ShantyTown News

[p]Hi![/p][p]I'm aware that the demo keeps removing save data, I finally figured out why, but I need a bit of time to find a solution.[/p][p][/p][p]In the meantime, I wanted to make sure new players experience the game as intended so I have a fix here that does the following:[/p]

• [p]Fixed a camera lock issue on new games[/p]
• [p]Number buttons won’t spawn items while in menus[/p]
• [p]Dossier and Creative buttons properly become active upon completing certain maps[/p]
• [p]Fixed some focus issues on the introduction objects[/p]
• [p]Reorganized the lantern wall object to be in the lights creative category[/p]

[p]More fixes to come soon![/p][p]-Erik[/p]

[h2]New Items are Hiding![/h2][p][/p][p]Hello townbuilders![/p][p]Chinese New Years is here and I thought it'd be fun to add some Chinese red-lanterns and firecracker items into the item pool![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Just for this season, you can find some new items floating around to spice up the demo locations. Check it out![/p][p]I'm hoping to continue adding different seasonal items as other events come, so I wanted to come up with a good system to add new things into the already existing maps! [/p][p]Let me know what you think and if it's a good way to share unique items in the future![/p][p][/p][h2]Controller Support is Here![/h2][p]This is still a work in progress, but if you want to see how it works, dust off your controller and plug it in! See if you can play ShantyTown with just the buttons on a gamepad![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]I'm not very familiar with controllers, so I'm really open to your suggestions here. Don't be afraid to join the discord and share your ideas and feedback![/p][p][/p][h2]What Else is New?[/h2][p]Some potted plants, new balconies, and other items have been improved. Quality of life changes, new icons, sounds and effects. [/p][p]Also, all languages have had localization updates and there have been some lighting and optimization changes![/p][p][/p][p]I hope it all works well for you, and happy Chinese New Years! [/p][p]Enjoy![/p]

[p]Hi there!
I just want to share a devlog I've created about how the music was created and how it was made dynamic in-game.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]As you play ShantyTown, the music "intensity" ramps up while you're upgrading buildings or placing objects that affect buildings. And as you slow down, the music slows down with you. [/p][p]Each song is hand-crafted and has a custom design that matches a specific location and playstyle.[/p][p][/p][p]Try it out in demo and see how the music changes when a building is upgraded![/p][p][/p][p]Enjoy![/p][p][/p][p]PS - Is that video working?[/p][p][/p]

[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]

[p]Hi there!
Just making a minor update to the demo to add some more localization.[/p][p][/p][p]However! I have heard that the localization quality isn't great so if you speak a language well and feel comfortable helping correct the translations:[/p][p]You can do so here[/p][p][/p][p]If you're worried about the quality, fear not, I will have professional localizers review the translations before the game's launch, once all text is final.[/p][p][/p][h3]Also, I added a new unique item to the Marsh Pipe map: [/h3][p]A big aquarium! [/p][p][/p][p]I think it looks pretty cool and should add to the wild vibe of that map.[/p][p]Enjoy![/p]