Suggestions Box (Jul 2015)

Every month I list five things I'd like to see added, altered or abolished from the game. Because even though my long time of playing Restaurant Story clearly shows I love it, that doesn't mean it's perfect. Some of the ideas I'll air will be significant game changers while others will be low-key and irrelevant in the eyes of many of you readers.

In no particular order, here are this month's entries...

 #111: Release a bug fixing update on iOS

Where else could I start?! It's now been exactly a month since the fateful version 1.7.6 update for iOS players, and there has been no fix for the numerous issues which have arisen within it. The problems are wide-ranging and have caused much dismay around the community.

Wall of The Garlic Tree with reduced text size bug

Perhaps the most pressing concern is the faulty gifting system. Right now iOS users can't freely gift their fellows using the 'gift back' button in the Messages window, but instead have to go to their neighbour list in the Social section. This is a particular nuisance when you're accepting a part request from someone and wish to gift the same part back.

Other problems include the removal of the portrait orientation, various text overflows, unnecessarily large menus and reduced text size on walls. All have detracted from the gaming experience, and I strongly urge Storm8 to prioritise putting together another app update which sorts out all these bugs.

 #112: Add a Guy Fawkes theme

I'm getting in early with this seasonal idea, which should be implemented an update or two before Guy Fawkes Night, on November 5th. This is very much a British commemoration, so let me do some explaining! Back in 1605, a bloke called Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with explosives in what is known as the Gunpowder Plot. He was arrested before the act could be carried out, and to celebrate the people lit bonfires all around London. To this day this historic event is commemorated annually with bonfires, firework displays and effigies of the Guy.

So how about the game's developers design an update themed on Guy Fawkes Night? I think this could make for a quality update, with lots of colour from fires and pyrotechnics. Plus there's plenty of scope for decorations featuring bots wrapped up in their hats, scarves and gloves. Food is harder to think of, but a drink based appliance which produces warm mugs of tea wouldn't go amiss!

 #113: Allow avatars to be more customisable

This suggestion is based upon something I read on the Storm8 Forum recently, although I have pondered it myself in the past. At present there are only two avatars to choose from in the Profile tab of the Messages window - it's essentially a choice of gender.

Avatar choice window

Let's have a little more choice in there! I'd like to be able to select many of the features of my avatar, including eye, hair and skin colour, hairstyle, outfit and facial expression. This would give everyone a more personable account. I seem to recall that one of Storm8's other titles, Fashion Story, does provide more options for avatars, so I can't see why this should be a difficulty in Restaurant Story.

 #114: Add a Scottish theme

The London themed update in June was the closest to home I've experienced thus far, but it really only captured the culture of the capital. Since I'm Scottish, I'm proposing a theme based around the world's finest culture!

There are many stereotypes which are heaped upon us Scots, and although some of them have me shaking my head, I would love to see them appear in the game: large rolling hills filled with cows and sheep; the addressing of the haggis before a rowdy ceilidh; a group of red haired pals in kilts passing around a bottle of whisky; a brave bagpiper riding the Loch Ness Monster while reciting some Burns.

The list is endless (and increasingly improbable!) meaning I think it's perfectly possible that a Scottish theme could be used for a goal update. Some of the recipes could include porridge, cullen skink, stovies, deep fried Mars bars and - of course - haggis, neeps and tatties.

So go on Storm8, make my dreams come true! Around either St Andrew's Day (30th November 2015) or Burns Night (25th January 2016) would be perfect timing wise, but I'll happily accept a Scottish theme any time!

 #115: Relate number of customers with diner size

This concept was conjured up by one my neighbours, metal food. I believe that the number of customers who make their way into your diner at the outset depends on your level. The higher your level, the more punters force their way in. Generally this is a logical way of working, but it does have its pitfalls.

 Previous Suggestion Box posts

 29/06/15 June 2015
 25/05/15 May 2015
 25/04/15 April 2015
 28/03/15 March 2015
 21/02/15 February 2015

If you have a small place for your level, then there's a risk of overcrowding and consequently grumbling bots is more likely, as is food selling out sooner. Likewise, a larger place than your level indicates could reduce cash flow and give a surplus of food.

So a steady ratio of customers to restaurant size would be more beneficial. This would give a better chance of finding the right balance between bots entering and leaving that is needed to truly maximise your income. Of course your layout is also a factor, but let's not even go there!