Warm Grounds
Warm lights. Quiet edges.

⚠️ This page hosts the original Game Jam build.
I’m currently doing a full rebuild in Godot 4.5 (new systems, cleaner visuals, deeper direction). The jam version is short and rough — but it shows the core loop and the vibe.

Cozy, for now

Controls
Movement: WASD
Interact: E
Drop Item: Q
Inventory Switching: Mouse Wheel or 1–3
Quick Transfer: Shift + Click

Warm Grounds

A cozy pixel-art barista life in an autumn city.

Warm Grounds is a calm 2D barista simulation where you inherit a tiny coffee shop tucked between warm-toned buildings, falling leaves, and soft afternoon rain. You run the place alone: preparing drinks, managing ingredients, decorating the interior, and keeping a gentle rhythm through the day. No timers breathing down your neck — just the quiet flow of small, satisfying tasks.

What you do

You start with a simple espresso setup and a handful of classic drinks. Step by step, you expand your menu, buy new stations, unlock recipes, and bring your café to life. Customers arrive with small illustrated order cards; you prepare each drink at the stations, juggling a 3-slot barista inventory to keep things moving smoothly.

Core Mechanics

Barista Inventory (3 Slots)

A minimal system that forces quick decisions.
Carry ingredients, cups, or partially prepared steps. Some items are single-use; others have charges (milk bottles, syrups, cream).

Preparation Stations

Each station has input/output slots and a simple “crafting-like” logic:
• Espresso machine — grind → brew → cup
• Milk station — warm, froth, mix modes (latte/cappuccino)
• Grinder — beans → grounds
• Sink — wash used items
• Cup dispenser — stock and refill
• More specialized stations unlock later

Everything works through readable icons, clean slots, and short actions you can chain quickly.

Orders & Customers

Small cards appear on the right side with:
• customer portrait
• drink name
• icon of the final item
You can maintain a queue of orders, complete them in any order, and lose reputation only if you deliver the wrong drink or cancel.

Storage & Supplies

You store ingredients in:
• Pantry (dry goods)
• Fridge (milk, cream, chocolate, etc.)
From there, you transfer items into your 3-slot inventory using clicks or quick-transfer shortcuts. Stock up at the Good Things shop — beans, syrups, cleaning items, new stations, upgrades.

Progression & Recipes

Start with espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, and expand toward:
• flavored syrups
• seasonal drinks
• upgraded machines with more speed/slots
• larger milk/cream containers
• new cup types
Recipes unlock gradually and stay visible on a single recipe panel for fast reference.

Café & City

Decorate your tiny café with plants, lights, shelves, posters, and a warm autumn palette.
Step outside to a small street scene: benches, falling leaves, passers-by. Light city ambience builds the atmosphere — soft jazz/lo-fi, the hiss of steam, clinking cups.

Game Flow

Play in comfortable sessions:
• work a shift at your own pace
• restock
• tidy the café
• experiment with new stations
No strict timer. No pressure. Just a steady loop of small cozy actions.

Why it feels good

• clear slot-based logic
• minimal clicking
• tactile, readable UI
• warm colors and gentle sound design
• progression that grows the café naturally, not aggressively
• satisfying “little tasks” flow — pick up → process → deliver

Themes / Tone

Cozy, autumn city, warm drinks, soft jazz, pixel art, routine comfort, small business charm, mindful pacing.