After December’s “back to fundamentals” work—locking our vision and mapping how the game’s systems connect—January was about turning that clarity into forward motion. We focused on preparing the build for major changes, improving performance and usability, and starting our first set of real gameplay improvements aimed at making Project Kingpin a clearer, more connected crime strategy game and criminal empire simulation.
Engineering: Refactors Complete, Ready for Major Additions
A major goal for January was finishing our last set of core refactors to prepare the codebase for upcoming additions and systemic changes.
With those refactors now in the rearview mirror, we ended the sprint in a much better place: the build is more stable, the architecture is cleaner, and iteration is faster. Most importantly, it cleared the runway for us to keep upgrading the prototype without fighting the codebase every step of the way—critical as we expand the simulation and gang management systems.
This feels like a turning point for the project, and we’re excited about what it enables next !!
Asset Implementation Pipeline: Faster Map Building, Better Tools
In parallel, we took a close look at how we implement assets and build out the city map. This wasn’t just a “process review”—it was about identifying what we need to make content creation faster, more consistent, and more user-friendly as the project scales.
We started outlining an early pipeline to answer:
- What tools do we need to speed up map creation?
- Where are the bottlenecks when placing and validating assets?
- How do we reduce friction for designers and level builders?
This work won’t always show up in a single screenshot—but it’s the kind of pipeline improvement that makes development dramatically smoother month over month, especially as our crime strategy project scope expands.
Performance Settings + Early Performance Testing
As we move closer to broader testing, performance and scalability matter more than ever. In January we implemented performance and resolution settings, so the game can better adapt to different PC specs.
We also ran early performance tests across:
- Different map sizes
- Varying building counts
- Early LOD mapping experiments
From there, we analyzed GPU / CPU / memory usage and found early optimization wins. The goal is simple: build toward a stable FPS baseline as the simulation scales—so the experience stays smooth as your criminal empire grows.
Improving Map Presentation: Better Placeholder Assets for Testing
To better represent the experience we’re aiming for—especially as we approach player testing—we improved the look and feel of the game map using higher-quality placeholder assets !
These aren’t final art, but they’re a major step up for readability and immersion. When players jump into the build, we want the world to feel closer to the intended tone—so feedback is focused on the experience, not fighting unfinished visuals.
New Build Improvements: Clarity, Logistics, and Readability
January also marked the beginning of our first set of build improvements post studio transition—changes that directly improve how the game plays and reads !!
A) Simplifying Logistics (Stash Houses, Sales Points, and Money Flow)
We started revisiting core logistics behavior with the goal of reducing friction and making the flow of your empire easier to understand.
Some early focus areas:
- Revisiting how money laundering and sales points interact with stash houses
- Simplifying how stash houses connect across neighborhoods, allowing resources and goods to move back and forth in a clearer, more intuitive stash house network
This is part of the broader V2 direction: less busywork, more intent-driven strategy—so your criminal economy feels readable and satisfying.
B) Map UI/UX Improvements (Icons, Tooltips, Early Overlays)
We also improved the map UI/UX by adding much-needed on-map icons, tooltips, and filtered views—our early version of overlays !!
This increased clarity in a big way:
- It’s easier to read how your empire is connected
- You can see where goods are being produced and where they’re moving
- It’s clearer where expansion opportunities exist
This is exactly the kind of readability work that turns a complex strategy management game into something intuitive and satisfying.
With the foundation stronger and early improvements landing in the build, we’re ready to shift into updates that are more visible and more player-facing. The next sprint is where V2 starts to feel real—not just on paper, but in how the game looks, starts, and plays !
What’s Next
Now that the build is stable and the first improvements are underway, we’re moving into upgrades you’ll actually see and feel—the kind of changes that make the game instantly more readable, more immersive, and more “kingpin” the moment you load in.
“January is where we really flipped the switch into an ‘upgrade and iterate’ mindset. We’re looking at the prototype every day asking, ‘What can we improve next to make this game better?’ And honestly, the community has already helped a ton !!”
— Matt Raimondo, Founder & CEO
Sneak Peek: Gang Archetypes
Get excited—Gang Archetypes are coming to Project Kingpin. This is about defining what kind of organization you’re building from day one—an identity system designed to deepen replayability in our crime strategy game.
Mafia or Cartel, who are you choosing to play?
This isn’t meant to be a cosmetic choice. The goal is for your archetype to shape your early advantages, the problems you face, and the strategies that feel natural as you rise.
More on this soon—but we’re excited, because this is a major step toward stronger gang identity and playthroughs that don’t just look different—they play different.
Join Our Community: We Want to Hear From You !
Your voice truly shapes the future of Project Kingpin. Join our Discord, vote, share your thoughts, and help us build the ultimate crime empire experience together.
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