diff --git a/mvp/client/ui/src/api/generated/models/GameSessionDTO.ts b/mvp/client/ui/src/api/generated/models/GameSessionDTO.ts
index d36224b..1666f88 100644
--- a/mvp/client/ui/src/api/generated/models/GameSessionDTO.ts
+++ b/mvp/client/ui/src/api/generated/models/GameSessionDTO.ts
@@ -15,4 +15,5 @@ export type GameSessionDTO = {
     game_over_reason?: (string | null);
     final_score?: (number | null);
     user_messages?: Record<string, UserMessage>;
+    cash_multiplier?: number;
 };
diff --git a/mvp/client/ui/src/components/MachineData.svelte b/mvp/client/ui/src/components/MachineData.svelte
index 74704f1..0b2c652 100644
--- a/mvp/client/ui/src/components/MachineData.svelte
+++ b/mvp/client/ui/src/components/MachineData.svelte
@@ -154,7 +154,12 @@
   }
 
   .message-card.WARNING {
-    background-color: #ffffe0; /* Light yellow */
-    color: #000000; /* Black */
+    background-color: #ffffe0;
+    color: #000000;
+  }
+
+  .message-card.INFO {
+    background-color: rgba(129, 248, 94, 0.86);
+    color: #000000;
   }
 </style>
diff --git a/mvp/client/ui/src/components/SessionData.svelte b/mvp/client/ui/src/components/SessionData.svelte
index 1cfaec4..88d963e 100644
--- a/mvp/client/ui/src/components/SessionData.svelte
+++ b/mvp/client/ui/src/components/SessionData.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import {type GameSessionDTO, PlayerActionsService, SessionsService,} from "src/api/generated";
-  import {formatNumber, isNotUndefinedNorNull, isUndefinedOrNull,} from "src/shared/utils";
+  import {type GameSessionDTO, PlayerActionsService, SessionsService} from "src/api/generated";
+  import {formatNumber, isNotUndefinedNorNull, isUndefinedOrNull} from "src/shared/utils";
   import {
     dayInProgress,
     gameOver,
@@ -67,7 +67,9 @@
 {#if isNotUndefinedNorNull($gameSession) && !$gameOver}
   <div class="session-data">
     <p>Current Step: {$gameSession?.current_step}</p>
-    <p>Available Funds: {formatNumber($gameSession?.available_funds)}</p>
+    <p class:highlight-funds={($gameSession?.cash_multiplier??0) > 1}>
+      Available Funds: {formatNumber($gameSession?.available_funds)}
+    </p>
     <div class={`session-controls ${$isOnNarrowScreen ? "flex-row" : "flex-col"}`}>
       <button on:mousedown={advanceToNextDay} disabled={$dayInProgress}>
         Advance to next day
@@ -96,4 +98,9 @@
   .flex-col {
     flex-direction: column;
   }
+
+  .highlight-funds {
+    color: #00da86;
+    font-weight: bold;
+  }
 </style>
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/analysis/rul_prediction.py b/mvp/server/core/analysis/rul_prediction.py
index 616ee18..9b5d72e 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/analysis/rul_prediction.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/analysis/rul_prediction.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 import onnxruntime as rt
 
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
+from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import OperationalParameters
 
 # Load the SVR pipeline from ONNX file
 onnx_path = "mvp/server/core/analysis/artifacts/svr_pipeline_23_06_24.onnx"
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/constants.py b/mvp/server/core/constants.py
index 85b4a1e..5d279ca 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/constants.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/constants.py
@@ -26,3 +26,4 @@
 MAINTENANCE_COST = 40
 SENSOR_COST = 30
 PREDICTION_MODEL_COST = 50
+DEMAND_PEAK_EVENT_PROBABILITY = 0.2
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/game/GameSession.py b/mvp/server/core/game/GameSession.py
index 3302db9..f0bca69 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/game/GameSession.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/game/GameSession.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import asyncio
 import os
+import random
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Callable
 
@@ -9,8 +10,7 @@
 from mvp.server.core.analysis.rul_prediction import default_rul_prediction_fn, svr_rul_prediction_fn
 from mvp.server.core.constants import *
 from mvp.server.core.game.UserMessage import UserMessage
-from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import MachineState
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
+from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import MachineState, OperationalParameters
 
 load_dotenv()
 
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class GameSession(BaseModel):
     state_publish_function: Callable[["GameSession"], None]
     rul_predictor: Callable[[int, OperationalParameters, list[str]], int | None] = default_rul_prediction_fn
     user_messages: dict[str, UserMessage] = {}
+    cash_multiplier: int = 1
 
     @staticmethod
     def new_game_session(_id: str, _state_publish_function: Callable[["GameSession"], None]) -> "GameSession":
@@ -74,14 +75,21 @@ def update_game_over_flag(self) -> None:
                 f"{datetime.now()}: GameSession '{self.id}' - machine failed at step {self.current_step} - {self.machine_state}"
             )
 
-    async def advance_one_turn(self) -> list[MachineState]:
+    async def advance_one_turn(self) -> list[MachineState] | None:
         collected_machine_states_during_turn = []
 
         self.last_updated = datetime.now()
 
+        # if there is a demand peak bonus up to this point, multiply the player cash for this turn!
+        if "demand_peak_bonus" in self.user_messages:
+            self.cash_multiplier = 2
+
+        self.user_messages.pop("demand_peak_bonus", None)
+
         for _ in range(TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE):
-            # collect stats
-            collected_machine_states_during_turn.append(self.machine_state)
+
+            if os.getenv("COLLECT_MACHINE_HISTORY", False):
+                collected_machine_states_during_turn.append(self.machine_state)
 
             self.update_game_over_flag()
             if self.is_game_over:
@@ -92,7 +100,8 @@ async def advance_one_turn(self) -> list[MachineState]:
 
             # Player earns money for the production at every timestep,
             # proportional to the health of the machine (bad health = less efficient production)
-            self.available_funds += (self.machine_state.health_percentage / 50) * REVENUE_PER_DAY / TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE
+            self.available_funds += self.cash_multiplier * (
+                    self.machine_state.health_percentage / 50) * REVENUE_PER_DAY / TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE
 
             # Publish state every 2 steps (to reduce the load on the MQTT broker)
             if self.current_step % 2 == 0:
@@ -100,21 +109,32 @@ async def advance_one_turn(self) -> list[MachineState]:
 
             await asyncio.sleep(GAME_TICK_INTERVAL)
 
+        if (random.random() < DEMAND_PEAK_EVENT_PROBABILITY) or os.getenv("DEV_FORCE_DEMAND_PEAK_EVENT", False):
+            self.user_messages["demand_peak_bonus"] = UserMessage(
+                type="INFO",
+                content="Demand Peak! - Skip maintenance and earn 2x cash in the next turn!"
+            )
+
         self.update_rul_prediction()
+        self.current_step += 1
+        self.cash_multiplier = 1
 
-        self.machine_state_history.extend(
-            zip(
-                range(self.current_step - TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE, self.current_step),
-                collected_machine_states_during_turn
+        if os.getenv("COLLECT_MACHINE_HISTORY", False):
+            self.machine_state_history.extend(
+                zip(
+                    range(self.current_step - TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE, self.current_step),
+                    collected_machine_states_during_turn
+                )
             )
-        )
-
-        return collected_machine_states_during_turn
+            return collected_machine_states_during_turn
 
     def do_maintenance(self) -> bool:
         if self.available_funds < MAINTENANCE_COST:
             return False
 
+        # if there was a demand peak bonus and player does maintenance, it gets cleared
+        self.user_messages.pop("demand_peak_bonus", None)
+
         self.current_step += 1
         self.available_funds -= MAINTENANCE_COST
         self.machine_state.do_maintenance()
@@ -146,7 +166,7 @@ def purchase_prediction(self, prediction: str) -> bool:
         return True
 
     def update_rul_prediction(self) -> None:
-        self.user_messages.clear()
+        self.user_messages.pop("rul_accuracy_warning", None)
 
         # TODO: clean up this stuff; it feels awkward having to iterate when there is only 1 type of prediction...
         for prediction, purchased in self.available_predictions.items():
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/game/GameSessionDTO.py b/mvp/server/core/game/GameSessionDTO.py
index f949501..e2a9ecf 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/game/GameSessionDTO.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/game/GameSessionDTO.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class GameSessionDTO(BaseModel):
     game_over_reason: str | None = None
     final_score: float | None = None
     user_messages: dict[str, UserMessage] = {}
+    cash_multiplier: int = 1
 
     @staticmethod
     def from_session(session: GameSession) -> "GameSessionDTO":
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ def from_session(session: GameSession) -> "GameSessionDTO":
             is_game_over=session.is_game_over,
             machine_state=MachineStateDTO.from_machine_state(session.machine_state),
             final_score=None,
-            user_messages=session.user_messages
+            user_messages=session.user_messages,
+            cash_multiplier=session.cash_multiplier
         )
 
         if session.is_game_over:
@@ -55,5 +57,6 @@ def from_dict(json: dict[str, Any]) -> "GameSessionDTO":
             machine_state=MachineStateDTO.from_dict(json.get("machine_state", {})),
             available_funds=json.get("available_funds", 0.),
             is_game_over=json.get("is_game_over", False),
-            user_messages=json.get("user_messages", {})
+            user_messages=json.get("user_messages", {}),
+            cash_multiplier=json.get("current_step", 1),
         )
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/game/UserMessage.py b/mvp/server/core/game/UserMessage.py
index 9a3505e..b3d4c01 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/game/UserMessage.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/game/UserMessage.py
@@ -6,4 +6,3 @@
 class UserMessage(BaseModel):
     type: Literal["WARNING", "INFO"]
     content: str
-    seen: bool = False
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineState.py b/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineState.py
index 5513f80..c2ec814 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineState.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineState.py
@@ -1,11 +1,117 @@
+import math
+import random
 from typing import Any, Callable
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
-from mvp.server.core.constants import TEMPERATURE_STARTING_POINT, HEALTH_RECOVERY_FACTOR_ON_MAINTENANCE, \
-    MECHANICAL_WEAR_REDUCTION_FACTOR_ON_MAINTENANCE
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
-from mvp.server.core.math_utils import constrain_from_0_to_100
+from mvp.server.core.constants import *
+from mvp.server.core.math_utils import linear_growth_with_reset, map_value, exponential_decay, constrain_from_0_to_100
+
+
+class OperationalParameters(BaseModel):
+    temperature: float | None
+    oil_age: float | None
+    mechanical_wear: float | None
+
+    def get_purchasable_sensors(self) -> set[str]:
+        return self.model_fields_set
+
+    def update(self, current_timestep: int) -> None:
+        self.temperature = self.compute_machine_temperature(current_timestep)
+        self.oil_age = self.compute_oil_age(current_timestep)
+        self.mechanical_wear = self.compute_mechanical_wear(current_timestep)
+
+    def compute_health_percentage(self, current_timestep: int, current_health: float) -> float:
+        raw_value = round(
+            exponential_decay(
+                current_timestep,
+                initial_value=current_health,
+                decay_speed=self.compute_decay_speed()
+            )
+        )
+
+        raw_value -= random.random() * (0.005 * raw_value)
+
+        return constrain_from_0_to_100(raw_value)
+
+    def compute_decay_speed(self) -> float:
+        # TODO: calibrate these weights
+        temperature_weight = 0.01
+        oil_age_weight = 0.001
+        mechanical_wear_weight = 0.1
+
+        # Made-up calculation involving operational parameters:  temperature, oil age, mechanical wear
+        computed = self.temperature * temperature_weight + \
+                   self.oil_age * oil_age_weight + \
+                   self.mechanical_wear * mechanical_wear_weight
+
+        mapping_max = TEMPERATURE_MAPPING_MAX * temperature_weight + \
+                      OIL_AGE_MAPPING_MAX * oil_age_weight + \
+                      MECHANICAL_WEAR_MAPPING_MAX * mechanical_wear_weight
+
+        computed = min(mapping_max, computed)
+
+        return map_value(computed, from_low=0, from_high=mapping_max, to_low=0, to_high=0.005)
+
+    def compute_machine_temperature(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
+        # temperature grows linearly over the 8 hours of a shift (resets every 8 hours)
+        raw_value = self.mechanical_wear * linear_growth_with_reset(
+            initial_value=0,
+            period=TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE,
+            current_timestep=current_timestep
+        )
+
+        raw_value -= random.random() * raw_value
+
+        return map_value(
+            raw_value,
+            from_low=0,
+            from_high=TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE - 1,
+            to_low=TEMPERATURE_STARTING_POINT,
+            to_high=TEMPERATURE_MAPPING_MAX
+        )
+
+    def compute_oil_age(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
+        # oil age grows monotonically and resets only after every maintenance routine
+        raw_value = min(1e6, self.oil_age + ((current_timestep / 1000) * (self.temperature ** 2)))
+        raw_value += random.random() * raw_value
+
+        return map_value(
+            raw_value,
+            from_low=self.oil_age,
+            from_high=1e6,
+            to_low=self.oil_age,
+            to_high=OIL_AGE_MAPPING_MAX
+        )
+
+    def compute_mechanical_wear(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
+        # mechanical wear grows monotonically, directly proportional to oil ag.
+        # for now it never resets (such that at some point, the machine will definitely break and game over)
+        raw_value = min(1e6, math.exp(current_timestep / 200) * self.oil_age)
+        raw_value += random.random() * raw_value
+
+        return map_value(
+            raw_value,
+            from_low=0,
+            from_high=1e6,
+            to_low=self.mechanical_wear,
+            to_high=MECHANICAL_WEAR_MAPPING_MAX
+        )
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, float]:
+        return {
+            "temperature": self.temperature,
+            "oil_age": self.oil_age,
+            "mechanical_wear": self.mechanical_wear
+        }
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def from_dict(json: dict[str, float]) -> 'OperationalParameters':
+        return OperationalParameters(
+            temperature=json.get("temperature", 0),
+            oil_age=json.get("oil_age", 0),
+            mechanical_wear=json.get("mechanical_wear", 0)
+        )
 
 
 class MachineState(BaseModel):
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineStateDTO.py b/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineStateDTO.py
index 36dbcb9..cf7a7c4 100644
--- a/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineStateDTO.py
+++ b/mvp/server/core/machine/MachineStateDTO.py
@@ -2,8 +2,7 @@
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
-from mvp.server.core.machine import MachineState
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
+from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import MachineState, OperationalParameters
 
 
 class MachineStateDTO(BaseModel):
diff --git a/mvp/server/core/machine/OperationalParameters.py b/mvp/server/core/machine/OperationalParameters.py
deleted file mode 100644
index afa4300..0000000
--- a/mvp/server/core/machine/OperationalParameters.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,113 +0,0 @@
-import math
-import random
-
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-
-from mvp.server.core.constants import *
-from mvp.server.core.math_utils import linear_growth_with_reset, map_value, exponential_decay, constrain_from_0_to_100
-
-
-class OperationalParameters(BaseModel):
-    temperature: float | None
-    oil_age: float | None
-    mechanical_wear: float | None
-
-    def get_purchasable_sensors(self) -> set[str]:
-        return self.model_fields_set
-
-    def update(self, current_timestep: int) -> None:
-        self.temperature = self.compute_machine_temperature(current_timestep)
-        self.oil_age = self.compute_oil_age(current_timestep)
-        self.mechanical_wear = self.compute_mechanical_wear(current_timestep)
-
-    def compute_health_percentage(self, current_timestep: int, current_health: float) -> float:
-        raw_value = round(
-            exponential_decay(
-                current_timestep,
-                initial_value=current_health,
-                decay_speed=self.compute_decay_speed()
-            )
-        )
-
-        raw_value -= random.random() * (0.005 * raw_value)
-
-        return constrain_from_0_to_100(raw_value)
-
-    def compute_decay_speed(self) -> float:
-        # TODO: calibrate these weights
-        temperature_weight = 0.01
-        oil_age_weight = 0.001
-        mechanical_wear_weight = 0.1
-
-        # Made-up calculation involving operational parameters:  temperature, oil age, mechanical wear
-        computed = self.temperature * temperature_weight + \
-                   self.oil_age * oil_age_weight + \
-                   self.mechanical_wear * mechanical_wear_weight
-
-        mapping_max = TEMPERATURE_MAPPING_MAX * temperature_weight + \
-                      OIL_AGE_MAPPING_MAX * oil_age_weight + \
-                      MECHANICAL_WEAR_MAPPING_MAX * mechanical_wear_weight
-
-        computed = min(mapping_max, computed)
-
-        return map_value(computed, from_low=0, from_high=mapping_max, to_low=0, to_high=0.005)
-
-    def compute_machine_temperature(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
-        # temperature grows linearly over the 8 hours of a shift (resets every 8 hours)
-        raw_value = self.mechanical_wear * linear_growth_with_reset(
-            initial_value=0,
-            period=TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE,
-            current_timestep=current_timestep
-        )
-
-        raw_value -= random.random() * raw_value
-
-        return map_value(
-            raw_value,
-            from_low=0,
-            from_high=TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE - 1,
-            to_low=TEMPERATURE_STARTING_POINT,
-            to_high=TEMPERATURE_MAPPING_MAX
-        )
-
-    def compute_oil_age(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
-        # oil age grows monotonically and resets only after every maintenance routine
-        raw_value = min(1e6, self.oil_age + ((current_timestep / 1000) * (self.temperature ** 2)))
-        raw_value += random.random() * raw_value
-
-        return map_value(
-            raw_value,
-            from_low=self.oil_age,
-            from_high=1e6,
-            to_low=self.oil_age,
-            to_high=OIL_AGE_MAPPING_MAX
-        )
-
-    def compute_mechanical_wear(self, current_timestep: int) -> float:
-        # mechanical wear grows monotonically, directly proportional to oil ag.
-        # for now it never resets (such that at some point, the machine will definitely break and game over)
-        raw_value = min(1e6, math.exp(current_timestep / 200) * self.oil_age)
-        raw_value += random.random() * raw_value
-
-        return map_value(
-            raw_value,
-            from_low=0,
-            from_high=1e6,
-            to_low=self.mechanical_wear,
-            to_high=MECHANICAL_WEAR_MAPPING_MAX
-        )
-
-    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, float]:
-        return {
-            "temperature": self.temperature,
-            "oil_age": self.oil_age,
-            "mechanical_wear": self.mechanical_wear
-        }
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def from_dict(json: dict[str, float]) -> 'OperationalParameters':
-        return OperationalParameters(
-            temperature=json.get("temperature", 0),
-            oil_age=json.get("oil_age", 0),
-            mechanical_wear=json.get("mechanical_wear", 0)
-        )
diff --git a/mvp/server/tests/test_game_session.py b/mvp/server/tests/test_game_session.py
index dc6f68a..346db81 100644
--- a/mvp/server/tests/test_game_session.py
+++ b/mvp/server/tests/test_game_session.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import os
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 
 import pytest
@@ -24,6 +25,8 @@ def test_game_session_initialization(game_session):
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_game_session_advance_one_turn(game_session):
+    os.environ["COLLECT_MACHINE_HISTORY"] = "1"
+
     initial_health = game_session.machine_state.health_percentage
     initial_step = game_session.current_step
 
diff --git a/mvp/server/tests/test_operational_parameters.py b/mvp/server/tests/test_operational_parameters.py
index 582b229..8e05461 100644
--- a/mvp/server/tests/test_operational_parameters.py
+++ b/mvp/server/tests/test_operational_parameters.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 from mvp.server.core.constants import TIMESTEPS_PER_MOVE
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
+from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import OperationalParameters
 
 
 def test_temperature_grows_monotonically():
diff --git a/mvp/server/tests/test_rul_prediction.py b/mvp/server/tests/test_rul_prediction.py
index 98bcd42..7bd00fe 100644
--- a/mvp/server/tests/test_rul_prediction.py
+++ b/mvp/server/tests/test_rul_prediction.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 from mvp.server.core.analysis.rul_prediction import svr_rul_prediction_fn
-from mvp.server.core.machine.OperationalParameters import OperationalParameters
+from mvp.server.core.machine.MachineState import OperationalParameters
 
 
 class TestSVRRULPredictionFn(unittest.TestCase):