You can share your own suggestions too via the comments. If I like them, I may even include them in the next instalment!
In no particular order, here are this month's entries...
#121: Release fewer boxes
This suggestion wasn't on the agenda until this week's calamitous update, which brought a second consecutive new box, and a third in just five weeks. It's an alarming rate of boxes when previously we tended to only see one crate update per month.
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| Notification for Dino Crate |
In fact this old schedule went out the window some time ago. Between January and May there was a real famine, with only two fresh boxes released. It may be that Storm8 are trying to make up for that dearth now, and if so I have to wonder why. Did they not have the necessary decorations ready to push out box updates in those months? Whatever the case, the recent spate of crates is really displeasing.
It leaves the player feeling more and more that purchasing gems is a necessity. In reality this is obviously not the case, but too many box updates will result in many users quitting in frustration. It's in the gamemakers' interests to keep as many players hooked as possible - even if they are not regular gem buyers - since there's always the potential there for them to become gem buyers. This is particularly relevant at this time of year when the big seasonal themes are hopefully on the way.
So I'm calling on the game's developers to cut back on box updates. The one a month level was perfectly acceptable, and should remain the going rate. Three in five weeks just isn't acceptable.
#122: Give notification when tables are full
This is the first of two notification based ideas, and comes from Erdmรคnnchen. For many players one of the main reasons for logging into the game other than to serve food is to check if their tables are full of tips for collection. The rate of tipping can vary greatly, so it's very easy to check in too early or late (incurring a number of 'full' and 'lmkwc' wall posts).
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| Tables full of tips in The Garlic Tree |
So how about a notification designed to pop up when our tables are all glittering with gold? At least for iOS players (I'm not sure about how Android works) there is already a notification option for when you receive tips. But this goes one step further and waits until you've maxed out on tips before stalking you with a message.
I don't currently use the notification features for the game, but would certainly consider it if this were available!
#123: Introduce fewer new parts
The situation regarding parts for building appliances is getting out of hand. Ever since the Christmas goals last year, we've had two brand new parts introduced in every goal set, leading to 20 fresh parts in nine months. That in itself is hefty, and when you add in the six parts added with non-goal cookers, the gift list has become more than a little chaotic. So much so that it is becoming a chore to scroll all the way to the food and the traditional basic parts!
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| Start of gift list |
I'm suggesting that the game's developers slow down substantially on the new parts. I can understand the attraction in throwing in new parts as it increases the challenge since nobody has a reserve of them saved up. But not every appliance needs to be strenuous to construct. Perhaps one new part per goal set and none anywhere else would be a fairer rota. Then there is a trickiness maintained in the quests, but the increasing length of the gift list is slowed substantially.
#124: Give notification on Android for new apps
Whenever an update comes via a new app release on Android, it results in all sorts of confusion. Sometimes players are unaware there's a fresh app out there and thus are missing out on content, and sometimes even when players do know there's a shiny new app they can't find it on Google Play!
So the solution is frighteningly simple. Storm8 should provide a pop-up notification within the game to let Android players know that there is a new edition available to download. I'm not talking here about the download goal for gems that can come at any time in the days that follow the app's release. I'm talking about a clear notification window just telling everyone on the Android platform that there's a new version on the go. And the inclusion of a download link would be nice too.
This would really save on some of the puzzlement that follows a new Android release around.
#125: Christmas around the open fire!
Christmas may still be three months away, but I thought it best to get in early with my idea for a special item. Regular readers will be well aware that I have a thing about the recurring characters within the game - Phoebe, Action Chef Lee and Gran-Gran. Well, I'm proposing a decoration this holiday season which includes all three of them, and since Hazel has made an appearance in Restaurant Story too, she can get involved as well!
Previous Suggestion Box posts
I'm envisaging a large 4x4 floor decoration which depicts the four characters enjoying the warmth of a toasty open fire. They can be sipping hot mugs of cocoa or glasses of eggnog, and maybe even opening presents which are perched under a haphazardly decorated Christmas tree. And did I mention that they should all be wearing not only big smiles but oversized woolly jumpers?!
Be it a goal prize, limited time offer or high ranking box item (preferably not!) I think this would be a decoration craved by the vast majority of the community. So go on Storm8, make my Christmas!
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