Ancient Forge is preparing a major relaunch for Hotel Galactic with the Winter Rework Update on December 18 with a 25% Steam Winter Sale discount. The team has overhauled core systems across the board, including NPC behavior, game logic, Act 1 content, the UI, and the Research Tree. With new features like the Rating System and Hotel Compendium, the update reintroduces the game in a form that better reflects its cozy, Ghibli-inspired management sim identity.
Leading into the update, the team just released a Princess Pavonis questline teaser, and today they’re debuting the Rework Developer Video featuring the Technical Director who led the systems rebuild. A new demo launches December 17, offering an early look ahead of the Winter Sale. The full Winter Rework Update and free Wicker DLC launch on December 18, complete with festive holiday decorations. Twitch Drops will run Dec 18–22 and Dec 23–28, awarding three exclusive in-game items and blueprints per period for a total of six rewards. To celebrate, the team is also hosting a Winter Contest with prizes including game keys, plushies currently in production, and a custom Steam Deck.
Winter Rework Update Features
- Comprehensive systems overhaul: Rebuilt NPC behavior and resolved core logic issues to stabilize the hotel’s day-to-day operations.
- Expanded Act 1 content: New narrative additions, including a full VIP questline centered on Princess Pavonis.
- Significant new features: Rating System, Hotel Compendium, Guest Needs, and extended building floors for larger layouts.
- Redesigned systems and quality-of-life improvements: Updated Research Tree, cleaner UI/HUD, workers tasks optimization, and numerous adjustments that improve pacing.
- Balancing and optimization: Broad performance and gameplay refinements to ensure a smoother, more consistent experience.