ShantyTown News

[p]Heya, everyone, Erik here
[/p][p]It hasn't been too long since we last spoke, and we updated you on the updated demo. That update is in preface to today, where I finally have some big news to share![/p][p][/p][p]I’m excited to finally share a fresh look at the game. ShantyTown has been growing quietly over the past few years, and seeing people connect with its little details has meant a lot to me. The new trailer is now live, and I’d love for you to give it a look. [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]I’m also excited to share that the full game is planned for the 16th of April, 2026. There’s still more work to be done, but it’s finally becoming the version I’ve always imagined. I can't wait for you to see the finished product.[/p][p][/p][p]You might also notice a few changes around here. The Steam page has been fully updated, and I’m becoming much more active on social platforms as well. That’s largely thanks to Kinephantom, who’ve been helping with the marketing, communication, and all those bits so that I can stay focused on the part that matters most, building the actual game. 
[/p][p]Don’t worry, the devlogs, memes, and comments you see online are still all me. 
[/p][p]For anyone discovering the game for the first time, ShantyTown is a calm, atmospheric builder about creating improvised neighbourhoods in tight spaces. You stack shops, tuck gardens onto rooftops, and build in ways that simply feel right to you. Imperfection is part of the game, so you do you. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][p]Thank you for being here—whether you’ve followed since the early days or have just stumbled across the game now. Your support continues to mean more than you might think.[/p][p][/p][p]More updates soon![/p][p][/p][p]Erik[/p][p]
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[h3]Hi there ShantyTowners![/h3][p]I'm excited to share a new version of the ShantyTown demo available for you to try out right now![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]What's Changed?[/h3][p][/p][p]A lot has been shifted around, changed, improved and updated. With well over 100 changes between now and the last demo, it's hard to choose what to highlight, but I've got a few picked from the pile here that might interest you![/p]

• [p]Updated tutorial and onboarding[/p]
• [p]Added new creatures[/p]
• [p]Added walking and drone camera modes[/p]
• [p]New water and atmospheric improvements[/p]
• [p]Changed playable maps to 3 major points[/p]
• [p]Updated dossier and welcome texts[/p]
• [p]Updated all music tracks and added menu music[/p]
• [p]New UI and gameplay sounds[/p]
• [p]Saving and loading improvements[/p]
• [p]Updated menus like settings[/p]
• [p]Fixed dozens of things, broke others, fixed those too[/p]
• [p]Added a bunch of QoL features and UI “juice”[/p]

[p][/p][p]If you prefer to see what's being worked on in video format, check out the semi-regular monthly devlogs:[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]If you're new here and are trying out ShantyTown for the first time, welcome! Glad you're here! If you have feedback or run into issues, please Join the Discord and reach out there, I'd love to hear it and get things as good as they can be![/p][p]That's all for now, please enjoy![/p][p]-Dev[/p]

[p]Hey everyone![/p][p][/p][p]I’m excited to share some news. Silk Softworks has partnered with Kinephantom Games to help support the marketing and release of ShantyTown! We’ve been talking for a while about what the game will need as it gets closer to launch. [/p][p]There’s a lot that goes into getting a game out, and balancing all of that with development can be… a lot. Kinephantom genuinely believes in the game and the direction it’s heading, and that's been a big factor in this decision. [/p][p]This partnership means I’ll have more support behind the scenes with content creation, trailer support, social media, community management, and all the bits that make the release smoother. I’m still fully involved in everything, but this lets me focus more on finishing the game itself as well as updating the demo. [/p][p]Nothing is changing with the spirit of the game, this just gives me the help I need to make it the best version it can be. Over the next few weeks, you’ll start seeing: [/p]

• [p]More updates[/p]
• [p]Some Discord reorganization[/p]
• [p]More activity[/p]
• [p]Community events[/p]
• [p]Creator involvement[/p]
• [p]Developer AMAs[/p]

[p]There's also a big demo rework coming soon that I'm excited to share [/p][p][/p][p]And as always, be welcoming to newcomers and thanks for being here! Your support genuinely means a lot. [/p][p][/p][p]-Erik[/p]

[p]Come check out the ShantyTown livestream![/p][p][/p][p]Yes I'm really live! So if it's being broadcasted, come by and say hello, ask me your questions or just creep and lurk. Up to you ːsteammockingː[/p][p][/p][p]You should see the stream in the link below.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Thanks for checking it out![/p]

[p]Hello ShantyTown fans![/p][p][/p][p]A new version of the ShantyTown Demo is now available, and there are a LOT of changes that were made to enhance the experience bringing quite a few QoL features as well as updates to the game's base mechanics.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]What's Changed?[/h2][p]The main changes include:[/p]

• [p]A new, smoother camera[/p]
• [p]A deck on the left side of the screen that shows all remaining objects[/p]
• [p]You can now swap items in a group[/p]
• [p]New settings and keybinds[/p]
• [p]Your progress will save visually when you exit and re-enter[/p]
• [p]Saving and loading maps improved[/p]
• [p]Optimizations made to reduce GPU bottleneck[/p]

[p]Other changes include new objects, layouts, background systems, sounds, music, art, placement improvements, UI upgrades, QoL features and much more. There are like, 100s of things. Too many to list![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Any New Maps to Play?[/h2][p]At this time, I haven't yet added any NEW maps to the demo, and I think I'll keep it that way, as I like the selection of maps available. Currently, the demo is about 1-2 hours of gameplay, depending how fast you play.[/p][p][/p][p]If you really want to play more or help the development of the game, please sign up for the Playtest which I've re-activated. To jump the random queue, fill out this form and we'll get you involved.

Join the Playtest[/p][p][/p][p]Playtesters will get access to different later stage areas of the game and give feedback on balance and design to help shape the overall experience of the game. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, please come join!

That's all for now, until the next update![/p]