Outlaw Dread
Baronet
After thinking about your comments, I pretty much agree with you. On reflection, my earlier objections were more over Inno's initial poor and confusing presentation, rather than the actual concept itself. As long as the main event can be completed without requiring diamonds, it is not different, as you point out, to Inno's regular offers to sell some building/items for diamonds.
Nonetheless, Inno really should use much more clear wording to describe this "feature". Just use clear, unambiguous language stating that players can also buy a random, but totally optional, grab bag of up to 9 prizes for 3000 diamonds. This is not a reward, or a prize, but a discounted sale of middling items. No more, no less.
Overall, I am not very attracted to this Winter event. The train set is very cool looking, but too difficult to fit into a city (for me), given its slightly underwhelming stats. The event requires a fair amount of tedious game play, yet it seems to be missing the "fun" part. The mini games for archeology and Halloween added a bit of newness, strategic thinking, and just plain fun. That enjoyable bit seems missing from this winter event. The only intriguing item for me is the Tactician's Tower, but it is no game changer.
Some random suggestions:
1) If Inno expects to generate diamond sales for these prizes, the prizes should at least rise to the level of "nice to have". Right now, they are largely at the low end of the daily special offerings.
2) The shuffle should have an option to delay its use at least 1 turn, to let folks be able to get at least 1 prize that has already been exposed.
3) Consider allowing some cars to be placed next to the train, instead of only in a straight line behind. (as if the train was waiting at the depot, and the cars had yet to be attached).
4) Allow the purchase, with stars, of the sneak peek option for 2 prizes. That removes some risk, balanced by reducing the number of stars you can spend on prizes. (maybe 40 stars to purchase a sneak peek for 2 boxes).
5) Have the various colors of gift boxes have some relation to the type of prize. E.g.: the purple gifts could be various boosts; the green boxes FPs /medals/BPs; Red boxes coins/supplies, etc. A bit Ike various types of chests in other events. It would add a bit of strategy to making the choices, and that would add a little more interest to sticking with the event.
It's not at all a bad event. Just an uninspiring one.
