Idol Manager Beta 17.5 patch notes:

The latest update for Idol Manager is now live! This update includes some bug fixes and improvements to the game's performance along with some new graphics options. If you joined the beta program by backing the game or buying the game on itch.io, to manually update you can head over to the game's itch.io page to download the latest version.

Improvements:

After staffers max out one of their skills, 25% of experience points they earn for this skill gets added to their other skill

Performance and graphics:

New performance optimizations have been added. How this affects your game will depend on what system you're running on and how big your agency is, but most players should see about a ~30% improvement in FPS.

New (temporary) graphics menu:

A temporary graphics menu has been added, where you can set the resolution, vysnc, and texture quality. (Note: These options will be moved to the main settings menu in the next update.)

If you need a performance boost, especially if you have an agency with lots of idols, you can set texture quality to low and then click "clear cache" in the main menu options to use lower quality idol portraits.

Mods:

• Switched scripting backend from il2cpp to mono - this makes hardcore modding a lot easier
• We're in the process of rewriting how mods work internally - as a result, mods that replace idol or staff sprites won't work properly in this version. They'll work again in the next update; you don't have to change anything.
• Mods: There's a new debug menu for testing dialogues - press F7. Click "Reload files" to update dialogue files without restarting the game.

Bug fixes:

• Fixed: Stylists not earning experience points for their cute/pretty skill
• Fixed: Blurred screen freeze on some machines
• Fixed: Game not starting on some machines
• Fixed: Improved age gap check when two idols start dating

What we've been working on

You might notice that this update looks a bit sparse compared to most (which is why we're calling it update 17.5 instead of version 18). Since the last update, we've been working on a lot of new content and features to the game since the last update related to the game's main narrative. While we usually add new features to the beta as soon as they're ready, we're holding everything related to the main story back until the whole thing is complete so that players can go in fresh and experience the whole story with the pacing we intended, rather than having it slowly trickled out over several months.

That being said, we'd like to give all of you a chance to see some of what what we've been working on, so here's a small peak at some of what we have in store, and introduce you to some of the characters that you'll encounter while playing the main story.

We're not going to cover anything that would be major spoilers, but if you're one of those people who likes to experience things completely fresh and meet characters for the first time while playing the game, feel free to sit this one out.

Main story previews

As you might know if you've been following Idol Manager's development, the game consists both of dynamic semi-random side stories (including scandals that come in the form random events, and substories that follow the smaller conversations that happen inside the agency building), as well as a main narrative. That being said, the main narrative isn't completely linear. While some major events will be common to most playthroughs, there are several different routes leading to several distinct endings. The decisions that you make during (and between) major story events will affect what ending you see. Here are a few of the characters you can expect to encounter along the way.

Rival

If you've played the beta at all, you've already met this shadowy figure:

Your rival is one of the main characters that you'll be interacting with throughout the main story events. (…Erm, what is their name again?)

You're not the only producer in the area who's promoting a new fledgling idol group -- another young upstart has recently undertaken a similar project and she (or he) is going to be keeping a close eye on you to make sure that you don't pull too far ahead. While you might compete against your rival's idol group in the music charts, some of your conflicts will be more direct in nature: the fact that you and your rival are in similar positions means you'll be chasing similar opportunities, and that means you'll be crossing paths from time to time.

That being said, "rival" doesn't have to mean "enemy." As you make choices that affect the path of the story, you may run into chances to make decisions that antagonize them, but you could choose to take a more conciliatory route as well. You can never have too many friends, and that goes for both your personal life and the world of business. (Of course, those two worlds often collide.)

Who knows, your rival might even be able to help you out from time to time, if you're willing to return the favor. Of course, letting your guard down around a potential rival has its risks -- do your best to make sure you're not the one getting stabbed in the back.

Fujimoto

A familiar face that you've already encountered if you've played the beta, Fujimoto is your group's sponsor, and occasionally helps you out during moments early on in the story.

Fujimoto is a man who deals in favors, and he prefers to seal his deals with a handshake than an official contract.

While he has a past that he doesn't talk about too willingly, he seems to have recently turned over a new leaf, and sponsoring an idol group is part of his transition toward turning legit -- at least, a little bit more legitimate than he was before. It's unclear what exactly it is that he's trying to leave behind, but if you spend enough time with him, you might learn a little bit more about his past. He probably won't be revealing any deep dark secrets to someone who's just a business associate, but might be more forthcoming with people he considers to be personal friends. How far you choose to wander down that path of friendship is up to you.

There are definitely perks to being part of Fujimoto's inner circle. That being said, while Fujimoto is willing to lend a helping hand to up-and-coming talent, he doesn't believe in one-sided relationships. When you ask for favors, it's usually customary to ask for something in return.

What exactly is it that Fujimoto wants? That, like many questions, is one that is easier to find an answer to if you're one of his friends.  But who knows: depending on how you play your cards, Fujimoto might end up being the one who's indebted to you.

Aya

Like your rival, Aya is another up-and-comer -- not in the world of entertainment production, but in the world of entertainment reporting.

Equipped with a portable recorder, a wireless microphone, and an intrepid spirit, Aya is willing to go wherever there's a story to be reported -- even if that means ambushing them as they're leaving a recording studio.

In the world of entertainment, the press can make your life harder, or it can make it easier. Aya's always on the prowl for a juicy good story, but sometimes, a story that gets people to pay attention can make your idol group look good -- or make a rival idol group look bad.

While Aya might be on shaky ground when it comes to experience (and journalistic ethics), she makes up for it in ambition. This week it might be blogs and tabloids, but she's looking to move up in the world and make a name for herself. (As the producer of a rising idol group, maybe you can relate.)

One thing's for certain: Aya is a woman with questions, and if you plan to spend much time around her, you'd better be prepared with answers.

Thank you!

Of course, there's a lot more that we could tell you about what's coming in Idol Manager's story, but we don't want to spoil too much. We're still working hard on getting Idol Manager ready for release, and we're looking forward to getting to share the complete story with you when the full game is ready. Hopefully this preview is enough to sate your appetite for now.

Thank you all for supporting Idol Manager!