VERSION 0.9.9.15 is out in the "Open Beta Branch" NOW!

[p]Hello Tycoons, [/p][p][/p][p]We are slowly getting there! :) I'm happy to release a new version into the Open Beta Branch. It's version 0.9.9.15 - which adds new game modes (the "Scenarios & Challenges"), custom difficulty options and QOL stuff. Read the news post to know more.[/p][p]After this, I can work on reworking the tech tree of the game and lots of small tasks and balancing, steam integrations, etc. After those, I will launch the localization process - and prepare the game for its graduation from Early Access.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To play it, you just have to right-click on Computer Tycoon in your Steam client, then click on "Properties", then there click on "Betas" and select the "Open Beta Branch" from the dropdown list, save and restart your client or your computer so that Steam can install this version instead of the previous one you had on your computer. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This version cannot load your earlier saves![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This is something that was asked many times over the years. People asked for a "Sandbox Mode". You could kinda do that earlier too - since all you had to do is turning off your opponents and play like that, but now there is a dedicated game mode for that with extra starting money. If you just want to relive the history of computers, then you are covered. Here there is definitely no real challenge anymore.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]In an earlier version, the game has received random events - to make things a bit more dynamic. This time, I've added the long awaited special game modes: Scenarios & Challenges.[/p][p]These modes are for those who want a new challenge or just want to try some role-playing. Many asked for being able to start in a communist market, or being able to start from the PC era where they can already create only hardware parts and do business like that. Now you can.[/p][p][/p][p]The game offers now 8 of these. Let me just copy here their in-game descriptions:[/p][p][/p][h3]Thief of Progress[/h3][p]Who needs innovation when deception works just as well? You cannot build Research Labs or Recreation facilities, but you’ve mastered the arts of trade and theft. Amass $10,000,000,000 and prove that the greatest achievements can be built on stolen dreams.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Underdog's Gambit[/h3][p]Starting in 1984, you’re late to the game, but not out of the fight. With double the starting funds but lagging far behind in technology and expansion, you must claw your way to the top. Can you turn disadvantage into dominance?[/p][p][/p][h3]The Billion-Dollar Bailout[/h3][p]Buried under $25,000,000 in loans with no way to borrow more, you’re on the brink of collapse. Can you claw your way to success by amassing over $1 billion? Maybe you can, but how fast?[/p][p][/p][h3]For the Motherland![/h3][p]Lead the sole company in Communist markets, showcasing the strength of planned economies. Free from competition, focus on innovation and advanced technology to demonstrate that unity and strategy can surpass the chaotic capitalist world. Then in 1982 expand globally and prove your approach leads the way forward.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Continental[/h3][p]Why conquer the globe when one continent is enough? Build and sell exclusively within the continent where you start (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe or Australia) for the entirety of the game. With limited markets and tougher competition, can you still rise to dominate the industry?[/p][p][/p][h3]The Billionaire's Backup Plan[/h3][p]You’ve made billions, but what’s the point without something absurd to show for it? The only way to win is to buy the Star Portal, the most expensive CEO item, by 2034. Fail, and all your fortune will be for nothing. Is the universe calling, or are you missing the coordinates to dial?[/p][p][/p][h3]The Tech Broker[/h3][p]Who needs factories when you have ideas? In this scenario, you cannot manufacture anything. Instead, you focus entirely on research, selling your groundbreaking technology to competitors. Can you turn innovation into profit and emerge victorious? [/p][p][/p][h3]Parts & Profits[/h3][p]Step into 1990 as a supplier to the PC revolution. With access to all technology from 1970 to 1989, your focus is on creating and selling PC components, you can't sell end-user computers. Can you build a billion-dollar empire as the backbone of the industry?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]I've created a new difficulty level, because I've got feedback that the leap from "Intern" (the easiest level) to "Engineer" (the second level) is too great. So I've created a new one just exactly between these two, called "Developer". [/p][p]Also, now you can create your own difficulty level. The game offers around 16 different variables to adjust the difficulty of the game. Eight changing difficulty stuff for all players and another eight controlling competition difficulty.[/p][p]Please let me be honest here - I did not test all the variations myself. It would be just too much haha. But the same variables control the difficulty for the dedicated levels we have. I can imagine that if you set things way too hard in the base variables and way too easy in the AI variables - then the AI might fail easily. But now it is all up to you - if that's what you want, you can do it, too.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]I refer here to things like being able to save your opponents' settings, or being able to load a game right from a game (so you don't have to return to the starting screen anymore). I've altered the tutorial a bit here and there, I've modified a few screens etc.[/p][p]There is a long to-do list for these, so I'm not stopping here. I hope that you will like the changes![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Don't worry, I hear you! :)[/p][p]Holy! The game's text file is already longer than the first Harry Potter book... Read this, if you'd like to know more about localizations: LINK [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Do some of you remember how this project looked and played like at the start of 2017? It's crazy. Thanks for being here and supporting me! I will do my best to deliver as soon as I can.[/p][p]* Also thank you so much for the reviews, they help a LOT! * [/p][p][/p][p]Have a lot of FUN, my friends! [/p][p]Andris aka Progorion [/p][p]############################################ [/p][p][/p][p] [/p]