Hi everyone, 😄
Thank you for your continued support and interest in Food Processing Simulator. In this update, we are refining systems that were introduced in the previous devlog, especially around the End Day flow, product grade handling, and how machines communicate information back to you. We have also updated the tutorial, adjusted the factory layout, and improved how employees assist with production. These changes are part of our ongoing work toward the Early Access release.
For the demo version, you can already try some of the changes in points 1 to 4 below:
1. End Day System
After playtesting and reviewing feedback, the End Day system is no longer automatic and is now fully controlled by the player.
You can choose when to end the day after the time reach 20:00, giving you time to tidy up, rearrange machines, or finish remaining tasks before moving on to the next day.
When the in-game time reaches End Day, starter machines can no longer receive new commodities. However, anything that is already in the production line will continue to run until the process is complete. With manual End Day control, you can wait until all production is finished and move everything into Cold Storage before actually ending the day.
At day change, any product that is not stored in Cold Storage or inside a Truck's Container will lose one grade level. For example, Grade A will drop to Grade B, and so on. Each project has its own minimum grade requirement, so managing where you store products becomes an important part of meeting project targets.
2. Machine Updates
Several machines have been updated both visually and functionally to make production flows easier to read and manage.
The appearance and layout of some machines have been adjusted so that label input and packaging input are placed in consistent positions. Failed item output areas have also been repositioned to give clearer feedback about what went wrong in the flow.
Three new packaging machines have been added, each designed for a different type of packaging. This lets you build more specialized lines based on the packaging you want to use.
A monitor has been added above the labelling machine, showing which label is currently loaded. This helps you confirm at a glance whether the machine is set up correctly before sending items through.
A small display has been added near the packaging and labelling input areas to show how many labels or packaging units remain inside the machine.
You can now retrieve surplus labels or packaging from the machine back into boxes, making it easier to reorganize supplies or move them to another line.
Machine logic has been updated so that machines automatically reject packaging that does not match the active label, helping prevent mismatched products from continuing down the line.
Introducing utility machine to help merge, splitting or filtering commodity you want to input to the production line. Each machine can be placed differently to create optimized production line.
3. Location Update: Cold Storage
The Cold Storage building has been relocated to make daily work more practical.
Cold Storage is no longer placed in a separate distant building. It has been moved closer to the main factory so both you and your employees can stock items and send goods to trucks more efficiently.
This change should reduce walking time and make it easier to keep high-grade products stored safely before delivery.
4. Tutorial Updates
The tutorial has been refreshed to match the latest production flow and machine behavior.
The tutorial now follows the new End Day system, machine logic, and storage rules. Our hope is that it will be easier to follow and will better explain how to manage your factory from the very beginning.
Clearer guidance has been added for placing machines, helping new players understand how to position starters, packaging machines, and labelling machines so the line works smoothly.
5. Employee Updates
Employee roles have been adjusted so they can help more directly with key steps in the production process.
The Production Assistant can now be configured in more detail to handle starter machines, labelling machines, and packaging machines. This gives you finer control over which parts of the line they focus on.
Added new settings in Employee Settings for labeling and packaging machines, allowing you to set the minimum amount that Production Assistants must refill.
The Loading Operator will assist with stocking surplus boxes and delivering them to the truck, helping to keep storage areas cleaner and deliveries more organized. Loading Operator will not take the box in the Box Packer Machine before reaching 6/6 in a box.
Improvement
Fixed an issue where the box packer sometimes did not generate a new box after packing.
Fixed pallets appearing and being usable before the forklift was unlocked. Pallets now only appear after you unlock the forklift.
Fixed EXP being granted when failing to reach the project target or terminating a project. EXP is no longer awarded in these cases.
Fixed an issue where you could not use End Day when playing with a controller after terminating a project.
Updated the Repack Machine process to show a confirmation popup before starting repacking, helping prevent accidental inputs.
Added machine SFX to be more subtle and less annoying. Their volume can be adjusted through the SFX option in the Settings menu.
Thank you again for all the feedback you have shared while experimenting with contracts, storage, and production layouts. These refinements come directly from observing how you play and what feels comfortable over longer sessions.
If you encounter issues with the new system, or if you have suggestions on how to make the factory easier to manage, please let us know through the in-game Bug Report Menu or the Steam Discussions.
Don't forget to wishlist the game, we will launch the Early Access version on 18th December 2025.
See you in the next update! 👍🥗