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Shop Progression

The player's shop begins as a single, fully-fully dressed bodega unit — visually appealing from the start despite its smallmodest size.footprint. Its hybrid Normcore + Cyberpunk lookstyle createsblends warmth (soft blues, fog, lived-in clutter) alongsidewith a sci-fi edge (neon pops, layered signage). From this base, the shop growsexpands both physically and socially through deliberate stocking choices, customerevolving relationships, and spacethe acquisition of adjacent spaces along the station corridor.

Starting State

— "The Lived-In Bodega"
  • Single,Compact, compactone-unit shop space directly connected to the Office/Front Desk.
  • Fully decorated with stocked shelves, displays, and scattered personal touches.touches that look authentic and lived-in.
  • Soft ambient lighting, atmospheric fog/god rays, and a slightly cluttered coziness set the tone.
  • Stock is minimal,minimal drawing— mainlymostly basics that attract locals and casual travelers.
  • All transactionssales handledrun viathrough self-checkout; units — personal interactions occur only when a customerin-person approaches forare conversation,always narrative-driven (conversations, questions, or conflict.confrontations).

Player Choice and Stock Signals ("Pheromones")

Stock selection acts asFrom the player'first day, the shop’s signalidentity — and customer base — is shaped by what the player chooses to the station community:sell:

  • Everyday staples →bring draw in quick,steady, low-engagement customers.traffic.
  • Specialized, rare, or unusual goods → attract more distinctive personalities.personalities who may have deeper stories.
  • These stocking choices determinealter the overall“signal” clientbroadcast mixinto the station community, determining who walks in and open the door to deeper interactions.why.

Solicitors

Some regular customersregulars and Patronsnotable customers act as Solicitors, offering to place their goods for sale in the player'syour shop:

  • EachSolicitor solicitorproducts product isare unique and unavailable from standard suppliers.
  • CarryEach theircarries its own “signal tags” that can drawattract new types of customers.
  • StockingAccepting thesetheir cangoods evolvesubtly shifts the shop'shop’s identitycharacter and varietythe stories that arrive with it.
  • These opportunities emerge naturally overfrom time.the evolving clientele — no gated “license” systems required.

Remote Opportunities — Reseller Network

NotAs allthe market expansion comes face-to-face:

  • Asshop’s reputation grows, the player isbegins receiving contacted via the communication network offers (via Station CommsComms, PDA, or PDA)similar):

    with
      offers
    • Traders from otheroutside tradersthe seekingimmediate area seek a trusted reseller.
    • These opportunities:offers
      • Doare not originatetied fromto Patrons (and are purely commercial,commercial not— story-drivendirect, arcs).transactional opportunities.
      • ProvideThey accesscan toprovide limited-run niche goods or specialty goods that can further shape your shop's customer draw.
      • May be one-time offers orestablish ongoing supply relationships.
      lines.
    • TheseThis contactsexpands expandproduct your influencevariety without requiring on-screennew face-to-face characters to be created or animatedcomplex —asset keeping scope manageable.creation.

    Physical Expansion — From Bodega to Full Row

    • The shop existsis aspart of a linear row of linkedadjacent retail slots along thea station corridor.
    • Linear expansionExpansion occurs bymeans acquiring adjacentneighboring units.units — extending your footprint in one direction.
    • NotSlots allunlock slotsover are available at once; some require:time:
      • StraightforwardSome via straightforward purchase or leasing, ORleasing.
      • SmallOthers through light “mini-drama” narrative “mini-dramas”beats tied to thewith current tenanttenants or station control.officials.
    • Each new unit:acquisition:
      • Extends the usable floor space.floorspace.
      • Allows for addedmore displays and more customer movement.
      • Can be decorated/decorated and stocked immediately or left as flavor space.

    Stages

    Expansion& Visual Payoffs

    • As

      Growth morehappens slotsin aregradual, acquired,atmospheric steps.
      Each stage offers a tangible visual and audio reward while increasing the shopshop’s feels fullerpresence and busier, moving from a cozy corner bodegaconnection to a spacious retail stretch.

    • Full Expansion Visual Payoffs (all slots owned):
      • Hallway-facing walls replaced by glass display cases showcasing goods to foot traffic.
      • Outer-hull walls replaced by vista windows revealing ships docking and departures.
      • Ambient sound broadens — public concourse chatter on one side, deep dock hums on the other.
        • station

    Progression Stages (Suggested)

    1. environment.

      Stage 1 — Lived-In Bodega

      Minimal
        stock,
      • One-unit small space,shop; warm and atmospheric.

        atmospheric from day one.
      • Customer base: locals and casual travelers.
      • Limited stock variety; interactions primarily conversational.

      Stage 2 — Growing Stretch

      • Acquire 1–2 adjacent slots;slots morethrough displays,purchase/narrative broaderbeats.
        • stock;
      • Shop introductionbegins ofto feel spacious, with customers moving between sections.
      • Early Visual Upgrade: Hallway-facing frontage long enough for glass display cases to showcase goods to foot traffic.
      • Ambient audio includes light station concourse chatter.
      • First solicitors and first remote reseller offers.

        offers begin adding specialty stock.

      Stage 3 — Expanding Reach

      • Several slots under control; significant presence in the corridor.
      • Continuous glass frontage along hallway-facing sections.
      • Hull-side walls gain reinforced framing or small viewports, foreshadowing future vista installation.
      • Atmosphere grows denser — more displays, more varied customers, deeper audio layering mixing concourse chatter with distant port sounds.

      Stage 4 — Full Row / Vista Reveal
      Entire corridor section under your control; glass cases and outer-hull windows installed; vibrant customer mix influenced by your chosen stock.

    Progression Drivers

    • All corridor slots owned; uninterrupted hull wall finally large enough for a Economic:vista window installation Sales revenue and/or steady reputation growth..
    • Social:Late Visual Upgrade: ExposureLarge toexterior newwindows solicitorsreveal throughships customerdocking mix.and launching — adding motion, dynamic light, and ambient port audio (docking clamps, muffled thrusters, deep engine hums).
    • Customer Remotemix Network:is Comms-basedat offersits frompeak externaldiversity, resellersfully asreflecting trustthe builds.player’s stocking choices over time.

    Design Goals

    • Keep physical footprint manageable forscope small-team development:friendly: re-use sameone base scene;scene swapsusing andasset swaps/set dressing changesto sell the feeling ofconvey growth.
    • Tie allAll progression — physical, social, and economic — backflows todirectly from player choice ofplayer-controlled stock signals.
    • Use remote communicationsopportunities to broaden productexpand variety without heavyextra assetNPC creationcomplexity.
    • Give each expansion stage a clear narrative or additionalvisual NPCpayoff modeling.so progress feels alive and earned.
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