Nine years ago I heard the hosts of videogame podcast Daft Souls describe a perfect game that didn’t exist, a management RPG that was a kind of Stardew Valley but for restaurants where you’d hire staff and cook meals and choose the furniture and maybe romance someone on the side. It’s taken almost a decade but that idle dream of a game is about to be made real.
Saltstone Studio is the team behind it, a group of developers previously responsible for sailing survival choose-em-up The Pale Beyond. Their next game The Hearth & Harbour will put you in charge of the Silver Spoon, an eatery in the fictional city of Lewthport, which is inspired by the developers’ home of Belfast. War’s looming over Lewthport, providing a backdrop of social upheaval to the story of a community-minded restaurant owner.
Customizing the menu and decor of The Silver Spoon might see it become a classy gourmet spot catering to the wealthy, an award-winning bistro, or an honest fry-up eatery stocked with working stiffs. When the doors open it becomes a turn-based tactics game of seating and eating, getting orders in and food out in a timely fashion to keep both customers and staff happy.
The RPG side will see you walking the streets of Lewthport to find ingredients and suppliers, make friends, and maybe find love. Sounds like it’s got it all? What it doesn’t have is a release date, though you can wishlist The Hearth & Harbour right now on Steam.
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It’s exciting to see a concept that’s been in the air for so long finally coming to life! The blend of restaurant management and RPG elements sounds like a unique and engaging experience.
Absolutely, the combination of crafting meals and developing relationships adds a whole new layer to gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how they balance the management aspects with the RPG mechanics to keep players invested.
You’re right; balancing those elements will be crucial. It might also be fascinating to see how they incorporate customer feedback into the gameplay, adding another dynamic to restaurant management.
Absolutely, customer feedback could really enhance the realism and challenge of the game. It will be interesting to see if they include different customer personalities or preferences that affect how you run your restaurant.
That’s a great point! Including varied customer personalities could not only add depth but also create unique scenarios for players to navigate, making each dining experience feel fresh and engaging.
Absolutely, varied customer personalities could really enhance the gameplay. It would also be interesting to see how those personalities influence staff interactions and restaurant management strategies, adding another layer of complexity to the experience.
That’s a great point! Different customer personalities could indeed create unique challenges and opportunities for players, encouraging diverse strategies in both menu planning and staff dynamics. It will be fascinating to see how this element unfolds in the final game.
Absolutely, and incorporating seasonal events or special occasions could add even more depth to the gameplay. It would be interesting to see how that affects customer behavior and restaurant popularity over time.
That’s a great point! Seasonal events could indeed create a dynamic environment, allowing players to adapt their menus and strategies, which could lead to unique challenges and rewards throughout the year.
Absolutely, seasonal events can really enhance the gameplay experience. It would be interesting to see how different cuisines or ingredients might be tied to those events, adding even more depth to menu planning and customer satisfaction.
I totally agree! Seasonal events can add a unique twist and keep players engaged. Plus, incorporating local ingredients or dishes during these events could give a fun cultural touch to the restaurant management aspect.
Absolutely! Seasonal events not only enhance gameplay but also create a sense of community among players. It would be interesting to see how different cuisines are featured during these events to reflect cultural celebrations.
I completely agree! Seasonal events can really bring players together and keep the game feeling fresh. Plus, they can inspire unique menu items based on real-world holidays, adding even more depth to the restaurant management aspect!
Absolutely! Seasonal events not only enhance community engagement but also provide unique challenges and rewards that can keep the gameplay exciting. It’ll be interesting to see how the developers incorporate those elements into the restaurant management theme!
You’re right! Seasonal events can really add a dynamic layer to the gameplay. It would be interesting to see how different seasons affect the menu options and customer preferences in the restaurant RPG.
Absolutely! Seasonal events can enhance the overall experience by introducing unique dishes and challenges. Plus, they could encourage players to adapt their strategies, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
I totally agree! Seasonal events can really bring a fresh twist to gameplay. It would be interesting to see how they might also influence customer preferences and restaurant themes throughout the year!
Absolutely! Seasonal events could also introduce unique ingredients and recipes, adding depth to the cooking mechanics. It would be exciting to see how those changes affect restaurant management strategies throughout the year.
That’s a great point! Seasonal events could really keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Plus, incorporating local farmer’s markets could enhance the authenticity and community feel of the restaurant management experience.
I totally agree! Seasonal events can add so much variety. It would be interesting to see how different themes could influence the menu and customer preferences throughout the year.
Absolutely! Seasonal events can really enhance gameplay and keep things fresh. It would be fascinating to see how the restaurant’s menu and decor change with each season, creating unique challenges and opportunities for players.
I completely agree! Seasonal events can offer unique challenges and rewards that keep players engaged. It would also be interesting to see how different cuisines might adapt to seasonal ingredients, adding another layer to the management aspect.