Hi all, I've seen a couple Electricity/Power type threads around and i think it's a really good idea to include something like this into the game to add depth to the construction and maintenance of a base. To implement all this there would need to be a system that monitored the pressures and temperatures of certain elements in the engine, I'm uncertain if any of this is possible under current builds but hopefully some good ideas may come from this. Three different types of work that could be implemented, each different but able to be converted into one another. 1. Electricity - "Because you need it for basically everything." The most basic type of work that could be used to provide usage to gadgets, mechanics and everything else that need its. Generation Mechanisms; Solar (Photovoltaic) - Good on planets with constant UV sources (whether it be Suns or 'Unique' materials that emit it.) Mechanical/Kinetic (Alternators, Piezoelectric Materials) - Main source of power underground and on planets without plentiful UV radiation sources. Generated from either straight mechanical usage or pressure systems. (Nuclear reactors, Steam Turbines, ect.) Temperature (Thermoelectric) - Deep underground heat is plentiful near the core. (granted its core is molten) Containers; - It should also be plausible that if you're traveling space there should be miniscule power containment systems allowing for easy transport and storage. Batteries (Electrochemical) - Transportable electrochemical cells of varying sizes and capacities. (for use in gadgets that require energy or even ammo for high energy weaponry.) Capacitors - Stationary large electrical storage. Uses; Lab Equipment, Turrets, Cameras, Doors, Crafting Stations, Computers, Lights, Environment Stabilizing Systems, Robots, Mechsuits/Vehicles, Electric Fences, Force fields, ect. Converting into another form of energy. 2. Mechanical - "Raw physical power." Used to move/change blocks. Mechanical Mechanisms; Pulleys, Large Bay Doors, Pistons 3. Pressure - "Liquids, Gases and Some Solids." Pressure Mechanisms; Pumps(Toggle-able In/Out), Pipes, Wind Tunnels, Pressure Chambers, ect. Most basic would be to displace liquids and gases. (Useful if some sort of poison gas planet or underground situation where movement of liquid or gas is needed.) May be used to create different atmospheric types within biospheres. Although it would be hard to implement pressure into the game via blocks and such, a pseudo-pressure system could be achieved by only considering when gases and liquids were encapsulated within pipes, tanks and systems that require pressure. (Turbines/Piezoelectric Systems) ------------------------------------------------------- Risks; While generating electricity allows for gadgets and systems to be maintained there also exists possibilities for issues in the mechanisms if they are not regulated via a mechanic or engineer (Possible use for NPCs). Higher frequency Electromagnetic Wave emission may result in negative effects for living things in the vicinity, higher density blocks may be used to stop spreading/contain harmful wavelengths. Therefore the greater power generating techniques (Fusion/Fission) are more prone to be hazardous and are more difficult to maintain but allow for a much greater output than, for example, a wind turbine or solar panel. Systems; Each type of energy has its own usages but they may be used in conjunction with one another, for example; 1. You could make a self sustaining nuclear generator via, Uranium Core + Turbines -> Pump water to Core/Turbine system -> Output radioactive water -> Pump to water treatment -> Back to water source. The turbines that are turned by the steam/water would generate enough energy to power the pumps and water treatment systems with excess energy that could be used/stored, the only thing that may need to be maintained is the supply of uranium. 2. If pressure is measure with vertical depth it would also be possible to construct dams that allow for water to be 'pumped' from a higher elevation, through turbines, to a lower destination generating an amount of electricity depending on pressure. Although if vertical height is considered into the pressure system there would also have to be a limit to vertical sections of pipe able to be stacked without a pressure regulating block or section to manage the maximum amount of pressure the pipe may handle without becoming compromised. Just some stuff to think about, Byebye.
Well this is very in depth and explanatory. I wouldn't be surprised to see this in the final game so awesome.
I am a fan of basically all of this. Terraria's wiring and Minecraft's Redstone have always been the biggest attractions for me for some reason, and I would really love to see this game go all out with this. Defenses, traps, pumps, and full blown computers would eat so many of my hours...
I would like to see these in game. Also I think you could add some mechanical power transmission, like gears, belts and spindles so you could power up things without electricity. Like putting your trained "pets" run on wheel to get spinning motion for motor that moves pump trough gear transmission.
. . . Why isn't this in game already? It would be AMAZING to have this kind of stuff in a creation game. You got my vote!
