Player Cable
With everyone speculating on what the cable on players could do, and iirc it being stated that it was only visual, I'd like to suggest it be made into an umbilical cord for energy and Oxygen. The player could place attachment points around their ships/stations, interact with them briefly, thus attaching the umbilical cable. Once attached it can supply power and O2. If could even grant terminal access to the grid. If they move too far away it will detach, if they press a keybind or if a door closes on it, it will detach. This will significantly improve the quality of life when trying to construct and deconstruct ships or stations in space since you won't have to run back and forth for the basics, which are drained extremely quickly as-is.
The cable could even have a small motor to explain why it's able to retract itself.
Engineering will improve your quality of life!
Side note: The physics used to make the cable dangle and conform to objects it may be partially wrapped around could also be used in the future by Keen or modders to make grappling hooks or inter-ship cables either to tow or transfer power/FUEL like refueling a military jet IRL. Connectors are cool, but after 10,000 years of R&D, I'm sure the engineers have found cables easier for starting up a dead ship. It could even get us water hoses. Regardless, having the physics of cables in game as a result of this could be huge and very cool for the new and improved SE2.
I like this feedback
Cable can be used to control functional blocks. Attach it to rotor for example and you get a control panel and maybe a hot bar that stays opened and you can freely move up to some distance before the cable is disconnected.
Cable can be used to control functional blocks. Attach it to rotor for example and you get a control panel and maybe a hot bar that stays opened and you can freely move up to some distance before the cable is disconnected.
Another thought, the HUD could show the ship/station's power and O2 stats when connected to it
Another thought, the HUD could show the ship/station's power and O2 stats when connected to it
Will this help for boarding ship/rover whilst on planet when my jetpack is disabled?
Will this help for boarding ship/rover whilst on planet when my jetpack is disabled?
Travelling in low or zero by grappling hook is fun too, just mentioning it... ;-)
Travelling in low or zero by grappling hook is fun too, just mentioning it... ;-)
What the rope could do: (Diagnostic Modes) R2D2 Cable
Obviously it shouldn't do this all at once that would be sensory overload, but having toggles could control that would make good gameplay feedback.
What the rope could do: (Diagnostic Modes) R2D2 Cable
Obviously it shouldn't do this all at once that would be sensory overload, but having toggles could control that would make good gameplay feedback.
grappling hook maybe cool for if your shot out of your ship when it decompresses take it out and shoot it at the ship to attach to it
grappling hook maybe cool for if your shot out of your ship when it decompresses take it out and shoot it at the ship to attach to it
A better and more direct way to control and interact with the grids / blocks would be very appreciated!
But simplicity is key - I could fear it will end up like the ladder coming back - It's nice to have around, but in my play sessions i hardly don't use it since there are faster ways of getting a similar result.
Having to wait for a "plug the cable" animation every time i need to interact with my grids would drive me insane xD - much like ladder versus jetpack or even stairs/ramps.
If cables / tethers are to become a thing i believe it would make more sense to have it as either blocks or tools.
For the character it could be a hand tool to grapple onto things or likewise. The cable on the side of the suit could be part of a reload animation.
For the survivability aspect that op suggests, I think having the actual cable on the grid in a block - like a fire hose irl. would make more sense. you go to the block pick up the cable and plug in. logically the cable would then also be able to be longer.
The cable block could at the same time serve as the base for cranes or pullies. or even dynamically transfer power and control to separate grids. (set up power grid between structures without them having to be connected in the same grid.)
In gravity the cable would fall when extended, but in space i suppose it would need to be manually brought to whatever anker point the player wishes to attach it to. So for this the player would also need to be able to plug it into the suit or pick it up anyway.
I believe going in this route we could potentially provide multiple features in one. Features that would expand upon the possibilities and not just get something that would be fun to watch a few times and at the same time slow down the pace.
I'd love to have more interaction - as long as it does not go against my "Need to create" ;)
A better and more direct way to control and interact with the grids / blocks would be very appreciated!
But simplicity is key - I could fear it will end up like the ladder coming back - It's nice to have around, but in my play sessions i hardly don't use it since there are faster ways of getting a similar result.
Having to wait for a "plug the cable" animation every time i need to interact with my grids would drive me insane xD - much like ladder versus jetpack or even stairs/ramps.
If cables / tethers are to become a thing i believe it would make more sense to have it as either blocks or tools.
For the character it could be a hand tool to grapple onto things or likewise. The cable on the side of the suit could be part of a reload animation.
For the survivability aspect that op suggests, I think having the actual cable on the grid in a block - like a fire hose irl. would make more sense. you go to the block pick up the cable and plug in. logically the cable would then also be able to be longer.
The cable block could at the same time serve as the base for cranes or pullies. or even dynamically transfer power and control to separate grids. (set up power grid between structures without them having to be connected in the same grid.)
In gravity the cable would fall when extended, but in space i suppose it would need to be manually brought to whatever anker point the player wishes to attach it to. So for this the player would also need to be able to plug it into the suit or pick it up anyway.
I believe going in this route we could potentially provide multiple features in one. Features that would expand upon the possibilities and not just get something that would be fun to watch a few times and at the same time slow down the pace.
I'd love to have more interaction - as long as it does not go against my "Need to create" ;)
My favourite options are
1. Control Panel tether - and you could just have the interface fade in in parallel to the plug-in animation so it doesn't feel slow.
2. Magnetic Grapple. - Being able to use your jetpack to pull grids around, like berthing your freshly made scout fighter - hot of the 3d printer - to a connector for initial fueling. Where a larger tug ship is overkill. - Or stopping a grid you've accidentally nudged or cut loose in survival - from drifting off into the void.
My favourite options are
1. Control Panel tether - and you could just have the interface fade in in parallel to the plug-in animation so it doesn't feel slow.
2. Magnetic Grapple. - Being able to use your jetpack to pull grids around, like berthing your freshly made scout fighter - hot of the 3d printer - to a connector for initial fueling. Where a larger tug ship is overkill. - Or stopping a grid you've accidentally nudged or cut loose in survival - from drifting off into the void.
Similarly to what others have said:
A tech cable is a great idea.
Perhaps the different cable-tiers can do more, or better things:
Basic version:
-Could do simple things like simple direct interaction with owned blocks (similar to build vision)
-Sharing O2, H2, and power with another engineer
-A safety tether
-Provide emergency power to a grid etc...
Proficient/elite variants could do more complex tasks or calculations:
>>A more immersive hacking tool instead of an angle grinder<<
Similarly to what others have said:
A tech cable is a great idea.
Perhaps the different cable-tiers can do more, or better things:
Basic version:
-Could do simple things like simple direct interaction with owned blocks (similar to build vision)
-Sharing O2, H2, and power with another engineer
-A safety tether
-Provide emergency power to a grid etc...
Proficient/elite variants could do more complex tasks or calculations:
>>A more immersive hacking tool instead of an angle grinder<<
I like this. It could be a little OP but if there are decent drawbacks, like the aforementioned cable distance and need for basically outlets to plug it in to easily, could be a great addition. Kinda sucks to constantly have to go back to a station to replenish energy when working out in space.
I like this. It could be a little OP but if there are decent drawbacks, like the aforementioned cable distance and need for basically outlets to plug it in to easily, could be a great addition. Kinda sucks to constantly have to go back to a station to replenish energy when working out in space.
I think this is a good idea, and it could also match with the "power cord" idea others suggested.
Have a basic connection system, for player to grid, player to player (rescue power/o2 share?), or grid to grid (with limited transfer capacity), so that temporary connections can be made.
Just a simple socket/cord setup, where a player and a small block could provide "socket" connections, and a consumable would be the cord. Recovered on disconnect, lost if "snapped".
I think this is a good idea, and it could also match with the "power cord" idea others suggested.
Have a basic connection system, for player to grid, player to player (rescue power/o2 share?), or grid to grid (with limited transfer capacity), so that temporary connections can be made.
Just a simple socket/cord setup, where a player and a small block could provide "socket" connections, and a consumable would be the cord. Recovered on disconnect, lost if "snapped".
Being able to have a fuel cable would be so amazing! It bugs me when I have a super sleek design but I have to make a concession to be able to have the ship have a connector just to get fuel. Cargo transfer is one thing but if I just need fuel/uranium/battery charge I would love to be able to just run a connector to a small port.
Picture many sci-fi films where a ship docks at a port and one of the first things they do is run fuel and coolant lines to a ship.
Being able to have a fuel cable would be so amazing! It bugs me when I have a super sleek design but I have to make a concession to be able to have the ship have a connector just to get fuel. Cargo transfer is one thing but if I just need fuel/uranium/battery charge I would love to be able to just run a connector to a small port.
Picture many sci-fi films where a ship docks at a port and one of the first things they do is run fuel and coolant lines to a ship.
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