Cabin Crew Life Simulator News

Hello cabin crew !

It's me, Simon - the lead developer of the game Cabin Crew Life Simulator. Welcome to my fourth blog post for Cabin Crew Life Simulator !

I hope you have been enjoying the things we have been talking about up until this point and I will have much more to share in the future. If you’re new here, don’t forget to join our Discord channel to stay up to date with the latest news from our team regarding Cabin Crew Life Simulator as well as our other projects!

- Did you know that most airplanes are painted white, and the seats inside are predominantly blue? Is there a hidden mystery behind these choices?

Let’s uncover these secrets together in Cabin Crew Life Simulator!



As our game is set in the working environment of an airplane cabin, we spent over two months meticulously researching various aircraft interiors, including their components, materials, and features across different airplane models. In this devlog, we’ll explore the mysteries and features of the seat designs that you’ll encounter in the game.

[h2]Seat Classes[/h2]

In Cabin Crew Life Simulator, there are three main seat classes: Economy, Business, and First Class. These classes unlock progressively as you level up.

• Economy Class: Found in smaller planes with a focus on practical, compact seating.
  
• Business Class: Available on larger planes, offering premium experiences to passengers. This class also introduces different types of passengers you’ll need to serve.
  
• First Class: This is the most luxurious seat class, occupying a significant amount of space in the cabin. For this class, we’ve integrated special features such as a mini-bar, seats that can convert into beds, and the ability to sell luxury services.
  

[h2]
Seat Materials
[/h2]
Most airplane seats are made from fabric, and we’ve reflected this in the game with detailed textures crafted from materials like wool, polyester, nylon, and even leather for premium seats.
For Economy Class, we’ve chosen nylon fabric due to its:

• Slightly smooth, sometimes slightly glossy texture.
  
• Consistent weave patterns, creating a modern feel for the cabin.
  

This choice mirrors real-life airline practices. Nylon is a practical material that:

• Absorbs sweat efficiently.
  
• Is easy to clean.
  
• Offers durability for long-term use.
  

For Business and First Class, we’ve included leather finishes to evoke a sense of luxury and exclusivity during flights.


[h2]Color Mysteries[/h2]

While designing the cabin, we initially experimented with vibrant and creative color palettes. However, we quickly realized that most airlines use blue seats. Curious about this trend, we dug deeper and discovered fascinating reasons:

Psychology of Color

• Blue is calming and soothing (same as sky or ocean color), helping passengers feel relaxed, especially in an environment where stress or anxiety might arise.
  

Practical Benefits

• Darker shades of blue or green effectively conceal stains, dirt, and wear-and-tear much better than brighter colors like white or yellow.
  

Similarly, the white paint on airplanes serves practical purposes:

• Durability: White paint fades less and highlights potential damage like cracks or oil leaks.
  
• Visibility: White stands out during emergencies and minimizes bird strikes.
  
• Temperature Control: Reflects sunlight, keeping the cabin cooler.
  

In response, we adopted blue tones as the dominant seat color in the game, except for special flights or exclusive events.
[h2]Seat Features
[/h2]
In the demo version, we’ve implemented fundamental seat functionalities, including:

• Reclining backrests.
  
• Foldable tray tables.
  

For Business Class and above, these features get a sophisticated upgrade:

• Elegant tray table designs in Business Class.
  
• Mini-bars in First Class, ensuring your passengers experience the pinnacle of in-flight luxury.
  
• Luxury services: You can serve gourmet meals or provide amenities packs for this class.
  

[h2]
Additional Services
[/h2]
As you progress and complete more flights, you’ll unlock optional services to enhance passenger comfort, such as:

• In-flight Wi-Fi.
  
• Amenities kits (e.g., toothbrushes, socks).
  
• Free blankets and pillows for long-haul flights.
  

These upgrades improve your score and make your airline stand out.

[h2]Passenger Scoring
[/h2]
Passenger satisfaction in Cabin Crew Life Simulator is tied to their class:

• Prioritize premium passengers first—they contribute significantly to your overall score.
  
• However, remember: Safety first, service second.
  
  

[h2]Special Flights[/h2]

As hinted in earlier announcements, we’re introducing special flight missions in the Early Access version. These unique flights might not have any passengers or traditional seating arrangements. Stay tuned to uncover the secrets and surprises when the EA version launches!
Thank you for following our journey. See you in the skies! ✈
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2959610

Hello Cabin Crew !

Welcome to my third blog post for Cabin Crew Life Simulator. We hope you have been enjoying the things we have been talking about up until this point and we will have much more to share in the future. If you’re new here, don’t forget to join our Discord channel to stay up to date with the latest news from our team regarding Cabin Crew Life Simulator as well as our other projects!

In this update, We’ll delve deeper into the cabin of the aircraft, where over 70% of the game’s duration will take place, true to the game’s name. Today, We’ll discuss the design of lighting in the galley and cabin, as well as the day/night circle system within the aircraft cabin.

[h2]1. The FAP System
[/h2]

To deliver the most authentic experience of a flight attendant's career, we have simulated the Flight Attendant Panel (FAP), which is present on most modern aircraft.

The Flight Attendant Panel (FAP) serves as the central control hub for managing and monitoring various cabin systems. It enables flight attendants to efficiently control lighting, emergency systems, lavatory functions, and more.

In Cabin Crew Life Simulator, all cabin lighting can be turned on/off or adjusted in brightness via the FAP. Additionally, the FAP allows you to quickly check the status of doors - whether they are open or closed, armed or disarmed. This feature helps you avoid penalties after each flight for forgetting to properly secure or arm the doors.

Moreover, we’ve included a curated playlist for passenger entertainment, allowing you to create the most comfortable atmosphere onboard. You can choose any genre of music you like and adjust the cabin volume depending on the phase of the flight.



[h2]2. Lighting in the Game[/h2]

We faced numerous challenges while designing the lighting for this game. Typically, developers use static lighting (also known as Baked Lighting) to optimize game performance. With this method, lighting is pre-calculated before runtime, and no further calculations are made during gameplay. For more details, you can refer to Unity's documentation on Baked Lighting.

However, in Cabin Crew Life Simulator, many things move, including passengers and the aircraft itself. As previously mentioned, the aircraft simulates real-life movement, from taxiing to takeoff and cruising altitude. Therefore, static lighting is not a viable solution for us.

In addition, as seen in the DEMO, there’s a day/night cycle effect where you might start a flight in the afternoon and finish it in the evening. Changing lightmaps between day and night proved ineffective because, within the aircraft’s reference frame, the direction of sunlight constantly shifts - unlike static structures like houses or airports. This required us to use real-time lighting for the entire flight.



Thus, all lighting - from the sun to the spotlights inside the cabin - uses real-time lighting technology. This significantly enhances the experience as players can feel the changes in lighting direction while the plane is in motion.



[h2]3. Performance Optimization for Real-Time Lighting[/h2]

The Problem: Using real-time lighting requires continuous calculations by the CPU/GPU, which can decrease FPS. Additionally, real-time shadows are a major performance bottleneck. When real-time lighting is used, Unity increases the polygon count (triangles) by 4-5 times to render shadows, unlike baked lighting, which uses simple black shading in the lightmap. This leads to FPS drops.

The Common Solution: Many simulation games disable shadows to optimize performance. This can reduce the number of triangles by over 60% - for instance, from 7M vertices to 1.2M vertices, which boosts FPS by 20% on a Boeing 737 with nearly 100 seats and over 50 light sources.

Our Decision: However, we chose not to go this route. Disabling shadows significantly diminishes the visual depth of the game, making it feel flat. As someone with a background in visual design and VFX, I found the absence of shadows highly unsatisfying. Therefore, I was determined to find an optimal solution.

Our Approach: We developed a smarter way to render shadows by incorporating distance-based calculations to limit shadow rendering for objects far away or behind the camera. These calculations also restrict the number of shadows rendered depending on the area, improving game performance by up to 60%. This method allows us to create stunning soft shadows with real-time lighting without overburdening the GPU.




[h2]What's new ?[/h2]

In the next update, we’ll reveal the differences between economy, business, and first-class seating on the flight. Stay tuned. Thank you for reading, and please consider wishlisting the game to support us!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2959610

Hi Cabin Crew!

After Devlog #1 received a lot of attention and plenty of questions about Cabin Crew Life Simulator, here's Devlog #2.

In this section, I'll dive deeper into the interior of the aircraft cabin, where over 70% of the game will take place, just as the name suggests.

Typically, the galley area is the main "office" for flight attendants, where you'll prepare food and drinks for passengers and relax here during the flight. Each type of aircraft has its own galley layout, and each airline customizes the galley's colors, materials, and setup according to its needs. However, there are some key components in every aircraft galley.

[h2]Oven and Heating Equipment
[/h2]

These are used to warm food, ensuring dishes reach their best flavor as if served on the ground. The oven must ensure unpressurized cooking to release excess steam, enhancing product reliability and ensuring crew safety.

- How will players interact with the oven and heating devices, in the game?

In Cabin Crew Life Simulator, we simplified the oven operation to make it more convenient for players: just press button to turn on the power, place the food inside, wait for the timer, and remove it at the right moment to avoid drying it out and irritating the customer.



[h2]Refrigerator and Freezer
[/h2]
These are used to store chilled food and beverages. In the DEMO version of the game, you'll see an ice tray that serves cold drink lovers during the flight. Many players have asked what this ice tray does? Actually, in the Early Access (EA) version, some passengers will request cold drinks. We're developing this ice tray to be as realistic as possible, where the ice will gradually melt and become unusable if not stored in the plane's cooler. If a passenger requests a cold drink and there's no ice available, the service rating system will give you a lower score for your service quality.

- Interesting, right?


[h2]Trash Compartment
[/h2]

A compartment for trash and waste, helping the cabin crew keep the galley and cabin tidy. In the DEMO version, you've probably used it many times, even to lock up the mischievous snake that appeared during the flight!



[h2]Coffee Maker and Kettle[/h2]

These are used to prepare coffee, tea, and other hot drinks, essential equipment as many passengers often request hot beverages. You've also seen this equipment in the DEMO on Steam.

- How will the coffee maker and kettle be improved in the early access version?

This device will have different models across various aircraft types. Our 3D team has designed over 10 different models and selected the five most popular ones to include in the game. Each machine will have specific brewing and boiling times, and the kettle's temperature will gradually decrease over time, so you'll need to reheat it before serving passengers.



[h2]Storage Cabinets
[/h2]
Securely locked cabinets that store dining utensils, plates, glasses, and other items for passenger service. The design and materials of the cabinets vary by flight. On economy-class flights the cabinets are usually made of aluminum and steel.On luxury-class flights, you'll see added materials like stone and glass to create a more luxurious atmosphere.
The number of storage cabinets also varies by aircraft type; on large planes like the Airbus A380, you can have close to 50 storage cabinets.



[h2]Crew Storage Compartments
[/h2]

Additional cabinets and compartments are allocated for crew belongings, emergency equipment, and other essential supplies.
In larger and more luxurious aircraft, there will be even more equipment and spaces for you to operate and control to ensure top-notch customer service. Expect features like a fully stocked bar, crew sleeping quarters, or even meeting rooms and weapon storage on Air Force One... So many new things!



[h2]What's new ?
[/h2]

In the next section, we'll talk more about the technical aspects, including how lighting is arranged inside the aircraft.



If you have any further questions about the development process, don’t hesitate to join us on Discord or comment. I’ll try to post an update each week to give you more insight into our work. Thank you for reading, and please consider wishlisting the game to support us!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2959610

Hi Cabin Crew !

Thanks to your great support, our game has exceeded 20,000 downloads on Steam. Your contributions and support played a significant role in this success, and we are grateful to you.

Your satisfaction is the most important thing for us. Therefore, we are always working to improve the quality of our game. Your feedback is of great value to us in this regard.

Therefore, we would like to thank all the players who have contributed to this success with us. Thanks to your support, our game, which is very important to us, has reached wider audiences and has been able to develop further.

We invite everyone to our Discord channel, where we share screenshots and information about the development of the game. And we can also just chat there!



Best regards.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2959610

Hello Cabin Crew !

I'm Simon, the lead developer of the game Cabin Crew Life Simulator. After a fairly long period of focusing on completing the DEMO version on Steam, I've finally got some free time to share with you all about the game development process and upcoming plans. Here is Dev Log #1.

The game has now reached nearly 15K wishlists after participating in Next Fest. If you're a fan of simulator games, don't hesitate to try out the Demo!

Since launching the demo, I’ve received an outpouring of valuable feedback from players like you – feedback that’s inspiring me to push forward towards an Early Access release that truly reflects the community’s needs and desires. If you have any questions you’d like me to answer, feel free to leave a comment on this post or connect with me online. I’ll do my best to feature them in future blog updates!

Talking about Cabin Crew Life Simulator, we don’t just focus on the outside of the plane like some other flight games; instead, we dive deep into the details inside to bring the most authentic perspective on a flight attendant's life. That’s why the airplane will be the central element throughout the entire game.

In real life, the production process of an airplane is very complex and requires the coordination of thousands of engineers and technicians across various stages, with parts being assembled in multiple countries.

For instance, with the Airbus A320 model, the fuselage and tail are assembled in Toulouse, France. The wings and horizontal stabilizer are produced in Hamburg and Bremen, Germany, while other components are manufactured in the UK and Spain.

In Cabin Crew Life Simulator, our production process is somewhat similar, but it takes place in the studio using different 3D software tools. Using the available design schematics from engineers, we have recreated not only the exterior but also the detailed interior of each type of aircraft. To bring a complete aircraft model into the game, we go through five similar stages to real-world production: Design and Development, Component Manufacturing, Assembly, System Installation, Quality Testing, and Finalization.

[h2]Stage 1: Design and Development
[/h2]

At this stage, we reference a wide range of aircraft models worldwide, from Airbus to Boeing, as well as more compact models like Bombardier and Embraer... Our task is to select the most popular models with spacious cabins that are suitable for flight attendants to work in the galley without obstructed views. If the galley is designed too small, it creates a cramped, restrictive feeling for the player.

We typically adjust the cabin design slightly, widening the aisle by a few centimeters to make room for first aid activities, which will take place right in the aisle during random events.



[h2]Stage 2: Component Manufacturing
[/h2]

Once dimensions are finalized, we proceed with 3D modeling. This work is similar to how engineers begin manufacturing airplane parts. Typically, when creating a 3D model, we build the entire model as one unit. However, for complex models like houses, airports, or airplanes, we create each part separately and assemble them together. This approach allows us to easily make adjustments and reuse components for future aircraft models.

-- What 3D modeling software do we use?


We use Houdini, a software specialized in VFX, with a node-based workflow that’s ideal for building modular designs.We start with the main fuselage, move on to the cabin walls, and then work on smaller components such as seat rows, cabinets, ovens, lavatories, and so on. These props need to fit most aircraft types with minimal adjustments.



[h2]Stage 3: Assembly
[/h2]
Once the aircraft parts are completed, we assemble them in Unity. This process is similar to putting together a puzzle, ensuring all parts fit as precisely as possible.

If there is any gap between components, we must adjust that part to prevent light or objects from passing through, which could impact the player experience.

After assembling the main fuselage, we move on to components like seats, overhead bins, the galley, lavatories, doors, and safety equipment, as well as lighting.

-- Do we reuse parts across different aircraft types?

Yes, we do. Most interior components are reused frequently. While each aircraft has a different size, the interiors are generally arranged using these existing props. This approach shortens game development time and helps crew members become familiar with using the equipment.



[h2]Stage 4: System Installation
[/h2]

For real airplanes, after assembling the basic structure, electronic and control systems are installed, including electrical, hydraulic, air conditioning, and other support systems.

In Cabin Crew Life Simulator, this means implementing command systems and functions. We add features to each component, configuring equipment so it functions properly, allowing seats, windows, and meal trays to interact with AI and players. Lighting controls are also integrated.

The control system for the onboard trolley is quite complex, as the airplane ascends and changes coordinates during takeoff, just like in real life. Therefore, beyond the world space axis, we also have to shift everything to the plane’s local axis.

Previously, we considered keeping the plane stationary while simulating the environment moving around it to create a sense of flight, as many games do (with the player in the center and the background moving). This approach would have made coding easier and reduced errors. However, it would have lessened the player experience, and above all, a simulator needs to replicate real life. So we abandoned that approach. We’ll provide a detailed article on this Topic soon.



[h2]Stage 5: Quality Testing and Evaluation
[/h2]

After completing everything, the aircraft undergoes interaction tests, checks with passenger AI, and sound and lighting tests under various weather conditions. Lighting is a particular focus at this stage. If you played the demo at launch and tried the updated version during Next Fest, you likely noticed a significant difference in experience.

In the old demo, we hadn’t yet implemented the day-night cycle, so cabin lighting mostly relied on sunlight, which appeared artificial and didn’t create a realistic atmosphere.

Therefore, we experimented with real-time transitions, setting flights to depart in the afternoon and land at night. We also added real-time lighting within the cabin, which garnered a lot of praise for the Next Fest demo. We optimized the cabin lighting to function effectively during both day and night. The lighting can be controlled, dimmed, or turned on and off through the Flight Attendant Panel (FAP) system.



[h2]Stage 6: Finalization
[/h2]

After the five steps above, the airplane is finally ready to be included in the development build. For each new aircraft, we repeat the same processes, taking about one week to complete each model. It may take longer for larger aircraft with more features and props.

[h2]What New ?[/h2]
In Devlog #2, we’ll dive into the content Exploring the Galley of Cabin Crew Life Simulator – Inside the Aircraft Cabin.

If you have any further questions about the development process, don’t hesitate to join us on Discord or comment. I’ll try to post an update each week to give you more insight into our work. Thank you for reading, and please consider wishlisting the game to support us!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2959610