Happy New Years! Looking forward to 2026!

[h2]Looking Through the Past[/h2][p]2025 was an exciting year for ShantyTown![/p][p][/p][p]At the start of last year, ShantyTown looked something like this:[/p][p]It was darker, colder and simpler, but atmospheric and interesting none-the-less.[/p][p][/p][p]Now there are more object varieties, more color, more light and more details![/p][p][/p][p]This is the same map, by the way, and it looks drastically different! [/p][p][/p][h2]Steps of Progress[/h2][p]In February of last year, closed playtests began and the public demo then launched in June. It went through a few iterations, but you can still play it now![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]I hope to keep a demo available forever for players to try out ShantyTown and see if it's right for them :)[/p][p][/p][h2]Publishing and Polishing[/h2][p]In November I teamed up with Kine Phantom to help with the publishing and marketing of ShantyTown and together we've created quite a bit of buzz around this little game![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]So... What's the plan for 2026?[/p][p]Well, ShantyTown is the plan! As was mentioned in a previous announcement, ShantyTown is launching April 16th! [/p][p][/p][p]So mark you calendar, tell your grandma to wishlist, and get ready to explore each unusual location, place each odd item and create beautiful dioramas in just a few months![/p][p][/p][h2]What's being worked on?[/h2][p]At the moment I'm working on controller support. I think this would be a great game for handheld devices like Steam Deck and I'd love to see the game working there. It's a lot more work to retroactively add controller support, but I can do it! [/p][p][/p][p]Other features like achievements, full localization, optimization, polish and balance are also being worked on. I have my weeks and months ahead full but couldn't be more excited to see the game in your hands and hear your reviews![/p][p][/p][p]I'll keep you updated as April 16th, the release date, gets closer!
Until the next one, [/p][p]-Erik[/p]