Steam News2 January 20266mo ago

Dec. 2025 Shiba Sweet Gamedev Monthly Update

Hello, lovely players! I’m Ya Mao, and here’s the December game development update for Shiba Sweet. This month, development has been heavily focused on implementing full controller support.

In this update6

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Full Shiba Sweet update

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Hello, lovely players! I’m Ya Mao, and here’s the December game development update for Shiba Sweet.

What changed

0 fixes1 addition6 changes0 removals

Compatibility
UI and audio
Events
Store

addedThis month, development has been heavily focused on implementing full controller support. In addition to playing with a keyboard and mouse, players can now connect external controllers and enjoy the game using whatever control method feels most comfortable to them. In addition, online Playtest applications have been opened, the existing main menu has been updated, and the Chef Star Challenge application form feature has been implemented.

changed(1) Online Playtest applications are now openThe Steam page for Shiba Sweet is now open for Playtest applications. Simply click the button to join the waitlist. A short playtest period is planned to begin around mid-January, followed by the release of an official demo between late January and early February. Players who are interested are very welcome to keep an eye on the game.

changed(3) Chef Star Challenge form and application systemAt the very beginning of the game, the lovely grandma already mentions the Chef Star Challenge. This month, the challenge application form was fully designed, along with its display logic and the conditions that determine whether players are eligible to apply. Players can submit an application at any time once the required conditions are met, and successfully completing the challenge will reward them with an additional chef star.

changed(4) Overall controller support implementationPart of the controller support was already implemented back in September. In December, the remaining features were completed, including the kitchen wall and floor decoration system, various action menus, dessert bento packing during shop operation, recipe book browsing, and the full beginner tutorial flow.

changed(4) Overall controller support implementationIn addition, the controller controls for the exterior shop decoration system were refined and improved, making interactions more intuitive and allowing players to instantly view detailed descriptions for each small decoration item.

changed(4) Overall controller support implementationSteam post imageSteam post image

Shiba Sweet changes

changedThe Steam page for Shiba Sweet is now open for Playtest applications. Simply click the button to join the waitlist. A short playtest period is planned to begin around mid-January, followed by the release of an official demo between late January and early February. Players who are interested are very welcome to keep an eye on the game.

changedAt the very beginning of the game, the lovely grandma already mentions the Chef Star Challenge. This month, the challenge application form was fully designed, along with its display logic and the conditions that determine whether players are eligible to apply. Players can submit an application at any time once the required conditions are met, and successfully completing the challenge will reward them with an additional chef star.

changedPart of the controller support was already implemented back in September. In December, the remaining features were completed, including the kitchen wall and floor decoration system, various action menus, dessert bento packing during shop operation, recipe book browsing, and the full beginner tutorial flow.

changedIn addition, the controller controls for the exterior shop decoration system were refined and improved, making interactions more intuitive and allowing players to instantly view detailed descriptions for each small decoration item.

This month, development has been heavily focused on implementing full controller support. In addition to playing with a keyboard and mouse, players can now connect external controllers and enjoy the game using whatever control method feels most comfortable to them. In addition, online Playtest applications have been opened, the existing main menu has been updated, and the Chef Star Challenge application form feature has been implemented.

1. Detailed development progress for this month:

(1) Online Playtest applications are now open

The Steam page for Shiba Sweet is now open for Playtest applications. Simply click the button to join the waitlist. A short playtest period is planned to begin around mid-January, followed by the release of an official demo between late January and early February. Players who are interested are very welcome to keep an eye on the game.

The previous main menu already looked quite nice, but it still felt like something was missing. This month, I spent some time refreshing the design by moving the main menu to the left side and placing Shiba on the right, busily rolling dough. The goal was to give players the immediate feeling that a dessert chef is ready to step into the kitchen and start baking as soon as they enter the game.

(3) Chef Star Challenge form and application system

At the very beginning of the game, the lovely grandma already mentions the Chef Star Challenge. This month, the challenge application form was fully designed, along with its display logic and the conditions that determine whether players are eligible to apply. Players can submit an application at any time once the required conditions are met, and successfully completing the challenge will reward them with an additional chef star.

(4) Overall controller support implementation

Part of the controller support was already implemented back in September. In December, the remaining features were completed, including the kitchen wall and floor decoration system, various action menus, dessert bento packing during shop operation, recipe book browsing, and the full beginner tutorial flow.

In addition, the controller controls for the exterior shop decoration system were refined and improved, making interactions more intuitive and allowing players to instantly view detailed descriptions for each small decoration item.

Steam post imageSteam post image

2. Wrapping up

The longer I spend working on an indie game, the more I realize that while the ultimate goal is to finish a game, the journey itself feels like completing ten thousand small, detailed tasks. It is about smoothing out every awkward interaction and uncomfortable moment. Sometimes you have to react on the fly, and some problems only start to make sense once you actually encounter them.

So far, this journey has been truly enjoyable. Of course, there are moments of exhaustion, but the thought of giving up has never crossed my mind. Instead, I keep moving forward with full energy every day, hoping to bring this fun and adorable game to players as soon as possible.

Thank a lot for reading this far. See you in next month’s devlog!

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Follow my development journey:

YouTube Channel: View store page

TikTok Channel: https://www.tiktok.com/@maowoo_studio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiba__sweet/

Source

Steam News / 2 January 2026

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