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Monday, November 2, 2026
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Cloudy 14C
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Vers. 0.8
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📅 Monday, November 2, 2026 | ☁️ Cloudy 14C | 📃 Vers. 0.8 |
Wishlists:
📈 1,255
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Itch.io Views:
👁️ 6,762
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Discord:
🙌 89
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Instagram:
📷 371
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Wishlists: 📈 1,255 | Itch.io Views: 👁️ 6,762 | Discord: 🙌 89 | Instagram: 📷 371 |
This is The RETRORONTO Report, your go-to source for all the latest happenings and updates in the evolving city of Retroronto!
Retroronto’s VGLX-perience
Retroronto made its way west of Toronto last month, appearing at VGLX on October 24–25 at the International Centre in Mississauga. The showcase marked the game's first public appearance outside of Toronto's downtown core, giving it an opportunity to connect with players from across the Greater Toronto Area. The appearance was made possible through Eh! Games Showcase, which provided a table and equipment for the event. Special thanks go to Carl-Edwin Michel for reaching out and helping make the showcase possible.
Much like Toronto Game Expo earlier this year, VGLX proved to be a busy weekend for the game, with plenty of visitors stopping by to try Retroronto and learn more about its development. The event also brought opportunities to speak with several media outlets and creators, including a return interview with bodyelectricity, following their previous conversation with the developer back in March. As with previous appearances, the game's reception continued to generate interest across Instagram and TikTok, even if its creator's pronunciation of Toronto remains a recurring point of debate online.
One of the weekend's highlights was an opportunity to take Retroronto to the VGLX stage, where Carl-Edwin Michel hosted a discussion about the game's development and its inspiration. Having the chance to speak about the project in front of an event audience was a welcome addition to the showcase, and another opportunity to introduce the game to people who may not have encountered it before.
Beyond the exposure, VGLX provided plenty of useful feedback from players, giving the developer a substantial list of observations and ideas to take back into development. Much of November's work has since shifted toward addressing that feedback, alongside the ongoing business and administrative needs of Starspray Studios Ltd. As a result, many of the changes and improvements discussed in this month's update can trace their origins back to conversations held during the event.
With VGLX now behind it, Retroronto is preparing for another public appearance at Toronto Game Expo on November 7–8. The return is being supported by Southern Ontario Game Developers (SO.GD), marking the game's first appearance at the expo's fall event after previously participating in its spring editions. The showcase is expected to be Retroronto's final public event of the year, bringing another opportunity to meet local players and see how the game continues to resonate with Toronto audiences.
VGLX also brought opportunities to connect with fellow independent developers and gaming creators, including Noodle Goose Games and HeroHarmony, both of whom featured Retroronto in interviews recorded during the event. HeroHarmony, a channel dedicated to Canadian gaming and convention culture, livestreamed a conversation covering the game's mid-2000s Toronto setting, its development, and some of the challenges facing independent developers. These conversations offered another way to introduce Retroronto to audiences beyond the show floor, while celebrating the connections being built throughout Canada's indie game community.
- Eliza O’Brien, Staff Reporter
Monthly Roadmap Recap
Nothing new to report on the monthly roadmap, as loose-ends are currently being tied until the end of the year, and 2027’s roadmap is in the works.
Where citizens say what’s on their mind, and we print it anyway.
Halloween’s Community
By Marcus T., 29
You can barely walk down certain streets without bumping into someone dressed as a vampire, a traffic cone, or whatever that group of twelve people decided to coordinate as. But honestly, I kind of love it. Toronto can feel like a million people living separate lives on top of each other, but for one night everyone's out, everyone's laughing, and everyone's part of the same thing. Wish we had more of that.
The Winter Migration
By Patricia K., 61
It's happening again… Every year, the moment November arrives, everyone starts walking like they're late for a flight. Heads down, shoulders up, scarves pulled over their faces. The patio chairs disappear, the windows close, and suddenly nobody wants to talk to anybody. I know winter is coming, but we don't have to act like it's already January. There's still plenty of autumn left!
Never Any Free Time
By Ethan P., 19
I swear November has to be the busiest month at school. Midterms are barely over and now everyone's talking about final projects, presentations, and exams. Meanwhile, it gets dark before I even get home. How am I supposed to find time to do anything? I had plans to go out with friends this weekend, but apparently my group has decided that we're all going to spend Saturday in the library….
Classifieds
EAVESTROUGH CLEANING
Need those gutters cleared before the snow arrives? Offering leaf removal and eavestrough cleaning for homes and small businesses. Downspouts checked and debris bagged for disposal. Reliable service with reasonable rates. Weekend appointments available.
WINTER TIRE CHANGEOVERS
Getting ready for the first snowfall? Offering tire changeover services for cars and small SUVs. Experienced mechanic with access to a fully equipped garage. Evening and weekend appointments available. Call ahead to book before the winter rush.
SNOW SHOVELLING & SALTING
Offering reliable snow removal for driveways, walkways, and front steps throughout the winter. Salt and sand application available upon request. Senior discounts offered. Early morning and evening visits available. Call ahead to arrange regular service.
Obituaries
MARGARET ELEANOR WHITAKER
(1941-200X)
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Eleanor Whitaker announces her passing at the age of 85. A lifelong Toronto resident, Margaret spent much of her life in the west end, where she raised her family and became a familiar face to generations of neighbours.
Known for her generous spirit, beautiful garden, and wonderfully dry sense of humour, Margaret was always ready to lend a hand or welcome someone in for a cup of tea. She loved crossword puzzles, Sunday walks, and hosting family dinners, where nobody was ever allowed to leave hungry.
In her younger years, Margaret worked as a seamstress, often making clothes for her children and later teaching her grandchildren how to sew. She was also an avid gardener, taking particular pride in her roses and insisting that even the smallest balcony deserved a little greenery. She had a way of finding joy in ordinary things, and never missed an opportunity to remind those around her not to take life too seriously.
She is survived by her two children, four grandchildren, and many dear friends. Her family will remember her as a devoted mother, a patient teacher, and someone who always made room for one more at the table.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Events
WINTER WARM-UP FESTIVAL
Celebrate the arrival of the colder season with an afternoon of food, music, and neighbourhood activities. Local vendors will offer hot cider, baked goods, handmade crafts, and seasonal treats, while visitors can enjoy outdoor games and a bonfire gathering. Live folk music, hot chocolate, and a children's mitten decorating station will be available throughout the afternoon. A small collection of local shelters will also be accepting donations of warm clothing and winter supplies. Dress warmly, bring a friend, and try not to spill your cider on the one pair of gloves you actually like.
TORONTO AUTUMN PHOTO WALK
Grab your camera and join fellow photography enthusiasts for a guided walk through the city's changing autumn scenery. Participants will explore colourful streets, leafy parks, and interesting neighbourhood architecture while sharing tips and taking photographs along the way. The walk will be suitable for all skill levels, with stops for group photos and informal photography advice throughout the route. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras or smartphones, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Stick around afterward to share your favourite shots and discover a few neighbourhood views you might have overlooked.
Changelog
CHANGES/FIXES:
Fixed station UI text line-breaking for Mash fill actions
Fixed a bug where smoothies became milkshake trash items upon consumption
Fixed a bug where deodorants wouldn't fix the 'stink' status effect when consumed
Fixed a bug where price tags wouldn't show in BOOS fridges
Fixed a bug where particle effects for drunk and stink would show in bar environments when they shouldn't
Adjusting sorting orders for all store shelves so UI wouldn’t clip into other shelves
NPCs will now talk in dialogue window
Fixed a bug where player could be nudged by interior colliders when exiting interiors, bumping them within buildings and leaving them stuck
Fixed a bug where NPC Sellers would walk in place sometimes when speaking to them during movement
Fixed a bug where Learn mode dialogue never showed up
Fixed a bug where you couldn’t go back to main menu from learn mode
Adjusted back button in main menu so it doesn't cover the demo version text
Place Icons in the overworld stay highlighted at night to better see them, revert back to normal during the day
Adjusted centre map position so full zoom out of map doesn't cut off top
Fixed a bug where if the player answers a call while highlighting an NPC, it breaks dialogue for both and softlocks player
Fixed a bug where dialogue for fetch tasks would show '[item]' instead of the required item name
Drinkable items now say 'Drink [item]' when holding them, instead of 'Eat [item]'
Fixed PlayerFeedback and FillBar so it should sit above everything in the sorting order
Adjusted fill meter and fill actions when eating
Changed lots of food items to be either Timed, Hold, or Mash fill actions depending on food type
Adjusted sound effects for eating and drinking items
Magazines and books should now play a 'page' sound effect when reading them
Fixed a bug where milk from a home fridge could be drunk instantaneously
Players will now start the game at 8am instead of 12pm
Players now start with 10 in each skill
Adjusted Delivery Minigames where Mail and Pizza score based on travel distance, while posters are paid a flat rate per delivery
Adjusted place selection in map to be more accurate to the icons instead of the collisions underneath them
Street UI now shows up in the Map screen
Adjusted City Region sizes so Street UI can show them more accurately
Place and Park UI now show in the map screen when you select a place
Fixed a bug where getting sick and smelly at the same time would interrupt each others dialogue, and not start a task
Fixed a bug where sick and smelly dialogues would start in the week status screen
Adjusted all stat loss by 1 when sleeping per week to per month instead
Adjusted required home maintenance score from 3 to 2
Fixed a bug where Home icons would disappear at 6pm
Players will now be unable to continue eating food if the hunger meter is nearly full
Reduced Laundry times for both washer and dryer by 10 seconds
Fixed a bug where the laundromat exit would still be active when a laundry item was in a washer before processing
Fixed a potential bug where the Stink status effect would stack, decimating the player's charm stat
Adjusted all Dad dialogue files to be less talkative
Time will now pause when in dialogue, but cars, public transit, and pedestrians can still move (unless using the map)
Players can now advance the "Eat Something" task by buying food at a food stall
Fence gates in parks now make a noise when opening/closing
Calls from Dad will now have coloured text for emphasis
Changed a majority of the trash bins in interior environments (except parks) into smaller sprites, and updated their arrow animations
Players can now wash themselves at sinks and showers without soap to clear the stink status, but without any charm bonuses.
Fixed a bug where stations added last update would be interactable in homes player hasn't rented
Removed the ‘Clinics’ place set and moved the Clinic into the Service place set in the map screen
Players can now exit out of Player ID screen with [Escape] or [START]
ADDITIONS:
Added some input UI to eating food to match it's fill action when eating
Adding input UI to poster delivery minigame places
Phone will now stop ringing after 16 seconds
Adding drinking sound effects for drink items
Added Carlton Street
NPCs in the overworld will now despawn after some time, and/or at certain times of the day/night
NPCs in the overworld that don't have active tasks will now refresh after 1PM
Dialogues for first-time tasks will now queue up, so other dialogues can start after prior ones finish
Added Input icons to Phone Notifications
Players can now pass out from exhaustion if their sleep meter hits 0%, advancing the week and setting the player's sleepScore depending on whether they passed out outside or inside
Players can now pass out from over-drinking if their drunkScore exceeds their drunkTolerance
Players can get kicked out of stores, bars, banks, food, and libraries if they pass out in them.
Added more trash bins in food places and other interiors
Added dialogue for using the map, sleeping, and updating stats for the first time
Added dialogue with Dad after finishing demo sequence, where you can chat with him, ask for advice, or receive a bad joke
Removals:
Removed Black BG from Park Interiors
Removed Bus Interaction (temporarily, exiting them can trap players within buildings at certain areas)
Removed highlighting on park benches
Removed Doctor's selling medication to players in dialogue
Got feedback, questions, or concerns about the development of Retroronto? Join the discord server below!
EDITOR’S NOTES
Hi readers!
Hope everyone's Halloween was fun this year, landing on a Saturday no less! I've recently learned that this won't happen again for another 11 years. To be honest, I've never been a big Halloween celebrator, as I typically spend the time with family. Regardless, I ate my fill of candy and was reminded that I'm in my 30s now, so eating like I did when I was younger isn't quite as fun anymore (hurts my stomach so good, though).
I can hear the ice cracking in the distance, heralding the return of the great Mariah Carey on the year's horizon. This month will effectively mark Retroronto's second anniversary, as I released the game's demo back in November 2024. The game has certainly come a long way since then, but I'll save a look back at everything we've accomplished this year for a year-end post. I can assure you there's plenty to talk about!
Otherwise, this month was pretty... interesting, to say the least. While handling financial year-end matters, I somehow managed to hurt my back while sleeping and spent a good week or so trying to recover (just before VGLX, which was alarming). I'm feeling better now, but it definitely felt like the final week of this month needed to make up for some lost time. The changes are quite numerous, so I really hope they'll be worth it.
Okay, that's enough from me. I've got a new trailer to make for the game after all these changes, and then TGE to prepare for, which will no doubt bring about some more feedback I'll need to address. Stay tuned for that, as November and December will likely be the last two months of demo development before I switch gears toward Steam Next Fest in February.
Cheers,
Sean "Shramper" Browning
Disclaimer:
The names, classifieds, obituaries, and events featured in this publication are entirely fictional and not associated with any real people or entities. While the content is loosely inspired by the development of Retroronto, it is largely embellished for the sake of engagement and fun. The goal is to present the city and its progress as closely to a newspaper as possible. Please don’t take it all too seriously!