update · October 5, 2026
FirstPlate Prepares for Early Access with Major Endless Mode Update and Modular Fridge
FirstPlate gears up for its Steam Early Access launch this October by dropping a playtest build loaded with 38 Endless Mode Challenge Cards, a modular fridge manager, and multitasking prep. The update also introduces audio sliders, swing music tracks, and performance optimizations.
Cooperative restaurant management game FirstPlate heads to Steam Early Access in mid-to-late October. Prior to launch, the developers released a playtest update introducing gameplay modifiers, inventory overhauls, and general quality-of-life additions.
Endless Mode Challenge Cards
Endless mode now features Challenge Days starting on Day 5 and recurring every few days. Crews must vote within a seven-second window on modifier cards that combine beneficial perks with penalties. The update adds all 38 planned cards to the pool, introducing conditions like Supercollider Zoomies, which increases movement speed at the risk of stunning teammates upon collision, and Vote to Kick, which removes a strike at the cost of turning a teammate into a ghost who can only mop for three days. Other cards include Swap Meet, Hot Potato, Final Detonation, and Sudden Death. Players can check active curses anytime via an in-game tablet.
Kitchen Management and Prep Upgrades
The fridge system has been rebuilt into a visual drag-and-drop shelf manager, letting players place ingredient boxes like bacon, steak, and fish into custom slots that save automatically. Prep work is more fluid thanks to multitasking support: players holding down click to chop food, whisk bowls, or wash dishes can use their free hand to grab or place items on nearby counters without interrupting their current task. A high-speed cutting board with faster animations and audio has also been added to speed up chopping.
Audio, Customization, and Performance
Players can now adjust sound effects independently from music using a new SFX volume slider in the settings menu. Audio polish includes fresh sound effects for cracking eggs, whisking, button clicks, and waffle timer alerts, alongside six new swing and jazz tracks on the radio. Character customization expands to include new chef jackets, varsity jackets, chef hats, and baseball caps. A performance pass reduces stutters during busy rush hours, alongside bug fixes for cooking appliances and cursor flickering.
Why this patch matters
This pre-launch update deepens FirstPlate's co-op loop with punishing modifiers and quality-of-life tools ahead of its October Early Access debut.