Update
Some bugs fixed and buildings transparency added so customers behind them are visible:
Some bugs fixed and buildings transparency added so customers behind them are visible:
CoffeeBiz Tycoon
- Released
- Oct 31, 2018
- Platforms
- Windows
- Last updated
Updates & announcements
- Developer postOriginal post
- Developer post
Development status
Development status Game abandoned? No! Not while I’m in charge! Yes, I already told that and after that game development again stopped for a long time. Not trying to make excuses, but all this COVID situation did several heavy hits on my family, so game dev was not the first prio
Original postDevelopment status
Game abandoned? No! Not while I’m in charge!
Yes, I already told that and after that game development again stopped for a long time. Not trying to make excuses, but all this COVID situation did several heavy hits on my family, so game dev was not the first priority for the last half a year. But it does not mean I did nothing at all. There was a couple of hours a week for some CoffeeBiz Tycoon coding.
So here are some of the main upcoming new features for the upcoming Alpha 6:Marketing overhaul
I re-coded how customers and marketing work. Before it was a casual group approach, but now it's atomic. That means that clients represented and stored not like some pre-programmed groups (345 customers have a good opinion, 154 have a bad opinion, after another cup of coffee sold one group gets +1, other -1), but distinct - every customer who interacted with the kiosk are stored and living his/her life even when not walking on location. He can forget his bad experience or be so satisfied, that he will tell about your kiosk to his friends.
It can be visualized as a group of dots. Color represents opinion about kiosk, transparency – how long ago customers interacted with a kiosk.
That approach allows making more realistic marketing simulations.
Also, new marketing reports like the customers funnel are coming.
Research
Current managers/tiers research approach seem not to work the way it should. It was more distracting than giving any interesting game experience. So, I am working on a more classic research point approach when the company collects research points and then spends them to open specific new technology.
Missions
I like sandbox games when it's up to me to think up a goal for a game session. But I understand that some achieving some external complicated goal can be really satisfying. So I am working on a mission generation module that will give players some challenge.
That’s it! Thank you for checking up on my game and this update!
- Developer post
Alpha 5 update live!
Hi there! I just uploaded Alpha 5.2 version of the CoffeeBiz Tycoon. Key new features of the version: Ingredients system updated Kiosks rotation New zoning system with raytracing visibility Kiosk assistants system changes UI improvements New Location limits Bugfixes Kiosk marketi
Original postHi there!
I just uploaded Alpha 5.2 version of the CoffeeBiz Tycoon.
Key new features of the version:
- Ingredients system updated
- Kiosks rotation
- New zoning system with raytracing visibility
- Kiosk assistants system changes
- UI improvements
- New Location limits
Bugfixes
- Kiosk marketing panels empty or "obj" labels instead of data numbers fixed.
- Customers' typical routes now depend on customer types.
- Competitor pricing, profit, and attractiveness are rebalanced.
- Some new details in the first location were added.
- Sprites order logic changed (still not working 100% as needed)
- "Next day" speed in 100+ days game increased
- Charts scale bug fixed
- Objects placement grid invisibility bug fixed
- Rotated kiosk line crowding bug fixed
- Some competitor line stuck bug reasons removed (not all, sometimes it still can happen)
- Kiosk problems visualized in UI
- A kiosk that placed on location but can't brew coffee marked
- Details of clients type panel can be opened from client panel
- Time shifts bug fixed
- District kiosk market chares graphs redesigned
- Some kiosk zone visualization z-fight problems fixed
- The client decides the preferred kiosk algorithm changed
- The client remembering kiosk algorithm changed
- Tree overlay objects bug fixed
- M-size kiosk grid placement fixed
- Kiosk can be placed and rotated at the same place it located
- Worker can't get ill before 5th day of employment
- Business owner cant get ill
- Kiosk relocation button bug fixed
- Work-in-progress M-size kiosk 2d graphics bug fixed
- M-size kiosk collision box fixed
- Vandalise operation money bug fixed
- NPC navigation of M-size kiosk fixed
- Competitor market size bug fixed
- Messages design changed
- Developer post
24h sale
Short 24h sale to celebrate the upcoming big Alpha 5 update this friday.
Original postShort 24h sale to celebrate the upcoming big Alpha 5 update this friday.
- Developer post
Alpha 5 is coming this Friday!
Finally! After a long wait, Alpha 5 is coming live Friday, November 27. New features, new content, updated UI, and a lot of bugfixes. More details and a full changelog in the upcoming Friday post. Thank you for all feedback on Alpha 4 and the test branch - it helped a lot make th
Original postFinally! After a long wait, Alpha 5 is coming live Friday, November 27. New features, new content, updated UI, and a lot of bugfixes. More details and a full changelog in the upcoming Friday post.
Thank you for all feedback on Alpha 4 and the test branch - it helped a lot make the game more fun and enjoyable.
Don't forget - the fastest way to communicate with the developer is discord channel - https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M
- Developer post
Friday Test Branch Update - Alpha 5.0.4 live
Some minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version: Kiosk marketing panels empty or "obj" labels instead of data numbers fixed. Customers' typical routes now depend on customer types. Competitor pricing, profit, and attractiveness are rebalanced. Some new details in the
Original postSome minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version:
- Kiosk marketing panels empty or "obj" labels instead of data numbers fixed.
- Customers' typical routes now depend on customer types.
- Competitor pricing, profit, and attractiveness are rebalanced.
- Some new details in the first location were added.
- Sprites order logic changed (still not working 100% as needed)
- "Next day" speed in 100+ days game increased
- Charts scale bug fixed
- Objects placement grid invisibility bug fixed
- Rotated kiosk line crowding bug fixed
- Some competitor line stuck bug reasons removed (not all, sometimes it still can happen)
That's it! New version uploaded to the test branch. As a reminder - there is Discord server https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M - you can join or write a direct message to the developer.
- Developer post
Friday Test Branch Update - Alpha 5.0.3 live
Some minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version: Kiosk problems visualized in UI A kiosk that placed on location but can't brew coffee marked Details of clients type panel can be opened from client panel Time shifts bug fixed District kiosk market chares graphs redesi
Original postSome minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version:
- Kiosk problems visualized in UI
- A kiosk that placed on location but can't brew coffee marked
- Details of clients type panel can be opened from client panel
- Time shifts bug fixed
- District kiosk market chares graphs redesigned
- Some kiosk zone visualization z-fight problems fixed
- The client decides the preferred kiosk algorithm changed
- The client remembering kiosk algorithm changed
That's it! New version uploaded to the test branch. As a reminder - there is Discord server https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M - you can join or write a direct message to the developer.
- Developer post
Friday Test Branch Update - Alpha 5.0.2 live
Most time this week I was updating second and third locations to new game features. But also I made some minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version. Bug fixes and changes on the test branch Tree overlay objects bug fixed M-size kiosk grid placement fixed Kiosk can be
Original postMost time this week I was updating second and third locations to new game features. But also I made some minor bug fixes and updates on the test branch version.
Bug fixes and changes on the test branch
- Tree overlay objects bug fixed
- M-size kiosk grid placement fixed
- Kiosk can be placed and rotated at the same place it located
- Worker can't get ill before 5th day of employment
- Business owner cant get ill
- Kiosk relocation button bug fixed
- Work-in-progress M-size kiosk 2d graphics bug fixed
- M-size kiosk collision box fixed
- Vandalise operation money bug fixed
- NPC navigation of M-size kiosk fixed
- Competitor market size bug fixed
- Messages design changed
That's it! New version uploaded to the test branch. As a reminder - there is Discord server https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M - you can join or write a direct message to the developer.
- Developer post
Dev play Alpha 5.02 live stream
Trying out new features, looking for bugs, chatting with players (Russian or English)
Original postTrying out new features, looking for bugs, chatting with players (Russian or English)
- Developer post
New version on test branch!
Hi there! What a wonderful year, 2020! Anyway, no, development is not stopped, and the project is not abandoned. But for sure, updates and the new versions of CoffeeBiz Tycoon are very, very, very delayed. Sorry about that. As a solo developer, I am taking full responsibility for
Original postHi there!
What a wonderful year, 2020! Anyway, no, development is not stopped, and the project is not abandoned. But for sure, updates and the new versions of CoffeeBiz Tycoon are very, very, very delayed. Sorry about that. As a solo developer, I am taking full responsibility for this situation. As if I have a choice :)
The main news
I am starting to publish the freshest version of CoffeeBiz in the test branch every week. From now on, every Friday, no matter what, a new version will be uploaded in the test branch.
Key new features of the version I just uploaded today:
- Kiosks rotation
- New zoning system with raytracing visibility
- Kiosk assistants system changes
- Some UI improvements
To increase the delivery speed of the new features, there are some limitations for the testbranch:
- Only sandbox mode
- Only the first location - neighborhood
- No tutorial or detailed help for new features
How to enable TestBranch?
- Open game settings in Steam.
- Open beta-versions tab.
- Choose "testbranch" and close settings window. No password needed.
Thats it! Thank you for your support in personal messages. Alpha5 coming soon.
As a reminder - there is Discord server https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M - you can join or write a direct message to the developer.
- Developer post
WIP news
Some work in progress news about CoffeeBiz Tycoon. For the last month, one of the Alpha 5 new features I have worked on - objects rotation and raytraced visibility zone. Those two new features work together - now you have to think about obstacles blocking your kiosks or advertise
Original postSome work in progress news about CoffeeBiz Tycoon. For the last month, one of the Alpha 5 new features I have worked on - objects rotation and raytraced visibility zone.
Those two new features work together - now you have to think about obstacles blocking your kiosks or advertisements from customers. Now customers coming from the subway won't notice kiosk standing behind the corner.
Furthermore, you have to take into account that each object has a different visibility distance for the front, back, and sides.
It also adds new options to deal with competitors - block their kiosks with yours and get all the customers.
- Developer post
Alpha 4 update is Live!
After months of work and skipped Alpha 3, today, I am finally releasing the CoffeeBiz Tycoon Alpha 4 update! Key changes New objects placing system Kiosks and A-board advertisements can be moved around the district. No more "lost" and its restrictions, you can run your business a
Original postAfter months of work and skipped Alpha 3, today, I am finally releasing the CoffeeBiz Tycoon Alpha 4 update!
Key changes
New objects placing system
Kiosks and A-board advertisements can be moved around the district. No more "lost" and its restrictions, you can run your business almost anywhere.
New ingredients system
Rewritten from scratch. Every ingredient now can be different quality, have different taste and freshness
New marketing system
Customers evaluate and make decisions about where to drink (or not to drink) a coffee in a new, more complicated way. And players now have new instruments to understand customers' needs. Also, each kiosk now can be promoted on every district, even if it's not placed at all.
More automatization
Managers now can automatically clean kiosk, buy ingredients and service or repair coffee machines.Full changelog
Changes
- "Lots" removed
- Kiosks can be placed at many different positions with different rent prices
- Kiosk mounting time showing above the kiosk
- CLOSE label removed while the kiosk is in placing mode
- More information about districts
- Faster load game mechanics
- Equipment renamed to upgrades and moved to new kiosk panel tab
- Each kiosk have its unique possible upgrades
- Movable advertisement a-boards
- Customers who know or see kiosk or its advertisement can be highlighted
- Kiosk and all its adv zones can be shown by one button
- Three competitors kiosk at downtown, one at industrial districts
- New ingredients system
- Different ingredients taste
- Ingredients freshness
- Ingredients auto buy
- Marketing funnel
- The owner (player) can work as a barista
- Updated tutorial
- Campaign and sandbox modes
- Known and visible kiosks shown in the customers' details panel
- Snacks and drinks sales are different for different customer types and their wealth
- Incorporation available only after some coffee brewed
- Competitor zone can be shown
- Customers distinct valuation
- Customers forget about kiosk
- Market share graphs of the district
- Adverts aggressiveness are configurable
- Auto repair and auto service of coffee machines
- Auto clean of kiosks
- Business points removed
- Advertisement campaign can be canceled
- Different company colors
- Campaign winning condition
- Neighborhood kiosk campaign
- The coffee machine can be serviced without closing kiosk
- Mouse wheel zoom in/out
- Pause on keyboard ` key
- Competitor kiosk can be vandalized
- First research tiers cheaper
Fixes
- Different kiosk outlines in placing and placed modes
- Some kiosk 3d models fixed
- Kiosk colliders fixed
- Face generation saves bugs fixed
- Kiosk attractiveness info changes at the moment kiosk upgraded
- Log saves reworked to reduce save-load speed
- Industry and tourists marketing values fixed
- Not placed kiosk image fixed
- Adv image after load game fixed
- Adv contacts calc right
- Used coffee machines prices
- Subway entrance customers stop fixed
- Permanent tooltip help
- Kiosk work in progress 2d and 3d models
- Developer post
News about the game
Hey there, coffee brewing enthusiast. It's have been a while from last post and update. You might even think that development stopped and the game is abandoned. No way, not while I am in charge! There was an involuntary pause in dev process in the summertime. I got over those iss
Original postHey there, coffee brewing enthusiast. It's have been a while from last post and update. You might even think that development stopped and the game is abandoned. No way, not while I am in charge! There was an involuntary pause in dev process in the summertime. I got over those issues, and for last month I 100% concentrated in development, almost no communicating with the community. Sorry about that. So here are some key points about the game.
Development not stopped.
And it is going as fast as possible.
Alpha 3 skipped.
Some critical changes like free placing kiosks and equipment lead to so many changes in core game mechanics, so Alpha 3 becomes almost unpayable till almost every game module where re-worked. Let's call Alpha 3 inner version for testing purposes, and Alpha 4 is the next big update. There are hundreds of changes in my patch note. If you can't wait to check it out:
Beta branch created.
You can join beta-branch (of Alpha game, yes, but that's are Steam terminology). Just message me on Steam, write in Discord (https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M) or by mail ([email protected]), I'll give you beta access password.
Weeklong deal
I urgently need new feedback for new upcoming Alpha4 and hope the 30% discount will help new coffee brewing enthusiasts to join us.
- Developer post
Alpha 3 coming soon.
Hi! Alpha 3 is almost ready and coming live this or next week. As you can notice, there is some delay to the roadmap plan, but there is a reason for it. After some players feedback, I prototype new mechanics of placing coffee kiosks. I removed such game element as a “lot,” replac
Original postHi!
Alpha 3 is almost ready and coming live this or next week. As you can notice, there is some delay to the roadmap plan, but there is a reason for it. After some players feedback, I prototype new mechanics of placing coffee kiosks. I removed such game element as a “lot,” replacing it with the possibility to place coffee kiosk at any suitable location.
It was such a great improvement, so I decided to implement it as soon as possible. It required a huge change of game codebase, and that caused delay, but it worth it.
After some more testing, I will upload Alpha 3 to steam so that you can try it out!
- Developer post
Game development Roadmap!
Hi everyone! The development of CoffeeBiz Tycoon continues, and I have many things planned to implement. New features, game mechanics, and the content will come in new updates. To summarize and organize it all here is first Roadmap (now just as a list) of previous and upcoming up
Original postHi everyone!
The development of CoffeeBiz Tycoon continues, and I have many things planned to implement. New features, game mechanics, and the content will come in new updates. To summarize and organize it all here is first Roadmap (now just as a list) of previous and upcoming updates. It’s important to say that roadmap is subject to change depending on your feedback and game development process.
Alpha 1 (Early Access Launch) – October 2018
- Core game mechanics
Alpha 2 – March 2019
- New locations
- Updated marketing and workers modules
- Office and management
- Branched saves
- Adjustable difficulty
- Workers time shifts
- New coffee machines
Alpha 3 – May 2019
- UI update
- New ingredients system – ingredients quality, shelf life, bulk purchase, and weekday-weekend purchase planning.
- Distinct managers – assign a manager to take control of kiosks and workers operations marketing to increase its performance and get access to new operations over it.
- Competitors pressure – disturb competitors, sabotage their kiosk business operations to get an advantage.
- Events that require reaction decide on how to perform in such situations as worker absenteeism, competitor sabotage, and other business disturbing situations.
- Research tree
- Missions – accomplish missions from locals and authorities to earn money, reputation, and other bonuses.
Further – Alpha 4,5,6…
- Custom scenarios mode
- Sandbox mode
- New locations
- XS, L, XL kiosk sizes
- Custom coffee kiosks
- Vending coffee machines
- Custom coffee recipes
- Workers perks
- Multi-language support
- Mods support
- Branding
- Weeklong events
- New kiosk, coffee machines, office equipment
Release – Q4 2019.
Its very estimated date, but I don’t think that more than one-year Early Access is good for the game or players.
Thank you for playing CoffeeBiz Tycoon and all your priceless feedback.
- Developer post
Alpha 2.2 is Live!
Hi! While I am working on a big Alpha3 update, a minor update for Alpha2. More details about game development plans and roadmap to full release in upcoming devlog. Improvements and Changes New event – worker boost Hi-level workers resume search Assistants 3d models added to kiosk
Original postHi!
While I am working on a big Alpha3 update, a minor update for Alpha2. More details about game development plans and roadmap to full release in upcoming devlog.
Improvements and Changes
- New event – worker boost
- Hi-level workers resume search
- Assistants 3d models added to kiosks
- Promoter cup costume for assistant
- Locations new objects and details
- Lot work-in-progress visuals added
- Different kiosks place on the lot time now showed in the kiosk shop panel
- M size kiosk graphics update
- Bank loans available only after company incorporation
Bugfixes
- Second assistant kiosk panel operation fixed
- Locations 2d-3d graphical bug fixes
- Kiosk client attractiveness data of not placed kiosk fixed
- Developer post
Alpha 2.1 is Live!
First Alpha 2 update is live and introducing timeshifts. Now, after HR tier 1 research and with HR manager working in an office, you can control kiosk timetable. There you can plan two working shifts (6:00-13:00 and 13:00-20:00) for every weekday, so there is no need to change ti
Original postFirst Alpha 2 update is live and introducing timeshifts. Now, after HR tier 1 research and with HR manager working in an office, you can control kiosk timetable. There you can plan two working shifts (6:00-13:00 and 13:00-20:00) for every weekday, so there is no need to change tired worker in midday or evening/morning manually.
New features
- Timetables
Improvements and Changes
- Barista and assistant tasks interface reworked
- Worker skills level interface reworked
- Pause now disable any game actions
- New key events messages: level up, the first weekend
- Dirt on kiosks visualized
- Reasons why kiosk cant brew coffee shown in kiosk panel
- The maximum amount of assistants shown in kiosks shop
- Outdoor adverts change visuals when an advertisement is placed
- In recipe details, the different wealth attitude to price shown
- New objects and details added to the first district
- Workers can be placed and removed from a kiosk without closing it
Bugfixes
- Fixed salary change limit bug
- Fixed customers thought bubbles movement
- Fixed wrong XP data above kiosks
- Fixed assistants adding performance bonus to themselves
- Conditioner icon fixed
- Many small bugfixes
Thank you for all your feedback and bug reports. With you and your support, CoffeeBiz evolves the way it should. New updates coming soon, stay tuned.
- Developer post
Devlog #2 - animated objects
Hi! In previous Devlog I described how razor-sharp pixel-art style achieved. Brief: 2d background hand drawn, 3d meshes for shadows and objects distinctly rendered and then mixed. It works perfectly for static objects. But an animated and interactive object can’t be created that
Original postHi!
In previous Devlog I described how razor-sharp pixel-art style achieved. Brief: 2d background hand drawn, 3d meshes for shadows and objects distinctly rendered and then mixed.
It works perfectly for static objects. But an animated and interactive object can’t be created that way. For example, if I want NPC walking any direction plus a couple of animations, I’ll have to draw hundreds or thousands of sprites. And still, have 3d mesh for lighting and shadows.
So here some gifs are showing how 3d-2d mix for objects works.
Primitive geometry
Some primitive objects like pillar, pole, fence are made of basic shapes with color-fill texture. Such a simplified approach increases development speed. No need to hand draw 2d sprite and match 3d mesh to it for shading. But it only suitable to a very simple game object, any complicated geometry made such way doesn’t fit graphical style.
Smoke and water
I experimented with different particle types and stopped on cubic meshes. It might be a little too GPU – costly but after rendered it fits perfectly. So its standard unity particles, but rendered twice – for objects layer and shadows layer. If the game paused, it looks just the way I need.
NPC
The Low-poly meshes and 3-5 colors texture (point filter and no compression of course). After some lighting and shadows tuning NPC look almost the way, I need. Next big challenge – cars. Right now they look great while moving straight. But when the cat turns, the magic disappears, and they look like from the different game. Working on it.
Trees
The most painful story. I tried many-many different possible variants. Sprite, sprite+mesh, mesh leaves, sprite base, etc. And they all looked like from the other game. Finally, after many attempts, I found the best visual variant – standard Unity3d tree with many small single-color plane leaves. Its GPU costly and will have some optimization – I don’t need unity dynamical wind-leaves movement. But I am fully satisfied with the achieved image.
Thanks for reading. More animated objects are coming next versions and the most complicated - cars and traffic.
- Developer post
Alpha2 hotfix
Hi! Thank you for all your feedback. I have finished the mid-week bug fixing; a new version is uploaded and ready. Restart steam to get an update. Main bugfixes: People stuck in kiosk line and stopped all other after someone leaves because of a too long wait - fixed Autosave save
Original postHi!
Thank you for all your feedback. I have finished the mid-week bug fixing; a new version is uploaded and ready. Restart steam to get an update.
Main bugfixes:
- People stuck in kiosk line and stopped all other after someone leaves because of a too long wait - fixed
- Autosave save time up to 20-30sec – fixed and reduced to 3-7 sec, but more optimization coming next update
- 2d-3d mapping of some objects on the first district - fixed
- People stuck at spawn point – some fixed but still can occur. More refactoring coming next update.
If any bugs still occur – feel free to contact me directly in steam, by mail ([email protected]) or in discord: https://discord.gg/xEpqx6M
- Developer post
Alpha2 is Live!
Hello. After two months from the last update (thank you for your patience), I am excited to announce the Aplha2 update for CoffeeBiz. Key new features New locations – two new locations to run a coffee business – industrial with blue-collar customer type and neighborhood with an e
Original postHello.
After two months from the last update (thank you for your patience), I am excited to announce the Aplha2 update for CoffeeBiz.
Key new features
- New locations – two new locations to run a coffee business – industrial with blue-collar customer type and neighborhood with an extremely good attitude to coffee business.
- Updated marketing – new customer decision making AI for more realistic demand simulation. Poor/casual/rich customers stratification implemented. Different districts have different customer types and different hours/days of traffic.
- Updated workers – energy, performance, and mood reworked. New “stamina” skill implemented. A company employee is the main business resource. Now you need to monitor and influence their performance and mood, establish reasonable wages. New feature – assistants in the kiosk. They can help barista in brewing coffee, clear kiosk or advertise.
- Office and management – finally working the way it should work. Production manager for controlling lots, kiosk and coffee machines. HR manager for employees and Marketing for outdoor advertisement and advertisement campaigns.
- Branched saves – experiment with different strategies with no worries. There is a very limited amount of games with some nonstandard savegames systems. I thing branched saves (when you can start a new branch from any day and try some strategies).
- Adjustable difficulty – configure the game for comfort playing. Main gameplay problem was that you could easily become bankrupt. Sometimes one mistake if enough. I like hardcore games, but understand that someone wants just to relax. So the main marketing parameter – customer prices can be set up.
- New coffee machines – industrial type coffee machines for late game strategies.
More details about changes and info about Mac version and dev plans in upcoming devlogs.
