Manufacturing focused corporation - SmartBuild

[Lord Zarnox]

I'm thinking there should be a corporation dedicated to effective and efficient manufacturing and base design. Using the temporary name of SmartBuild, I have made this detailed (WIP) post of a list of blocks, concepts, and other ideas for such a corporation.

As a simple list of some blocks they would have:

• SmartBuild conveyor - T junction (likely Grade 1)
  • This conveyor is a 1x1x1 size conveyor that acts differently in different situations. Similarly to normal conveyors, right clicking on it would cycle the direction of the conveyor by changing which of the three sides is the input and which is the default output. The smart part of it is that it can automatically redirect certain resources to the path which isn't active via signalling from other manufacturing blocks. As with all blocks with signalling functionality, it has the two antennae, mounted on the side of the block which isn't a conveyor path. This single block will also passively be able to prevent conveyor blockages, only allowing chunks to pass through if there is a suitable destination, such as a silo, which isn't completely filled (it should take into account how many chunks are on route to the silo as well). This passive function would allow for conveyor "trees", distributing resource chunks and components only to blocks with enough free storage.
• SmartBuild Mass Refinery (likely Grade 2)
  • This efficient refinery would be different in a few ways. It would take up to twice as long as the GSO Refinery, however, it has two input points and two output points. Unlike the GSO and Venture varieties, the SmartBuild Mass Refinery would require energy to refine chunks. I don't know how much energy each thing has, but I think 2/3 the energy output of the GeoCorp Geothermal Generator (GGG), meaning two GGGs can fully power three SmartBuild Mass Refineries with no excess energy. The mass refinery must take 4 resource chunks of the same type before it will refine them, and due to the energy and its efficiency, it will output 5 refined chunks (input : output ratio of 1 : 1.25). Naturally, this block would be high grade, high cost, and large size (at lest 3x3x2).
• SmartBuild Resource Reverter (likely Grade 2)
  • This block would be the most unique of all the blocks listed here (for now). The overall mechanics would be the same as the Mass Refinery, however, it would take in three refined chunks and output two unrefined resource chunks (input : output ratio of 1 : 0.67), allowing for access to the required materials to make grade 1 blocks in fabricators. This conversion ratio would be suitable for efficient, yet not perfect resource conversion, as by using both the Mass Refinery and Resource Reverter, 1 unrefined chunk becomes 1.25 refined chunks, which then becomes 0.83 chunks, resulting in a net loss. This means that they can't be exploited to produce infinite resources.
• SmartBuild Chunk Compressor and SmartBuild Chunk Decompressor (likely Grade 3)
  • These two blocks would work as the input and output of SmartBuild's resource storage solution. Starting with the Compressor, this block, with a relatively small input of energy, will take 4 refined resource chunks and compress them into a more easily manageable compressed form, known as a Resource Compression Unit, or RCU for short. Compressed item names should be formatted as "[Resource name] Compression Unit". These RCUs can be stored in a silo and moved along a conveyor like any other chunks, however, they cannot be used directly in the manufacturing of components or blocks, nor can they be sold, or at least not for the full price of their contents (maybe 2/3 value of the 4 contained resources).
    This is where the Decompressor comes in. Using the same amount of energy as the Compressor, the Decompressor takes the RCU and separates it into the four contained resource chunks. Using both the SmartBuild Chunk Compressor and SmartBuild Chunk Decompressor allows for very efficient storage and transport of refined resources.

 

[Lord Zarnox]

(Character limit exceeded for a single post)

SmartBuild Grade 1 License received from mission that has the prerequisites:

• GSO Grade 4, GeoCorp Grade 2, Venture Grade 2 and Hawkeye Grade 2
• Or, if SmartBuild is the manufacturing branch of Better Future, mission available at Better Future Grade 2 (depending on implementation)

Mission would likely require production of refined resource chunks and components, then transport to neutral base spawned by mission upon request from a unique NPC (similar to crafty business/craftier business). This would make sense as it demonstrates how time consuming and inefficient such a task is, and the NPC will then grant you a SmartBuild Grade 1 License so you can do similar tasks more efficiently.


General concepts specific to corporation usage in game:

• Any non-player SmartBuild tech would be considered as neutral by all other techs, with the exception of other SmartBuild techs, which are considered allied. They will not target other techs, nor will they be targeted by other techs, unless they are provoked by being damaged beyond a threshold. Lore wise, there could be a treaty/law that it is not respectable to attack or otherwise harm their property, and that doing so allows them and any other SmartBuild owned techs to be hostile to said aggressor until they are destroyed or reach a minimum distance. Once one of these two outcomes occurs, a countdown timer will start, and until it reaches zero, the SmartBuild techs that had defended themselves/each other will react in the aggressor enters within a certain radius by first avoiding the aggressor at a distance, or failing that, either by being unable to move (i.e. an anchored tech) or the aggressor getting to close, react by attacking the tech. The timer is paused while the SmartBuild tech is in combat with the other tech, and resumes once the fight ends. Once the timer reaches zero, the SmartBuild tech will again become neutral and will act the same as prior to the event.

More coming soon. In the meantime, feel free to make any comments or contributions.

Links to later additions by me:
SmartBuild Component Factory and SmartBuild Component Integrators
SmartBuild Source Repelenisher and SmartBuild Resource Samples

 

[Sharra]

I like your suggestion. This would give us much more options to save space, reconvert ressources by needs and so on. And, thats the best part, its not necessary, but pure optional for those, who dont want the base too complex.

 

[Pink Kitty]

Sounds like stuff that would be in either Better Future, or maybe Reticule research?

Not sure we need a whole new corp just for them.

Good ideas though

 

[Legionite]

These ideas sound like they could become part of an existing corporation, like GEO Corp and their original plans to become the master resource management Corp. (SmartBuild could be the base branch of GEO Corp.)

 

[Legionite]

Upon further thought, I have an idea! For the SmartBuild Conveyors that are going to GEO Corp, and their 2x2x2 builds, the conveyers would be able to handle multiple directions at once!

Here is some "concept art":

There is also a U turn for if only one side is connected to a 2x2 SmartBuild Conveyor.

This allows for some easy interesting looking bases without the problems imposed with them.
I see a possible problem with GSO Conveyor compatibility though...

 

[Lord Zarnox]

While it would seem to make sense for SmartBuild to be a branch of GeoCorp, it would make more sense for it to be its own individual corporation, as GeoCorp is more focused on mining and effectiveness rather than efficiency. I do like the idea of SB having a larger range of conveyors, and I was thinking that they should also have a more compact form of the GSO Up Conveyor, that takes up only 1x1x1 space, as well as a twisting conveyor for when the line doesn't change axis, but it needs to be rotated to face a different direction (Clockwise and Anticlockwise twist conveyors).
Another point to support SmartBuild being a separate corporation is that currently GSO is by far the leading manufacturing corporation, which doesn't seem right, being that GSO is meant to be the all round average corporation. They need a new rival in this market, and seeing as Venture don't have much of a variety of manufacturing blocks, and that the ones they do have are more focused on speed rather than productiveness, there is more than enough reason for SmartBuild to take this place.

 

[Pink Kitty]

They need a new rival in this market,

Could youy explain why you think this, please?

 

[Lord Zarnox]

Could youy explain why you think this, please?

I stated why in the previous sentence.

GSO is meant to be the all round average corporation.

Basically, GSO shouldn't be the best corporation for any particular purpose, but rather have a large variety of parts suitable for any task, but not the most specialised in any specific region. GSO currently has more than half of the blocks in the manufacturing tab, which doesn't seem to fit with their function.

 

[Pink Kitty]

I stated why in the previous sentence.

Um nope.

I'm asking you why GSO NEEDS a rival.

Not why these things should be in the game, not why they should to to this corp or that.

I'm asking you, what about this game, leads you to the conclusion that the GSO corp needs a rival.

GSO currently has more than half of the blocks in the manufacturing tab, which doesn't seem to fit with their function.

Um, sorry, this fits perfectly with their stated function.
Their function is: Be slightly crap. Do all the jobs in the game. Worse than what others do.

So they need all the support blocks.

However, GC should be better at mining (they are)
And venture should be better at building vehicles (generally they are)
And HE are better at building tanks. (yep.)

GSO is the Galactic Survey Organisation. They are the only actual faction.
The other corps are specialists.
So, GSO needs to be able to do everything themselves, even if they do it worse than the specialists.

Is that a bit clearer?

 

[Lord Zarnox]

I suppose it was just a poor choice of words.

 

[{insert_name_here}]

The main theme of Better Future is smart resource management, energy production and efficiency. Most of these blocks should go to Better Future (when it is released) for these reasons - it is basically the more articulated, smart version of GC (while GC is all about raw power and mega-sized techs).

EDIT: Hooray, this was my 100th message on the forums! Just thought I might randomly add that.

 

[AJ1AJ]

I thought Reticule Research Corporation would be more of a suitable corporation for manufacturing....
Because they do research surely?
Aren't the corporations following steam trading cards and badges?
If they were, then they might maybe Reticul Research Corporation for manufacturing... idk how many unlisted corporations there will be though, because there just so happens to be one extra corporation on the trading cards than the badges.

If it was with this corporation, their research could prove extremely good passive defence (really powerful, efficient shields), because in a way... enemies not attacking at all is no fun xd

 

[{insert_name_here}]

If you follow the steam trading cards, then you would see that Reticule Research is about mad, super-charged experimental weaponry, not about building bases and manufacturing. Think about Reticule Research as an insane version of Hawkeye - super strong weapons, but impractical blocks and little/no manufacturing blocks (other than the scrappers and fabricators)

 

[Pink Kitty]

I suppose it was just a poor choice of words.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I don't know, because you still haven't said why you think GSO needs a rival.

 

[Lord Zarnox]

Maybe. Maybe not.

I don't know, because you still haven't said why you think GSO needs a rival.

What I mean is that GSO shouldn't be the best for the manufacturing process. For example, GSO is the only corporation to have the auto-miner and component factory parts, which seem more like specialised parts than basic, general purpose parts.

 

[Pink Kitty]

What I mean is that GSO shouldn't be the best for the manufacturing process. For example, GSO is the only corporation to have the auto-miner and component factory parts, which seem more like specialised parts than basic, general purpose parts.

Well, GSO, is not only the default corp, it's also the faction the devs use as a baseline, and tester.

I know they are planning to have autominers for other corps.
Ones that run slower, but gather more.
Or work really fast, but inefficiently.
Or have built in storage.
etc.

I imagine they'll do the same with other stuff.
Like factories, conveyors and so on.

 

[{insert_name_here}]

What I mean is that GSO shouldn't be the best for the manufacturing process. For example, GSO is the only corporation to have the auto-miner and component factory parts, which seem more like specialised parts than basic, general purpose parts.

yes, but the devs don't know where to put them, so they got dumped in GSO.

Also, you can think about it this way:
A lot of blocks require components to build. Giving the component factory to a more specialised corp (such as this SmartBuild corporation) will mean that it gets unlocked much later in the game, which is a huge disadvantage, and it puts a lot of people off crafting.

"Hey, look at this fancy thing, I really wanna craft it!"
"Oh, the only way to craft it requires an advanced corporation that I haven't unlocked yet. "

GSO is an all-round corporation, so it's alright if you NEED a GSO block in order to manufacture high-tier blocks. But putting it in a specialised corporation kind of forces people to use that corporation. The same thing applies to the Auto-Miner.

 

[Lord Zarnox]

yes, but the devs don't know where to put them, so they got dumped in GSO.

Also, you can think about it this way:
A lot of blocks require components to build. Giving the component factory to a more specialised corp (such as this SmartBuild corporation) will mean that it gets unlocked much later in the game, which is a huge disadvantage, and it puts a lot of people off crafting.

"Hey, look at this fancy thing, I really wanna craft it!"
"Oh, the only way to craft it requires an advanced corporation that I haven't unlocked yet. "

GSO is an all-round corporation, so it's alright if you NEED a GSO block in order to manufacture high-tier blocks. But putting it in a specialised corporation kind of forces people to use that corporation. The same thing applies to the Auto-Miner.

I wasn't suggesting that they be moved. Just saying that it would make sense that a corporation specialising in manufacturing should ALSO have its own version of it.

 

[Lord Zarnox]

New blocks for SmartBuild:

• SmartBuild Component Factory (likely Grade 1)
  • The SBCF would be 5 blocks wide, 3 blocks long and 3 blocks tall. It works the same as the GSO Component Factory, but with one additional function. It has a similar section to the GSO version where the component dongles are meant to go, however it also has two additional indents next to that attachment point, one on each side. These two points are for the Smart Build Component Integrators, which only work when placed in those indents.
• SmartBuild Component Integrators
  
  • SmartBuild Basic Component Integrator (likely Grade 1)
  • SmartBuild Advanced Component Integrator (likely Grade 2)
  • SmartBuild Complex Component Integrator (likely Grade 3)
  • The SB Component Integrators, like the GSO component dongles, enhance the SBCF, but they do it in a different way. Rather than allowing construction of higher level components from lower leveled components, these useful blocks replace the corresponding level components with their ingredients in the recipes for higher level components for the SBCF.
    Note: 1 - You will still need the appropriate GSO dongle to craft the high level component in the first place, and ingredient substitution doesn't need the GSO dongle for the substituted ingredient; 2 - Having a component integrator attached ONLY replaces ingredients, i.e. attaching an advanced component integrator won't unlock advanced recipes.
    That may sound confusing, so I will give two examples:
  • SBCF with GSO Advanced Component Dongle attached, crafting of Rugged Fiblar:

  • No component integrators attached: crafting requires 3 Fibron Chunks and 1 Fibre Plating.
  • SmartBuild Basic Component Integrator attached: crafting requires 5 Fibron Chunks and 1 Rubber Brick.

  • SBCF with GSO Complex Component Dongle attached, crafting of Dervish Gel:

  • No component integrators attached: crafting requires 1 Heat Coil and 1 Z4 Explosives.
  • SmartBuild Basic Component Integrator attached: crafting requires 1 Erudian Crystal, 2 Ignian Crystals and 1 Z4 Explosives.
  • SmartBuild Advanced Component Integrator attached: crafting requires 2 Carbius Brick, 1 Heat Coil and 1 Blast Caps.
  • SmartBuild Basic Component Integrator AND SmartBuild Advanced Component Integrator attached: crafting requires 4 Carbius Brick, 1 Rodius Capsule, 1 Erudian Crystal and 2 Ignian Crystals.

The combination of the SBCF and SmartBuild Component Integrators allows you to shorten your manufacturing line, and removes the annoying problem of having you GSO Component Factories choosing what to make in an inconvenient order. However, when using the SBCF to make exotic components, due to the limit of two component integrators per SBCF, you will still need to either have multiple component factories in the manufacturing line, or have prepared the required components that will be used depending in the currently equiped component integrators.