This week I've been working on improvements to game flow based on some feedback from people with access to the full beta. The major update here is improved tutorialisation on the gameplay loop once you reach the second shop, as so many things opened at once it could be overwhelming. Very glad to catch this now, and situations like this are why I value playtesting so much.
I've also redesigned to tax and loan interface, ejecting minimum loan payments entirely. They were causing too much confusion and slowing down the start of the mid game by eating early profits.
A lot of the week has also gone to the non-gamedev side of gamedev. With most of that caught up with I'm looking forward to diving back into these improvements next week.
And excited about NextFest this month!
Check out the website for more info about the game: Join the Discord to see live updates on development.
Developer Update #04
This week has been busy, with a huge amount of quality of life improvements across the board. These are aimed at smoothing out the price curve of things in the mid game. I've also tried to respond to some feedback by adding a bit more spice to the early game, these changes can be experienced in the demo.
Additionally there's a range of new upgrades and unlockables, some are a bit obscure but they are there to reward unusual playstyles as well as encouraging exploration and experimentation.
There's also been a rework of the way stats are tracked and displayed, now coming in categories that unlock at appropriate times. And a wider range of stats are available to check now too.
As well as a new minigame, new areas, and of course new secrets.
See more about the game on the Final Profit website. Or join the Discord where I post live updates on development progress.
Developer Update #03
The game has a new website! Check it out to see info on features and get a sneak peak at character bios. https://www.finalprofit.com.au/
Last time we left off mid-train. That chapter has been completed and the final chapter of The Capital is well underway, with all of it's exterior maps built and a good chunk of interiors as well. The main quest progresses up to the next big roadblock and then we go back into money-making mode for a while.
There's also been additions to the mid-game, with new upgrades and improvements to minigames. Even some new secrets!
Work on the game continues at a good pace, live updates get posted on Discord.
And tune in next month to see the Demo in Next Fest! As well as a livestream where I'll be showing off part of the full game!
Final Profit: A Shop RPG - Live!
Come hang out, I'll show you the game!
Final Profit is a merchant sim RPG, and parody of capitalism.
Run your shop and explore a story filled world as you try to earn enough coin to take down the corrupt Bureau of Business!
Developer Update #02
Welcome to the second dev update! Last time I talked about the state of the 4 major chapters of the game and we left off at the beginning of the 3rd as Faeona was getting mapped out.
The Fae City has been fully mapped out for some time, with about half the NPCs in place. Additionally a Real Estate system has been added to the game, after a certain point in the story every single building in the game becomes purchasable and can provide passive income.
I realised as I went to plan out the final city in the 4th chapter that we needed a break from the usual gameplay loop and a way to push the party character's story forward. So a new mini chapter now happens between 3 and 4 where we're stuck on a train! It's very different to the rest of the game but it feels great to play.
Beyond that I've been updating some older assets, making sure the game looks, sounds, and feels polished. Including updated UI and a more custom look for the shop.
Another major addition are a bunch of quests that trigger when you've sold enough of a given product in the store, these quests all have major impacts on story and gameplay, and usually involve unlocking new features or changing existing ones. And they have some of the toughest business choices yet, these choices act as a way to spec the shop into your preferred play style.
Some of them required new areas to accommodate decisions the player can make, and Enterpriston is busier and more interesting for it. Exactly half of these new quests are done as I write this, it's taking some time to implement them all but the variety they add is worth the effort.
Development continues, I expect to release the game this year. Hope to see you then!
Developer Update #01
Hello! Welcome to the first dev update for the game on Steam. Final Profit takes place in 4 chapters. Each centering on a new area to explore.
The focus in chapter two is on running the more complex shop, it's systems are all finished, tested, and working!
With the second chapter of the game nearing completion, work has begun on the third chapter!
The map of the Fae City has been blocked out, and I'm well into building the in-game areas. Once the maps are built it will take some time to populate the city with NPCs and events. Though this city is the largest in the game yet, it's going to be a short chapter compared to the second and fourth. (But don't worry, we'll be coming back here in chapter four!).
We're trying to save these people from the influence of The Bureau of Business. But that doesn't mean all is well in the old way of Faeona. Any system is vulnerable to corruption.
I hope you look forward to the game! I'm certainly excited to share it with you.
