Progress with Planned Show Endings

It’s been three weeks since I started working on the next major update for Endless TV Tycoon, called Lights Out, Cameras On (2025.1). I’m happy to report that a bunch of core sub-features for Planned Show Endings are already done! 🎉

☑️ What’s Done So Far

• If you own a production studio, you’ll see a new option in the Briefing Room called Propose Show Ending. This new screen lets you suggest to the show’s network that the next season should be the last—giving the show a proper send-off. You can also choose to include a Flashback Episode and/or a Two-Part Finale.
• Once you send the proposal, the network decides. If you own the network too, the decision appears instantly in the Briefing Room, where you can also set the final season’s budget and minimum episode scores. If the network is AI-controlled, they’ll respond during End Week—you’ll be notified of their choice then.
• You can also initiate a planned show ending as a network. This happens on the renewal decision screen, where a new toggle appears: Order Final Season. Turning it on means the season you're ordering will be the show’s last. Just like before, you can opt for a Flashback Episode and/or a Two-Part Finale. When a network calls for a final season, the studio doesn’t get a say—but they’ll still be able to wrap up the show properly.
• AI networks will sometimes initiate planned endings on their own, both for AI studios and for your studio’s shows. If it happens to one of yours, you’ll find out during End Week.
• When AI networks make a final season decision, they consider things like recent viewership drops and how popular the show’s genre currently is.
• The season-ordering algorithm now takes final seasons into account—those get boosted budgets and stricter score requirements for each episode.

I’ll continue development with the rest of the features covered in the last Dev Diary.

I’ll be sharing some sneak peeks of all this on the game’s socials soon (Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Threads, X), so follow along if you’re curious!

Reminder: As always, major new features like Planned Show Endings will be Early Access exclusives for Ultimate Pass holders at first—but they’ll become free for everyone in the next major update.

💖 Support Endless TV Tycoon

I started this game in 2019 as a passion project, powered by an amazing, if small, community. Its niche focus means traditional funding methods like one-time purchases or ad revenue wouldn’t sustain development.

That’s why subscriptions are vital. Your support directly funds updates, new features, and improvements. While the game isn’t self-sustaining yet, every bit of support gets us closer.

• A Basic Pass speeds up development and ensures an interruption-free experience.
• An Ultimate Pass unlocks 1,500+ Promo Images, Early Access features, Feature Voting, and your name in the Hall of Fame!

Thank you for supporting this journey—it means the world to me. 🥰

🗳️ Feature Voting Status Report

Ultimate Pass holders have a direct say in what I work on next through Feature Voting. We’re currently in Voting Season 4, which will close when the Lights Out, Cameras On update (2025.1) launches. Here’s how the votes stand so far:

1. Critics & Viewer Reviews: 4,427 votes
2. Streaming Subscription Tiers: 3,819 votes
3. Talent Expansion & Customization: 1,742 votes
4. Episode Production Upgrade: 1,009 votes
5. Network Management Enhancements: 922 votes
6. Genre & Timeline Upgrade: 478 votes
7. Reimagined Weekly Events: 442 votes
8. Show Marketing Campaigns: 407 votes
9. Custom Show Promo Images: 236 votes
10. Unified Top Charts: 153 votes

If you haven’t yet, grab an Ultimate Pass and make your voice heard!

That’s all, folks! 🐽 Happy empire-building, and stay tuned for more updates. 📺

Cheers, Greg Karpati 👋