Early Access Roadmap Update: What’s Next for Returns Outlet Simulator?

Hello!

It has been one year since we launched our game in Early Access . Thank you all for your support, for taking part in the testing, for your suggestions and for the lively discussions on our channels. We’re impressed by your engagement and the number of positive comments, and we’d also like to thank you for all your feedback.

To mark this anniversary, we’d like to summarise our work on the game so far and update our roadmap, setting out the direction of our future work and upcoming updates.

So far, we’ve managed to:

• significantly improve the game’s optimization
• Introduce the player’s inventory
• Add card payments and self-service checkouts
• Develop the item disposal and recycling system
• Increase the number of supported languages to 21
• Significantly expand the shop’s floor space with the addition of a new floor
• Introducing an auction system
• Game safe slots
• Introduce orders
• Test branch
• Replace the previous leveling system with a Perks tree
• Add staff and shelf tags
• Storage system and dedicated furniture
• Plus numerous Improvements, fixes, new options and twice as many items as at the start

On top of that in the latest anniversary update, we’ve added another item from our list – stocktaking and a collection of items to find.

So, what’s next?

---------- New town -----------

In future updates, we want to focus on modifying the town itself. It’s no secret that the place is currently almost completely empty. We’d like to breathe a bit more life into this space and encourage new activities outside the shop. I’d like to emphasise that this isn’t about creating a vast open world, but rather a useful space that will break up the monotony and give players a reason to leave the shop from time to time.

---------- Shop furnitures -----------

It is equally important to introduce greater variety into shop furniture designed specifically for particular types of items or collections.

---------- Repairs -----------

Of course, we realise that you’re still waiting for the option to repair non-electronic items. We apologise for keeping you waiting so long, but we want to get it right. At the moment, these types of items simply carry a risk; you could lose money on them. However, we’re working on the possibility of repairing them or finding other ways to get a better profit from them.

---------- Annual cycle-----------

We mentioned it in an earlier roadmap: the ‘seasons’ system, which focuses on selling specific goods, checking the best market prices and adapting to customers’ needs, along with various events for which it’s worth preparing.

---------- SALE-----------

The ability to introduce special offers, discounts or run sales.

---------- Balance and economy-----------

These features have been introduced gradually over the past few months alongside new mechanics; we will continue to refine them and improve the system for shop ratings, customer behaviour and demands.

---------- Cosmetics and new items-----------

We will also be gradually introducing new cosmetic items like shop decorations and sings and we'll add more products, expanding our existing categories and adding new ones.

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We would also like to expand or improve existing mechanics, such as the auction and order systems, so that they better complement the core game loop.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s encouraging to look back at all the things we’ve managed to implement thanks to your support. We’re incredibly grateful to you for that; we’ve learnt a great deal from your feedback. We hope you’ll stick with us right through to the final version of the game!

Stay warm and see you soon :-)