As we approach the end of another exciting year, I wanted to take a moment to share some updates about Big Ambitions and our journey at Hovgaard Games.

First and foremost, we're thrilled to announce that Big Ambitions has reached a milestone of 500,000 copies sold! We are incredibly grateful for your support and for being part of this amazing community. Your passion and feedback continue to drive us forward.

Earlier this year, we introduced the Experimental Branch to allow for more robust testing of new features and updates before they hit the live version. We're happy to report that this approach has been a resounding success. Thanks to your participation and invaluable feedback, we've been able to catch and address issues more efficiently. We'll definitely be continuing with this strategy moving forward.

Listening to your feedback, we've decided to shift our development approach to focus on smaller, more frequent updates. Our goal is to release new content approximately every three months, giving us some flexibility to ensure each update meets our quality standards.

Our Living Roadmap[www.bigambitionsgame.com] has been updated to reflect our plans leading up to the full release of Big Ambitions. You'll notice that we've added "Full Release" to the list. While this is not set in stone, it reflects our plan to stay in Early Access for at least another 12 months.
[www.bigambitionsgame.com]In line with our growth plans, we've successfully expanded our team to 10 full-time members. Their talents are already making a significant impact on the game's development.

While we're not actively recruiting at the moment, we're always on the lookout for experienced and passionate individuals who share our love for management and tycoon games. If that's you, feel free to drop us an email at jobs@hovgaard.com or DM me on Discord.

Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you. Your positive reviews, constructive feedback, and enthusiastic support mean the world to us.

Here's to an exciting year ahead!

All the best,
Jonas
Founder, Hovgaard Games

And here comes the second patch for EA 0.7!

Our devs have really been struggling with this one. We keep finding new hard-to-catch bugs that only affect a handful of players. Once again, for those of you who were affected: we're sorry for the inconvenience.

• Fixed error when entering a residential building holding a cash register
  
• Fixed bug causing customers to ignore some seats
  
• Fixed that some items weren't available for purchase in IKA
  
• Fixed gym trainers having too few demands
  
• Fixed issues with spawned customers
  
• Fixed too long queues in retail businesses
  
• Fixed issues related to alerts/todo tasks
  
• Fixed minus button not allowing to change textbox value from 1 to 0.
  
• Fixed bug causing Bizman Scheduler to break
  
• Fixed bug causing Bizman Purchasing Agent to break

• Fixed not being able to move character with mouse or WASD

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Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement, we'll keep improving!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions team!

We're ready with the first patch for EA 0.7 (out of experimental). Thank you for all your bug reports. Keep them coming! 💪

Unfortunately, a lot of players experienced up to 50% fewer customers/sales in their businesses after switching to 0.7. The reason for this is while we worked on 0.7, we found a bug in the way we calculate customers per hour which effectively ignored the building's limitation.

This led to unrealistically high incomes for those businesses, so it had to be fixed. The mistake was really that we introduced this change to existing savegames, instead of only new savegames. This patch will fix that, so all of you, existing players, will continue having the same high volume of customers.

Moving forward, we'll start increasing the time the update spent in "experimental" so we hopefully catch things like this in the future before releasing it to the public branch.

• Fixed sudden drop in sales for some existing savegames
  
• Reduced energy consumption by gym equipment by 50%
  
• Fixed various font/text issues
  
• Fixed lighting issues in IKA
  
• Fixed issue causing players to get stuck when doing various activities
  
• Fixed bug causing some players not being able to access Factory Supply Depot
  
• Fixed bug with overlays not updating after exiting a vehicle
  
• Allow using AutoTow while indoor
  
• Fixed issue causing some players not to advance in time
  
• Rescued vehicles stuck after new IKA parking
  
• Fixed inaccessible pull-up bar in IKA
  
• Fixed customer queues pointing the wrong direction
  
• Fixed issue causing some players to get stuck/unable to move

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Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement, we'll keep improving!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions team!

We know the last update took a really long time, so this update is coming faster than ever! It's a smaller update that focuses on optimization and quality of life, but we also got a few new features in it as well!

So let's dive into what's new!

You no longer have to choose between working out at home or at the city gym! Now you (and your rivals) can make your own gym businesses!

To go along with this, we added a bunch of new exercises and equipment! So go jump on the Fitness Trampolines and do situps on the Fitball! Plus we added new equipment like the Squats Station!

And lastly, we added a way to make your daily workouts more effective! Click on the Gym Training Board to add a personalized workout plan for an extra daily happiness boost!


We updated this new game screen to match our new streamlined UI while also addressing a few frequent quality of life issues:

1) Better explanation of the differences between the difficulties
2) Custom game settings can be defaulted to easy/medium/hard, then customized and saved!
3) Added option "No vehicle damage" when starting a custom game


We added a few nice visual upgrades in this update as well!

Your cleaners are no longer invisible! Now you'll see the employees walking around and cleaning, so you don't have to wonder why they didn't show up to work!

And while we were in there, we also improved the cleaning animation!

We did it - we added rain!! It's purely a visual (and audio) element that won't impact business, but it's cool!

This visual upgrade brings a whole new level of atmosphere to the game - just watch out for all the umbrellas and puddles on the street now!


Do you want something unique to show off your flowers in your Florist Shop? Well, we've got you covered!


Last, but certainly not least on the art side, your favorite furniture store just got a major glow-up! IKA’s new design is more realistic and immersive, making shopping for decor even more enjoyable.

But that’s not all—IKA now features its very own cafeteria! Who says business can’t be delicious?

Some players with older machines have been reporting difficulty with getting the game launched, so we have added a few changes.

Firstly, we changed how the game loads in, which should help some systems already. However, if your computer is going slow - have patience and let it run through its process. If the game crashes, try to launch it again. It should automatically recognize that it crashed and should lower the settings when you try to launch again, increasing your chances of successfully launching!


One of the big focuses for this update was to clean up, streamline, and optimize some code and graphics.

This should help greatly reduce or eliminate lag spikes for each new hour, new day, and at delivery times as well as make the game run more smoothly in general!

• Improved taxi frequency, especially at night.
  
• Can put flatbed cart inside Freight and Courier trucks
  
• Added fade-out/fade-in when entering/exiting buildings for a smoother transition
  
• Camera no longer rotates when exiting a vehicle!
  
• You now enter a drive-in store and warehouse the same way you exit - by driving through the door!
  
• Fixed lighting in underground parking lots
  
• Fixed issue causing buildings to be owned by "undefined" when the rival shut them down
  
• Added ability to write custom text on glass barriers
  
• Fixed can't buy Checkout Counter (Right) from AJ Pederson if you're holding a cart
  
• Removed forklifts since they were causing lots of issues in warehouses and not being used much
  
• Added "Storage is Full" indicator to hand trucks, flatbeds and vehicles.
  
• Fixed issue causing rivals screen to break if a broken employee was poached
  
• Fixed issue where you could be parked "illegally" after using autopark
  
• Fixed issue where the truck repair shop would cause you to crash around after calling the tow truck
  
• Fixed issue causing the blueprints page to get stuck if you switched from blueprints to library in certain circumstance
  
• Fixed issue causing Interior Designer achievements not to be registered
  
• Lowered Casino ("Lucky Potato") achievement requirements
  
• Adjusted color of drive-in store product signs to be easier to read
  
• Fixed a couple issue with the interior designer not updating objectives
  
• Fixed an incorrect collider size of the industrial sewing machine
  
• Fixed lighting in the underground parking
  
• Fixed issue where you could grab a mop while already holding a box
  
• Fixed issue with windows flickering
  
• Fixed issue with delivery spots showing “Click to manage” in AI businesses
  
• Fixed an issue with switching business type
  
• Fixed inventory was sometimes lost if the customer didn't like the price
  
• Fixed an issue where paper bags weren't properly counted while you were in the store
  
• Fixed sometimes activity timers would reset to 1 hour
  
• Fixed an issue causing Electric Scooters to get stuck on their sides
  
• Fixed issue sometimes causing two music tracks to play at the casino
  
• Fixed issue where AI sometimes sits on player in chairs
  
• Fixed hanging sign lists don't change when you add new items to the store
  
• Fixed rotating an object then grabbing it doesn't reset rotation properly
  
• Fixed "free parking" if you cancel selling your car
  
• Fixed issue causing some damange when on parking ramp
  
• Updated money/number input
  
• Fixed import contract not cancelling when shutting down a warehouse
  
• Fixed can't grab cart in some cases
  
• Fixed can get stuck in queue if there are no paper bags in the register
  
• Added new animation for eating ice cream
  
• Removed restaurant LCD screens for sale as they currently are non-functional
  
• Fixed items not appearing properly in AI character's hands
  
• Fixed an issue where machines would output raw goods
  
  • Note - if this already happened to you, you'll need to clear the item from the conveyor belt, but it shouldn't happen again. Please report it if you see it!

---

We hope you enjoy this update and we look forward to bringing you another speedy update next! Our goal is to aim for closer to 3 months for future releases!

And finally don't forget to set up your Christmas tree before December 25th, and then click the tree on the 25th to get your 2024 holiday decoration!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions Team

We found a few more things to patch up real quick, but otherwise, EA 0.7 is looking great!

• Fixed manager office desk was hidden in many buildings
  
• Fixed you have to click twice on objects after sleeping
  
• Fixed Multiple Trainers training the same person
  
• Fixed Trainers keep cheering after the customer has stopped
  
• Fixed Fade-in on the Casino showing the camera movement
  
• Fixed couldn't buy from Manhattan Luxury Cars
  
• Fixed issue sometimes causing two music tracks to play at the casino
  
• Fixed issue where AI sometimes sits on player in chairs
  
• Fixed hanging sign lists don't change when you add new items to the store
  
• Fixed rotating an object then grabbing it doesn't reset rotation properly
  
• Fixed "free parking" if you cancel selling your car
  
• Can put flatbed cart inside Freight and Courier trucks
  
• Fixed issues if you buy "Keep Calm and Squat On" or poach employees, if you already did this, you may have to fire those employees or terminate and restart the business!

---

This last patch has seemed pretty solid, so please test this one hard and see if we're ready for the full release!

Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions team!

It's time for another patch for the experimental version!

With your help over the weekend, we were able to identify a few more bugs, and now we have squashed them!

• Fixed can't buy Checkout Counter (Right) from AJ Pederson if you're holding a cart
  
• Fixed some items in the new Ika Bohag were inaccessible
  
• Fixed while skipping time, you don't stop working out if you're exhausted
  
• Fixed lights could be attached to desks, making them go under the floor
  
• Fixed couldn't place items on desks
  
  • Cheap Coffee Machine
    
  • Books with bookend
    
  • Stack of Books
    
  • Decorative Shampoo
    
  • Decorative Papers
    
  • Graphic Tablet with Screen
    
  • Graphic Tablet
• Fixed NY Distro wasn't selling ZanaMan phones
  
• Added "Storage is Full" indicator to hand trucks, flatbeds and vehicles.
  
• Fixed issue causing rivals screen to break if a broken employee was poached
  
• Fixed issue where you could be parked "illegally" after using autopark
  
• Fixed issue where some vehicles couldn't drive into the warehouses properly
  
• Fixed issue where the truck repair shop would cause you to crash around after calling the tow truck
  
• Fixed issue where customers wouldn't sit in restaurant booths
  
• Fixed issue with employee candidates that were causing many cascading issues
  
• Fixed issue where you could drive through Factory Supply Depot
  
• Drive-In Stores UI no longer say "click to enter" when on a vehicle
  
• Fixed issue causing the blueprints page to get stuck if you switched from blueprints to library in certain circumstance
  
• Fixed issue causing Interior Designer achievements not to be registered.
  
• Adjusted color of drive-in store product signs to be easier to read
  
• Fixed AI would walk through Gym Mat
  
• Fixed you could place items on top of Gym Mat
  
• Fixed gym customers weren't giving proper pricing feedback if the price was too high to enter
  
• Fixed some gym customers would use their phone while holding weights
  
• Fixed the original "Keep Calm and Squat On" wasn't being properly assigned to a rival.
  
• Fixed can't grab wall-mounted barbells from Essentials Appliances
  
• Fixed Logistics Deliveries weren't limiting items to the proper box size
  
• Fixed issue that could cause the GPS addresses to appear incorrectly while driving
  
• Fixed can't enter the IRS (for real this time!)
  
• Fixed sometimes activity timers would reset to 1 hour

As always, please let us know anything else strange you find, so we can get this ready for the full update release!

---

Thanks to everyone for all the continued support and reports!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions team!

Are you getting sweaty at your new gym yet?

Well, thanks to our first group of testers who caught a few bugs, we wanted to put out a quick patch before the weekend!

• Fixed issue preventing you from dropping employees onto the schedule
  
• Fixed can't enter IRS or Casino boat
  
• Fixed customers were complaining about high-skilled gym trainers
  
• Fixed Kettlebell animation had a lot of amusing glitches due to Gym Trainers moving them.
  
• Fixed issue causing wrong items to appear for importers
  
• Fixed can't set starting cash for custom game
  
• Fixed issue causing you to get stuck mopping forever
  
• Fixed issue causing two benches at 29 4th Ave to be unusable

Let us know if you find anything else and we'll continue polishing this update!

---

Thanks to everyone for all the continued feedback!

~Hovgaard Games

Hopefully, you've been enjoying the holiday decorations that appear in the game around this time of year! And as an added holiday treat, we're excited to share our latest experimental build with you!

The team has been working hard to bring you the fastest update since launch - an optimization update designed to fine-tune your empire-building adventure. Dive in and help us test and refine this new update!

The complete patch notes will be released when EA 0.7 is ready for its full release, but for now, here is a summary of the bigger changes in EA 0.7.

Originally posted by Hovgaard Games:

Please notice: This version is unstable, unoptimized and might contain game-breaking bugs which may destroy your savegame. The branch will be updated frequently as we squeeze bugs. Any progress/savegame will be lost once this testing period is over.

This is an opportunity to help us find bugs and get some early insight into the development of our next update. The experimental/preview version of the game is not simply a way to play the new update earlier.

Please don't leave us negative reviews based on your experience with the experimental branch, thank you! ❤️

---

You no longer have to choose between working out at home or at the city gym! Now you (and your rivals) can make your own gym businesses!

To go along with this, we added a bunch of new exercises and equipment! So go jump on the Fitness Trampolines and do situps on the Fitball! Plus we added new equipment like the Squats Station!

And lastly, we added a way to make your daily workouts more effective! Click on the Gym Training Board to add a personalized workout plan for an extra daily happiness boost!

Your cleaners are no longer invisible! Now you'll see the employees walking around and cleaning, so you don't have to wonder why they didn't show up to work!

And while we were in there, we also improved the cleaning animation!

We did it - we added rain!! It's purely a visual (and audio) element that won't impact business, but it's cool!

This visual upgrade brings a whole new level of atmosphere to the game - just watch out for all the umbrellas and puddles on the street now!


We updated this new game screen to match our new streamlined UI while also addressing a few frequent quality of life issues:

1) Better explanation of the differences between the difficulties
2) Custom game settings can be defaulted to easy/medium/hard, then customized and saved!
3) Added option "No vehicle damage" when starting a custom game


Your favorite furniture store just got a major glow-up! IKA’s new design is more realistic and immersive, making shopping for decor even more enjoyable.

But that’s not all—IKA now features its very own cafeteria! Who says business can’t be delicious?


One of the big focuses for this update was to clean up, streamline, and optimize some code and graphics.

This should help greatly reduce or eliminate lag spikes for each new hour, new day, and at delivery times as well as make the game run more smoothly in general!

A full list will be provided for the release, but here are some of the quality of life changes you can expect.

• Improved taxi frequency, especially at night.
  
• Added fade-out/fade-in when entering/exiting buildings for a smoother transition
  
• Camera no longer rotates when exiting a vehicle!
  
• You now enter a drive-in store and warehouse the same way you exit - by driving through the door!
  
• Fixed lighting in underground parking lots
  
• Fixed issue causing buildings to be owned by "undefined" when the rival shut them down
  
• Added ability to write custom text on glass barriers

---

Originally posted by Hovgaard Games:

Please notice: This version is unstable, unoptimized and might contain game-breaking bugs which may destroy your savegame. The branch will be updated frequently as we squeeze bugs. Any progress/savegame will be lost once this testing period is over.

This is an opportunity to help us find bugs and get some early insight into the development of our next update. The experimental/preview version of the game is not simply a way to play the new update earlier.

Please don't leave us negative reviews based on your experience with the experimental branch, thank you! ❤️

Reminder: Experimental Branch saves are not compatible with the full release
You will be rolled back to your EA 0.6 savegame when EA 0.7 is fully released.

• Right-click Big Ambitions on Steam
  
• Select Properties
  
• Select Betas
  
• From the dropdown menu, choose "experimental - Use at own risk - Unstable!"

If you see something weird while in-game, be sure to hit F2 to submit a bug report so we can fix it! Any information on what you did before the bug occured are greatly appreciated.

If you have additional information to contribute, or need a response, the best option is to create a thread on Steam, Reddit, Big Ambitions Forums[forum.bigambitionsgame.com], or our Discord[discord.gg], then mention that thread in the Bug Report, so I know it's yours and can reply to you!

As always, huge thanks to all of you for the support you give. Every comment, bug report, feedback and words of encouragement means the world to us. You make this whole thing possible. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

~ Hovgaard Games and the entire Big Ambitions team!

Hello!

It's time for a new patch to iron out a few wrinkles!

• French, German, Chinese translations have been updated
  
• Fix issues causing you to get stuck in placement mode after selling or moving items attached to a counter/table
  
• Fix Small Circuit Board factory production timing to be faster
  
• Fix pressing ESC on Preview Terminal blocks WASD and right-clicking
  
• Fix can't repair vehicle after returning to main menu
  
• Fix cars will drive through a parked Vord Tiara Vic
  
• Fix "monster" character at special business counters
  
• Fix health plan type not localizing in notification
  
• Fix issue when studying while holding items/ handtruck
  
• Fix invisible wall on IKA
  
• Fix BizMan sometimes not showing correct business logo
  
• Fix can sit on chair where there is an npc
  
• Fix hallway walls on some residential buildings
  
• Revert to default logo when player's custom logo isn't found

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We appreciate all your feedback to help us make this game as good as possible!

Now, resume taking over New York City and let us know if you discover anything else!

~Hovgaard Games, and the Big Ambitions team