News Tower News

[h3]Extra! Extra dear newsbearers![/h3]


New improvements and fixes in this patch!
Read the fresh patch notes below!



[h2]IMPROVEMENTS[/h2]

[h3]Comfort[/h3]

• Soap bottle can now be placed on the washing station.
  
• Small, medium and large plants can now be combined for greater effect.

[h3]Employees[/h3]

• Adjusted XP rates for certain desk interactions: typesetters and assemblers now gain 25% less XP per task accomplished, whereas copy editors and lawyers now get 100% more XP per task.

[h3]Loading times[/h3]

• The algorithm that takes place in the background during the recap that decides on next week’s content possibilities has been optimized a bit and runs faster (there could be a noticable lag on older machines between the recap and the area map).
  
• The algorithm that takes place in the background during the recap’s memory allocations have been refactored such that hopefully it will mitigate the crash that happened for some people.

[h3]Miscellaneous[/h3]

• Moving printer objects does NOT automatically place printer belt corners when you move a module away. This simplifies the behaviour for many people we think, as the chances of a belt being left behind are reduced.
  
• Recap page now displays influence points gained by doubling in value when placed in above the fold slot.

[h2]FIXES[/h2]

• Stash fix - Removing a printer module that was connected to another module with small plants on it would stash the plants and sell the module instead of stash it.
  
• Stash fix - Unstashing a staircase door by dragging it on the entrance does not count towards an unstash of the door.

[h2]BECOME A NEWSBEARER[/h2]

Join us and be part of the journey as we work together towards the ultimate newspaper tycoon experience!

💌 Come to our Discord
✅ Follow us on Twitter

Take care of yourself and of each other, newsbearers!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Hi again newsbearers![/h3]

Here is a quick hotfix to address 2 bugs that stemmed from this morning's update!




[h2]Bug 1[/h2]
It happens if you have 2 page modules connected with a belt:

• Stash the left one
  
• Place back a corner or a page module on the left side and reconnect
  
• Now move the page module on the right to another floor, causing the link to break

What happens is that the "stash" is passed on to objects that are connected. If they then get removed, they will "stash" instead of a regular remove.

[h2]Fix 1[/h2]
The fix now is that this flag gets cleared after a build action (which is what must happen!).




[h2]Bug 2[/h2]
The 'invalid build object save game' issue had to with the printer belt's collider that became larger with the earlier update we implemented. Consequently, air vents positioned partially behind it were now registering collisions with the printer belt. This adjustment affected many of you who constructed their towers this way.

[h2]Fix 2[/h2]
A quick fix has been implemented: collision checking is now disabled when loading a game.
This adjustment poses no issue as the objects were initially placed without conflict, ensuring that they remain valid unless moved.

[h3]Good day dear newsbearers![/h3]


Attention, attention! Update approaching!
But before we hit you with the good stuff, let's take a moment to appreciate YOU!
Your joy, engagement, and feedback have been absolutely instrumental in shaping the game's development and this update. We appreciate you all! THANK YOU, NEWSBEARERS.

We’ve been hard at work on many improvements, fixes, and one particular feature that will ease your life as builders!



[h2]BUILD STASH[/h2]

You can now store objects in the “stash” - this will allow you to change around your floors setup more easily!

• Implemented the build stash function, enabling players to temporarily stash objects and return them to the tower without any cost. Stashed items can be found at the bottom of the build menu.
  
• Introduced the build multi-stash function: the stash tab on the build drawer now features a button that allows users to stash the selected items (up to 10 items at a time).

Here is a quick video to see this new feature in action!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



[h2]ADDITIONS[/h2]

[h3]Tutorials[/h3]

• Added new tutor tips at first print, explaining the player can still produce during Sunday, and that game time automatically stops before the end of Sunday, for a “Last Chance To Print”.
  
• Added new tutor tips to the article in production tutorial, explaining how to manually edit articles by discarding parts of a story that are either unfinished or cannot be printed due to requirements.
  
• Added a new tutorial hinting towards expanding the workforce after placing the nth-page module. Currently only on the 3rd page, with monitoring from week 4 onward.

[h2]IMPROVEMENTS[/h2]

[h3]Comfort[/h3]

• Discomfort logs of employees now record when their discomfort decreases while it is low, rather than whenever its value is low.
  
• Removed redundant entries in employees’ comfort logs.
  
• Improved the distribution of comfort levels.

[h3]Bribes[/h3]

• Bribe minigames can now be cancelled after starting them. The player loses no money, and the path remains open to try again later.
  
• Improved scaling of big steps for bribe minigames.

[h3]Build items[/h3]

• The acoustic Panel now follows similar cropping as other wall objects, taking up 1 cell less space overall in both dimensions and allowing placement above printer belts.
  
• Small items (currently only the small plant) can be placed on the edges of the printer input, page and output.
  
• The assembly table supports 2 small trash cans underneath it.

[h3]User interface [/h3]

• Trash spawns a little less for Production desks and the Generator.
  
• Fixed monthly expense recap page "Decreased by" percent calculation to actually show correct percentage. Additionally, it now highlights the decrease in green text if monthly expenses actually decreased.
  
• Resource order buttons now display the total in tower + the ordered supply in their tooltips.
  
• The hourglass icon in the article drawer (indicating an almost expired article) is larger.
  
• Dragging an item from an article onto a copy editing desk is now only allowed if that item contains the “Sloppy Reporting” nag.
  
• Drawers now close on mouse up instead of mouse down. Allowing for starting a multi-select with the build drawer open.

[h3]Controls[/h3]

• Fast forward now jumps back to pause when engaged during manual pause.
  
• Moving a printer corner that already exists now plays the same sound as building a new one.

[h3]Employees[/h3]

• Security will return to idle quicker if there is no more work to do. Previously, they would await until everybody had left.

[h3]Printing[/h3]

• “Above the fold” now also doubles influence points.
  
• The “Above the fold” display now includes a breakdown of what is multiplied if there are multiple stats being multiplied.

[h3]Save games[/h3]

• Game checks for save files compatibility; save games from the demo versions (0.9.2 and 0.9.3) are not compatible with version 0.11.132.
  
• Auto-save entries are now below the games they belong to.

[h2]FIXES[/h2]

• Fixed load game “invalid object” error due to the fact you could place a printer belt vertically over a small lamp.
  
• Purged all input control schemes except for Keyboard & Mouse and Gamepads, which is a probable fix for constant device switching for players with a connected Joystick device.
  
• Fixed resolutions on Mac; game settings now offer a broader range of resolutions.
  
• Fixed newsbook tutor tips not properly handling paused state, causing the newsbook to possibly close due to completed tutorial story file before everything was explained.
  
• Fixed wall and ceiling signs not updating text before placing them down.
  
• Fixed "New actions possible" blue folder on globe points being rotated arbitrarily.
  
• Fixed view mode shortcuts still triggering while typing text into input fields (e.g. wall signs, employee renaming).
  
• Fixed article drawer status labels sometimes displaying an incorrect icon.
  
• Fixed the possibility of a risk truck overlapping with a delivery truck.
  
• Resupply employees now visit toilet and food. This used to only be the case when there was absolutely nothing to transport.
  
• Fixed placing a wall between a desk and a buff object not “killing” the buff on the object when they get separated.
  
• Fixed Z-sorting of annoyance icons. They could overlap a selected in tower layout in some cases.
  
• Fixed Z-sorting of toilet bucket while a Cleaner cleans the toilet.
  
• Fixed artifacts on portrait of employee on the injury risk popup in the newsbook.
  
• Fixed the sales requirement of a quest displaying the latest record instead of the original value in the recap screen.
  
• Fixed a rare bug that resulted in no audio in the game.
  
• Fixed protesters not getting “cleaned up”, which caused the protester guide to hang even though all protesters were gone.
  
• Fixed staff screen not always displaying all the skills of employees.
  
• Fixed hang when dragging an employee, then holding right mouse button and pressing escape.

[h2]TAKE YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE AS A NEWSBEARER[/h2]

Join our brilliant community of newsbearers, and be part of the journey as we work together to keep improving the game!

💌 Come to our Discord
✅ Follow us on Twitter

We're very excited to meet you!

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]Welcome and gather 'round, newsbearers and aspiring media moguls of the roaring 1930s![/h3]


The presses are rolling, the news is hot off the wire, and we're thrilled to announce News Tower's Early Access launch TODAY!

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us in the Closed Beta. Your insightful feedback and passionate participation helped us shape News Tower into the journalism simulation you know and love.
Whether you tested the waters during the demo or dive right in with Early Access today, your support means the world to us.

Stay tuned! This is just the first edition of your newspaper empire.

Throughout Early Access, we'll be working closely with our community to deliver updates, new features, and exciting content based on your suggestions. It's time to grab your metaphorical pen, gather your staff, and write your own headlines in News Tower!




[h2]📰 EXTRA! EXTRA! LAUNCH EDITION AVAILABLE![/h2]

Forget Valentine's Day chocolates - this year, get swept off your feet by the thrill of the press. Dive into the roaring 1930s as you build your media empire in the bustling heart of New York City. Hear the clatter of typewriters, the shouts of newsboys, and the hum of printing presses churning out your latest edition.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



[h2]💡 EARLY ACCESS PRICING[/h2]

News Tower will, throughout Early Access, be priced at 19.99€ and 19.99 USD with regional pricing also being in effect.
There is currently a temporary 10% discount to celebrate our launch!
[h3]So make sure to grab it right now![/h3]

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

If you want to go the extra mile in supporting us, you can purchase the "Supporter Edition" which contains the 14 tracks composing the original soundtrack of the game!
Thank you so much if you choose to support us with this! It means a lot to us and will help us improving the game even further.

[h3]Get the 'Supporter Edition' here:[/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/37740/News_Tower_Supporter_Edition/




[h2]🕹️ PRESS KIT[/h2]

Are you a content creator or an influencer interested in our game?!
We have our very own press kit right here!



You can contact us on our Discord and our DMs are open on Twitter if you need anything or want to discuss a collaboration or partnership!




[h2]🗺️ EARLY ACCESS ROADMAP[/h2]

Want to know what content you will get to experience and enjoy in Early Access?
Here is a roadmap to see exactly that!

Please also keep in mind that we will be improving and developing the game constantly while in Early Access, so your opinion matters! You can share it on our Discord.







[h2]📝 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS[/h2]

[h3]Why an Early Access?[/h3]

We are a 4 people studio and Early Access is the best way for us to improve the game with your feedback in mind. We are bringing a solid core-gameplay loop first and we’ll be adding more content, immersion and mechanics later on.

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

[h3]How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?[/h3]

The full version will feature extra content, going from 1930 to 1939 – whereas it goes only from 1930 to 1932 in Early Access.
We’re also going to keep on building on the existing features to give them more depth.

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

[h3]What is the current state of the Early Access version?[/h3]

The current state of the game includes:

• One part of the main campaign play from 1930 to 1932
  
• 100+ objects to build and manage your tower from printer to luxury decoration items
  
• 10+ job types to make sure your newspaper is running
  
• The reporting, production and printing core loop of the game
  
• News map to send your reporters dig the hottest news of the moment
  
• 1000+ News items to report on
  
• New York district systems to gain more readers according to their interests.
  
• Progress unlocking systems to grow your News Empire bigger and more efficient.

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

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

News Tower will be available on Steam for PC & Mac. There are no other plans for now, as we are first and foremost focusing on the quality of the Early Access for these platforms.

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

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

The game is currently available only in English, but we plan to add French, German, Russian and Chinese in the future. We will keep you updated!

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

[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]
Meet the devs and other newsbearers!

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

Thank you for your continued support and kindness - it trully matters to us.

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

[h3]The News Tower Team[/h3]

[h3]GREETINGS to every media maven and newsbearer out there![/h3]

Join us in one hour, at 6 PM CET / 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST to see the devs play News Tower and ask your questions before we release in Early Access tomorrow!!!

In this stream you can ask any questions you might have to the devs themselves, and see what the game is going to look like in Early Access.

You can see the stream on:
➣ Our Twitch channel
➣ Our YouTube channel
➣ Our Steam store page:

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

With the participation of Robert, Bart & Jan-Maarten, you will get to discover what we have in store for you during the Early Access!
While you await the game's release tomorrow, you can rely on us and this stream to keep you entertained and make the wait less painful.

You can hit the "Set a Reminder" button on the right side of this post to be notified when we're live!



[h3]See you there!!![/h3]