News Tower News

[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

Hey newsbearers!

It’s time for another deep dive into the faction system coming in 1.0. Today, we’re focusing on two of New York’s most powerful forces: The Mayor and The Mafia. Both are fighting for influence over the city, and both are eager for your help. But be careful! Supporting one will put you at odds with the other.

That’s right: siding with the Mayor means turning your back on the Mafia, and helping the Mafia will drag down your reputation with the Mayor. It’s dangerous to know who to trust in the Big Apple, so don't take this decision lightly! Whose side will you choose?





[h2]Agendas in the Shadows[/h2]

Every faction in News Tower comes with its own set of hidden agendas. These are unique missions given to you by their network of NPCs — a way for you to prove loyalty, gain influence, and unlock powerful benefits. But remember: every agenda you complete pushes you deeper into one camp and further away from the other.





[h2]The Mayor’s Bonuses[/h2]


The Mayor wants law, order, and good press, and will reward you for supporting his cause:

• Neutral: opens up the Chief of Police in The Bronx, supporting the Mayor's hidden Agenda.
  
• Trusted: Opens up the Wall Street Banker in Manhattan, offering deals to raise the maximum loan or to get a discount on loan interest.
  
• Respected: Constructs the Prison at the Construction Yard in Queens, offering ways to mitigate risks involving the police
  
• Esteemed: Opens up the Republican Committee in Bergen, providing you with offers to convert your money into Influence once a week.

[h2]The Mafia’s Bonuses[/h2]


The Mafia plays by a very different rulebook — money, power, and control. Their favors don’t come cheap, but the rewards are tempting:

• Neutral: opens up the Cathedral in Brooklyn, supporting the Mafia's hidden agenda
  
• Trusted: opens up Bobby's Shop in Queens, providing you with offers to convert your Influence into Money once a week
  
• Respected: Constructs the Casino at the Construction Yard in Queens, offering unique entertainment machines to place in your tower. Idle employees may occasionally decide to play them and pay money for it, which will land in your pockets.
  
• Esteemed: opens up the Union Office in Brooklyn owned by the mafia's corrupt Union Boss. Pay him a visit and he will represent your worker's union organization, manipulating your staff and lower their wages. For a small price, of course.

[h2]The Choice is Yours[/h2]

Both factions offer powerful tools that can help shape your newsroom empire, but their goals are completely opposed. You can’t stay in everyone’s good graces forever. Whether you side with the Mayor’s order or the Mafia’s shadows, your choice will define the future of your paper — and maybe the city itself.

This choice now lies with you!



– The News Tower Team

[p]Hey publishers!

With 1.0 on the way for November 04, let's keep going with the Road to 1.0 series. It’s time to talk about power, politics, and the people pulling strings behind the scenes. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the cornerstone systems coming to News Tower in 1.0 — the Faction System.

You’ve battled deadlines, juggled staff, and soon you'll fight off rival newspapers... but here we'll talk about how you will deal with the big players. Welcome to the back rooms and smoky lounges of New York City — where favors go further than facts, and the right connections can make or break your empire.


[/p][h2]The Four Factions[/h2][p]When 1.0 hits, you’ll be able to build friendly relationships (or make enemies) with four powerful factions vying for influence:

High Society – A true patron to the city's culture and people, they desire a free press.
Military – Order, discipline, and the iron fist behind the city’s protection.
The Mayor – Civic power with a sharp eye on public image and policy.
The Mafia – Operating in the shadows, but always in control of something.



These groups hold serious sway in New York — and they’re watching your paper closely.


[/p][h2]Earn Their Favor... or Their Wrath[/h2][p]Each faction offers four unique bonuses that can help power up your newsroom. Want to speed up your operations? Need extra resources? Looking for protection or exclusives? There's something for everyone — but you’ll have to earn it.

To climb the ranks with a faction, you’ll take on agenda—specific tasks handed out by the people in power. Each faction has two unique NPCs, each with their own tone, flavor, and missions to offer. Align your weekly goals with a faction’s needs, and you’ll see your reputation rise. But beware:
[/p][p][/p][p]
Support one group too much, and you might make enemies elsewhere. Helping the Mafia too often? Don’t expect the Mayor to send flowers. Cozying up to the Military? High Society might not invite you to their next gala.

It’s all about balancing relationships, managing risk, and deciding who you’re willing to anger in pursuit of progress.


[/p][h2]Pick a Side (But Choose Carefully)[/h2][p]This isn’t just about making friends — it’s about strategic alliances. Do you want a clean, public-facing paper with support from the Mayor and Military? Or are you willing to deal in whispers and favors for the raw power of the Mafia or High Society?
[/p][p][/p][p]Every decision matters, because once a faction's opinion of you drops below even “Hated” status... that door slams shut for good. No more agendas. No more bonuses. No more second chances. So think ahead. Plan smart. And maybe keep one eye on the exit. [/p][h2]More to Come[/h2][p]We’ll be diving into each faction in future blogs, with a closer look at their personalities, bonuses. But for now — start thinking about who you’ll want in your corner.

In the city that never sleeps, everyone wants something. The question is: who will you choose to ally yourself with?


– The News Tower Team[/p]