[b][h1]Hello retailers![/h1][/b] GunthorNC here, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! It’s [b][u]August 31st[/u][/b], and as we promised, we’re unveiling a truly [b]MASSIVE[/b] update that has been eagerly anticipated. This update has been months in the making, and we’re beyond excited to finally reveal it. Get ready to dive into all the details, I’ll be breaking everything down into sections to make it easily digestible. [hr][/hr] [u][b][h1]The Staff Update![/h1][/b][/u] We’re excited to introduce a long-awaited feature: the ability to hire and schedule staff! This addition is a significant step forward for the game, addressing a crucial missing element that many of you have been eagerly anticipating. With this update, you can now fully manage your store's workforce, making strategic decisions about hiring, assigning roles, and scheduling shifts. This new functionality adds a layer of depth to the game-play, allowing for more intricate management and planning. This update represents one of our most complex projects to date. We’ve developed several new systems from scratch to ensure a seamless and polished experience. We’re thrilled to finally have these features implemented so that you can enjoy them. Your feedback is invaluable to us, so we look forward to hearing how these new features enhance your game-play and any suggestions you might have for further improvements! [u][b][h2]Key Features:[/h2][/b][/u] [h3][b]Character Designer[/b][/h3] We made a character designer so that you, and your staff can have unique appearances. Some features and customization's are: [list] [*][b]20 Hairstyles and unlimited colors to choose from[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/c436255101b03d2d34e0e2f9e0846ae42a4104dd.gif[/img] [*][b]Gender, First and Last Name, Birthday, and Age[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/14bf4781d2becbbc94f9967f5c343cded056cca8.png[/img] [*][b]Detailed Facial Features[/b] (including sliders for precise adjustments) [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/4eb6dcca2e0b18744a884cb759a79b46520df090.png[/img] [*][b]Eye Color[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/04b7c9d8ad773f177abfab5ab4d9f4096c6f7de2.png[/img] [*][b]Customizable Uniforms[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/789441d7be483b6449e5b8c668f742394d766a3e.png[/img] [/list] [h3][b]Staff Managment[/b][/h3] But it's not just about what your employee's will look like, That was just the ground work, we also had to add in way's to recruit, assign roles, and schedule them, On the manager's PC you'll find systems to handle: [list] [*][b]Staff Recruitment[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/cffb480a4c32e916a929ad99a78f2a45027e817b.png[/img] [*][b]Staff Scheduling[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/a8924a56657cd8b9d78b343d2d2c5a5cfb04c50f.png[/img] [*][b]Staff Role Creator[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/17a31ec24d0b57c3d92279c0242b35b32e53ece1.png[/img] [/list] [h3][b]Employee Depth:[/b][/h3] We've also started to implement way's to have staff be less of a two dimensional element, these are thing's that will still need expanded on later. [list] [*][b]Skills and Personalities[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/a90cac3b3b8b15d388f0fe8ed2349ad52f863f55.png[/img] [*][b]Personal Lives, Hobbies, and Relationships[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/2105834729e3638a72673506bfd199de5582a2b0.png[/img] [*][b]Wages, Benefits and Preferences[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/a57520c7f08377fb2f9c24769397431b12c1d983.png[/img] [/list] We've also added many, [b]many[/b] more tidbit's here and there that you'll surely notice, and we've spent a couple weeks solely dedicated to bug-hunting to provide the most enjoyable experience possible. There’s still some fine-tuning and additional features to add for staff, but we’ve gotten to a state where the core functionalities are now in place. This leaves us at a nice jumping off point to start to focus on the next most urgent piece of the puzzle. [hr][/hr] [u][b][h1]What’s Next?[/h1][/b][/u] We’re shifting focus to [b]Store Expansion[/b]! The ability to expand and build your store is crucial, especially as your newly hired staff might quickly outgrow the current space. To ensure you can fully leverage the new staff features, we’re improving the store expansion system. We’re launching a new [url=https://discord.com/invite/c3vAGGCBNC]Discord[/url] channel, [u]#Store-Expansion[/u], to collect your ideas and feedback. Compare the previous expansion system with what you’d like to see in the new game—what worked, what didn’t, and what new features you’re excited about. Your input will help shape this major update. [hr][/hr] [u][b][h1]This Month’s Contest Winners[/h1][/b][/u] As many of you know, we hold monthly contests on [url=https://discord.com/invite/c3vAGGCBNC]Discord[/url], each with a fresh theme. For August, our contest was an “Art Contest” focusing on King of Retail-related creations. Here are our winners: [list] [*][b]First Place:[/b] In first place we have rosedragon! She knocked it out of the park! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/8d9628c1721194a24d45878f839d2dd6baca0a37.png[/img] [*][b]Second Place:[/b] In second place we have HeyHannes, who displayed his artistic talent's with Pixelart! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/112732ddee83eb5678b531408b8c1b01a58d0682.png[/img] [*][b]Third Place:[/b] In third we have game boy YT who made a couple really creative video's you can check out on the [url=https://discord.com/invite/c3vAGGCBNC]Discord[/url] in the August #hall-of-fame [/list] Congratulations to all our winners! [hr][/hr] [u][b][h1]Next Month’s Contest[/h1][/b][/u] Get ready for September’s contest: [b]“Design Your Own Bakery”![/b] This contest invites you to unleash your creativity and design the ultimate bakery, with plenty of new bakery items featured in this update to inspire your vision. Whether you’re drawn to the sleek, modern aesthetic with its shiny surfaces and minimalist decor or prefer a more traditional approach, this is your opportunity to craft a unique and personalized bakery space. Picture a bakery with a cozy, rustic charm, featuring warm wooden furnishings, vintage details, and a welcoming atmosphere that invites customers to come in and enjoy. Alternatively, you might opt for an industrial look, incorporating exposed brick, steel accents, and an edgy, modern vibe that stands out. No matter which style you choose, this contest offers a fantastic platform to showcase your design skills and create a bakery that truly reflects your vision. This is your chance to bring your dream bakery to life and see it featured alongside the fantastic new items in the game. We’re excited to see the diverse and imaginative designs you come up with, and we encourage you to push the boundaries of your creativity. Start brainstorming and get those designs ready—we can’t wait to see what you create! Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for more updates, for the most up to date information, make sure you: [url=https://discord.com/invite/c3vAGGCBNC][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44799837/e0ebb8da9e78cc34c5742833e2a17c7f9a2b2ace.png[/img][/url] Best regards, and happy sales. GunthorNC Community Manager, Freaking Games