unlock different areas of the city based on reader interest.  
Picture it: you'll be expanding your readership one neighborhood at a time, aiming to claim the coveted title of New York's most influential publisher!   

Now, let's talk about the map layout of the game, a design decision that posed quite the challenge... 

Originally, our vision was to connect all districts, mirroring real-life urbanization. A simple street-crossing would usher you into a different area—simple, right? 

However, reality hit, presenting us with unique challenges: 

• How do we strategically position factions and quest givers early on, ensuring a continuous stream of challenges for you? 
  
• How do we create a smooth progression system that seamlessly unlocks areas in sync with your evolving skills and mastery level?

Enters the reworked version: 

• We've created paths to expedite the unlocking of shops and encountering of quest givers. 
  
• Challenges now align more closely with your skill level at any moment! 
  
• You, as a player, will have greater control over your progression and can focus on elements that better fit with your playstyle. 

[h3]Now, let's take a deep dive into the inner workings of the map in News Tower.  [/h3]







The map is made up of 48 DISTRICTS waiting to be unlocked.

Each week, you get to decide which district to unlock. 
To do so, you just need to align your content with the readers interest. 
Upgrading your production line is key to meeting their increasingly difficult interest. 





[h3]CHOOSE WHICH SHOPS TO UNLOCK FIRST TO BOOST YOUR PRODUCTION[/h3]

Once you’ve reached certain locations, you can unlock specific items with your hardly earned influence points.
The shops are tied to specific ‘Tags’ (Society, Economics, Sports, Entertainment, Crime and Politics) depending on their location – you will unlock the entertainment boost item at the Ritz Theatre of course!
Unlocking these boosts is a game-changer, as it will help to enhance your reporters' skills and, in turn, your production line.
So, choose your path wisely for early unlocks!

Some shops will also unlock new technologies and upgrades for your newspaper.
Getting security items to stop Mobsters coming, advertising production and copy-editing to make better articles will also be unlockable at some shops.





[h3]REACH THE FACTIONS[/h3]



We wanted to give you the opportunity to encounter factions quite early in your journey, adding an extra weekly quest to your plate.
Progressing with the different factions will give you both money and influence points- if you succeed in their weekly quest!

So if you are REALLY good, you can unlock one district and one quest line per week but… It’s not an easy task and you’ll need to have a good combination of tags in the same week.



[h3]Stay tuned as we will work on improving how factions are vying for influence in New-York City during Early Access! [/h3]