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Computer Tycoon News

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]
How can I try it?
[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]
1 - Sandbox Mode
[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]
2 - Scenarios & Challenges
[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]
3 - Custom Difficulty
[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]
4 - QOL and other Changes
[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]
5 - Localizations
[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]
6 - Ending Words
[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]

VERSION 0.9.9.14 is out in the "Open Beta Branch" NOW!

Hi Tycoons,

VERSION 0.9.9.14 is out in the "Open Beta Branch"! It contains changes and bug fixes.

Changes
  • From now on, the max LP value of a market follows the population changes of the market - the game also gives back your LP when the population decreases to the required level.
  • The player can now step back to the previous messages when doing the tutorial.
  • I've added a flag to the site view - so that it is easier to see when the current site is changing. It was especially important during the tutorial.
  • I've changed the color legend on the research tree so that now the techs that are needed both for the PC and Portables will have a gradient color from red to blue.
  • I've decreased the frequency of AI players sending gifts depending on the difficulty level. The frequency stayed the same for Intern, got x2 times less likely on engineer, and x10 times less likely on the hardest mode. The rest is between these two.
  • I've removed the current year's partial sales data from the sales graph, because lots of players misinterpreted it - not realizing that it is a partial year yet - so players thought that their sales are dropping.
  • I've changed all pop-up messages so that now the player has to click on all of them to close them - instead of them, some working like this and some disappearing automatically.
  • I've added a new notification ball that tells the player when they are reloading their SPP - because often players didn't realize that it is an expense when it's happening.
  • I've added a notification ball to tell the player when a manager levels up.


Bugs Fixed
  • Sometimes the site manager upgrade pop-up got stuck - especially late game on slower computers. I've added a safety check so that it won't.
  • In the office with the mini soccer table, one character was misaligned into their desk. Fixed
  • The worldwide customer coverage calculator showed incorrect an incorrect percentage - because the max country LPs were not following population changes yet. Fixed.
  • There was a bug making you unable to sabotage AI opponents, the day counter got stuck. Fixed


Remember that all that is relevant to the Open Beta Branch - not the normal Steam version. Changing to the Open Beta is simple (and free of course).

How to play the Open Beta Branch:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686680/view/524207137294910328

Thank you for all the support! Andris aka Progorion

VERSION 0.9.9.13 is out in the "Open Beta Branch" NOW!

Hi Tycoons,

VERSION 0.9.9.13 is out in the "Open Beta Branch"! It contains a few smaller changes and bug fixes.

In my last news post, I mentioned that I had to update my engine - which is a big ordeal. Unfortunately, thanks to it there was a serious issue with the historical map - but I've fixed it now.

Changes
  • From now on, the game no longer displays the total population of your current market territory in the top left corner. Instead, it shows your percentage coverage of the worldwide market. This change was necessary because many players had incorrect assumptions about how much they should sell per day, as they were not able to contextualize that number.
  • I have improved on the tutorial and fixed a few smaller issues with the text and process. For example, the green tutorial arrows now emit some light effects to make them easier to see.


Bugs Fixed
  • This version fixes a serious issue with the historical map when the changing borders didn't work. (Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, etc.)
  • There were still smaller issues with the new LP system used by the AI.
  • I've fixed a few tech issues related to storage devices


Remember that all that is relevant to the Open Beta Branch - not the normal Steam version. Please check out the previous normal update news post to learn more!

How to play the Open Beta Branch:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686680/view/524207137294910328

Thank you for all the support! Andris aka Progorion

A Little Reminder

Hi,

I realized that my default branch didn't get an update for a long period, so I wanted to add something small. Can you find it in the game's folder?

Also, just a reminder to all of you! There is an "Open Beta Branch" for the game where I have a more up-to-date version of the game. I'd like to push out a major update with the game's final graduation day from Early Access into Full Release. Partly this is the reason why I keep that branch separated for now - but also, in general, it is good practice because of the more frequent balance changes going on there.

But! If you are interested, it is a very good time to check out the new version! Opting into the Open Beta is free and simple, just follow this link for more information:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/686680/discussions/0/4031350783733793401/

Thank you so much for all your support!
Andris aka Progorion

VERSION 0.9.9.12 is out in the "Open Beta Branch" NOW!

Hi Tycoons,

VERSION 0.9.9.12 is out in the "Open Beta Branch"! It contains no gameplay changes - but fixes bugs and improves on performance.

I was forced to update my engine to the latest version which caused me a lot of trouble - but at least the game runs now a bit faster than before. We have gained some extra FPS and both the game itself and the World Map View load a bit faster.

Bugs Fixed
  • The AI players could create some combinations of hardware that shouldn't exist. Such as HDD and SDD technology on the same Storage Device. There might be out there one or two that I haven't thought of and wasn't reported yet - so if you see something let me know, please!
  • In the 6th office the computers in front of the person sitting on the left side of the screen facing us showed up as it was above the glass wall - Fixed.
  • The "TV interview" repeated costed no money. Fixed
  • The "Your market should be bigger . . . " bouncing 'warning' was displayed even while you were expanding. Fixed
  • I've changed the "-" indicator on the Computer Designer to "N/A" - while your mouse is not hovering over a computer part.
  • There was an error messing up tax and reseller cut in the cashflow window. Fixed
  • When a CEO went bankrupt ALL payments were canceled. Fixed
  • The color highlight on the bankruptcy notification ball was off. Fixed
  • There was a bug when your manager reported that they failed to steal a technology - but you still got it and the notification window at the bottom also showed that you got it. Fixed
  • Various typo fixes
  • I noticed that the Tool Tip for Marketing while setting stats, doesn't show up. Fixed


Remember that all that is relevant to the Open Beta Branch - not the normal Steam version. Please check out the previous normal update news post to learn more!

I've deleted the Holiday Branch - please update to the Open Beta Branch if you were still using that one.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686680/view/524207137294910328

Thank you for all the support! Andris aka Progorion