I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for participating in the playtests, playing our prologue, and sharing your feedback on Steam and Discord. We have read all your comments, and now more than ever, we understand the direction our game should take. We also appreciate all the bug reports and ideas, which we are currently discussing in our weekly brainstorming sessions. Our last month has been spent fixing bugs in the prologue and planning the upcoming months of work. Despite this focus on planning and bug fixing, we have managed to implement an entirely new mechanic - train unloading. We've also been working on increasing the variety of clothing for our customers and continue to develop new quests that will await you in Blueberry.
New Mechanic - Train Unloading
With the arrival of Postmaster Peabody in town, you will be able to take on a special mini-quest that unlocks periodically. When a freight train stops at the station, you will need to locate the appropriate crates in its cars and unload them within a limited time. If you manage to unload everything, Peabody will arrange for the next passenger train to make an emergency stop, filling your saloon with visitors for the next few minutes.
New Clothes for Customers
As trains stop more frequently in Blueberry, newcomers from the city will start appearing in town. Their higher social status will be evident from their well-kept and clean attire. Over time, as the town grows, residents will adopt a similar style. Right now, we have only male customers, but our 3D artists are already working on creating female customers, and we will showcase their work soon.
Continuing the Story
In Blueberry, there will always be work to do and mysteries to uncover. Shortly after the events of the prologue, new characters will appear in town - carpenter Addie and Postmaster Peabody, who will oversee Mr. Lock's interests in the town. One of the first quests you will undertake in the next part of the game is helping Sam find the "stolen" parts of his gold sifting machine. Once the machine is up and running, you will see for yourself if there is a nugget of truth in Sam's tales.
If you haven't played Saloon Simulator Prologue yet,
remember that you can add it to your Steam library for free by clicking on the Saloon Simulator Prologue logo below or searching for "Saloon Simulator: Prologue" in the Steam store. We encourage you to add Saloon Simulator and Saloon Simulator Prologue to your wishlist, ensuring you won't miss out on any updates or the game's release.
Join Our Discord Community
We warmly invite you to join our Discord community, where we can chat, share ideas, and hear your suggestions. We’re eager to hear your thoughts and feedback, which will help us make Saloon Simulator even better.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time
Best regards, Krzysztof "xardi" Marchewka from the Saloon Simulator Team
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Saloon Simulator Prologue release!
🎉 Saloon Simulator Prologue Now Available! 🎉
Dear Players,
It's been almost a year since you first explored Blueberry in our small demo. Today, we are excited to present a much longer and richer experience in the Saloon Simulator Prologue. The game you can download today features the entire first act of the storyline (out of the five planned for the full version), as well as all the furniture, equipment, recipes, NPCs, and quests that will be available at this stage in the full version.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we couldn't wait to share what we've created so far. We are very eager to hear your feedback! You can share your thoughts with us on our Discord:
There, you'll also find weekly updates and have the chance to meet other Saloon Simulator fans from around the world.
See you and enjoy the game! Take care!
Progress Report - April & May 2024
Hello future Saloon owners!
We have some thrilling news to share: the first chapter of Saloon Simulator is coming soon! Let’s dive into the exciting updates and improvements we’ve made over the past two months.
Bug Fixes and Optimization
In preparation for the Prologue release, our team has been laser-focused on squashing bugs and optimizing performance. One of our developers, Kuba, shared a particularly pesky issue he dubbed the "Schrödinger's Piano Stool Problem." This stool, intended for our saloon's future musician, was temporarily removed from the game. However, the customization function still tried to find skins for this non-existent stool, causing crashes whenever we attempted to replace furniture or decor. Thanks to our diligent testers, we quickly identified the bug, but tracking down its cause was a real challenge.
Localization
We're committed to making Saloon Simulator accessible to players worldwide. The full version of the game will be available in English, German, French, Turkish, Italian, Korean, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian. We're currently testing these translations. Although the Prologue will feature machine translations for now, this is to ensure our interface handles different alphabets smoothly.
Achievements Galore
We love achievements, and we know you do too! Our team brainstormed 18 exciting new achievements, and our talented artist, Jagoda, created beautiful icons for them. Our programming team has successfully implemented these into the Prologue, adding another layer of fun and challenge to your gameplay.
All Aboard the Train
The train is the only civilized way to reach Blueberry. In the demo, you heard it bring Sheriff Custer to town, but its visual model wasn’t ready yet. We’re currently working on a fully functional train for the Prologue, complete with two new mechanics that we’ll reveal in future devlogs.
Full Voice Over for All Characters
We’re thrilled to announce that all characters in Saloon Simulator will have full voice-over! Our game places a strong emphasis on narrative, with characters who have their own goals, motivations, secrets, and problems for you to help (or hinder). To help you connect more deeply with our NPCs, we've been working on fully voicing their dialogue over the past few months. You can catch a sneak peek of what you’ll hear.
Join Our Discord Community
We warmly invite you to join our Discord community, where we can chat, share ideas, and hear your suggestions. We’re eager to hear your thoughts and feedback, which will help us make Saloon Simulator even better.
We encourage you to add Saloon Simulator and Saloon Simulator Prologue to your wishlist, ensuring you won't miss out on any updates or the game's release.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time
Best regards, Krzysztof "xardi" Marchewka from the Saloon Simulator Team
Progress Report - March 2024
Hello future Saloon owners!
As March rolls in, bringing the promise of spring, we're back with another exciting development log for Saloon Simulator. Without further ado, let's dive into the new features and enhancements we're currently working on.
Sheriff's Patrols
Playing outlaw in Blueberry became significantly more challenging with the arrival of Hank Custer – a man of high society, a charmer, and an unmatched horseshoe player. Our developers have been hard at work implementing his patrol mechanics. Engaging in criminal activities, such as disposing of bodies or dismantling wagons, will now raise his suspicions. Carelessness will swiftly land you behind bars.
Better hide!
However, you can distract him by serving stronger drinks than he's accustomed to. Maintain your saloon's reputation and a good relationship with Hank to lower his vigilance. In dire situations, where you must dispose of a VIP's body unnoticed, find cover in bushes or behind buildings to avoid his prying eyes.
Town expansion and time progression
Dedicated care for your saloon and reconciling the town folks' conflicting interests will mean you'll spend a lot of time in Blueberry. The saloon's success will attract travelers with full purses, benefiting both you and the local artisans. These craftsmen will invest the money earned—not only in refurbishing their workshops but also, along with you, in enhancing the shared spaces of the community. A beautiful symbol of life returning to the town will be the flora that flourishes over time.
Save system
Completing all tasks in Saloon Simulator Prologue will take around 2 hours, but that doesn't have to be the end of your adventure! After finishing the main storyline, you can continue playing, using the money earned in subsequent days to purchase upgrades and decorations for your saloon. We're currently working on a save system to ensure that the time you've invested in earning money and beautifying your saloon is not lost, allowing you to return to our game whenever you need a moment of relaxation.
Beautiful new illustrations
Though loading screens in our game appear only during launch or loading moments, it's important to us that every moment spent with Saloon Simulator is enjoyable. Therefore, our 2D artist has prepared beautiful illustrations to make these waiting times more pleasant. Inspired by historical paintings from the era in which the game is set, we've decided to also include these artworks in the game. Later in the game, you'll be able to purchase them from Addie, the carpenter with a huge artistic flair, and hang them in your saloon.
How about a new wallpaper?
On our Discord, which we warmly invite you to join, you'll find these graphics in high resolution, allowing you to use them as desktop wallpapers. On Discord, you can also chat with us, share suggestions, stay up-to-date with game developments, and join a wonderful community of people eagerly awaiting the opening of the Saloon in Blueberry.
PS. I also post funny clips of bugs there, which I probably shouldn't include in the devlog 😄
We encourage you to add Saloon Simulator and Saloon Simulator Prologue to your wishlist, ensuring you won't miss out on any updates or the game's release.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time
Best regards, Krzysztof "xardi" Marchewka from the Saloon Simulator Team
Progress Report - February 2024
As we stride closer to the grand unveiling of Saloon Simulator Prologue, excitement is in the air! Our developers have been tirelessly fine-tuning the mechanics and squashing those pesky bugs. We've been laser-focused on enhancing the demolition and destruction mechanics (watch those stolen wagons go down!),
the unpacking of goods mechanic, and the game's save system. The Prologue, offering more than double the content of the demo version, is now fully playable. We're now dedicated to making it sound and look even better.
Our 3D artists are facing a monumental task – filling Blueberry with objects, furniture, and various bits and pieces. Our town might not be the largest, but we're committed to stuffing it to the brim with content. This enables us to open up previously inaccessible buildings whose interiors were not yet finished.
Are there any fans of beautiful and functional interfaces out there? Yes? Then take a peek at our new status window (the text on the right is, of course, a font test).
"Skills" tab hints at the upcoming character development system in Saloon Simulator. While Saloon Simulator, as the name implies, is a simulator, the perks system won't be as deep as in a hardcore RPG, but it will allow you to influence the game flow, making some actions easier, faster, or more rewarding. For instance, the "Charming Smile" skill will get you bigger tips, while "Nothing Goes to Waste" will let you feed more hungry mouths with the same amount of ingredients.
That's all for this devlog – we just wanted to share where we're at and what's coming up. Remember to join us on Discord to stay in the loop, ask questions, or just share a laugh. We're always here to chat.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time Best regards,
The Saloon Simulator Team.
Progress Report - January 2024
Hello fellow Saloon owners!
Happy New Year! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Our team managed to get some well-deserved rest, but now we're back at it again, working full steam ahead on Saloon Simulator's prologue. This is where we'll present our full vision of the game's core mechanics - a vision we're eager to modify based on your feedback. We can't wait to show you the fruits of several months of hard work.
Our writers and 2D artists have been working closely together over the past month, resulting in not only a variety of handwritten letters and in-game notes, but also beautiful illustrations that will grace the pages of our journal.
The prologue storyline is now playable from beginning to end, but many mechanics still require refinement to ensure they are clear, visually appealing, and sound just right. In the midst of these improvements, we've also found time to add an entirely new feature - the unpacking mechanic. Our supplier, Jack, brings in crates of food and alcohol, which you'll need to unpack and place on the appropriate shelves in your saloon. It may seem like a small addition, but trust us - unpacking has never been so much fun. Take a look for yourself!
We've also revamped the Furniture and Decoration Store menu. Now you can preview 3D models of each item before you buy, making sure you get exactly what you need for your salon.
As always, we invite you to join our Discord channel where you can interact with us directly. We'll be happy to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions, or just trade memes and movie recommendations. We wish you all a healthy and prosperous new year and will see you in Blueberry!
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time Best regards,
The Saloon Simulator Team.
Progress Report - December 2023
Hello fellow Saloon owners!
As we get ready for the festive season, we're thrilled to unveil the latest happenings in the world of Saloon Simulator. December has been an intense month for us, full of changes and improvements, especially in our cooking mechanics. Let's dive into the tasty details!
The Cooking minigame has undergone a major overhaul this month, with the aim of striking a balance between accessibility and challenge. On the one hand, we've made it easier to use, so that everyone can prepare food easily and enjoyably. On the other hand, we've introduced a special opportunity for culinary virtuosos - a chance to show off their skills by earning bonus points during the mini-game. These points will enhance the taste of your dish and increase the tips you receive from delighted customers.
We've also revamped the food ordering system. Now our esteemed guests will wait at their tables for their orders, just like in a top restaurant. We're also thinking about introducing an option to hire extra help. What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments and let us know your preferences.
In our monthly office poll, the standout 3D model was undoubtedly Jack's General Store Cart. At first glance, it's clear that its owner has impeccable taste. This cart will be the source of all the basic ingredients for our culinary delights and refreshing libations.
At present, all of the primary foundational mechanics are firmly in place and operational. Our focus is now on debugging and what we affectionately call "juicing" - those fine-tuning elements that enhance certain mechanics and make them even more satisfying.
Finally, we extend our customary invitation to join us on our Discord channel, where we love to engage with our community. We'd also like to extend our warmest holiday wishes to those celebrating this season, and a happy new year to all. The coming year is a pivotal one for us, as it marks the opportunity for you to experience the Prologue - the complete beginning of the game - for free. The future chapters of our game depend on your invaluable feedback.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time Best regards,
The Saloon Simulator Team.
Progress Report - October 2023
It's that time of the month again and we're excited to share with you the latest developments in the world of Saloon Simulator. October has been a busy month for our team and we've got some exciting updates to share with you.
1. Master the art of mixology
At the heart of Saloon Simulator is the art of making drinks. As a saloon owner, this is your primary task, and we've been hard at work refining the mechanics to make it more immersive and enjoyable. While there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the town, mixing drinks is without a doubt the backbone of your business.
This month we've focused on improving the flow of drink preparation. By giving you control over the angle at which you tilt the bottle, we've made it easier for you to adjust the pour rate of alcohol and additives. We've eliminated unnecessary clicks and simplified the whole process. Adding ice and stirring your concoctions now requires mouse movement, not just spacebars. It's all about creating a more hands-on and realistic experience for you, our dedicated bartenders.
2. Furnish Your Saloon - 200+ Unique Options!
Our talented graphic designers have worked tirelessly to bring you an ever-expanding catalogue of furniture for you to purchase and place in your saloon. The number of unique pieces of furniture has already grown to over 200, and the best part is that you can customise the colour of each item. This gives you endless possibilities to make your saloon your own. It's all about creating a unique atmosphere that reflects your style and hospitality.
3. Meet Resourceful Charlie - Blueberry's Jack of All Trades
At Blueberry, resourcefulness and craftsmanship are highly valued, and that's where Charlie comes in. He's Blueberry's jack-of-all-trades - a rubbish collector, treasure hunter and inventor all rolled into one. In his rare moments of leisure, Charlie devotes his time to tinkering, creating remarkable inventions from simple materials, much like the legendary MacGyver.
Charlie is not only a collector of discarded items, he's also a unique merchant. His shop is notable not only for its eclectic selection, but also for the unconventional currency he accepts. To acquire one of Charlie's treasures, you'll have to go on a scavenger hunt, collecting items scattered around Blueberry that can be reused as payment.
We hope you're as excited as we are about these exciting developments. As always, we invite you to join us on our Discord channel https://discord.gg/SKNNd2Byu8 where you can stay connected with the Saloon Simulator community and share your thoughts, ideas and feedback.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time
Best regards,
The Saloon Simulator Team.
Progress Report - September 2023
Hello everyone!
We're back in the saddle with another exciting update on the wild journey of Saloon Simulator. If you enjoyed our previous devlogs, you're in for a real treat. Let's dive right into the exciting developments of the last month!
1. Bottles and Faces - A Toast to Visual Excellence
A saloon without a carefully curated selection of spirits is like a desert without cacti - it just ain't right! Our resident graphic artist has poured her heart and soul into creating the labels for our specialty liquor bottles. These bottles are more than just containers; they're veritable works of art that embody the spirit (pun intended) of the Wild West. Keep your eyes peeled for these exquisite bottles as you build your collection and whip up brews that'll have your patrons begging for seconds.
But that's not all, folks! It's time to reintroduce you to some familiar faces. Remember Cassidy from the demo? Well, say hello to Sam - he's undergone a transformation and is back with a new name and even more charisma. Our dedicated 3D modeling team has brought these characters to life, making sure they're as visually memorable as they are crucial to the story.
2. Meet the new and improved Jack - your go-to business partner
Jack, the trader from the demo, is back in the spotlight. He will undergo a remarkable transformation in the prologue. As an experienced trader, Jack stands out from the crowd, always looking for opportunities to make a quick buck. When business is booming, Jack will be your most important ally, making sure Blueberry never runs out of essentials like food and alcohol.
3. Earl - the mysterious arrival
Now it's time to introduce you to a new character we're very excited about. It turns out that the same train that brought the sheriff also left another passenger on the platform. Earl, the assistant carpenter, has arrived to revive the workshop. He's an experienced craftsman and a real handyman. But there's a catch - he's very skeptical of strangers. With the saloon in need of renovation and new furnishings, earning Earl's trust will be your first priority in the Prologue. Who knows? Along the way, you might uncover some of Blueberry's well-guarded secrets.
That's it for this devlog, folks. As always, we encourage you to join us on our Discord channel (https://discord.gg/SKNNd2Byu8) for more updates, discussions, and the chance to share your thoughts and ideas. We're excited to have you on this ride as we continue to shape the world of Saloon Simulator.
Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time, keep your spurs jingling and your glasses clinking!
Warmest Regards,
The Saloon Simulator Team.
Progress Report - August 2023
Hello fellow bartenders!
We hope this devlog finds you well, and we're excited to share the latest happenings from the dusty trails of our Saloon Simulator project. First and foremost, we'd like to thank you all for the incredible interest and enthusiasm you've shown for our game. Your support and dedication has been nothing short of inspiring. A special shout out goes to those of you who took the time to fill out our post-demo survey - your feedback was invaluable.
After releasing our playable demo at the end of June, we took a moment to catch our breath and chart the course ahead. We've had some intense discussions about the survey results, pondered the aspects you loved, and considered how to address mechanics that didn't quite hit the mark. Our talented programming team has been hard at work implementing both minor and major improvements to various mechanics. Mixing drinks and cooking now feels even more satisfying and immersive.
One of our main focuses was to improve the customization mechanics. We realized that on certain systems, customization wasn't as stable as we wanted it to be. Some options weren't accessible, and changing your salon's decor wasn't as intuitive as we wanted it to be. Our goal is to make it a breeze to customize your salon to your unique style - an enjoyable experience that lets you create something truly special. Right now, we're deep into creating the prologue, which we hope will set the tone for the entire game. The prologue's story will be twice as long as the demo's story and will revolve around the introduction of a new character in Blueberry - Earl, a handy carpenter's assistant. In the full game, you'll rely on him to provide new furniture for your saloon. The prologue will also pick up the story threads of W and Sheriff Custer, shedding light on the mysterious past of the previous saloon owner and his connection to the mysterious Uncle. As a new mechanic, you'll be able to rent rooms to guests who want to stay a while. We've also already implemented an options menu for a smoother experience.
Our 3D art team is hard at work creating new models for the Blueberry's residents and patrons. We're determined to give each drink and dish its own unique look and description.
Meanwhile, our 2D artists are hard at work creating new illustrations for the protagonist's journal, as well as images that will grace your cookbooks, bartender guides, saloon walls, and even the interiors of Blueberry's homes.
We invite you all to join us on our Discord server (https://discord.gg/SKNNd2Byu8) where we share our weekly progress updates every Monday. It's also a place where you can ask us questions, share your ideas for improving the game, and connect with other players who share your excitement.
In closing, we'd like to once again express our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm fuels our determination to create an unforgettable Saloon Simulator experience. Together, we're shaping a game that captures the essence of the Wild West in a way we could only dream of.
