Solo developer Erik Rempen announces ShantyTown, an upcoming city builder that trades the lofty ambition of creating a soaring megalopolis for a more makeshift approach. It's expected to launch in Q4 of this year, but you can request access right now to a playtest on Steam to help prepare it for release. The sea shanty-free Reveal Teaser shows off gameplay, and the announcement explains further:

In ShantyTown, you’ll unleash your creativity as you build unique, unconventional spaces across a vibrant fictional city. Construct a floating tea shop at a ferry terminal, design a bustling nightlife district inside a transit pipeline, or craft a serene mountaintop temple bathhouse, each location is a fresh canvas for your imagination! Once your masterpiece is complete, snap a scenic shot and add it to your growing dossier before moving on to your next build.

Every location gives you a carefully curated set of objects and a limited space to work with. Stack, arrange, and strategize to create dense, eye-catching dioramas that bring the city to life. There are no strict win-or-lose conditions, just pure creativity! But if you like a little guidance, optional objectives will help shape your vision.