Gosh!
How is it March already?! It feels like it was only a few weeks ago that we wrapped up Playtest 3. Yet here we are! Playtest 4 is starting.
The team has been busy working on getting new features in, as well as getting everything ready so you can recruit additional Mayors to help with your town.
Local/Splitscreen Co-op has been a lot of fun for the team do develop. We've also identified the 'chaotic' team members amongst us. I won't name anyone, but you KNOW who you are :D
I realised late Feb that I had not posted a mini roadmap for this playtest. I am truly sorry about that! It slipped past me.
Playtest 4 has been such a great reflection point for the team!
At this time last year (early March 2023) we were frantically getting a build in order, preparing to announce the game and showcase it at PAX East. We were very nervous about how Go-Go Town! would be received. It was VERY early in development (it had only been in development for a year), and we were really worried about showing it so early.
And here we are, one year on from that. We are no longer worried about showing the game so early. The playtests, and feedback from players, have been amazing. They have helped us work out what to focus on, and understand what is important to you. The feedback has helped guide the big and small in the game. From a complete redo of the opening of the game (and tutorials) to the types of fun and playful content we have in the game :)
We are also excited that we have so much happening this month - it feels like a celebration of how far we've progressed in the past year!
We are part of the Women-led Games Showcase (https://www.twitch.tv/womenledgames), as well as The Games with Wings Showcase (https://www.twitch.tv/wingsfundme). Both of these are absolute honours to be a part of. There are so many amazing games out there, and to think that we'd be considered worthy of showing is heartwarming.
We're also sending some of the team to GDC in a few weeks, so hopefully you aren't getting too fatigued about hearing from the team.
From a development point of view, we have been working through our backlog and starting to prioritise what we want to get into the game next. We'll be supporting the playtest and fixing bugs that you might come across! However, we do want to start thinking about 'What Next'. And I'll work to get a roadmap up for this sometime in April.
I'll wrap up here - and I'll include the details for Playtest 4 invites below.
I do, however, want to just say one more time 'Thank you for joining us over the past year'.
What changes have been made since the last Playtest? 👷🏻
- Split-Screen Co-op 👥 That's right, play with up to four total people in split-screen co-op, either Local or via Steam Remote Play
- New Hidden Areas 🔍 What, did you think we would just tell you where they are? Go explore!
- New Clothing, Props, and Décor 👔🎇🍄 We've got two new sets of props and decorations, the Lunar New Year Set and the Fairy Set!
- New Vehicles 🚲 🪲 With co-op comes new ways to ride vehicles with friends—try them out! We also have TWO new vehicles, a quad bike and a secret one that you'll have to find (but we promise it's worth it)
- Fishing Updates 🎣 Everyone wants that thrill of pulling up a boot instead of a fish, so we've delivered. Junk fishing spots are now available!
- Emotes & Rock Paper Scissors 👊🏽 ✋🏼✌🏾You can high-five and play Rock Paper Scissors with your co-op buddies (farm animals will also join in on some high-fives!)
- Performance, Physics, and UI Improvements 🎛️ We've put in fixes for usability in the Build and Manage menus
- New languages 🔡 Added Thai, Korean, and Traditional Chinese Languages
🗓️ It will be open from now through the end of the month (12:01AM U.S. PDT / 5PM AEST). We are inviting people in waves to make sure things don't get overwhelmed, so you might get access before your friends! Everyone on our mailing list will be invited by March 19, and then we'll start sending out keys automatically.
