I could implement every feature a smartphone has into the game without an actual phone, or I could just add a phone. It's actually too convenient when you think about it. (I already use texting and calling, but,)
Checking the time of day,
Weather App,
Knowing when events are ready through text,
Settings App
Gallery App
Map App
Contacts App (for stats)
etc etc. I currently do most of this stuff already, but just not from one immersive location.
Story flow is a part of it. The objectives are totally optional and delayable but it should nudge new players in the right direction. The 5th weekly event would involve all first floor characters so it would require all of them to be a minimum level.
It doesn't sound similar.
I think the goal for any player would be to get the weekly events on time, but they can be delayed. A part of the goal of weekly events is to nudge the player in the right direction by getting them to level all characters and buy the correct things, and your reward for progressing normally would be extra content on a weekly basis that you can ignore or put off. Holidays and Birthdays wouldn't work the same though.
I guess I should have went the Japanese route and called HH "A story where you inherit a hotel, meet beautiful girls, and make the world a better place!"
ASWYIAHMBGAMTWABP just rolls off the tongue, goodbye HH.
It's all optional and delayable, so you get to choose what you prioritize. Objectives shouldn't be on a veteran player's mind because they would know how to play.
I'm not sure what you mean by "A completionist might want to see every variation". There are no other versions of Harem Hotel's story. There will be as many birthdays and holidays as the story goes on for. Right now I think most players are in the 2nd year? 400 - 700 days? I would imagine that's normal. So that would require me to make 2 - 3 birthday events per character.