ShantyTown news & patch notes

Hello ShantyTowners!

Last week's "Patios" had some really chill spots, it's time to relax again... at a higher altitude !

The winner from that competition, Ruruie's Mapel Lodge, was a very impressive, and very realistic location. Check it out!

So what's the new theme? This time we're staying chill, but elevating ourselves a bit.

Building Competition 17: "Rooftop"

There's something inherently satisfying about being on a roof, and ShantyTown's mechanics are built for this kind of a thing, so I'm looking forward to seeing what wild creations you can come up with!

Here's my example creation:

How It Works

Theme: "Rooftop"

Just build something with a rooftop or a maybe just a good view and post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel on the Discord.

We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, July 26th (2 weeks from this post)

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just try to make it rooftop related somehow)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel!

The competition ends after 2 weeks! (July 26th)!

Any update this time?

Yes! There's a minor update that I hope makes building in creative a bit more intuitive.

Enjoy all!

-DevErik

Hi there!

Just a couple of fixes this time, hope things are alright!

Patch Notes:

Version 1.04.06

Changes:

• The game now double checks for the end-of-game achievement when you re-open it in case that one didn't trigger

• Made it so if you quit while playing in the Blanklands, it should re-open in the blanklands

• The last thing you created should be saved in the blanklands when re-opening and loaded automatically, but please save your creations with the camera too! :D

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Hello Builders!

Last week's "Pipes" had some really cool industrial creations. Amazing work!

DeeDeeBeeBee's Floating Fish and Ships was like a dream out of one of the more unusual Ghibli movies!

For something a bit more atmospheric, take a look at this other industrial masterpiece:

So what's the new theme? Something a bit opposite:

Building Competition 16: "Patio"

If you didn't know, there's some new Summer Seasonal Items that were added just a week ago!

Let's put those items to good use!

This one is a bit more general, a bit smaller in scale (possibly), but there's still room for a lot of interpretation.

Here's my example creation:

How It Works

Theme: "Patio!"

Just build something with a patio or a summer feeling and post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel on the Discord.

We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, July 12th (2 weeks from this post)

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it patio related somehow)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel!

The competition ends after 2 weeks! (July 12th)!

Hint: the new summer items are unlocked at the "Inn Between" and the "Radio Tower". Good luck!

Any update this time?

Yes! Here's the details:

I'm trying to fix some rare issues with creative builds loading incorrectly. I really hope I got it this time, and also hope I didn't mess anything up along the way!

Please let me know if I did!

-DevErik

Hi there!

New update here! I'm trying to fix some issues with moving objects (especially buildings) in creative mode not loading correctly later on.

Please let me know if I've broken anything! :D

Patch Notes:

Version 1.04.05

Changes:

• Removed the camera shake from the trains

• Removed the brightness slider (it wasn’t doing anything)

• Objects will retain their original variant when moving them and canceling

• Fixed an issue where deleting saves wouldn’t work if you continued playing

• Structures should now be properly removed without a duplicate when undoing

• Fixed a few issues with canceling movement and undoing placement and then loading a map

• Fixed names disappearing when moving buildings in creative mode

• New seasonal items have better placing rules

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Feeling Hot?

Kick back and check out the new summer seasonal items added into ShantyTown!

A few new seating options, some grills, and some ways to keep your drinks cool have been added into the pool alongside a few other variants to other objects.

How do Seasonal Items Work?

In ShantyTown, seasonal items only appear on certain maps, at certain times of the year. If you play those maps and place those items, you'll get granted those objects in your creative pool permanently.

In this case these items will be available for June, July and August!

What Else is New?

I re-created the way the save file works, especially when taking multiple photos on the same build. You shouldn't notice anything different, but if you do, let me know!

I also added some new settings, including an option to NOT load all maps on open, this is to help against long game open times for those with massive creations.

Also, there's an option to view your maps through the credits flyby at any time! Enjoy!

More details on what's included in this build here:

Summer Sale!

ShantyTown will also be on summer sale if you haven't picked up the game, 35% is the biggest sale so far and will be fore a long while.

Enjoy the game!

Go find those items and get ready for the next summer-related building competition!

-Dev

Hi there!

New update here!

Bringing some new options and some summer items!

Patch Notes:

Version 1.04.03

Changes:

• Clear button properly cancel’s current load in progress

• Added a “watch outro” button with an option for credits

• Added a “Load all on startup” checkbox for optional quicker game opening load times

• Created a new system of saving that should help conserve space when taking multiple photos of the same build

• Changed the bathhouse’s dock to stone to better fit the theme

• Set a new system that clears improperly saved data

• Saving photo titles works again

• Deleting photos works as intended

• Added new supporter names

• Completing a map again will no longer show previously unlocked objects as “unknown”

• Locked creative items show colors for unique and seasonal

• Seasonal items will appear in the creative list as “unknown” but only when in season

• Added a new shopfront type to be unlocked on the barge

• Added some summer seasonal items

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Hello ShantyTowners!

Last week's "Train Stop" was really nice!

Ravi's Crimson Line Village really went above and beyond. And they won first place with it too! Check out this wild creation:

For something a bit more atmospheric, take a look at "Biggie's" submission and the 2nd place winner:

So what's the new theme?

Building Competition 15: "Pipes"

What? That's it? What does that mean?

Up to you!

I thought it could be fun with a bit of an abstract idea, but there are a LOT of pipes in ShantyTown's world. Living silos, train transport pipes, vents, drains, steam etc.

So try and find a cool way to utilize the world elements or the pieces in game!

Here's some inspirational ideas:

How It Works

Theme: "Pipes!"

Just build that is pipe related and post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel on the Discord.

We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, June 28th (2 weeks from this post)

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it pipe related somehow)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your pipe world and what made you make it!

The competition ends after 2 weeks! (June 28th)!

Hints: most pipes are in the "industrial" section of the creative mode

Any update this time?

Not yet!

I'm working on a summer update as well as a new system to save maps behind the scenes which should help quite a bit.

Let's see those pipes!

-DevErik

Hi there!

I want to make a temporary fix for some creative save games that aren't being saved properly.

This should help. Bigger save overhaul coming this week.

Hot fixes:

Version 1.03.04

Fixes:

• Removed the banging noise from the observatory

• Fixed an issue where creative mode saves were not loading properly

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Hello everyone!

Note: Update info at the bottom!

Last week's "Temple" themed building competition had some WILD creations and I think the longer timeline allowed people to stew in the idea a bit more.

Anne's "Temples of Him-Mel" is a really cool floating islands idea that really came together well!

Some of the other builds were really cool as well. Check this out:

So what's this week's theme?

Building Competition 14: "Train Stop"

Let's make a little train stop, how are you going to make it interesting? What's the setting? Where is it?

Build on any map, any location, it can have a train or not, that's up to you!

How It Works

Theme: "Train Stop"

Just build something within the theme and post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel on the Discord.

We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, May 31st (2 weeks this time!)

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it shop related)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your garden and what makes it special!

The competition ends after 2 weeks! (June 14th)!

Hints: you can place wall items on the train station piece too!

What About the Update?

Oh yeah!

I added a few buttons to buildings in creative mode. One to change wall types and one to re-shuffle the interiors of buildings, so you can get things juuuust right. And I fixed some minor things along the way.

Here's the details:

Enjoy!

-DevErik

Hi there!

This update is to add a few creative mode features including the ability to cycle wall types and refresh the interiors of buildings to get everything juuuuuust right :)

Looking now, it's kinda hard to read so I'll change that...

Patch Notes:

Version 1.03.03

Changes:

• Added a button to cycle wall type in creative mode

• Added a button to refresh interior in creative mode

• Adding shopfronts properly changes the name, interior and signage of buildings

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

ShantyTown is available on Mac!

That's right! It should work!

Or so my sources are telling me (I don't actually own a Macintosh machine myself) so if you're in an Apple-only household or something like that, your chance to play the game is here!

Here's a digital render of what this might look like for you:

Note, the game will definitely NOT run on the device pictured above, but it should run fine on yours!

Buongiorno & Goedemorgen

Yes! Our exclusive Italian and Dutch speaking community now has ShantyTown available for their endemic languages as well!

These languages are brought to you by community translators, so if you'd like to see your language in ShantyTown, let me know and we can make that dream come true!

Update 1.03.01

New update is here as well, here's a full breakdown of what's been fixed.

Thanks, as always, for your bug reports and patience!

That's all for now, things are heating up (temperature-wise) so who knows what summer might bring to ShantyTown's item list. Hmmm.

Take care,

-Dev

Hi there! Thanks for the help on Discord finding and reporting bugs!

Highlights include new shops and fixes to the creative mode's save files

Patch Notes:

Version 1.03.01

Changes:

• Mac now available!

• Added Italian and Dutch!

• Updated some UI

• Breweries now request 7 utility

• Water pumps wall attachment now gives utility instead of decor

• Added the welcome pier’s unlocks to the epilogue map

• Replaced shopfront icons to be a bit more clear hopefully

• Updated the hitbox of shops so items can be placed and clicked on in front of the shop

Fixes

• Removed saved “ghost poles” that have been left on maps randomly

• Removed the possible duplication of the last map on game complete from your save

• Adjusted excessive empty save in some save files

• Fixed an issue where the antique elevator and the lighthouse item would get removed on startup

• Corrected an error where the updated shops weren’t being given properly

• Fixed the brewery building not spawning with barrels

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Hello everyone!

Last week's "Shopfront" competition went really well and there were some really nice builds.

Timeo's "Temple Market" is coincidently a combination of this week's building competition theme and lasts! It's also our winner from last week, a good blend of modern and ancient.

So what's this week's theme?

Building Competition 13: "Temple"

Create something ancient, a towering temple, a hidden shrine, a secluded gravesite, or maybe an alter to capitalism? Up to you!

Build on any map, any location, just make it temple related.

How It Works

Theme: "Temple"

Just build something within the theme and post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel on the Discord.

We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, May 31st (2 weeks this time!)

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it shop related)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your garden and what makes it special!

The competition ends after 2 weeks! (May 31st)!

Hints: upgrade your buildings to get that full "temple" look. You can upgrade buildings for free in the creative mode!

I'm cooking something up for the future, but it's not quite ready yet. But keep your eyes open! :)

Enjoy!

-DevErik

That's right! ShantyTown got the seal of approval for Steamdeck!

Check out this cool link Steam made for it too:

https://store.steampowered.com/verified/2434600

I'm super excited about this, it's a big step in dev validation to be able to bring the game to other consoles as well.

If you're more concerned about your Macintosh flavored machine, keep your eyes open for an announcement soon!

Take care,

-Dev

Hi there!

Last patch notes are here:

This is just a hotfix to fix 2 things:

Hot fixes:

Version 1.02.02

Fixes:

• Achievements should trigger as intended when more than one is being checked at a time

• Should properly swap shop buildings for shop fronts for players that played the beta

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

ShantyTown's Final Devlog

Hi there,

If you didn't know, I've been creating devlogs documenting ShantyTown's development over the course of the last 3 years since the beginning of the game's development.

Since ShantyTown is now out, I thought it could be interesting to create a kind of summary video that shows the whole journey from start to finish, and also a bit beyond in both directions. This includes why I decided to make ShantyTown over some other prototypes as well as how the launch of the game went.

If you're interested in seeing that video, it's about 30 minutes long, and it's right here:

Thanks for joining me in this journey, and I really enjoyed creating the game, the videos and the community.

Is that it for ShantyTown?

Noooooooo, I have some ideas brewing :) perhaps we'll take the surveyor to a new land?

But I don't think I'll keep making the devlogs for that content, which is why I wanted to cap it off with a nice big video at the end!

Take care,

-Erik

Hello everyone!

It was great to see last week's gardens and here's a snap of the winning hidden garden:

An amazing tower of greenery and foliage. There's a surprising amount of detail in there, so it's no wonder that Lady_Malva on the Discord won first place!

So what's this week's theme?

Building Competition 12: "Shopfront"

There's a change that's been made to how shops are placed...

Now, instead of placing a shop within a building, you'll be placing them onto buildings. Like a window or door, shop fronts now can be placed on to any building. And even multiple on the same building!

There's more details in the new update.

So this week's theme is: "Shopfront" to get you experimenting with this new system, and create something commercial.

How It Works

Theme: "Shopfront"

Build a commercial district, a hidden little corner store, a tower of deals, up to you!

Pick a suitable map from the story or the creative mode, and build whatever type of shop you'd like using either the creative mode or story mode! Doesn't really have to be secretive, to be honest.

How To Win

Judging will take place on Discord where you post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel. We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, May 16th

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it shop related)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here:

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your garden and what makes it special!

The competition ends after 1 week! (May 16th)!

Hints: you can cycle shop faces with "V" to get the look you need.

There's an Update too?

Oh yes! Like mentioned above, there's a new change to how shops are placed, but there's a bunch of other changes and fixes as well. Check it out:

Enjoy!

-DevErik

Hi there! Thanks for the help on Discord finding and reporting bugs!

Highlights include new shops and fixes to the creative mode's save files

Patch Notes:

Version 1.02.01

Changes:

• Changed the creative mode’s shops to being wall placements instead of buildings

• Adjusted the way colors are categorized, so more colors can be added in the future

• Creative mode load screen should now open to the last photo you loaded

• Added some double-size stone blocks

• Got Steamdeck Verified!

Fixes:

• You can now click on containers, color them and add windows etc. to them

• Fixed an issue with saved custom light colors

• Cats will now save their colors

• Stools and bottles will properly save colors

• Fixed color issues with other small objects like ceramics, etc.

• Creative mode will better remember what save you last played

• Removed the “whoosh” sound when opening the blanklands for the first time

• Fixed a bug where overlapping houses would count as “stacked” for the goals

• Changed some wording and text sizes for Steamdeck verification

• Fixed some sizing issues on the massive list of items on Temple Bathhouse

• Fixed an issue where quick-ref services lists wouldn’t be sized properly (shown by pressing ALT)

• You can no longer undo while in radial menu (controller)

• Undo on controller displays the correct button

• Fixed the precise rotation on controller

• Moved the check for the unique items achievement to help it trigger

• Stone blocks now cover grass as intended

• Fixed railings loading at a longer length than they should

• Fixed an issue where moved railings sometimes reloaded to connect with random other railings

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Hello surveyors!

There were a ton of builds in the dock themed building competition last week and I was impressed with the was people really thought outside the box!

Here are the top three:

But the one that took home the prize, was StripySocks' "Skyship Docks"

I have a feeling that the photos don't even do this build proper justice! Looks incredible!

Congrats on getting your name added into the game and the free soundtrack!

So what's this week's theme?

Building Competition 11: "Hidden Garden"

Today we're going to try and go small, or not, up to you!

But this week's theme is: "Hidden Garden" so get your green thumbs out and let's plant some... well, plants! Secret plants!

How It Works

Theme: "Hidden Garden"

Build a little garden, greenhouse or some kind of land of plants, and share it with the community!

Pick a suitable map from the story or the creative mode, and build whatever type of garden you'd like using either the creative mode or story mode! Doesn't really have to be secretive, to be honest.

How To Win

Judging will take place on Discord where you post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel. We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, May 10th

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it garden related)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here, it's still on launch discount!

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your garden and what makes it special!

The competition ends after 1 week! (May 10th)!

Hints: not all the plants are actually in the "plants" section of the creative mode!

Wait, where's my update?

I'm still working on some fixes for the creative mode save-load issues that are happening on longer builds. I need a bit more time, and didn't want to rush some issues.

Also, I'm refactoring some systems so I'll have more flexibility to add more colors in the future!

Enjoy!

-DevErik

Hello surveyors!

How incredible it is to see all the creative constructions in last week's building competition now that people have access to the full game. Amazing to see! There were 19 submissions this time around, and they were all VERY creative.

Here's a few I'd like to share:

But the people have voted on Discord for their winner and here it is:

MixieSpork's "Maple Station" caught everyone's eye and heart with their orange and green themed train station + market creation!

Nice work!

Congrats on getting your name added into the game and the free soundtrack!

So what's this week's theme

Building Competition 10: "Dock"

I've added a few new objects to the game, in the new update (linked down below!) one of which is the boats you can see putting around in Westmarsh.

So to inspire you to experiment with them, this week's theme is: "Dock"

How It Works

Theme: "Dock"

Build a dock or dock-related creation on any map and share it with the community!

Pick a suitable map from the story or the creative mode, and build whatever you'd like using either the creative mode or story mode.

How To Win

Judging will take place on Discord where you post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel. We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, May 3rd

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map! (just make it dock related)

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here, it's still on launch discount!

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! Explain your dock and what inspired you to make it, what happens here? What kind of boats prowl these waters?

The competition ends after 1 week! (May 3rd)!

Hints: You can use the new boats, or not! Up to you.

Wait, there's an update too?

Of course!

I fixed a few more issues including some save-load issues, the ending, the game now tells you what unlocks are new and where you can find missing unlocks too!

Here's the full patch notes:

Enjoy the boats!

-DevErik

Hi there! Thanks for the help on Discord finding and reporting bugs!

Highlights include adding boats and doors with stairs!

Patch Notes:

Version 1.01.05

Changes:

• Added a “New!” tag to new unlocks earned

• Added an unknown unlock at the end of the map if you missed the unique object

• Added hints to where you can find unlock objects in the creative mode

• Added transport boats creative item (unlocked in Crosswaters)

• Added entry steps to the game (unlocked in Farm Harbor)

• Moved the lighthouse object unlock to the epilogue

• Moved the rowboat unlock from Crosswaters to the epilogue

• Added localization help to the credits

• You can now change the color of chimneys

• Normal townhouses now start with shanty walls

• Reworked the post-game a bit so it should feel better to replay Welcome Pier

Fixes:

• Fixed an issue at end game where Blanklands would be the next recommended map

• Fixed a consistency issue when opening the game and pressing continue in the Dossier sending you to the map written

• Fixed a bug where completing the game would duplicate the last map you played and save it to welcome pier

• Fixed an issue where canceling a powerpole placement would add floating wires

• Transformers will load properly on powerpoles

• Fixed an issue where the elevator and crane would make physics go bananas

• Fixed an issue where service UI would show between maps and not disappear

• Fixed an issue with loaded, upgraded warehouse doors

• Fixed the excessive sparkling at the end of the game

• Landing pad won’t duplicate air-car when moved

• Fixed an issue where re-played saves would sometimes move, duplicate or change altered objects (this may still occur on older saves, but new ones should be safe from now on!)

• Loading a game with completed objects will display properly at the end of the map

• Fixed the “One of Each, Please” Achievement to fire properly

• Fixed loading a map with uniques placed to be tagged properly

• Perfectly stacked houses save colors properly

• Removed that tiny gap in perfectly stacked buildings

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

But first...

"How's ShantyTown's Launch Going?"

It's going really well! I want to thank everyone for jumping in to the game! It's awesome to see so much love and creativity.

If you're curious about how the launch went, ShantyTown was on the front page of Steam in both the "Popular Upcoming" and now the "New and Trending" sections!

It's still there at time of writing!

Reviews are excellent and I'd really love to hit that "Overwhelmingly Positive" tag, a personal goal!

So if you're enjoying the game, please write a review too!

Now to the meat and potatoes:

Building Competition 9: "Your Favorite Map"

Show everyone your favorite map and creation

How It Works

No restrictions!

Pick your favorite map from the story, and build whatever you'd like using either the creative mode or story mode.

How To Win

Judging will take place on Discord where you post 1-3 images and a little description to the #submissions channel. We'll do a community vote based on how many trophy emojis your submission gets!

What Are The Rules?

• Post your submission before Sunday, April 26th

• Only one submission per person

• Build in creative or story mode on any map!

What Are The Prizes?

The winner of this competition get's a soundtrack key!

The top three builds will have their name immortalized in the game forever!

Want To Join?

Please do! Everyone's welcome!

If you don't have ShantyTown already, get it here, or play with the demo! No problem

Then, head over to to the Discord channel and submit your photo along with a brief in-world description of your location in the #Submissions channel! This can be a little history of the location you've built, an explanation of why you created it like that, or even a bit of creative writing!

The competition ends after 1 week! (April 26th)!

Hints: Find a location that speaks to you, and start there! Tell us why it's your favorite location

Wait, there's an update too?

Of course!

I fixed a few issues including some achievements, added some new unlockable items, and updated the way some things work.

Check out the details above ^

Best of luck!

-DevErik

Hi there! Thanks for the help on Discord finding and reporting bugs! I've hit some major ones here.

Overall there weren't really that many, so in celebration, I'm releasing some more items!

Patch Notes:

Version 1.01.01

Changes

• Made houses re-randomize shape every time they’re spawned

• Added New Bench models

• Added arrow keys to movement

• You can now move powerpoles

• Added a missing building unlock to Hotpot Casino

• Hid a still unavailable unlock from “Buildings” for later

• Added a missing plants unlock to the Inn Between

• Added a missing industrial unlock to Crosswaters

• Added two missing industrial unlocks to Swamp Pumps

• Added a missing industrial unlock to Farmountain Station

• Added a new unique unlocked when completing the Lighthouse

• Added a missing unlock to Silo Ridge

• Moved the garage unlock to Radio Tower

• More wires! Powerpoles and electric wires will also now attach to houses that don’t need light services

• Added some missing icons

Fixes

• Fixed the “Out of the Box”, “Something Special**”, “Inspected Every Corner”, “Paved Paradise”** achievements

• Fixed the post-ending game so you can replay Welcome Pier without the tutorial (and other features… Spoilers!)

• Credits properly roll off the screen

• Fixed a bug where undoing building placement would slowly remove unlock options from the map

• Fixed some issues with stringlight placement

• Added more reward choices to some maps to keep them from running out

• Fixed an issue where rewards would be greyed out if you tried to claim them when the hotbar was full

• Fixed some (but not all!) wiring issues when moving electric wires

• Groceries are now easier to put close against one another

• Fixed some placing issues with stilted steps

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Welcome to ShantyTown!

Are you ready to dive into a relaxing urban building game?

ShantyTown is a relaxing diorama-building game about finding beauty in everyday chaos. Bring new locations to life, stack your urban buildings high, and fill each little nook and cranny with your own touch. Try your hand at shaping a cozy little city that is unique to you.

What Can I Expect in ShantyTown?

• Place objects one at a time to create dense modern dioramas.

• Travel from location to location learning about the world

• Build with a unique set of items on each map

• Discover the purpose of the locations and how they fit into the greater world!

• Unlock objects for the creative mode

Or, maybe you just want to vibe out and build cute little neighborhoods!

How Long is the Game?

There are 20 locations in the story mode, and each of them have a different amount of objects to place, some won't take much time, but others will!

You only have to finish the 8 main locations to complete the story, but there are 12 other optional locations along the way.

Where Can I Get this Soundtrack?

Right here!

Or find it on Macroblanks Website! He's the musician.

Who Made ShantyTown?

I've been developing this game for 3 years and put a lot of love and care into it. I'm super excited for launch and have been looking forward to this moment for a long time now.

I hope it brings you joy, relaxation and comfort for a portion of your day.

Remember to be kind to yourself and others!

Also, please review the game after playing it if you're enjoying ShantyTown! It really helps other people find the game and spreads the word.

Wait You're Still Reading?

Go play the game and let me know what you think!

I hope you enjoy it!

-DevErik

I'm trying really hard not to make changes at this point, but this time, it's necessary.

Patch Notes:

Version 1.0.03

Changes

• Fixed a bug where the tutorial would offer upgrades with no options

• Fixed some spelling

• Added GOG logos when necessary

Does the game look/feel different? Check out the list of major changes in the last patch

See major changes here:

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

Last chance to point out any major issues and report them on Discord before the game launches!

Update Notes

I've been fixing issues here and there

Patch Notes:

Version 1.0.01

Changes

• Bar group no longer gives a door

• Changed some spawn lists on a few maps

• Changed the layout of Hotel 2 to not have that elevated middle part

• Removed the map feedback button

Additions

• Upgrades now give either direct rewards or the choice of rewards

• Added bike racks

• Added 3 more achievements

Controller

• You can properly click on blank photos to start a new map

• Changed vertical movement tutorial for controllers

• Fixed some keyboard keys poking down from the controller HUD

• Fixed vertical movement directions on controller

• Camera radial menu now works in walking mode

• Fixed the view photos button on controller

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where shopfronts would duplicate after multiple sessions on the same build

• Fixed an issue if you reloaded after placing a shop, all shops would copy that last placed shop type

• Fixed a goal failing when too many vertical farms were placed on Farm Harbor

• Unclaimed upgrade rewards will be remembered when you exit

• Fixed some missing railing data on some house types

• Extended vertical heights of building limits downwards on some maps

• Fixed frog collisions

• Fixed a bug where undoing a railing connecting to another railing’s first pole would make it look silly

• Hopefully fixed some issues with fullscreen and windowed modes

• Complex wall pieces won’t disappear on building upgrade

• Complex walls load properly

• Shop front specific variants are properly saved

• Buildings are now removable and movable in creative mode again

• Fixed some spelling mistakes

• Water tanks can now be placed on the ground

• Changed “Shophouse” map name to “Inn Between”

• Finished the wall pumps and added a wall vent item

• Added an introduction tutorial to Creative Mode

• Windows are random sized on spawn again as intended

• Fixed the rain on the train tunnel’s roof

• Made a lot of CPU optimizations

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik

A Showcase of Creativity

The last building competition before launch just ended and the winner is @Grynderella with their really unique build on Marsh Pipe "Neon Gulch".

Pretty cool use of the objects available and some post-process effects and designs! Very characteristic!

The theme was "neon" and a lot of people made a lot of very neon builds! Impressive

Other Winners

I just wanted to take a quick moment to highlight a few creations from other people. All very creative and quite unique!

Pretty impressive stuff!

If you want to see more, head over to to the Discord channel and check out the #submissions channel where people are showing off their creativity!

ShantyTown Launches on April 16th!

Be ready for the building competitions to kick off again after that!

I can't wait to see what people can create with all locations, objects and everything available.

Looking forward to it!

-DevErik

ShantyTown is Almost Here!

I just want to share the excitement! News outlets are currently playing the game and scribbling notes for their upcoming reviews. Youtubers and Tiktokers are crafting shorts and clips. And everyone is waiting for the 16th of April to share it all!

That's the day you can dive in as well. In the meantime, here's 15 minutes of uncommented gameplay to chill out to.

I have a few more things in the pipe between now and then, so watch this space!

Take care,

-Erik

Update Notes

There were some issues with creative mode and overlapping, permanent houses as well as some roof and railing issues. Hopefully all those issues have been cleared up! Incredible.

Patch Notes:

0.9.06

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with stringlights not reloading if an object was deleted that was placed before them

• Fixed an issue where loading upgraded buildings may result in lost roof and wall data

• Fixed an issue where entering creative mode would create duplicate buildings on other maps

• FPS limit should save properly and not overwrite saved volume setting

• Fixed creative mode clear-load button

• Fixed an object not unlocking on Silo Ridge

• Added Concrete to the unlocks at Silo Ridge

• Trash now overlaps roofs to create railings

• Fixed an issue where roof railings wouldn’t hide after being generated

• Unclaimed reward object lists are now saved

• Unclaimed rewards should load

• Fixed a lot of collision issues on some foundations

• Added upgrade/downgrade buttons to misc upgradeable objects in creative mode

• Change some text in the Blanklands

• Ghost boats won’t appear on map load

Please share any issues you find on the #BugReports channel on Discord!

-Erik