Hi everyone!
This week I've been working on implementing the reward and progression system for the game. I think this is the last major part of the core game loop that's not in yet. After this, you'll be able to play the game right through, so I can start working on content, improving things and adding extras!
To start with, I've added a new end-game reward screen, which shows you what you've received. The idea is to play short rounds (of about 30-60 minutes) in one restaurant and then get new things to try in your next restaurant. That's not to say you can't play for longer, and as you get better there shouldn't be a limit on how far you can go for, but I figured this was the best way to let people not get stuck playing really long rounds in co-op.
Here are some work-in-progress images:
Some rewards give you new appliances that you can bring with you to a later restaurant -- if you've got a big plans you can kick start them with some of your garage items, and get straight into the action.
You can also be rewarded with new dishes, so that there's plenty of new action to keep you going. Currently in the game are pies, steaks, salads and fish, but I've got lots more planned! I want each dish to feel different, so each one is designed with a particular mechanic in mind: steaks are all about careful frying, salads all about combing lots of ingredients, and so on.
The third kind of upgrade you can get upgrades your headquarters, which gives you more options when setting up your restaurants, such as bigger layouts, more to choose from, and special conditions to meet. This is also how you'll unlock restaurants in new settings and conditions. I'm also thinking about adding special challenge restaurants which you can try and beat such as serving formal dinner in a stately home, or perhaps running a bar on a cruise ship.
PS As a bonus, here's a restaurant where I tried to fit in as many chairs as possible into the dining room
