Using the Clothing Rope as a Life Support and Limited Mobility Tether

Hello, Space Engineers 2 team! First of all, congratulations on the incredible work on the game. I love the attention to detail and the realism you bring to the space experience. I’d like to suggest an idea that I believe could add an interesting layer of strategy and realism to the game, leveraging an element that already exists: **the rope that is present on the character's clothing**.

How It Would Work:

The idea would be to transform the rope already integrated into the character's suit into a life support and limited mobility tether. This tether would allow the player to connect to the ship or base, providing life support (oxygen, energy, etc.) and limiting exploration range. It would be perfect for situations where the environment is hostile, such as planets with challenging atmospheres or in the vacuum of space.

Benefits and Mechanics:

1. Life Support Limited by Distance:

- The existing rope could be extended to a maximum length, defined by the player or available technology.

- Depending on the level of the ship/base life support system, the tether could provide oxygen, energy, or even fuel for the jetpack.

2. Risks and Strategy:

- The rope could be cut by damage (such as shots or collisions), leaving the player without support and forcing them to quickly return to the ship or base.

- Enemies or environmental hazards could interact with the rope, adding a layer of tension and strategy when exploring dangerous areas.

3. Integration with the Jetpack:

- The jetpack could benefit from the tether, allowing "unlimited" fuel while connected, but with the distance limitation imposed by the rope.

- This would encourage players to plan their explorations and build more advanced support systems to increase mobility.

4. Use in Different Scenarios:

- On planets with dense or toxic atmospheres, the rope could be an essential tool for safe exploration.

- In space, it could be used for external repairs or rescues, with the added risk of being cut by debris or attacks.

Why This Idea is Interesting:

- Leveraging Existing Elements: The rope is already present on the character's suit, so its functionality could be expanded without the need to create a new model or item.

- Realism: Life support tethers are common in space exploration concepts, such as the "umbilicals" used in space suits.

- Gameplay Depth: Adds new risk/reward mechanics, planning, and equipment customization.

- Versatility: Can be used in various situations, from planetary exploration to high-risk space missions.

Technical Considerations:

- The existing rope could be adapted to function as a support tether, with adjustments to physics and interactions.

- Different technology levels could increase the rope's length, life support efficiency, or damage resistance.

- The rope's physics could be simplified to avoid performance issues while still allowing realistic interactions.

Conclusion:

I believe this feature could bring a new dimension to the game, encouraging players to think strategically about their explorations and constructions. Additionally, it’s an idea that aligns well with the space theme and realism that Space Engineers already offers, while leveraging an element already present in the game.

Of course, it’s just a suggestion, but who knows—it might inspire something entirely new and amazing for the game in the future! It would be really interesting to see this implemented, and I understand it would take time to develop. Just putting the idea out there for consideration!