Such update.
I was about 2/3rds done on my 300+ capacity prison. Guess this means I'll be starting over....again.....
With zones though! I'm not going to fool with lakes for right now as that seems to be an invitation to buginess. It doesn't really apply to the type of prisons I make, but for people playing legit games that's a pretty nice randomization feature to keep things fresh and challenge designs.
The wood industry....I'm kinda meh on. Again, this is probably nice for people who aren't hacking their cash flow. Although it would be pretty cool to zone off a huge agriculture zone for your prison.
Road gates are pretty cool. I just wish the road logic didn't break when you put anything between the road and the joining edge of a delivery zone. I've tried several configurations of protected entryways and delivery zones and the AI usually locks up. I may have to do some tests. Because I'd like to have the deliveries zone be the first actual part of the prison people touch, and have it behind at least two gates. Not sure how that will work.
The zone path finding logic is pretty sweet. Multiple facilities being used intelligently by prisoners will really allow for way more efficient designs. Or at least thematic ones.
And I dunno if anyone noticed, but there were a couple new items on the objects menu that were fairly tantalizing. Arcade Machine, Guard lockers, Shotgun and Rifle cabinets and a library bookcase. I'm guessing those relate to the prison armory and prisoner education centers (the arcade machine being just another variety of entertainment object.)
PA is coming to the point where it's surpassing my initial expectations of the game. Really all it needs now is gangs, better prisoner personalities and the last few features they've talked before I'd personally say it's ready for Beta.