Hello folks!

I've been watching some streams of Fortune Avenue lately, and I noticed something that needed fixing - the same cards were being drawn repeatedly, turning what should be an hour of fast-paced fun into a marathon of monotony. That's not the Fortune Avenue experience I envisioned! So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work on making this game even better. My goal has always been to create fast-paced, engaging matches that keep everyone on their toes, and this update takes significant steps in that direction.

The voting system has been completely revamped to ensure more meaningful choices. No more scratching your heads over pointless rules - every vote now carries weight in shaping your path to victory. I've also introduced team play, because sometimes it's more fun to plot world domination with a friend! Teams can now work together to build their real estate empire, sharing strategies and resources while trying to outsmart their opponents. And for those moments when luck isn't on your side, I've added the ability to gracefully bow out with the new abandon feature. Because sometimes, dignity is worth more than dollars (though not in-game, obviously). This feature helps keep games moving along at a brisk pace, preventing those dreaded situations where players feel trapped in a losing battle.

Your deck of possibilities has expanded with three new game-changing cards: a surprise grand hotel gift (because who doesn't love free real estate?), random hotel protection (insurance policies are important!), and a direct ticket to the tax office (sorry about that one). Speaking of taxes, they now increase by $30K each time you land on them - my virtual tax collectors need raises too! This progressive tax system adds an interesting twist to the late game, making those tax spaces increasingly threatening as the game goes on. These new cards have been carefully designed to create more dynamic gameplay moments without disrupting the core balance that makes Fortune Avenue special.

The Wheel of Fortune and card animations have received a juicy makeover - they're now more satisfying than ever to use, with improved visual feedback and smoother transitions. Steam Deck users will appreciate the improved font rendering, making text clearer and more readable on the portable screen. I've added comprehensive gamepad support, meaning you can now bankrupt your friends from the comfort of your couch. Every button has been carefully mapped to ensure an intuitive experience whether you're using a controller or the Steam Deck's built-in controls. I've also added the ability to disable joystick vibration, for those who prefer their financial victories without the shake or want to preserve their battery life.

I've squashed some bugs, including the pesky team-based "almost monopole of wonders" issue that was preventing proper wonder monopoly detection in team games. The UI has been polished with animated checkboxes (because even small details matter), and the Steam overlay integration for wishlisting has been smoothed out for a more seamless experience. Festival organizations now show properly on the board - no more invisible parties! The invitation system has also been refined, with the invitation button now properly disabled when a lobby is full, preventing those awkward "sorry, we're full" moments.

This update represents my ongoing commitment to making Fortune Avenue the best digital board game experience possible. I've focused on maintaining the game's signature fast-paced nature while adding meaningful strategic depth through team play and new mechanics. The technical improvements and quality of life changes should make every session more enjoyable, whether you're playing on PC or Steam Deck.

If you have more ideas, please share them - I always read your feedback and take it to heart.
Meanwhile, take care and may the doubles be ever in your favor!
Xavier aka Binogure

Hello folks!

After watching a rather peculiar stream where the same card kept appearing like a stubborn penny (and the game dragged on longer than a mortgage approval), I knew something had to change. Let me walk you through our latest update that's about to make Fortune Avenue even more entertaining!

The card-picking system has been completely overhauled. Gone are the days when the same card would haunt you like a persistent ex. Now, once a card makes its appearance, it politely steps aside, giving other cards their moment in the spotlight. It's like a well-choreographed dance where everyone gets their turn to shine.

Speaking of fresh faces, we've added four magnificent wonders to our board: the Great Lighthouse (because who doesn't need better navigation?), the Forbidden City (not so forbidden anymore), the Empire State Building (King Kong not included), and the Brandenburg Gate. These new additions ensure that each game starts with a different set of wonders, adding that extra sprinkle of variety to your empire-building adventures.
We've also tackled the elephant in the room - those marathon games that lasted longer than a Lord of the Rings extended cut. Through careful rebalancing, we've ensured that games wrap up within 40 minutes. A particularly troublesome rule that was causing these extended sessions has been strategically pushed to mid/late game, when property rents have reached more substantial levels.

Finally, we've fixed two pesky bugs: the emoji panel that overstayed its welcome after games ended (like that one guest who doesn't realize the party's over), and the occasionally confused path-drawing system that sometimes sent players on unexpected detours (our GPS has been updated, so to speak).

If you have more ideas for improving Fortune Avenue, please share them! I always read your feedback and take it to heart. Meanwhile, take care and may the rent always be in your favor!
Xavier aka Binogure