News Tower

News Tower puts you in charge of a Manhattan newspaper across the 1930s, from the Great Depression to the brink of World War II. The building itself is a tycoon-style layout — start with a blank floor, place printing presses, compositing desks, reporter rooms, photo darkrooms, legal departments and amenities. Wall placement, elevator routing and pneumatic-tube networks all directly affect how efficiently your team operates as Sunday's deadline approaches.

Staff management runs in parallel with construction. Reporters, photographers, editors, ad salespeople, janitors and over thirty job roles need to be hired, kept fed and focused, and matched to assignments. A happy newsroom is productive; an unhappy one falls behind. Coffee machines, posters, jukeboxes and the obligatory indoor plant help morale, and upgrades from gramophones to slot machines progressively transform the building from a dingy startup into a prestigious workspace.

Editorial decisions are the strategic heart. Each week, assign leads to reporters, choose your editorial approach, pick tags and tones for each article, and assemble Sunday's edition. Crime, Politics, Sports — every topic has its angle, every angle has consequences. Well-researched journalism builds long-term respect; sensational headlines drive short-term sales. Get the mix right and profits soar; get it wrong and you'll face lawsuits, public backlash, or a courtesy visit from the mob.

Four factions push their agendas through you — the Mayor, the Mafia, the Military (added in 1.0), and High Society — each offering deals, cash and connections in exchange for shaping the paper's coverage. Distribution across NYC districts (Harlem, Wall Street, dozens more) each comes with its own reader demographics, and two rival papers — the Empire Observer and Jersey Beacon — steal your scoops and target your audiences. The job is keeping the press independent and the lights on simultaneously.