Hello parking lot enthusiasts, developer here.
First, a big thank you, for your interest, patience and for wishlisting!
This is hugely motivating, and I would've never expected this back when this was a silly hobby project. (Working on it fulltime now thanks to MicroProse!)
The game is in active development and since last devlog the Gameplay Loop has really come together. Systems have been connected, lots of variables been balanced. It is a joy seeing people enjoy the game in playtests.
I hear you ask, "how can I participate in a playtest?". While there is not enough room for everyone to participate (I watch all footage and improve the game based on that!), you can sign up by joining the Discord server and reading the server rules.
On to the updates, there's too much to talk about, but here are some highlights:
Suburbia
So, where do we build parking lots? On top of neighborhoods. Where do the people go to live? Suburbia.
I added an 'Evict tenants-tool' to the game, which allows you to kick out people of apartment blocks after you bought the property. However, these people should get a new place to live. Preferably somewhere without public transport, zero walkability and a lot of big driveways. So, you can now build suburban neighborhoods!
Original Soundtrack
Kent Kercher has been working on an original soundtrack for Car Park Capital. He is using actual hardware synthesizers from the 80s, 90s and 2000s! I love the tracks he made, go listen to a preview here, or watch me drive random vehicles in the game while some of the music plays:
Kent also composed the music for the announcement trailer, and has worked on Hollywood projects like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Justice League, Watchmen and The Grinch.
These are the synths and the studio:
Scenarios: Pyramids of Giza!
Work has started on adding more maps to the game!
So next to a map that looks like an American city, you'll also be able to play in Egypt. Assets for a map set in Paris are in the works too.
Production chains: cars, meat grinders & plastic trees.
A few new Production chains have been added to the game!
There's one for producing cars, to automate the supply of your 'car vending machines':
Next to that, there is a Plastic Tree factory! Plastic trees can be used to reduce Civil Unrest caused by cutting down trees and trees dying from pollution. This helps in preventing large protests.
Lastly, a Hamburger production chain: You need to satisfy people's hunger. And at some point a Drive Thru with just French Fries won't do anymore. So, you need to build farms, and grow cows until they can be transported to one of your meat grinders. Customers will be served delicious hamburgers in a Hamburger stall:
Needs
One of the more important changes has been the introduction of Needs.
As you're making people more dependent on cars, not only do you need to build parking lots, but also other services like food, drinks, gas, amusement (ferris wheels, loops, and more to come) and restrooms. And of course, they should only be accessible by car!
Needs play a very important role in the gameplay loop and progression, because the need satisfaction determines how much people are willing to pay for your services (Parking fees, Drive thrus, gas prices, car prices). If you don't manage the needs well enough, your Car Industry could collapse.
Satisfaction of Needs can be seen over time in the Stat-o-matic:
The restroom Need can be fulfilled by placing small restrooms in your parking garage, or by building a giant Toilet Drive thru:
Leveling up
Selling cars and building parking spaces in high demand areas, will make you level up.
Leveling up will unlock new building options, but will also unlock new Needs to fulfill.
Big box stores and Diners are examples of buildings that you can unlock. Placing them will create more Parking demand, allowing you to level up even further.
Other things:
I added sloped hills to the game and a landscaping tool!
You can build Golf Cart shuttle services, this allows you to build larger parking lots as people won't have to walk to their destination.
Buses and busstops were added
People will start pushing their cars if they are out of gas.
You can manually drive around in most trucks
You can add loops to your Drive Thrus!
The construction tools are improved, and include an Undo-button
I will attend Gamescom, more on that later
That was a lot!
If you have any fun ideas (production chains, Needs/services, drive thrus, etc.) or want to follow development with more frequent updates, consider joining the Discord server, or following me on social media.
Thank you!
- Hilko (hilkojj)