From when I first joined this site in 2008 to now, it's easy to notice the changes that have occurred. The user base has shrunk drastically. The tu flow has slowed. And it feels like new yet unnecessary features/items/pets are being released while we still wait for others that have been 'in development' for... ages.
So, here are some suggestions:
1. Development Updates
Whether this be a consistently-updated thread in forums or an actual update that gets released at regular intervals (weekly? biweekly?), I think that it would be nice to be made aware of that is currently under development on site. For example, Relking tokens, what are those? We've been collecting them for weeks now with no inkling of what they are going to be used for. There are broken features all over the site. What I'm suggesting is that staff let us know what is currently in the works, or what has recently been added/fixed. This doesn't have to mean that we are handed a complete open door into all brainstorming and planning activities going on behind the scenes. Not only would it be interesting, but it would act as a new form of engagement between staff and users for us to be able to see all of the hard work that Res staff is doing.
2. Newbie Tutorial
Res is in desperate need of a newbie tutorial, and honestly tutorials or some guidelines in general. As a new user, you join the site, get a tiny bit of tu to start you off, and then you're left entirely to your own devices. You aren't guided at all on how to make tu, find/incubate/hatch eggs, feed your pets, or really any of the basics. This can be a big deterrent for onboarding and retaining new users. It would be not only helpful, but also engaging to use NPCs as a guide for a tutorial. This way, new users will not have to rely on the shoutbox to ask questions about the most basic features of the site.
Edit: Apparently there is a newbie tutorial and I didn't know about it. If anyone has screenshots or would be willing to share their experience of using the tutorial, I'd love to hear about it since I have not experienced the tutorial myself!
3. Item Details
As of right now, when you visit another user's merchant shop, you can see all of the items for sale, their prices, and the number available. However, you are not able to scroll over the item to get a blurb about its purpose. What does it do? No clue. Do I need it? Maybe, but you'll have to go to the Item Database to look up the item, and even then the details often don't give any hints as to what the item may be used for. Res needs an overhaul in this regard. Give us the details of an item when we scroll over/click on it in NPC shops or merchant shops. And, please please please, categorize the items where you can see it upon opening the details (is it a toy? food?), and tell us what the item does. Vague hints do not help all users on this site. Sometimes we don't even get that. Buying items needs to be more comprehensive in this way.
4. Creatu-User Interaction
Right now, our Creatu are good for a scant few things. Exploring, feeding, collecting, selling... That's it. If you aren't interested in collecting, the list becomes even shorter. We need our Creatu to have a bigger purpose. Battling is one example that would engage users by providing a sense of competition, perhaps even involving tournaments and/or prizes. Exploring is a great step in the right direction, however at this time it still falls flat. You sent out your pets and wait. It's nice as a passive way to get eggs/items, and the suspense of chance due to the rarities of the loot is great, but it doesn't keep me on the site for more than five minutes at a time.
Broken Links/Features
If you notice something that does not work, hasn't worked for a while, or a link that leads nowhere, please comment so that I can add it to this list.
Shoutbox Ad: [url=https://www.rescreatu.com/forum/cat/feedback/suggestions/development-updates-newbie-tutorial-more/] new suggestion thread, pop in and share your own ideas too!