Dine Out Reloaded v3.1 - New Features! (Patreon)
Content
$5 Patrons can Download 3.1 Here!
Several new features have made their way into Dine Out Reloaded since the big 3.0 release. The amount of support you all have shown me has been incredible, so I want to listen to all you have to say and make an effort to bring new options to the table.
Larger Groups
Ever hated how at most, only one child can come with a family? Wish the game would bring in larger groups than just 2 Sims? You can do this now! Choose extra child diners and this number can (possibly) arrive with a family. Increase the max on standard diners, and larger groups of Sims can arrive. You can get up to 8 Sims at one table. Smaller groups are more likely, though you're generally guaranteed an average of at least 2 more.
Diners Pick Up Meals
Want a fast food vibe in your restaurant without using waiters to deliver food? Turn on Guests Pick Up Meals. This will call guests to the chef station to grab their own platter when it's ready to be served. You still need to take orders, but this option can help save some money early in a restaurant's life.
Take Seat
Players who are dining in NPC restaurants can now just claim a table when the option 'Guests Seat Themselves' is turned on, so you can pick whichever you want without interacting with the host.
Better Spawning & Max Waiting Groups
Since 3.0 I have worked to make Sims spawn in a more intelligent manner. In 3.1 you not only get the new ability to set the maximum number of waiting groups (total tables minus current eating Sims), each group will finish spawning before a new group can start. Note you should still use the host station to disable new customers if you would like to finish serving Sims before closing.
Super Smart Dish Collection System
As you can see, nearly everything new is entirely optional, save one thing: The new Smart Dish Collection System I created for Dine Out. This persists across the entire game, as I had to change how the game handles dishes directly. This makes Sims consider how close each dish is to their current location and even prioritizes items they are facing. They'll be have much more like humans when picking up stacks of dishes. No more zig-zag across the lot. This massively cuts down how long it takes to clean.
Future Plans
I have several cool ideas I want to implement in the next version. Sims will be able to order takeout from player owned restaurants, meaning they will not want to eat. They'll order ahead and come to pick up their food. This will not only keep chefs busy, but also increase the profitability of restaurants.
The lovely Ravasheen is helping me with an order counter. This will aid players in knowing exactly how many orders the chef currently has, so you will know visually when an order comes in for you to cook.
I also want guests to put in orders at the chef station on their own. This will mean that a lone chef could run a restaurant.
In addition to these ideas, stretch goals include the ability to operate buffets! Cook a variety of meals and instead of platters, Sims will grab plates from the buffet. The whole family will go up, just like a real life buffet experience.