Suggestions Box (Oct 2016)

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.

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...

 #186: Keep up the quality sales

I start with some high praise. This time of year is perhaps the most hotly anticipated period among the players, with Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all big favourites. And that's before we get to the drama of Black Friday. One of the reasons the punters are expectant is the potential for sales, with some of Storm8's finest days being those lit up by great deals. So far this year hasn't disappointed.

Halloween sale items (image courtesy of pixiegamer)

Most fresh in the mind is the gigantic Halloween sale launched earlier this month, with 71 items brought back at discounted rates, including four boxes at 50% off. But let's not forget that there was similar jubilation circulating in September when a large collection of coveted Autumn themed decorations returned, again at cut down prices. Adding in an impressive sale for Valentine's Day at the start of the year and the numerous half price boxes and LTOs, it's fair to say that 2016 has been an outstanding year for special deals.

So I urge the game's developers to continue this trend and finish the year in style. Black Friday is of course the big headliner, and after the damp squib we experienced 12 months ago, there's great hope around the community that this time the biggest day of the shopping year is done right. Players will open their wallets if the range of content included is right, so Storm8 need to make sure that happens!

 #187: Return to larger box prizes

Of late there has been a notable drop-off in the quality of items included in boxes, particularly with respect to the size of the prizes, at least in my opinion. To illustrate my point let's have a look at the past three chests introduced. Just over two weeks ago the School Crate arrived, with the first prize being 3x3 in size. Historically we're used to the first prize being 4x4, so that's an immediate backwards step.

Items from School Crate

But it gets more significant with the Nursery Crate from August. The leading prize was 4x4, but beyond that everything bar one was either 1x1 or a wall decoration. And the Curio Crate added in July lacked any form of imposing content - everything was 2x1 or 1x1. That's just not good enough when you're gambling 24 gems.

Don't get me wrong, an item doesn't have to be big to be good, but it follows that larger prizes have more opportunity to pack in detail and character. Offering mostly smaller stuff just won't impress the players, particularly given that historically the first prizes were 4x4, second prizes were 3x3 and third prizes were 2x2 or 2x1, for the most part. I urge the gamemakers to go back and take a look at their earlier efforts as they are mostly examples of the kind of box I'd be willing to risk my gems for.

 #188: Allow counters be designated decor only

Ever redecorated but felt obliged to keep a counter out which is not suitable for your new theme because it's piled high with food? I know I have, and it's something which is really frustrating. I've discussed counter management before in the Suggestions Box, but on this occasion I'm going to offer the concept of allowing a counter to be designated as a floor decoration.

 Previous Suggestions Box posts

 10/09/16 September 2016
 13/08/16 August 2016
 16/07/16 July 2016
 26/06/16 June 2016
 14/05/16 May 2016

This is beneficial for two reasons. Firstly there's the solving of the theme change dilemma I've just outlined. You could make counters specific to any current themes immune from food, thus making it possible to remove them without the loss of potential coins when the time comes to revamp.

But I'm also aware that there are some lovely counter designs out there which don't deserve to be lumbered with plates. I'm thinking especially of some of the 'disguised counters' that were featured in the last edition of the Suggestions Box. The likes of the Stacked Trunks Counter and Bean Bag look great on their own and could do with the option to prohibit recipes from being plonked on them.

 #189: Add more regular new characters

There was something really pleasing about getting a brand new character in the form of the Hip Techie in the San Francisco themed update around a month back. She was the first new figure I can recall for a while, and was a breath of fresh air. Hopefully we'll see her again in different outfits soon.

In truth a traipse through the market reveals that there are very few regular characters in the game. Phoebe seems to live in the wardrobe considering how many costume changes she's had, while there are a couple of Gran-Gran variations. But other than those two, that's it. I'd love to see some more regulars introduced - the likes of Gran-Gran and Action Chef Lee are much cherished by the players so I think there's definitely scope for one or two more frequenters.

 #190: Allow swapping in of Bakery Story items

Here's an outlandish suggestion which will never see the light of day! It would be fantastic to be able to transfer an item owned over in Bakery Story into Restaurant Story.

This idea is inspired by my gem rich experience in Bakery Story. With four gem dispensers and 10 free gem videos per day, I've been lucky enough to accumulate an incredible stash of gems, with as much as 1,600 in the bank. As a result I buy pretty much every LTO and open every half price box agoing, as well as going potty whenever there's a serious sale.

Gem Dispensers in kitchen section of Lucky Cakes

So I've got quite the collection of decorations and among them are some crackers that would work so well in Restaurant Story. The Autumn Garden, Secret Garden and Breakfast Buffet are just a few examples of top drawer content which I'd love to carry over to my favourite Storm8 title. And of course the exchange system could run both ways. Imagine the possibilities!