Café Connect Style Changes and New Gameplay for the Upcoming Demo!

Major Project Overhaul &

New Gameplay for the Upcoming Demo!

Hello everyone,

It's been a little while since our last development update. The reason for that is a major project restructuring that has been taking place behind the scenes.

One of the biggest changes is the visual style of Cafe Connect. The game has been completely transformed from a low-poly aesthetic to a much more detailed and realistic art style. This transition has taken up a large portion of the development time over the past few months and lays the foundation for the future of the project.

Alongside the graphical overhaul, the overall gameplay progression has also evolved.

In the full version, your journey will begin in a small computer repair workshop. You'll repair computers and hardware, earn your first income, and gradually work your way towards opening and managing your own Internet Café.

For the upcoming demo, however, I've decided to take a different approach.

Since the workshop and its diagnostic and repair mechanics are still under active development, starting there would result in repetitive gameplay with only a limited variety of repair jobs. To provide a more enjoyable and engaging first experience, the demo will instead start with your very own Internet Café and a small amount of starting capital.

This allows you to immediately focus on building, managing, and expanding your café. Until Version 1.0, the demo will continue to receive regular updates with new features, systems, software, and repair mechanics.

Over the past few months, many new systems have already been added, including:

• Save & Load system

• HDRP support

• NVIDIA DLSS support

• Power and network system

• Placeable lights, light switches, and power outlets

• A BIOS system

• The first operating system with built-in applications

• The first version of the CafeWare management software

• Storage boxes, packs, and many additional gameplay systems

In addition, the Steam page will be completely redesigned over the coming weeks with updated screenshots, new videos, and a better showcase of the game's current progress.

Finally, I'd like to sincerely thank all of you for your support. Every wishlist, every piece of feedback, and every encouraging message motivates me to keep improving Cafe Connect and bringing my vision one step closer to reality.

Thank you for being part of this journey! ❤️

Full Changelog

💾 Systems

• Added save & load functionality.

• Added the first version of the BIOS.

• Added a new operating system.

• Created the default"System"application.

• PCs can now be renamed.

• Hardware information is now displayed.

• Implemented an installer system.

• Inserting a software CD now automatically launches the installer.

• Software can be installed on a selected hard drive.

• Added a message popup system.

🖥️ CafeWare

• Added the first version of the CafeWare management software.

• Network computers are now listed.

• Displays the current status of all computers.

• Customer requests can now be accepted or declined.

• The hourly price for each PC can be configured individually.

⚡ Power & Networking

• Implemented a power system.

• Power outlets can now be placed freely.

• Computers and monitors now require a power connection.

• Added network wall sockets.

• Active cable connections are displayed while using Cable Mode.

• Added a fuse box (currently controls power outlets only).

💡 Lighting

• Lights can now be placed freely.

• Light switches can be connected to lights.

• Players can create their own custom lighting setups.

🖥️ Computers

• Added the Admin PC system.

• Added a lock screen for network computers.

• Implemented the foundation for customer PC access requests.

📦 Gameplay

• Added Storage Boxes.

• Added Packs (multiple items stored inside a single package).

• Added overlay indicators for various object types.

• Introduced three gameplay modes:

  • Normal Mode

  • Component Mode

  • Cable Mode

🔧 Hardware

• Cooling fans now rotate dynamically.

• Introduced the first power-consuming PC components.

👤 Player

• Added a flashlight.

🎨 Graphics

• Migrated the project to HDRP.

• Added NVIDIA DLSS support.

🚀 Optimizations

• Refactored and optimized numerous internal systems.

• Built the foundation for many future gameplay features and content updates.

🔜 Currently in Development

• Job system

• Browser application

• Internet service providers

• Level and progression system

• Expanded hardware functionality

• English localization

• World expansion

• More sounds and placeable objects