Empire Demo 20260801 is here!

Hi all,

We've hit August! (well, according to my timezone 😅)

Another regular update to the Empire demo which takes it to build 20260801 (confirm from the main menu). This update is a combination of your feedback, some QoL, plus some 'ports' from the Early Access build (teasers, admittedly...).

Here's the list of changes:

• Balance: increased coal order qty max to 10 (was 7) - you can now order a maximum of 10 coal sacks in one go, instead of just 7. I have also re-done the coal sack placements when they are delivered (development screenshot below):

  

• QoL: reduced Gatehouse night shift whistle blast requirement to 30s total not 60s - admittedly, blasting the large whistle outside for one whole minute was a bit of an ask, so I have halved this to just 30 seconds to summon the Gatehouse after hours

  

• QoL: when the player attempts to go to rest and the phone is ringing, the "Telephone ringing..." error now also mentions: "(accelerate time with 'Page Up' key)" to help (hopefully) reduce the player's frustration - you can accelerate time until the phone stops ringing then you can rest. I have on my to-do list a QoL task to 'silence' the phone/cancel any incoming calls when the player attempts to rest with the phone ringing, but it's proving a bit more complex than I'd like, so this is a mitigation measure for now

• Cosmetic: new water flow meters have been added to the basement downstairs (these have been ported across from the Early Access build), however please note they are non-functional in the Demo. Just a teaser for what's coming soon with Early Access, where you'll be able to interact with these flow meters to record readings in your Ledger and their read-outs will also show real-time values denoting how effective your pumping strategy is!

  

• Cosmetic: water pump pistons have had a material/texture update so that their rodded portions are now a burnished metal but the other portions are rusted (you might also notice one of the the new water flow meters in the background, too); I have also made a similar material change to the steam engine's piston rods:

  

• Cosmetic: added the mailbox from Early Access to the Demo! Note however that just like the water flow meters, this is non-functional in the Demo as well. It is a bit of a 'taster' of what's coming down the line with Early Access, as you'll have things like changing/varying Memos from the Mayor's office which will have new conditions for the River Inlet Valves and varied edict waiver conditions (once again, only in Early Access and beyond)

  

• Added Discord link to main menu: https://discord.gg/yHtZ8RkPrP

That's it for this one; once again, made possible due to your excellent feedback!

Remember you can provide feedback about the Demo in this thread on the Steam forums, however feel free to chat amongst yourselves in the brand new Discord server too! There, you can also share screenshots and get some behind-the-scenes looks at some development! And check out the Patreon whilst you're at it, for the most updated behind-the-scenes info, and to get your name in the Early Access credits!

Thanks for your ongoing support; catch you around the pumping station!