Everybody knows the lack of pixel printing blocks , so you have to destroy existing structures. Also, a problem, i came across (with projects like "Build a gigantic metal-sandstone-style mega city with ... everything!"), is constant lack of pixels, i completely consume, e.g. printing a fountain.* STOP! Before you cry - I don't want to remove the pixel printer, nor I want less expensive items** I suggest some sort of "inspecting" an existing item (without destroying or even removing it). Just use the "Inspect" tool on an item and you will learn the crafting recipe just by looking at it (Note: Later, I will explain, how to make it more challenging) Inspecting Tool The tool, used for inspecting is already existing: So, no extra confusing super mega tool thing. But ... That's too easy!! I already found a solution: You may know the codices (letters, books, ...), you can find in villages or dungeons - Currently, they are nice, but some sort of worthless (So many players just ignores them). If you find a codex and read it, it will be added to your notebook, but also, you will learn something about the race, covered by the codex. Let's add a new UI: Nice GUI, but how will it make inspecting more challenging? You cannot get a crafting recipe just by using inspect tool on an item - To craft the item, you will need enough knowledge about the race (So you can understand how they craft it - and how to do it yourself) If you want to craft an item, you will have to inspect it, but it will only work, if you found and read enough codices of the race, the item belongs. The value of read codices will differ from item to item: Example Race: Avians Park bench: No knowledge needed - Just inspect Temple ornaments: High amount of knowledge needed Avian table: Some knowledge needed (Reason: The nice carvings) Note: There can also be items/blocks, you cannot get a crafting recipe Pictures Trying to inspect a bench Trying to inspect an avian light (Without knowledge about avians) For Developers: Possible Implementation Player variables INTEGER:codices_<race> : For each race: Counter of found codices Item/Block variables BOOLEAN:inspect_craftable : Determines if it can be inspected RACE:race : Race, attached to the item INTEGER:inspect_codex_min : Minimal count of codices needed Inspect tool: * I temporary solved my problems by using modifications like "Logical Crafting Recipes", giving me crafting tables, where I can craft every block of a race - but in my point of view this is too much - I spend a little stone and iron and can craft everything --- nothing to explore. lame. ** But some sort of rebalance would be not bad. Some decoration items are ... expensive
Holy Shizzles this is an interesting concept! I hope it gets full attention, because I think it deserves it. Just make sure to preserve the current "inspect" lines, like the "I can't craft this until I learn more" is a one-time message until you gain more knowledge. Then after that one-time message, or you have obtained the recipe, you can just play the default Inspect-Lines.
Great idea. Personal, I hate destroying villages to get what I want. This would just make things easier in terms of building structures. However, would this affect what the character has to say about certain objects? I quite enjoy some of things that my characters say about things. Could this be avoided by having the first time you inspect something the character comes to the conclusion that he/she can build it, then throw in their own two cents on the subject. Or maybe the inspect key (being 'n') could have a right click and left click option. Right click = Character commenting on what they know/assume about object Left click = Character inspect object to see if they can build it
Right/left for inspecting sounds like a good idea, but somehow I think that could become sort of annoying. Just having the character change between the two kinds would be my preferred.
I like the idea, but I would simplify it a bit. Adding too much depth could make it a little more annoying to use. The game can be time consuming as it is, and as much as I love Starbound, I still don't want to spend hours upon hours trying to learn to craft something. Perhaps if there was a travel log for your ship so that you could easily get back to a certain planet to inspect something you wanted to learn to craft after finding more codexes that would be nice. Hey MrBoese, I would like to work together with you to compile a bunch of really good suggestions into one thread, do you have a way to communicate? Like Steam or something?
Indeed, to have a log-book about every planet you've been to as well as every star system could be nice. Especially if you could write down in the log book whatever you wanted. Like "This planet has Acid Rain, but a huge Apex Colony, as well as a Floran Prison. I've built a huge monument to myself on this planet."
Actually a good idea, but will it let us create the items with 'traditional' resources (wood, stone, plant fibre, metals)? I mean, both blocks and 'furniture'. It would be nice to firstly scan for example glitch castle wall, and then create it with stone, or thatched roof with e.g. plant fibre (or at least with pixels, but i prefer traditional crafting i know, i am "so last millennia" ) Also i think that there should be as less as possible such blocks, that aren't possible to be crafted. I have another opinion about furniture, that still can be printed with pixels, some of the objects could be without crafting recipe. And, what with dungeons that do not belong to any race (maybe i am wrong, don't judge me) like Sewer Dungeon? http://starbounder.org/mediawiki/images/5/54/Sewer_dungeon_tanks.jpg Items/blocks in it couldn't be scanned? They are interesting and make room for creativity in building. Personally, I really would like to be able to craft every (or almost every) block in the game (no matter, with resources or pixels) Destroying villages or dungeons can get annoying. Anyway i really support the idea! It is also a very clever way to make Codex(es) useful and not ignored
I like it. A couple of add-on suggestions to address concerns: Rather than replace the existing description text (a herculean task) instead just add a second line like "I don't know enough about [race x] to dupilcate this." and "I could make this myself." to the description. Possibly make this right-click functionality as suggested above. This may be a bit simulationist or lore vs gameplay for some, but I'd suggest that some "dungeon" specific blocks be uncraftable, such as rusted metal, worn pipes, etc. However inspecting those items would get you the crafting recipe for the 'clean' version: non-rusty plating, shiny copper pipes, etc.
Tbh, I don't think it would be too unrealistic to be able to craft rusty or otherwise outworn things. Pixels work like magic, they can make ANYTHING happen. Even rust brand spanking new Iron Pipes.
Well, that is also a good idea but I also agree with Sgt_Hankey's statement, that pixels work like magic, (kind of sci-fi magic ) and there could be any way to craft "spoiled" blocks - rusty, mossy etc. Being able to build own, personal sewer and live in it would be cool. (without destroying existing one)
this is so much better. I dont like just running around with my pick and steal stuff as much as i can. 1+
