Blueprint material abstraction

[Battle]

Hello
There might be several ideas revolving around blueprints and the fullfilling of their needs, however I would like to add another one: Abstract resources.

Blueprints would not require 100+ kinds of blocks, but rather only abstractions of those.

Hull Components - for all kind of hull blocks
Electronical Parts - for computers, weapons, shield generators, energy generators, etc
High-Tech Circuits - for computers and other stuff that should be expensive
Material - for stuff like dirt, lava, ice
Metals - for decorative elements and other things

How does it work? A blueprint will require the previous list of things, but it can also be filled with those abstract materials instead. The normal blocks can be converted (somehow) into abstract materials, but with different amounts per block type. And/or: The shop sells those or those materials can be crafted with some factory action. So if you want to build a huge ship, you might need to visit several shops to gather the needed materials or hunt some pirates for their loot and salvage them eventually. The net price should be the same or ~20-30% higher than that of regularly fulfilling blueprints' needs.

 

[Megacrafter127]

For hull colors and shapes, I agree, similar for light colors, most logic, and decoration-blocks(as long as it somewhat makes sense[converting a small rock into a block of ice makes not much sense])
However, in case of computers and their modules I disagree, same for other systems.

 

[ltmauve]

Abstracting hull and decorative blocks? Excellent idea. (Though it would be by tier of hull)

 

[kiraen]

I tend to do this already. I make all my constructs from Grey Hull, white lights, and other generics. Then I just find/replace after spawning to customize it to the situation. Once the shipyard comes out, this should be even easier.

While I agree with the idea, it just seems like polishing existing functions to me and isn't really needed.

 

[hunterRAE]

For hull colors and shapes, I agree, similar for light colors, most logic, and decoration-blocks(as long as it somewhat makes sense[converting a small rock into a block of ice makes not much sense])
However, in case of computers and their modules I disagree, same for other systems.

I must agree, because if you change up the power/thrust/shield/support systems, the balance that was there is now lost. I agree with decoration blocks, lights, hull, and maybe logic (its iffy, because complex logic could be jacked easily).

Then I just find/replace after spawning to customize it to the situation. Once the shipyard comes out, this should be even easier.

Yes, you could easily use the replace feature and make a custom one, which is cumbersome with things of excess of say 1000 mass, but it works well. I am eagerly looking forward to the next article about shipyards, so I can start building before it is released.