The RETRORONTO Report #3
📅
Monday, December 23, 2024
❄️
Light Snow, Low -1C
📅 Monday, December 23, 2024 ❄️ Light Snow, Low -1C
This is The RETRORONTO Report, your go-to source for all the latest happenings and updates in the evolving city of Retroronto!
New District Gains Traction, Feedback
Game traction on Steam this month: Over 1,000 visits and 2,700 impressions, highlighting steady engagement since the district’s launch.
Following the unveiling of Retroronto’s new district last month, the team gathered data and feedback across social media.
Many of the suggestions and bug reports from players have already been addressed in the latest update, showcasing the team’s commitment to refining the experience.
With steady growth in community engagement, plans are in place to build on this momentum, ensuring that updates remain meaningful and player-focused as the project moves forward.
Analytics from Reddit, Discord, and Steam revealed notable trends. Posts on niche Reddit communities for pixel art and indie gaming saw thousands of views and comments, with threads often sparking discussions about the game’s aesthetic and mechanics.
Discord became a hub for bug reports and feature requests, while itch.io analytics recorded modest but steady downloads. On the flip side, the game’s reach on Twitter/X underperformed, prompting the team to evaluate alternative platforms like BlueSky for future campaigns.
With the demo launch behind us and the end of the year approaching, the team is focused on maintaining momentum while handling important business tasks.
We’re refining the game based on player feedback, while also finalizing key deliverables and ensuring all business aspects, like accounting and project management, are in order.
Balancing creative work with these responsibilities will be essential as we move forward with Retroronto’s development.
Brewing Up Work
The city’s latest hot spot for coffee lovers has arrived with the grand opening of “Jimmies.” Known for its rich brews, baked goods, and delectable sandwiches, this cozy coffee shop is already creating a buzz among locals looking for their daily caffeine fix.
Whether it’s a quick stop on the way to work or a leisurely break in a busy day, Jimmies promises to deliver fast service and quality refreshments to its patrons.
“Coffee is the fuel that keeps the city running,” says one of Jimmies’ enthusiastic managers. “We’re excited to bring that energy to our neighborhood!”
Make sure to swing by and grab a cup. You won’t want to miss this new addition to the city’s vibrant coffee culture, and they’re looking to hire!
New Conveniences
The “6/9” convenience store chain has officially opened its first location in the city, offering residents a quick and reliable option for snacks, drinks, and daily essentials. With shelves stocked with everything from chips and soda to bread and eggs, the store is poised to become a regular stop for busy locals.
This marks the franchise’s initial foray into the city, hinting at potential growth and job opportunities down the line. The store aims to provide convenience not only for shoppers but possibly for job seekers, as it establishes itself as a cornerstone of the community.
What this means for the city’s development remains to be seen, but for now, residents can enjoy the perks of having a new store just around the corner.
Classifieds
RENTING 2-BR APARTMENT
2-bedroom, one bathroom apartment now available! Includes hardwood floors, and plenty of natural light. Close to public transit and amenities.
ARTIST FOR HIRE
Seeking a skilled illustrator for an exclusive project tied to a renowned artist’s upcoming release. Compensation is in the form of royalties*. Totally real opportunity, with no contracts required!
*Compensation not guaranteed. Artist will be paid solely through "exposure."
CALL FOR EXTRAS
Want to see yourself on TV? Local production company seeks extras for a new commercial filming next Thursday downtown. All ages welcome. Snacks and beverages provided!
Obituaries
BELOVED POLAR BEAR PASSES ON
The city is mourning the loss of Nanook, a 34-year-old polar bear and treasured resident of the Retroronto Zoo. Nanook, known for his graceful swimming and distinctive white fur, became a symbol of the zoo’s commitment to wildlife preservation and education. Staff and visitors alike admired his calm presence and playful nature. Nanook’s passing is a poignant reminder of the challenges polar bears face in the wild, and his life will continue to inspire conservation efforts aimed at protecting his species.
IN REMEMBRANCE: ELLIE THOMPSON
(1982-2024)
Ellie Thompson, 42, passed away peacefully in her apartment on Friday after a brief illness. A lifelong resident of the city, Ellie was known for her work as a community volunteer, dedicating countless hours to local food banks and shelter programs. Friends and neighbors describe her as a kind, empathetic soul who always had time to listen and lend a helping hand. She is survived by her parents, Carol and James, and her cat, Milo. A celebration of Ellie’s life will be held this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Events
PROTEST AGAINST HOSPITAL WAIT TIMES
Join the rally this Saturday at Retroronto Hospital to protest long wait times in healthcare. Patients, workers, and advocates will gather to demand quicker care and better conditions. Starts at noon.
CITY HALL SKATE RINK ANNUAL OPENING
The City Hall ice skating rink opens this Friday! Free skating, rental skates available, and live music on weekends. Open daily throughout the winter.
DISTILLERY DISTRICT CHRISTMAS PARADE
Celebrate the season at the Distillery District’s Christmas Parade this Saturday! Starts at 4 PM. Come check out the following activities:
Float Parade
Live music
Food vendors
Changelog
Changes
- Adjusted PlayerID Menu to have Randomize as first choice.
- Changed PlayerID 'back' button to 'done' instead.
- adjusted colliders and raycasting in interior environments to better interact with stations (still iffy, will continue to work on it).
- Submitting an item for an order refills a fraction of order timer now.
- Added a bigger arrow sprite to point to a nearby bike when starting game.
- Fixed Bikes trapped in front of places, which would prevent players from getting on bikes and instead enter interiors repeatedly.
- (Possibly) fixed cars spawning sideways.
- Fixed player de-spawning with bus when reaching edge of city, player now gets off bus automatically.
- Adjusted menu navigation to be a bit smoother in the Main Menu, Pause Menu, and Player ID menu.
- Small updates to the Main Menu screens
Additions:
- Added 'Jimmies' coffee shop place, interior, and minigame.
- Added '6/9' convenience store place and interior.
- Added 'Help Stations' and 2 tutorials for the ‘fast-food’ and ‘coffee shop’ minigames, that help explain how the minigames work.
- Added 'Dispenser' Stations, that simply give the player an item, based on their fill meter, and receive an item to fill up their fill meter when empty.
- Added 'Shelf' Stations, that work like counter stations but with a price to take items off it.
- Added ATM Stations, deposits $20 per interaction from your bank account.
- Added Newspaper Dispensers, which gives a newspaper item to the player. When used, the newspaper opens a link to the game's newsletter (The Retroronto Report).
- Added Inventory UI, which displays up to 3 items the player can carry around.
- Added a 'Use' Mechanic, which uses/consumes a carried item.
EDITOR’S NOTES
Hello once again, readers! Third edition of the Retroronto Report down, hopefully many more to go!
As the end of the year approaches, I wanted to take the time to show my appreciation for any of you who’ve been with me on this journey. This year has been an absolute whirlwind both mentally and emotionally, and it’s all been towards this project.
2025 is itching to be a crazy year, for both Retroronto and the overall games industry. With this rapid change as to be expected from both at this point, the future is quite uncertain.
What is certain, however, is my dedication to this project, not just as a game, but as a critical love letter to my home city. The city is always under construction.
Thanks again, and Happy Holidays! 🎅
Cheers,
- Sean Browning