Using surfaces as an alternative to roads.
In diary #44 you guys mentioned that there are some temporarily insurmountable problems with implementing the road feature. Why not try to add new features to surfaces that have already been added to the game? In reality vehicles can travel faster, with less wear and tear, save fuel, make less noise, etc. on hardened surfaces than on muddy dirt. In the game, this can be achieved by increasing speed, reducing pollution, reducing fuel consumption and slowing down maintenance. For balance reasons, they don't all need to be implemented.
Many players (including me) have built "roads" in their factories. But the vehicles ignore these surfaces and go right through the dirt. (Hey, you've got all those nice surface decals, it's a waste if they're just for decoration.)
I added my specific suggestions in the comments section because of the character count limit .
Comments: 1
-
12 Jul, '24
HeosphoriaseSuggestions (these can be included as difficulty options):
1. Increase the speed of vehicles traveling over surfaces, and make vehicle pathfinding prioritize traveling over surfaces.
2. As an option that can be turned on, allow the player to delineate the range of surfaces that vehicles are more inclined to travel on with some specific decals.
3 (Optional). Reduces pollution, reduces fuel consumption, and slows maintenance consumption when vehicles are above surfaces.
4 (Optional). Include a mechanism for vehicles to "break". Vehicles that "break" require more maintenance until they go to the garage for repair. Vehicles traveling on surfaces will be less likely to "break".
5 (Optional). Add a mechanic that makes it more likely for a vehicle to "break" when traveling off-surface for an extended period of time. Make it more important for players to take care of the vehicles in their factories. (Mega vehicles can ignore this mechanic, as they are designed to travel in muddy environments.)