Bridges

[Reynolds]

Drawbridges. Way easier to code.

[theTrav]

Drawbridges. Way easier to code.

Not appropriate for the tech level and setting (I know, many other things aren't I'm just pointing out the obvious)

Ferries would also work, but wouldn't look as nice as a good stone bridge

[jorb]

Part of the problem as I understand it is that currently there IS no way to prevent bridges from blocking boats.

The issue is coming about a good way that allows both bridges and boats to coexist properly.

That.

Obviously we could make an object that blocks the boats -- any object would -- the problem is that that isn't what what we want to do.

[Jevon]

I have no experience of coding, and how hard this would be, but how about a tile both characters and boats can pass on, and overlay it with a sprite that covers the boat-character sprite, but normal characters are visible over?

Edit: Like shallow water, just creatable.

[Raephire]

Why not make it so boats teleport underneath the bridges?

actually make bridges their own areas, so homeless bums can live under them to get out of the cold, or california social workers can send released pedophile convicts to live while they conveniently misplace their file.

[sabinati]

Why not make it so boats teleport underneath the bridges?

or you could do something that actually made sense, like this:

a tile both characters and boats can pass on, and overlay it with a sprite that covers the boat-character sprite, but normal characters are visible over?

[Cain]

Or hell, screw it all! Take the easy way out! Just make it so we can 'pave' water into shallow water. Allow us to place that one construction order on water tiles, and have it require planks, logs, a bunch of stone, and rope (string) so we're basically just sinking bundles of rock into the river until it's shallow enough to walk over.

Another easy option: make swimming non-fatal. (run out of stamina? Starts draining shp until you get knocked out. Then you "float" (teleport) to the nearest land tile.)

Neither of these options allow for carts, but I honestly don't know of anyone who uses carts for traveling long distances.
I'm also not sure we need a way to build bridges. I guess it would serve to make land travel more useful, but how often do you need to cross the same river? We build our own towns, it's not like the river came through and messed up your location.

[Potjeh]

I think ferries would be sufficient for now.

[Laremere]

The problem is that only one tile exists in any one place. One possible solution would be to create two bridge pillars or something. A short range teleportert that only works accross a small distance of water, and can't have anything blocking them.

Farries are a nice idea, but unless you have two people actively managing it at all times, doesn't work.

[Potjeh]

Cable ferries work. You can just drag it to your side using the cable.