Originally published on: Challenges and inspirations. Behind Yatai Master’s Interface.

Let me outline the limitations I encountered when considering the graphical interface for this game: I can't draw, I don’t have basic knowledge of graphic design, I'm not an avid gamer, and my image editing skills are limited to the basic functions of Paint.net and Pinta. (Oh, and I might also be slightly colorblind.)

With that rather discouraging scenario, I set out to find alternatives that would allow me to move forward despite my lack of certain skills.

What’s out there

Aside from a brief experience with “Pizza Tycoon”, I’ve never played a video game where cooking is required. I know they exist and form a (sub)genre, but I'm a novice in that area. After searching on Itch.io and Steam, I found a few games that could serve as inspiration for approaching the design of Yatai Master.

Games like: “My Universe — Cooking Star Restaurant”, “Good Pizza, Great Pizza”, “Papa’s Freezeria Deluxe” and “Cooking Live — Italian Kitchen Simulator”, to name a few. These games generally share a relatively similar design.

Some are 3D worlds, like “My Universe — Cooking Star Restaurant”:

Others feature a perspective that I’ve noticed is quite common in this type of game:

And some are a bit “flatter,” but that style still involves a complexity I can’t handle.

However, none of these video games served as inspiration for the user interface design…

Dustbowl Adventure

“Dustbowl Adventure” couldn’t be farther from a cooking game; it’s an “epic adventure RPG set in a dark world turned into a wasteland covered in toxic dust. You’re just one of the survivors who made it through the nightmare.”

Dustbowl has an interesting screen composition divided into three sections, each with a specific purpose.

Of course, it’s not that Dustbowl invented this type of screen distribution, but it’s still a “bold” use of a type of UI that isn’t often seen in that genre.

Given the context, it seemed that the best approach would be to apply simplicity as a rule when developing the game’s graphical components, using a clear screen division (like the one implemented in Dustbowl) and assigning areas with specific functions.

Simplicity and functionality

Beyond artistic limitations, it would be interesting to convey the rustic simplicity that most yatai possess.

Yatai owners often employ ingenious mechanisms to fit all the kitchen utensils, as well as create relatively comfortable spaces for customers.

| Source: Japanese Kitchen Tour.

Wood is the primary material in yatai, especially those that are more traditional. They are generally built to be compact and lightweight, with basic but efficient elements, as mobility and quick setup are essential (although some yatai do take a few hours to set up).

For the customer area, folding stools and a simple bar or small tables are usually placed around the establishment.

| Source: Japanese Noodles Udon Soba Hiroshima Okayama.

Many yatai are also equipped with vinyl or canvas canopies to protect customers from the weather, and during colder months, some use small heaters to provide warmth. And, of course, the traditional noren (Japanese curtains) are always present.

The clever arrangement of these elements allows owners to set up and take down their kitchens each night, ensuring the yatai remains true to its essence of mobility without sacrificing functionality.

| "Glasses Coffee & Spirits," a yatai in Fukuoka City. | Source: Japanese Food Craftsman.

The colors

To avoid the failure of trying to create a color palette from scratch, I searched through the excellent database on Lospec and found an exquisite color selection by @copheemoth called Lost Century.

Following this simplicity rule and with the color palette already chosen, I opted for a flat design with only minor depth (such as a shadow effect on the windows), and a system of docked windows that can be created as needed and distributed across different panels.

Core spaces of the Yatai

The UI must reflect the most important areas of the yatai: the counter and the kitchen.

The counter

This space is dedicated to customer service. It’s where interaction happens. Here, the customer orders their food, interacts with others, laughs, sings, shares stories, and occasionally ends up a bit tipsy.

The Kitchen (“Where the magic happens”)

Key elements of the kitchen include a small portable gas stove, a grill for yakitori (chicken skewers), steamers, frying pans, a pot for broths (like ramen), and a narrow prep area that maximizes the use of space.

The space is a very valuable commodity in yatai. Every inch counts, and yatai cooks must know how to organize utensils and equipment extremely efficiently to optimize workflow without wasting time searching for or moving unnecessary items.

Since the game doesn’t implement a third-person perspective, it’s difficult to convey the complexity involved in cooking in a confined space; however, I think I can’t afford to exclude space as a variable of complexity when developing strategies. For this reason, the yatai master will have the option to acquire more slots to prepare meals.

Meticulous organization and careful selection of utensils are key for the owner to prepare dishes quickly and maintain food quality in such a limited setting.

P.S.: If the English in this article seems a bit odd to you, you're not mistaken. It was translated from Spanish to English by ChatGPT.