Hey, heroes! 👋 A challenging dilemma we've repeatedly faced in the game's development is how to faithfully recreate the beloved core aspects of Lemonade Tycoon while also modernizing the experience for today's players. This tension is most evident in our UI design and gameplay loop. Should we stick to the classic, nostalgic implementation that fans love, or should we venture into a more contemporary direction that could attract new players? Balancing these competing demands has become a central struggle in our development process. An excellent example of this is the ordering system. [h2]Inherited Problems[/h2] Our initial ordering system inherited a setup from Lemonade Tycoon that, while straightforward, had the potential to turn inventory management into a routine activity. Players simply order the inventory items they need based on a visible figure indicating the number of burgers the ordered inventory can produce. When repeated over several days and spread across more food stands, this process quickly becomes tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/fe9a41013b27f9f15d327fd9775eeeb10b51a633.gif[/img] It was also a sore point for us because it left little room for strategic decision-making or deeper involvement in the business simulation aspects we wanted to showcase. [h2]Initial Solutions[/h2] We’ve tried different ways to improve the presentation and mechanics of the ordering process. Here are a few approaches we've taken starting from the very first version: [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/1d50de74265c909c4b829461aa3940a5eefada10.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/67e412f35f3b0d1b204e8178b1660b1013c48261.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/476763ec1f48d3b31391b0aac2805d8b220f8ab5.gif[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/c8a8ffc0bd10dca86aa4bc7343217a69c218de7f.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/acac048911e4626a2641b2afdb1762fe584973e7.png[/img] Our most recent attempt to address this issue involved removing the automatically generated figure showing the number of burgers available for sale. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/28fe400d1918549f85c34caab1ea7e3a25b0ef42.png[/img] To make up for this, we added an inventory section to the ordering view, showing figures that enable players to calculate how much inventory they need to order to avoid running out of stock during the day. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/ffd9b0ffdf665128de508c76352d145a80fa717c.gif[/img] This decision was based on the rationale that players should be able to engage more actively with the game's mechanics and think critically about their stock levels and ordering processes. By doing so, we thought to make the inventory management aspect of the game more immersive and intellectually stimulating. [h3]Team and Community Reactions [/h3] As you might expect, the changes weren't made without a lively debate within the team and community. Opinions were split between the pros and cons of both systems: [h3]Pros of the Original:[/h3] [list] [*] [b]Simplicity[/b]: It is straightforward and easy for players to manage their inventory without hassle. [*] [b]Speed[/b]: Players can quickly order without needing to stop and think, which keeps the gameplay fast-paced. [/list][h3]Cons of the Original: [/h3][list] [*] [b]Lack of Engagement[/b]: The simplicity leads to repetitive clicking, making that aspect feel more like a chore than a strategic simulation. [*] [b]Missed Opportunities for Strategy[/b]: Players aren’t encouraged to think about their inventory, missing out on a layer of strategic gameplay. [/list][h3]Pros of the New:[/h3] [list] [*] [b]Better Engagement[/b]: By requiring manual calculations, players become more involved in the management aspect of the game. [*] [b]Strategic Depth[/b]: It adds a layer of strategy, making players think more critically about their inventory decisions. [/list][h3]Cons of the New: [/h3][list] [*] [b]Increased Complexity[/b]: The new system requires more effort from players, which could be perceived as a barrier to enjoying the game. [*] [b]Potential Frustration[/b]: Players who prefer a more relaxed gameplay experience might find the additional calculations tedious. [/list] At the end of the day, everyone agreed that we wanted a solution that balanced engagement and ease of use, making the game enjoyable for the greatest number of players. And to do that, we clearly had to go back to the drawing board. [h2]Power to the Players[/h2] Our discussions made us realize that giving players a choice was the best way to address this sort of play style preference. Recognizing that our player base includes those who love min-maxing and optimizing their operations with Excel sheets and those who prefer a more relaxed vibe without complex calculations, we decided to introduce a menu option that allows players to choose between two modes: [b][u]Manual Mode[/u] (for Excel lovers)[/b]: Players who enjoy detailed management and strategy can take full control, manually calculating and ordering the exact amount of inventory needed. It’s perfect for those who love crunching numbers and fine-tuning their business operations to the smallest detail. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/9b70a8f4a921973664e92b73234664aefb31852d.png[/img] [b][u]Automatic Mode[/u] (let the game do the math)[/b]: The game takes care of the calculations, allowing for a more relaxed approach to inventory management. By automating the calculation, players can focus more on other aspects of their business without worrying about the minutiae of inventory control. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/39277006/337918862f58ee192ac9339f32ff0eef3824af54.png[/img] [h2]Concluding Thoughts [/h2] The system is still very much a work in progress, so expect more updates in the future. But generally, we believe that this direction, with options for both manual and automatic modes, fits perfectly with the easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay experience we want to create. A massive shout out to our Discord community members, whose passionate and continued feedback has been invaluable in shaping this update. You can [url=https://discord.gg/HpDZM7v ]join us on Discord here[/url]. Finally, wondering when you'll be able to try out both modes and tell us what you think? Watch this video for a hint 😉: [previewyoutube=u-JnO1Vb0VU;full][/previewyoutube] That's it for July! 🥂 Don't forget to [url=https://mailchi.mp/aeee9bdf2b69/join-us]join our mailing list[/url] to get these behind-the-scenes specials delivered directly to your inbox. Plus, we've got other exclusive perks waiting for you. Live Long and Prosper 👋, [b]Team Visionaries[/b]