SE2 - Semantics for Accessibility "Smelter"

For those who are unfamiliar:

"Semantics is the study of linguistic meaning. It examines what meaning is, how words get their meaning, and how the meaning of a complex expression depends on its parts. Part of this process involves the distinction between sense and reference." - Wikipedia

For SE2, its been clear from the dev communication the desire to increase accessibility as much as possible. I think great work has been done mechanically for this - and as a veteran player I very much appreciate the changes made!

Now: Semantics.

This feedback post is about how some of the names for blocks (currently in V2.1) may be a bit misleading and how I would change them to better indicate it's true usage.

Smelter

This block is a wonderful addition to the game - being essentially a combination of a basic assembler and refinery. Yet the name suggests only 1 usage.

I would start by renaming this block: "Processing Plant".

The visual design of the block already indicates a smelting capability with the orange glow window, so this renaming helps indicate to new players that the block can be used for Processing and producing basic components as well.

Refinery

This post is written before the reveal of updated production chain in V2.2 - so I won't assume to know what has been changed. I will, however, mention how the Refinery should NOT be a producer of components as it currently is in V2.1.

I have very much struggled with this as it goes against what I know a Refinery to do from SE1 and other crafting games.

I would suggest, if not already implemented, that the refinery continue to act as it always has - refining raw ore into ingots.

Smelter 2.0

This is actually a suggestion for a new block!

"A refinery for the salvagers".

With the renaming to "Processing Plant", the name "Smelter" becomes open for other usage.

I think it would be very appropriate to have a block (same dimensions as the refinery) that smelts components back into ingots. Like the refinery, this would be a tier up from the PP with the featured upgrade modules and larger inventory.

This would make the gameplay loop of salvaging that much more enjoyable - having a dedicated large scale block to smelt components down into their respective ingots.

If curious, this is a mock-up for how I see a production pipeline working:

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/5WyRBJ

Like I stated above, these semantic changes will - I believe - help new and returning players alike understand each block usage from a glance. The first steps of any game loop need to be clearly understood and I hope others feel similarly that the semantics / names dictate meaning.