Basic factory can use crystal and metal if no power is available

[nightwalker_007]

The idea is pretty simple...

If you create a basic factory, and can't power it, you will still be able to run the basic factory. Instead of using power, it'll consume crystal and metal (like using them as a battery). In addition to the required material to make a block, the basic factory, if it has no power, will use 50 crystal and 50 metal in place of power, and also produce 1 scrap metal and 1 scrap crystal. All other factories would require a power source.

So, if you happen to be playing in a hard core game mode, in which you drop everything on death and has no NPC stores, you could still build yourself a new ship, no matter where you end up spawning...

 

[katCrusader]

Well, the poll options aren't biased. Nooope. Not biased at all :p

 

[Jaaskinal]

Power is...really cheap. Like...one of the cheapest resources in the game.

 

[Megacrafter127]

Power is...really cheap. Like...one of the cheapest resources in the game.

It is, unless you have no power reactor.
The only way to make one is by using a factory, but doing so requires power.
Yes, you could buy one from a shop, if one is nearby, and you have sufficient credits.

 

[Crusade]

I feel a better solution would be the ability to create power reactors in your astronaut/suit factory.

 

[nightwalker_007]

I feel a better solution would be the ability to create power reactors in your astronaut/suit factory.

Yup, that would work too. I've suggested something similar (making solar panels or something), or at least make the power supply beam part of the space suit just like the salvage beam is. Unfortunately this is a game-breaking issue when all gear is dropped on death and and you spawn in a position to not be able to buy power blocks, or use them (for instance, undeathinator on a station or planet that has been stripped of all power and gear, with no shops in a sector).

Although, from a programming perspective, making a basic factory eat crystal/metal if there's no power would be easier to implement than adding UI elements, which is why I threw that out at an option... although, with scrap metal/crystal having a low yield, probably should generate the same number of scrap metal/crystal for the amount consumed--which would also make it a lot easier for the player to know just how much material they're loosing because they didn't have power for their factory.

 

[katCrusader]

Yup, that would work too. I've suggested something similar (making solar panels or something), or at least make the power supply beam part of the space suit just like the salvage beam is. Unfortunately this is a game-breaking issue when all gear is dropped on death and and you spawn in a position to not be able to buy power blocks, or use them (for instance, undeathinator on a station or planet that has been stripped of all power and gear, with no shops in a sector).

Although, from a programming perspective, making a basic factory eat crystal/metal if there's no power would be easier to implement than adding UI elements, which is why I threw that out at an option... although, with scrap metal/crystal having a low yield, probably should generate the same number of scrap metal/crystal for the amount consumed--which would also make it a lot easier for the player to know just how much material they're loosing because they didn't have power for their factory.

After much deliberation with my compatriots, I have discovered a solution <3

Spoiler

 

[nightwalker_007]

Yeah funny, still, it wouldn't allow for a true survival-style game-play where you start off with nothing. If you have no ability to generate power, then there is no game.

 

[spunkiethefirst]

In the latest dev version 0.19433 all entities you could place a factory on have a base power regen of 1e/sec, I have been informed that this is not intended, but hopefully they see the value in keeping it, in order to avoid problems as you describe. Go try the current dev version and look into asteroids, planets, and stations, when no reactors are on them they make 1e/sec.


Edit: And lol at the poll bias.

 

[Matt_Bradock]

OK, so.
- You spawn with a couple power reactor modules
- You spawn with a handheld power supply beam
- You spawn with 25K credits, right next to a shop.

The only scenario I can EVER imagine you would need this feature in, is in the case you
- play on a hardcore server that makes you lose your whole inventory and all credits upon death,
- AND you run into pirates (player or NPC) and die to them before you could make it to the nearest unfactioned planet,
- AND you insist taking a lone wolf approach to things and start out on your own without anyone else's help,
- AND you run into the following conditions:

1. You're too proud to ever ask another player for help OR
2. You went all the way to find a server or galaxy on a server that has no players other than you on it OR
3. No other player or admin can (or wants to) help you out with a few spare dirt-cheap power blocks.

That's an awful lot of circumstances required for this feature to ever be useful. So, thanks, but no thanks.

 

[nightwalker_007]

The fact it's even possible to be in this situation is a problem, however unlikely. As far as I'm concerned it's a game playability bug, whether your in multilayer or single player. It also removes the possibility of an even harsher game play mode where you start of with literately nothing.

 

[Matt_Bradock]

The fact it's even possible to be in this situation is a problem, however unlikely. As far as I'm concerned it's a game playability bug, whether your in multilayer or single player. It also removes the possibility of an even harsher game play mode where you start of with literately nothing.

This is not Minecraft where you can get away with having an empty inventory because you can fell a tree, split it into logs and saw them into planks by your bare hands. Unless you're this guy:

You're never supposed to spawn without nothing in Starmade. The most "hardcore" situation I can imagine being viable is you spawn with a single core and your basic tools (power supply, marker, healing beams, and laser) and that's it. Not hardcore enough? well guess what, most of us are "filthy casuals".

 

[spunkiethefirst]

I would agree to it being a server config option but if a server seeks to be as hardcore as you suggest, they would just disable it anyway.

Edit: I think it might be actually possible right now if the server wants to make a custom block. I'm not familiar with the custom blocks limits though so *shrugs*.

 

[nightwalker_007]

Yeah, well if the repair and power beam was part of the suit, just like the salvage beam was, then yes, this wouldn't be an issue. But, since schine nor the council ever recognized that possibility, I've proposed another alternative.

 

[PizzaPress]

Yeah, well if the repair and power beam was part of the suit, just like the salvage beam was, then yes, this wouldn't be an issue. But, since schine nor the council ever recognized that possibility, I've proposed another alternative.

I think they'd do that before this, it's just not a priority. Pretty sure a server commands system should be able to handle this(i.e. a time-limited /give *playername* "power reactor" 1). Those wrapper things still work, right? If you want a hardcore server but don't want people completely stuck, you gotta set it up right.
I think there should be a restart system or some way(tied into quests?) to start off at spawn with nothing as well, in case you lose everything. Having a setting for being able to reset your respawn to spawn would be cool too.
Yeah, it's not necessary, but would be a nice addition.

 

[Edymnion]

So... whats the point of playing on a hardcore drop everything on death server if you aren't going to be hardcore and don't want to suffer the effects of dropping everything on death?

 

[Parameter]

I like the idea of an integrated suit power supply.

Of course, it runs your suit's life support, so you better make sure you find a planet or station with a breathable atmosphere to divert it to factory production...

Only the most hardcore set their respawn in empty systems with no supplies. :p

 

[snowhusky5]

how about you plan ahead, go buy a cheap undeathinator, and go stick it on some random planet next to a chest with a couple of supplies. Problem solved!

Alternatively, have players respawn with the basic handheld tools/gun, but not with the blocks (people might abuse it for free blocks, even though its so few), so you can use the power supply beam.

 

[cyberus111]

Integrated suit power supply with a slow regen cycle wouldn't be OP IMHO.
[DOUBLEPOST=1442319573,1442319430][/DOUBLEPOST]

how about you plan ahead, go buy a cheap undeathinator, and go stick it on some random planet next to a chest with a couple of supplies. Problem solved!

Alternatively, have players respawn with the basic handheld tools/gun, but not with the blocks (people might abuse it for free blocks, even though its so few), so you can use the power supply beam.

Yeah, the "first spawn" equipment, helmet logbook, tools and guns should be exempt from "drop on death"