version 0.5.2 - Box Packer Machines Upgrade, Employee Controls, and QoL Updates

[p]Hi everyone, Happy New Year 2026 😄[/p][p]Thank you so much for continuing to play Food Processing Simulator in Early Access. The enthusiasm from all of you has been amazing, from players who are optimizing every corner of their factories to creators and players who shared detailed feedback and videos.[/p][p]This main update focuses on three main things:[/p]

[p]Making packing and box management more flexible[/p]
[p]Giving you more control over employee behavior[/p]
[p]Improving how Cold Storage and Loading Operators handle your products[/p]

[p]We are still actively tuning behaviors and performance based on how you play. Some systems will need more iterations, but we want you to feel the improvements step by step as we ship each update.[/p][p]Here is what is included in this update.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Main Updates[/h2][h3]1. Box Packer Machine Update[/h3][p]We have expanded and refined the Box Packer system to support different output sizes more flexibly.[/p][p][/p]

[p]New Box Packer Machine types are now available: Medium and Large. You can buy them separately as upgrade to machine before and can be bought when you reach certain Tier.[/p]
[p]Each Box Packer Machine can be set to produce smaller box sizes than its own type:[/p]
- [p]Box Packer Machine (Medium) can output Medium or Small boxes.[/p]
- [p]Box Packer Machine (Large) can output Large, Medium, or Small boxes.[/p]
[p]Box sizes follow these standards:[/p]
- [p]Small: 6 pcs per box[/p]
- [p]Medium: 24 pcs per box[/p]
- [p]Large: 48 pcs per box[/p]

[p][/p][p]You can change the output box size at any time through Machine Settings by interacting with the machine and pressing F (default keyboard). This lets you reuse the same machine in different setups as your factory grows.[/p]

[p]Note:[/p]
[p]Before moving or repack the machine, make sure the entire processing line has fully finished and nothing is running. Otherwise, items may spill out, or fall off the conveyor or machine.[/p]

[hr][/hr][h3]2. Box Commodity Generator Update[/h3][p]To match the new Box Packer options, we have also updated the Box Commodity Generator:[/p]

[p]You can now purchase Small, Medium, and Large Box Commodity Generators:[/p]
- [p]Small: 6 pcs per box[/p]
- [p]Medium: 24 pcs per box[/p]
- [p]Large: 48 pcs per box[/p]
[p]Box Commodity Generators can now be moved and placed where you need them, so they are no longer locked near the initial supply area.[/p]

[p][/p][p]This should make it easier to design layouts where box generation happens closer to your actual production lines. Each Box Generator can be bought after reaching certain Tier.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]3. Other Machine Updates[/h3][p]Several machines have received quality of life improvements to give you better control and clearer feedback.[/p]

[p]Splitter Machine Output Control
You can now configure the Splitter Machine to use only one output or both outputs. This helps you shape more complex pipelines and gives you the option to fully disable one branch if needed. Only checked outputs are used. If none, all items go to failed line.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]
[p]Employee Settings Information
Each machine’s Employee Settings menu now includes clearer descriptions of what machine can do or settings will affect. This should make it easier to understand which variable affect which parts of your setup.[/p][carousel][/carousel]
[p]Tower Lights on Machines
All machines now feature a Tower Light to show their current state at a glance:[/p]
- [p]Only Green: machine is running normally[/p]
- [p]Only Red: machine is stopped[/p]
- [p]Blinking Orange: machine is in a special or problematic state. If Green also on means the problem is not making the machine stops, but if red also on that means the problem make the machine stopped. [/p][p]This helps you monitor your factory from a distance by just reading the light codes.[/p]
[p][/p]
[p]Starter Machine Item Counter
We added an item counter to the Starter Machine. You can now see how many items have been supplied and have not yet exited the machine, which makes tracking flow easier.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Expanded Interaction Area for Packaging and Labelling Machines
You can now open Employee Settings by interacting with the body of the machine, not only the input area.[/p]
- [p]The original interaction at the input area still works.[/p]
- [p]New players can find the settings more easily, while experienced players keep their existing habits.[/p]
[p][/p]

[hr][/hr][h3]4. Employee Management Update[/h3][p]Employee management has been expanded so you can fine tune who does what, and in which order.[/p]

[p]You can view and adjust priority assignments from the Employee Menu, using the gear icon.[/p]
[p]For each employee, you can:[/p]
- [p]Reorder their task priorities[/p]
- [p]Disable certain tasks completely
  This applies to both Production Assistants and Loading Operators.[/p]

[p]With this system, you can control behavior from two sides:[/p]

[p]From the machine (through machine settings)[/p]
[p]From the employee (through their task priorities)[/p]

[p]Production Assistant roles are now clearly split into three categories:[/p]

[p]Maintenance
Keeps machines maintained so they do not stop unexpectedly.[/p]
[p]Label & Packaging Supplier
Supplies labels and packaging to Labelling and Packaging machines, as long as the machine side is configured correctly.[/p]
[p]Commodity Supplier
Supplies commodities to Starter Machines, again depending on the machine’s configuration.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Loading Operator roles are split into two categories:[/p]

[p]Delivery Project[/p]
- [p]Delivers products according to the active project, including arranging boxes on pallets when project targets exceed 36 units.[/p]
- [p]Uses the forklift to move pallets when needed.[/p]
- [p]If forklift employee usage is disabled in the forklift settings, Loading Operators will not use it for deliveries.[/p]
[p]Cold Storage Handler[/p]
- [p]Delivers boxes from machines to Cold Storage.[/p]
- [p]Cleans up and organizes loose boxes outside Cold Storage or around the area, as long as a suitable rack is available.[/p]

[p][/p][p]This should give you much more control over how tasks are shared and prioritized across your staff.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]5. Loading Operator Behavior Overhaul[/h3][p]We have done a deeper pass on how Loading Operators behave, especially when working with pallets and deliveries.[/p][p]Delivery Project behavior:[/p]

[p]Pallet Delivery Area[/p][p]There is now a specific pallet delivery area that defines which pallets will be automatically filled by Loading Operators.[/p]
- [p]Only pallets inside this area are handled for automatic delivery.[/p]
- [p]Pallets outside this area are ignored by Loading Operators and are free to be used for any custom setup the player wants.[/p]
- [p]As an extra note, product boxes left outside Cold Storage will be collected by a Loading Operator with Cold Storage Handler assignment and returned to Cold Storage so their grade does not drop when the day changes.[/p]
[p][/p]
[p]Better Pallet Calculation for Forklift Deliveries[/p][p]Loading Operators now calculate how many items are on pallets in the pallet delivery area and on the pallet currently held by the forklift.[/p]
- [p]They will not over prepare extra boxes when dealing with large deliveries (more than 36 boxes on a single pallet).[/p]
- [p]Only pallets inside the delivery area and the active forklift pallet are counted toward the project target.[/p]
[p]Improved Pallet Priority[/p][p]When selecting which pallet to take next, Loading Operators now prioritize the pallet whose box count is closest to the remaining project target.[/p]
[p]Continuing Pallets Already on the Forklift[/p][p]If a pallet is already on a forklift, the Loading Operator that takes over will continue delivery with that pallet as long as it matches the current project target.[/p]
[p]Handling Full Destinations [/p][p]If a Loading Operator is already carrying a box and the destination is full, they no longer need to drop it on the ground. The box will be returned directly to a rack instead.[/p]
[p]Handling Pallet Inside Cold Storage[/p][p]Update behavior for Loading Operator that will not take box from the pallet inside cold storage area to move it into rack.[/p]

[p]This delivery behavior is still not perfect, and we will continue improving it. However, with the new settings and areas, we aim to give you more control so you can align behavior with your own playstyle.[/p][p]Cold Storage Handler behavior:[/p]

[p]Box Size Settings per Rack
Cold Storage Racks now have additional settings in Employee Settings where you can define which Box Size (S / M / L) is desired for that rack. Loading Operators will follow this preference when placing boxes in Cold Storage.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Tidying Cold Storage
Loading Operators will now help organize product boxes in Cold Storage that are not yet on a rack, as long as there is a suitable rack available.[/p]
- [p]Stacks around the monitor or on the floor can be cleaned up this way.[/p]
- [p]Boxes that are already on a rack will not be moved to other racks.[/p]
[carousel][/carousel]

[hr][/hr][h3]6. Box Carrier Behavior Update[/h3][p]The Box Carrier has been made more efficient to use in daily operations:[/p]

[p]You can now pick up boxes directly from the ground while still holding the Box Carrier by pressing F (default keyboard).[/p]
[p]You can take and place boxes into Cold Storage Racks using the Box Carrier without putting it down first.[/p]

[p]This reduces unnecessary steps and makes Box Carrier a more powerful tool for manual logistics.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][hr][/hr][h2]Improvements[/h2]

[p]Cold Storage Fallback Box Area[/p][p]Added a new Box Area in Cold Storage as a final fallback drop off spot for Loading Operators when no valid rack is available.[/p]
- [p]This area is located under the monitor.[/p]
- [p]Racks can no longer be placed on this exact spot to ensure the fallback area always remains usable.[/p]
[p][/p]
[p]Skip Item Movement Animation[/p][p]You can now skip item movement animations.[/p]
- [p]A prompt to skip will appear after a few seconds, so you can fast forward if you do not want to watch the full animation.[/p]
[p][/p]
[p]Faster Trash Disposal for Box Contents[/p][p]Removed the animation of items going into the trash one by one when discarding commodities from a box into a Trash Bin. The process is now faster and less repetitive.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Maximum FOV Increased to 120[/p][p]Increased the maximum Field of View from 90 to 120 for players using ultrawide monitors or who simply prefer a wider view.[/p]
[p]Improved Manual Pallet Delivery with Forklift[/p][p]Refined the detection when the player delivers pallets manually with the forklift, making it easier to align and complete deliveries correctly.[/p]
[p]Level Up and Unlock Tutorials[/p][p]When you level up and unlock new features, a short information or tutorial will now appear. A Tutorial menu is also available on the tablet so you can re read these explanations later.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel]
[p]Employee Status Info Update[/p][p]Completed several missing employee state indicators so that more work situations now show the correct status text above the employee’s head.[/p]

[hr][/hr][h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

[p]Box Carrier Stuck[/p][p]Fixed an issue where the Box Carrier could get stuck in certain areas and could not be clicked to pick it up.[/p]
[p]Filter Machine Blocking Conveyor Bridge[/p][p]Fixed an issue where the Filter Machine could be placed in a way that blocked the Conveyor Bridge.[/p]
[p]Cold Storage Rack Marker[/p][p]Fixed the yellow rack area marker not appearing on the first 5 racks in Cold Storage.[/p]
[p]Player Run SFX on Forklift[/p][p]Fixed a bug where the player’s running sound effect could still be heard while riding the forklift.[/p]
[p]Box Carrier Repack Visual Glitch[/p][p]Fixed a visual issue where the Box Carrier would briefly disappear when being repacked.[/p]
[p]Production Assistant Holding Stuck Box[/p][p]Fixed a condition where a Production Assistant could end up with a box stuck in their hand.[/p]
[p]Loading Operator Taking Boxes from Player Pallet [/p][p]Fixed a behavior where a Loading Operator could take a box from a pallet that the player was currently moving.[/p]
[p]Box Stacking on Same Rack Slot[/p][p]Fixed an issue where both the player and employees could place boxes on the exact same rack position, causing multiple boxes to stack in a single slot.[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]We know there are still many ideas and requests from the community that are not part of this update yet. That does not mean they are ignored, but some of them require more design, testing, or technical work before they are ready.[/p][p]Thank you again for helping us shape Food Processing Simulator through your feedback and playtime. If you notice new issues with the updated Box Packer system, employee priorities, Loading Operator behavior or any other aspect, please let us know through the in game report tools or on the Steam Discussions.[/p][p]We will keep improving the game step by step, and we hope these changes make your factories feel more controllable, more readable, and more satisfying to manage. 🥗🚚[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]