Evening Citizens,

I am here to share a pre-release announcement with you all. This message aims to provide insights into the current state of New Citizen and set realistic expectations for its upcoming release. Additionally, I'd like to discuss the plans for the game's future post-release.

As we're all aware, New Citizen is an ambitious project, and as a young individual navigating this world, I sometimes find myself questioning if I can successfully bring this vision to life. However, I'm committed to giving it my best effort. New Citizen is a passion project that has been with me since I was 13 years old. Every day, I ponder over how to transform this dream into reality. With over 100 game design documents penned, it might seem like I'm piecing together a complex puzzle with sheer determination.

Given the nature of this game and the variety of interests it caters to, it's essential to manage expectations. While I'm personally drawn to the police aspect of New Citizen, others may be more interested in playing as a paramedic or exploring different roles. To maintain a practical approach, we're focusing on one element at a time. It's important to note that certain aspects of the game upon release may appear unpolished or incomplete due to the workflow I've chosen.

After countless nights spent contemplating under the starry skies, I've reached a conclusion: there's no one-size-fits-all path to success for a project of this magnitude. In the absence of other companies or studios pursuing a similar idea, I lack a direct comparison. Therefore, Specpixel has a unique opportunity to pave its own path toward success. Hopefully, we can lead the way in this genre of games. I envision New Citizen not just as a game but as a platform. With future plans in mind, I aim to impress you all with what I aspire to achieve for both the industry and like-minded individuals who share similar dreams.

Upon its release, here's what you can anticipate from New Citizen's debut on Steam's early access platform:

1. A comprehensive economic system featuring "cash" and "bank balance" as the primary legal forms of currency.
2. Diverse job opportunities, including roles such as Police_, Paramedic, Mayor, Judge, Prison Guard, and Unemployed individuals.
3. A dynamic AI-driven traffic and crowd system, adding life to the world (with non-replicated AI pedestrians on footpaths).
4. Assortment of police vehicles equipped with a functional ELS (emergency lighting system), complete with side alley lights and multiple siren choices.
5. Rich player-to-player interactions fostering immersion and social engagement.
6. In-depth physical and virtual inventory system, seamlessly integrated with an interaction mechanism.
7. Advanced array of Firearms/Weapons for a realistic gameplay experience.
8. A variety of vehicles to navigate the expansive open-world environment.
9. Robust administration system with gamemaster capabilities, ensuring smooth gameplay management.
10. Real Estate functionality enabling property transactions, sales, and personalized pricing.
11. Interactive AI characters and stores, including the option for store heists when armed.
12. Custom-built programming infrastructure utilizing proprietary C++ systems and engine plugins, minimizing reliance on external marketplace assets (except for 3D assets, character animations, sound effects, and select VFX particle effects).
13. Unique user interfaces meticulously crafted by our dedicated team.
14. Immersive Day & Night cycles and weather systems (leveraging marketplace assets).
15. Enhanced vehicle physics for realistic driving experiences (utilizing marketplace assets).
16. Synchronized player progress and data encompassing Inventory, job roles, cash, bank balance, bank history, staff level, cars, and real estate.
17. Availability of dedicated servers, allowing players to rent or self-host, with publicly accessible files on Steam; server customization facilitated through a provided config file.
18. Comprehensive drug system featuring Marijuana, with options for consumption, cultivation, and sale.
19. Built-in in-game bug reporting mechanism for efficient issue resolution.
20. Character identity system ensuring a fresh character/identity for each server.
21. ATM system for checking bank balance, withdrawing/depositing cash, transferring funds between player accounts, and viewing transaction history.
22. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) incorporating proximity voice chat and government job-specific radios utilizing long-range frequencies.
23. Automobile Dealership / Vehicle Sales Shop
24. Garage Management System for Vehicle Storage
25. Waste Collection Truck / Garbage truck driver, job
26. Postal Delivery, job
27. Commercial Truck Driver, job

In sum, New Citizen's release encompasses a diverse array of features and systems, offering players an immersive and interactive experience within its open-world setting.