Steam News5 June 20251y ago

Development Log #15 - Synths, Soul & Sizzle 🎷🎹

Hello there, Emperors! 👋 Today we’re diving into something that might not be in your recipe book, but it’s just as important - the music. That steady groove you hear while flipping patties or slicing tomatoes?

In this update6

Full notes

Full Food Truck Empire update

Read the full published notes in a cleaner layout. The original post stays linked below.

What changed

0 fixes1 addition10 changes0 removals

Gameplay
UI and audio
Balance
Store

changedLet's start from the beginningOur composer, Marcin, grew up playing tycoon games like Transport Tycoon Deluxe and Theme Hospital - games where the music was as iconic as the gameplay. Back in the day, those games pulled inspiration from jazz, funk, blues, soul, and R&B. But here’s the twist…

changedLet's start from the beginningThe technology was limited. So instead of fully recorded tracks, you got MIDI compositions interpreted by your sound card - making every track a little bit funky, a little bit synthetic, and completely unforgettable.

changedLet's start from the beginningFrom plasticky pianos and too-shiny brass to synthetic bass guitars and stiff drum kits - our goal was to recreate the slightly “off” but totally charming sound of that era. Marcin was using FM synthesis, old ROMplers, and quirky sound fonts to bring that retro-futuristic vibe to life.

changedLet's start from the beginningThe result? A soundtrack that feels like it could live inside a '90s sound card… But somehow still grooves perfectly with a modern-day food truck empire.

changedCooking in rhythmSo, Marcin went back to the kitchen. He softened the sharp edges, reworked arrangements, and toned down the energy - while keeping that signature flavor intact. A lot of the tracks changed completely. And even though the instruments were “simple”, mixing them turned out to be a complex process.

changedCooking in rhythmBringing together dozens of different sources - each with their own quirks - meant hours spent adjusting reverb, cleaning up harsh frequencies, and finding just the right balance so nothing felt out of place.

Food Truck Empire changes

changedOur composer, Marcin, grew up playing tycoon games like Transport Tycoon Deluxe and Theme Hospital - games where the music was as iconic as the gameplay. Back in the day, those games pulled inspiration from jazz, funk, blues, soul, and R&B. But here’s the twist…

changedThe technology was limited. So instead of fully recorded tracks, you got MIDI compositions interpreted by your sound card - making every track a little bit funky, a little bit synthetic, and completely unforgettable.

changedFrom plasticky pianos and too-shiny brass to synthetic bass guitars and stiff drum kits - our goal was to recreate the slightly “off” but totally charming sound of that era. Marcin was using FM synthesis, old ROMplers, and quirky sound fonts to bring that retro-futuristic vibe to life.

changedThe result? A soundtrack that feels like it could live inside a '90s sound card… But somehow still grooves perfectly with a modern-day food truck empire.

changedSo, Marcin went back to the kitchen. He softened the sharp edges, reworked arrangements, and toned down the energy - while keeping that signature flavor intact. A lot of the tracks changed completely. And even though the instruments were “simple”, mixing them turned out to be a complex process.

Hello there, Emperors! 👋

Today we’re diving into something that might not be in your recipe book, but it’s just as important - the music. That steady groove you hear while flipping patties or slicing tomatoes? It’s part of the Food Truck Empire.

Let's start from the beginning

Our composer, Marcin, grew up playing tycoon games like Transport Tycoon Deluxe and Theme Hospital - games where the music was as iconic as the gameplay. Back in the day, those games pulled inspiration from jazz, funk, blues, soul, and R&B. But here’s the twist…

The technology was limited. So instead of fully recorded tracks, you got MIDI compositions interpreted by your sound card - making every track a little bit funky, a little bit synthetic, and completely unforgettable.

That’s the flavor we’re channeling in Food Truck Empire.

From plasticky pianos and too-shiny brass to synthetic bass guitars and stiff drum kits - our goal was to recreate the slightly “off” but totally charming sound of that era. Marcin was using FM synthesis, old ROMplers, and quirky sound fonts to bring that retro-futuristic vibe to life.

The result? A soundtrack that feels like it could live inside a '90s sound card… But somehow still grooves perfectly with a modern-day food truck empire.

Cooking in rhythm

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth mixing and instant hits. The first version of the soundtrack was written before we even had a playable build. And once we started testing the game, we realized… It was a bit too catchy. With so much going on in the music, it was hard to focus on outfitting your truck or planning the perfect menu.

So, Marcin went back to the kitchen. He softened the sharp edges, reworked arrangements, and toned down the energy - while keeping that signature flavor intact. A lot of the tracks changed completely. And even though the instruments were “simple”, mixing them turned out to be a complex process.

Bringing together dozens of different sources - each with their own quirks - meant hours spent adjusting reverb, cleaning up harsh frequencies, and finding just the right balance so nothing felt out of place.

Meaning of sounds

But most importantly, music in FTE is a part of the game’s identity. As Marcin says, “it’s not just about matching the aesthetic - it’s about adding something new, something memorable, something that makes the world of the game feel just a bit more alive”.

Now here’s a question for you - what kind of music would you love to hear in the game? Maybe a street jazz band for one of the cities? Some lo-fi beats for late-night cooking shifts? Or how about a synthwave twist for a neon-lit food truck dream? Let us know - the kitchen (and studio) is always open.

Food never sounded so good. 🎧

Stay tasty, Emperors!

💜 Join our Official Discord! 💜

Steam post image

▪️ Threads ▪️ Twitter ▪️ Facebook ▪️ Youtube ▪️ TikTok

🍔 Wishlist Food Truck Empire now!🍔

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1872970/Food_Truck_Empire/

Source

Steam News / 5 June 2025

Open original post

Changelog.gg summarizes and formats this update. How we read updates.