Firstly I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has purchased Showrunner! I also really appreciate all the helpful and constructive feedback and ideas that have been sent my way since it came out. Extra special thank you to everyone who's taken the time to give the game a positive review, it makes a massive difference here on Steam.
There's a long list of updates, new content and improvements planned and I just wanted to outline some of them to give you an idea of what to expect from the game in the coming months. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just the concepts and designs which are most solidly established at the moment and least likely to change (although please note that is still possible!)
More Scene Cards
I'm planning to add a bunch more scene cards to offer more options for script creation. Some will be more specialised and situationally useful. The new card sets are likely to unlock some new season themes as well. Card filtering and sorting will also be added.
End One Show and Start Another
Support for this was always planned and fortunately the game backend was built with it in mind, but I hadn't expected it to be an important feature for so many people! Accordingly I've moved it way up the priority list. You'll be able to stop making one show at the end of a season (or even be forced to if it completely tanks) and begins making a different one with your existing studio and staff.
Deeper Editing System
Currently the Editing phase is the least interesting and important of the three phases of production. A more complex system will allow you to use the editing phase to steer the episode points in certain directions - for example focusing on adding drama points above all else, possibly even at the cost of existing points. Helpful for trying to focus on elements that are important for your chosen show genre.
Production Time Limit
Based upon some great feedback here I'll be looking to limit how long you have to finish a season - a time limit specified when the contract is signed. Fail to finish the season in that time and you'll forfeit episode & bonus payments and potentially even have to pay a fee back!
Studio Loyalty System
Gives you a Studio XP bonus for keeping staff around for a long time and developing their skills rather than just firing and replacing them. Doing the opposite will incur increasing Studio XP penalties. Will eventually also affect staff morale.
Expanded Character Traits
Many Character Traits will be tied to specific character archetypes, in a similar way to different RPG character classes having access to different feats as they level up. A bunch more traits will also be added!
Character Relationships
You may have already noticed this currently dormant section of the character screen. This system will allow relationships to be defined between characters, for example sibling, parent, child, friend, rival, enemy etc. Eventually the plan is to expand this further to cover groups and alignments - for example belonging to the rebel faction or the thieves guild or a particular study group at a community college.
Greater Character Flexibility
Change Main Characters to Support or Vice Versa. Multiclass a character as two archetypes to gain access to more traits.
Character Title System
Allows you to purchase Character Titles using Persona Points, which incrementally increase Character Popularity. These will help to flesh out and differentiate characters.
Staff Training
Various training types will allow you to focus on improving particular skills for different staff, with training effectiveness able to be increased as the Studio level increases. This screen will also provide a more detailed breakdown of the existing stats that staff have.
Shared Dressing Rooms
This room type functions similarly to the lead dressing rooms but allows for a number of lead and support actors to be assigned at once (whilst providing a lesser boost). The bonuses are factored in on top of the ones all actors receive from the Green Room. It also allows assigned actors to rehearse.
Hair & Makeup Room
This room will allow the casting rating of actors to be increased (potentially beyond 100%) at the cost of having to sit there for a long time, losing energy and morale.
Rehearsal Mechanic
Allows you to set actors to Rehearse, an action which will generate Persona Points but cost them energy over time. They can only rehearse a certain amount per appearance they've made in the show.
Brainstorming Mechanic
Allows you to set writers to Brainstorm, an action which will generate Script Points but cost them energy over time. Writers can only brainstorm if they (and the writer's room) aren't currently working on a script.
As you can see, there's plenty to look forward to in Showrunner, stay tuned!