[Request] Early Game Automated Construction Idea: Servo Arm

[dantheangry]

Posted this in the Factorio subredit and was told to post here as well

I am thinking something along the lines of servo arm from Warhammer 40k or Dr. Octopus arms to auto-place blue prints early game a short distance from the player as a form of automated construction.

[sparr]

First, how do you think it should be implemented in-game? Here are my ideas:

• equipment for use in modular/power armor (or vehicle grids)
• new type of armor that has zero or negative protection value
• new type of vehicle

Second, where do you think it should appear in the tech tree?

[dantheangry]

I agree with you on the implementation. Having a no protection armour with this item in a small grid.

I think it should be fairly early somewhere around medium armour and fast/long handed insterters. Logically it would be a backpack with an inserter basically.

[sparr]

Hmm. Would it take power? I have to review the tech tree, but I don't think we can get power into a grid until we already have modular armor. Maybe this is just an equipment for modular armor?

Also, maybe the player gets slowed down while walking and using it?

[dantheangry]

Sure, I have no idea how something like this would need to be coded.

[sparr]

I can handle the coding, and I want to make this happen. I just want to think it through ahead of time with regards to other tech, etc.

[sparr]

https://mods.factorio.com/mods/sparr/co ... -equipment

Try it out, tell me what you think. If people like it, I'll work on adding animations, etc.

[dantheangry]

Will do. You could probably recycle inserter sprites and animations initially.

[sparr]

pshaw "initially". using the long-handed-inserter sprites is exactly what I want to do.

[darkfrei]

pshaw "initially". using the long-handed-inserter sprites is exactly what I want to do.

• Long handed inserter radius and speed of it.
• Fast inserter radius and speed of it.

Nice balance!

[sparr]

That's an interesting idea. Two separate equipment types might be annoying. Maybe just have it pick the animation and speed based on how close the thing is, and use both types to make the equipment?

Looks like at least a few people are installing the mod. I guess I should add animations...