TL;DR
I think the game could benefit from a redesign of robots and structure construction.What ?
After reading the latest FFF over here, I thought of some ideas regarding logistics/construction robots. Paired with this suggestion is my own take on the suggested overhaul of structure construction mechanics proposed in the FFF.I will begin by going over the structure construction changes. What I proposed is that structure plans be created through the integrated blueprinting system and completed by giving resources to progress the construction by one step. Each structure would define how many steps are required to construct and/or deconstruct it, as well as the resources required at each step. Resources could be provided to a structure by hand or through logistics drones. For vehicles, trains, or other similar entities (such as the proposed transportation drones), additional structures could be added to uniquely construct the individual entities (such as a train yard, or drone facility).
The current robot system would be overhauled and rather than logistics and construction robots, there would be transportation and logistics drones. To further integrate robots into gameplay, the player would have an equipment slot for logistics drones above armor (where the pickaxe used to reside). Players would start the game with a single logistics drone and all armor would offer a small amount of recharge for logistics drones.
Logistics drones would handle managing the player's logistics requests as well as construction logistics requests. However, unlike the current logistics system, the proposed logistics drones would not transport goods beyond these two requests. To handle the transportation of resources from point A to point B, transportation drones would be used.
Transportation drones are larger robots that can transport goods from one landing pad to another. A landing pad is a new 3x3 structure which operates similar to a train station. Transportation drones are recharged electrically (via the landing pad) and can store up to 20 slots. Similar to trains, the transportation drone can be accessed by adjacent inserters when stationed at a landing pad. The player would be able to program transportation drones in the same manner that automated trains are programmed.
One thing to note about this is that each landing pad is essentially a section of track. This means that if the desired landing pad is occupied, the transportation drone will not move to that location. Additionally, when a landing pad opens up, the next transportation drone in queue will claim the open landing pad, even if it is not currently close by.
The existing logistics chests would be removed under this proposed system. Instead, there would be a single logistics chest which would be utilized by logistics drones for construction and player logistics. As already mentioned, the landing pad would handle resource transportation logistics.
The roboport would remain as is, for the most part. It would be utilized by the logistics drones for charging and determining range.
As current logistics storage chests are generally used for bulk storage organization, it could be a good idea to offer a new option for bulk storage as well. Perhaps a silo structure as a new 3x3 storage structure that holds an extreme amount (around 400 stacks) of a single resource.
Why ?
As there are two suggestions here, I'll start by discussing my thoughts behind the structure construction overhauls. Instant construction/deconstruction of structures allows abusing things like turrets. Additionally, having entire structures, trains, and other such large entities within your inventory is a bit silly thematically.Having to construct things within the world itself in the way proposed here would also make individual structures feel more valuable. The player is likely to have a strong desire to protect a valuable structure when it could take a bit of time to rebuild it when destroyed.
Now, onto the reasons behind my proposed robotics changes.
Currently, robotics really do make belts obsolete. My proposed changes would instead give robotics their own niche to fill. They aren't for long distance bulk transportation, as trains can carry far more than an individual drone. They aren't for consistent transportation either, as the transportation drone travel time make belts a superior choice. However, for storage management, short distance bulk transportation, and similar jobs, transportation drones would be the perfect fit.
The merger of the existing logistics robots and construction robots under the proposal is to allow me to split player logistics from general resource transportation logistics. Additionally, it means that a player need only have a single drone type to construct structures as well as handling personal logistics. Seemed like a fitting solution, rather than keeping the split between logistics and construction and then adding transportation.
I also proposed that players begin play with a single logistics drone due to the structure construction overhaul. The logistics drone would serve as an invaluable helper when a player is getting their first structures put together. It also gives the player a bit of a taste of what things will be like once they can get themselves as swarm of them.
Overall, I think this is a good solution to the issues described in the linked FFF regarding construction and robotics. I'd love to hear the community's feedback though, so please don't hesitate to let me know what you think.
