!!I IMPORTANT: Customs have not yet been finished - it's taking a bit of time due some fixes needed but don't worry if you haven't received any preview yet, the rest of the customs that haven't been sent out yet should be finished in the next week. I'm trying my best to catch up!
After the long December holidays and an even longer January, development on Tailside is back with further updates!
While the holiday season served as a rest period for the team, progress continued with new features and further work on the first private alpha version, to be tested together with fundraiser participants. The project remains on track to release the alpha version in Q1 of this year. As of this writing, the alpha version is approximately 60% complete. Here's an overview of the latest progress:
☕️ Completed Bedroom Addition
The bedroom area has been completed, featuring its own soundtrack. This will be the place to relax and prepare for a new workday. And yes, it can be decorated too!
☕️ Completed Day & Night System
Alongside the bedroom, the day & night system is now fully implemented. At the end of each day, a summary will display key statistics and bonuses earned throughout the work hours.
☕️ UI and Game Animation Polishing
Between other tasks, additional polishing touches are being tested for the UI and game animations to improve responsiveness and overall usability.
☕️ Completed Save & Load System
A save & load system is now fully functional, offering three save slots for creating different café experiences.
☕️ Ongoing Work on NPC Customer System
One of the largest features currently in development is the NPC customer system. While tiny customers were already present, friendly villager NPCs will soon begin visiting as well!
☕️ Localization Volunteering
Though not initially planned, localization may be added with the help of volunteers. Efforts are underway to make Tailside more accessible to non-English-speaking players.
The first set of soundtracks featured in early access has been completed, and the soundtrack DLC is now ready for setup. Fundraiser participants will receive the soundtrack before the game's release.
☕️ Custom Character Import
The main character is fully customizable! The alpha version will allow testing of the custom character import system, enabling players to personalize their protagonist for a more unique experience.
🛠️ Other edits & fixes:
Fixed zoom issues on UI elements
Fixed zoom in/out functionality in windowed mode when the mouse is not over the game
Latte art mini-game now supports controllers and full keyboard input
Fixed an NPC not appearing when "Skip Introduction" is activated
Fixed orders not being enabled after dialogue ends
Recipe book now opens automatically when introduced for the first time
Fixed "End of Playtest" and the final task of the game
Added a text UI animation displaying money increases and decreases
Added a text UI animation showing experience gain
Placing items now includes a small bounce animation
Improved level-up UI animations to showcase new unlocked items one by one
Fixed an issue preventing empty cups from being cleaned after the café closes
Fixed some inventory items not displaying their quantities
YES! We made it! The highly anticipated stretch goal GREENHOUSE has been achieved tonight while Beans was taking a little sleep break haha I'm SO SO THANKFUL for everyone that's been helping out so far, I can't believe how far we managed to reach already and we still have 5 days left to do the final push.
The next milestone for the fundraiser is to be able to cover a nice and cozy original soundtrack for the game and if reached, the soundtrack DLC will be added TO ALL BACKERS FOR FREE!
Some quick game progress updates (just a small part of it):
Option to skip skip introduction part (skip to LV 10) has been added
Day and night cafe working cycle is already in progress and getting tested!
Testing a new full keyboard/controller support for build/decor mode
Added an option in settings to toggle between walk/run instead of holding down shift button to run for those with wrist issues (like me haha) (highly requested option)
Testing the change of brewing panel instead of reseting to continue the brewing progress every time you close/open it (very requested edit)
I think I will be disabling the Demo at the end of the month since it's pretty much now a bit an outdated version of Tailside and what's coming for it after this fundraiser.
I'm also adjusting a bit the achievements of fundraiser for that galaxy set in a bit! 🧡
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN! - Coffee Beans Dev
Pastries have now been added to the game! And yes, you can now order and place as many pastries as you want throughout your café.
I haven’t really focused right now on the sandbox or decor fixes. This update is more about big new additions and general bug fixes.
Alongside this, you’ll find a bunch of new improvements: A brand new upgrades menu and a guide section have been added to the recipe book, the journal now includes pages for characters, level overviews, and newspaper logs, and customers will now leave if they wait too long, making the café feel a little more alive.
There are also alpha tester shortcuts to help speed up testing: press on keyboard "L" to level up and "K" to add 1000 coins.
Next Steps - Next, I’ll be focusing more on worldbuilding and character interactions. - I’ve planned a set of small storyline chapters that will unfold through the in-game newspaper. Characters will also begin showing reaction bubbles when you walk near them, which will change based on current events in the storyline. - Also, the terrace area is in the works. You’ll be able to check it out in the next update!
Notes: For this update the focus is on new features such as few upgrades, pastries addition and new journal and recipe book informational sections.
Alpha 0.1.3 Update June 25th, 2025
NEW:
Upgrades & Guide Section: A new upgrades menu and a guide section have been added to the recipe book.
Brewing & Café Upgrades: Several upgrades are now available.
Pastry Ordering & Selling: This feature can now be unlocked via the upgrade system.
New Journal Sections: Added sections for Characters, Level Overviews, and Newspaper Logs.
Alpha Tester Shortcuts: Alpha testers can now use “cheat codes” by pressing “L” to level up and “K” to add 1000 coins, making testing faster for everyone.
Sleep Anytime: The player can now go to sleep at any time.
Recipe Book Access: Now accessible directly from the café counter (useful when the café is closed).
Customer Behavior Update: Customers will now leave the café after waiting too long for their order, making the environment more dynamic.
Fixes:
Adjusted scroll speed in the order and inventory selling panels.
Fixed inactive toggle for door opening/closing.
Fixed chairs overlapping incorrectly under tables.
Fixed carpets being placeable over the terrace door.
Volume bar in settings now provides sound feedback when adjusted.
Fixed inventory filter not updating in build mode after selling items.
Fixed certain decor items not appearing in the sell panel.
Fixed incorrect inventory amounts showing in the sell panel after repurchasing a sold item.
Fixed infinite money glitch when selling items that didn't properly reduce inventory.
Fixed skills not being applied correctly on game load.
Fixed custom characters reverting to Toffee’s sprite when pausing.
Fixed item outlines staying active on walls.
Fixed NPCs walking backward.
Added missing controller navigation in the build mode info pop-up.
Fixed skill tooltips appearing under the mouse instead of above the skill if using the keyboard navigation instead.
Fixed build mode navigation when no items are left in the inventory.
Fixed settings not accessible after loading a game.
Fixed performance issues with build mode item filters.
Other:
Corrected earnings from selling decor items currently on sale.
Moved the daily goal bar to the right side of the brewing panel.
Added a small bounce animation to brewing and milk heating.
Light (lamp) decor items can now be toggled with the mouse as well as the keyboard.
Added new guide panels with clearer gameplay instructions.
Added WASD movement and zoom instructions in build mode.
Added a toggle for QWERTY and AZERTY control schemes in settings.
Added instructions for pouring latte art.
Changed decor item sorting to appear on the left instead of the center for easier order
Notes: This update mostly focuses on a few known alpha bugs and on the build (decor) mode system as it’s a big part of the game, I want to ensure it’s enjoyable.
Alpha 0.1.2 Update & Fixes
Fixed tips timer appearing when there is no order.
Fixed cafe counters not appearing in build mode inventory when in the bedroom (buttons remain disabled since cafe counters only exist in the cafe).
Fixed ordered items not showing up in inventory.
Added new NPC appearances as you progress through the days in the game.
Added a few new newspaper issues with hints about the new NPCs.
Fixed floors, wallpapers, and cafe counters appearing in the shop even after being purchased.
Added a missing panel slider in the shop orders panel.
Added a missing panel slider in the shop sell panel.
Fixed the ability to claim multiple items from orders when clicking rapidly.
Added additional safeguards to the cleaning bar system.
Slightly reduced NPC customer chance to better balance NPC and creature appearances in the cafe.
Improved tab visibility for the shop and journal panels.
Added instructional UI for opening/closing the cafe to reduce confusion at the start of a new day.
Added a note on the cafe’s glass door hinting at future updates.
You can now turn on the fireplace in your bedroom.
Build mode and Sandbox improvements: (Included in Playtest version)
Saving/loading items on tables should now work correctly and no longer place them behind.
Saving/loading of floor and wallpaper designs should now be fixed.
Fixed items on tables loading in incorrect positions and layers.
Added item categories.
Added the ability to enable/disable the build mode inventory to avoid blocking the view while placing items.
Added the ability to continue placing the same item without needing to reselect it each time.
Added the ability to flip certain items (such as plants and some others).
The small calendar can now be placed on walls.
You can now decorate the middle wall with the staircase door.
An indication for rotate/flip functionality is now shown when available for selected items.
Chairs should no longer glitch through the middle wall.
Restored the ability to decorate the top of the cafe counter.
Added the option to decorate the sides of the cafe counter with small "wall" objects (e.g., calendar, sticky notes…).
Items that cannot be placed will now turn red for better clarity.
Fixed issues that allowed placing items outside of designated rooms.
As I progress through all the customs made through this fundraiser, I wanted to write a little update on how they will be integrated in the game.
Each category of customs (pastries, plushies, NPCs) etc. will be integrated together with the game flow and will be unlocked through various game areas such as leveling up, progressing through the days, playing mini games or receiving rewards.
The first category that has all art completed and is already in development are the pastries. Pastries will be integrated for buying & selling in your cafe as a side earning revenue activity to the coffee making. I have already completed the buying part of development and partially the selling part. I still need to work through connecting the selling to the customers and saving/loading of your pastry orders/inventory for it to be put into the alpha version testing.
I also have set ideas for all the other categories but I will share more on that once I progress a bit further with the current game plans. So excited, and hope you will enjoy all these new additions to the gameplay itself!
