A new build is out, v0.1.1-alpha.238. This one is about how the lounge grows, and about knowing what tomorrow looks like before you open the doors.
Levels own the unlocks
The lounge has a real progression now. Every task that gets done in the room earns XP: seating a party, taking an order, packing a bowl, delivering it, swapping coals, washing a hookah, stocking a delivery, cashing out, wiping a table, putting out a fire, buying an upgrade. Your crew's work counts too. XP climbs a 1-50 level curve with band titles along the way, and every flavor, coal, drink, upgrade and expansion now opens at a level. Milestones still pay bounties, but the level is what opens the door. Level up mid-service and a strip under the banner lists exactly what just opened. The head of the objectives card is now your level pill and XP meter.
Stars own demand and tips
Your listing's star average is its own number, separate from level. It sets how busy you get and how well guests tip. A high level with a slipping rating is a different problem from a low level with a glowing one, and the game treats them differently.
Tomorrow's heads-up
The objectives card has a new section: TOMORROW. It tells you how many parties to expect and roughly how many guests, whether word is out that the inspector is coming, which flavor runs out and around what time ("Mint runs out around 9 PM, order before you open"), what is booked, which regulars are coming back, what the van brings at open, the weather and what it does to orders, and what wages cost at close. A Prep Docket under it turns all of that into the short list of things to do before you open. The forecast, the guests who actually show up, the balance sim and the Marketing tab all read the same guest budget now, so none of them can disagree with the others.
Seven new tracks
Two more each for Hookah Lofi, Modern and Traditional, one for Tycoon Groove.
Small things you will notice
- A proper doorstep. A threshold strip matched to your door finish bridges the small step between the wood floor and the pavement, so the entrance reads finished.
- Discord and X on the title screen. Join Discord and Follow on X sit side by side, one click each.
- A roomier build screen. Clear gutters around the workspace, and the prep list tucks away while you build.
Fixed
- Grabbing a coal no longer kicks you out of the coal, fridge or wash close-up. This only showed on high-refresh monitors, which is why it took a tester to find it. Thank you.
- In story scenes you turn to greet whoever is already inside the moment you stop walking, instead of standing with your back to the door until the last friend lands.
- The objectives card's shadow no longer squares off at the corners.
- Wood plank seams stay crisp at every zoom.
- The Woven Cat Bed shows under Floor Accents, not Wall Decor.
- Adil's hand: a stray eye the texture bake had painted onto the back of it is gone.
Come hang out
Tell us what belongs in your dream lounge: discord.gg/uVThPXvWgN
Build shots and small wins go up daily on X: @HookahHouseGame
If you haven't yet, add Hookah House to your wishlist. It's the single best way to support the game before launch.