Wind! Increase pollution cloud movement in interesting ways

[Xycor]

In the games I've played bug attacks are predictable and from the same directions. I defend these directions and often leave the others undefended.

It would make defense more interesting if a wind direction and speed was in effect. Wind could be implemented by changing the pollution spreading function to adjacent tiles.

Imagine having the stress of having a few "calm" days where considerable pollution has accumulated around your base (Similiar to the inversion effect seen in some cities). Then the wind picks up one day and pushes the pollution cloud out into the black map and you have no idea what is going to come at you. I'd expect the wind speed and direction to change once or twice a day. The wind mechanic should result in constantly varied direction, frequency, and strength of attacks.

Maybe the player could even build a windsock for fun.

Please?

[Supercheese]

Uhhhh... the game already has variable wind direction and speed. You can see for yourself in this animation, check the direction of the smoke from the steam engines: http://imgur.com/tm3bKY3

(Animation from Time Lapse mod: viewtopic.php?f=92&t=22759)

[Xycor]

Hmm... This is a bit awkward.

I am happy the mechanic is in the game. Rather than admit I am not observant can I refine my post to request the wind effect be strengthened?

Right now the pollution can dilute in all directions. If there were elevation (which I am not deluded enough to ask for) it would corral the pollution as it hit mountains. I guess I want to see dense masses of pollution pinch off and visibly travel the map.

A per-cell wind vector may have a similar effect, or cold/warm fronts (and for all I know that too is already in the game.) That is harder to implement though.

Great first request post right?!

[ske]

Xycor isn't totally wrong with this. There isn't any observable effect of wind on pollution distribution.

* In Europe, USA, China we mostly have west wind which means most of the pollution moves east.
* In Factorio you see one big blob of pollution around your base.

[ssilk]

I moved this to balancing and change the title a bit.

My opinioin: It is possible, that the wrong - or right - wind (direction, speed) influences a game really strong. And I think, that the wind is currently changing too fast/too often to see any (big) effect. This underlines the OP.

What I also think is, that wind should be more or less predictable. But that is another suggestion.
See also viewtopic.php?f=80&t=342#p133677

[ssilk]

Moved back to suggestions, because of being stupid.

It also has a sister thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=102817 Expanding pollution and environmentalism