An industry friend of mine showed me this game called Nom nom Cozy Forest Cafè:
You own a cafeteria in the middle of the wood and you receive your first client, a racoon. Soon you will discover how to make coffee, with a simple rhythm minigame. According to your accuracy you will earn more or less coins. Then the game teaches you how to customize your cafeteria and you will discover a vending machine to earn extra coins. Then you will unlock the second customer, a frog, and continue evolve your cafeteria.
Core loop: prepare -> serve -> earn -> get new furniture and personalization options
There is no pressure at all, that’s why it’s a cozy game. For instance, a client may wait indefinitely while you customize your cafeteria or prepare items for your vending machine, and that’s no problem. If you don’t like the result of the minigame you can repeat it indefinitely.
The economy is very simple:
- You earn currency by serving clients
- You unlock new clients by progressing on an achievement system
- Every client comes with a dish and a progression
- Every time you serve the same client you progress on its personal bar and unlock new furniture
- Every time you complete achievements you get new personalization options
Plus, this game was made by a single person, a former student of this friend of mine over the course of 3 years. She managed to stay focused for 3 freaking years on her vision without stopping. That’s a great achievement which very few people have in their bags.
Give it a try, give her some love!