Dynamic Structure Building

[Grelf]

Okay, I do not think that this has been suggested before. Sorry if it was, I did search. And yes, I'm aware it is rather complex.

One thing that bothers me a lot about the game is the lack of diversity when it comes to constructions. I know it is alpha and we'll probably get more with time, but currently we get to choose between Log Cabin, Timber House and Stone Mansion. They all look the same regardless of where you find them, and you will always stumble upon them in any village. There isn't really anything that looks like the person who built it, it's always something previously defined. So, indeed, even if they add more structures like this, it may not be satisfying for many people. I would like to see the opportunity to design original buildings, and although it seems extremely complex, I believe that a good part of this complexity can be drawn from other features that are already implemented in the game.

So here is how it would be done. You'd no longer build the whole thing at once. Structures would now require something like a cornerpost, much like walls, and then the player would get to build the larger shape of the structure with specific walls, and the player would also get to build the door wherever he wanted, by connecting two walls. With this players would get to build anything from small shacks to fortresses and castles as they wanted, and all of the structures would be original in shape, and they could use the material chosen by the player. So, like walls, there would be options for building materials like wood, stone, brick, etc. Alternatively players could also get to build walls inside to create separate rooms in the same structure. After the main structure is done, the player would get to build the roof, by choosing materials such as bough or straw. A structure with no roof would lose its ability to keep the objects inside free from decay hits, and obviously roofs wouldn't be possible to build if the structure isn't all walled with no breaches. Players would also need to pave the inside of the house, as it would no longer use a separate region that you get warped to (as that restricts the shape). Cellar-building would also need to be reviewed.

Some of the problems with this are obvious:
- I don't know how it would be possible to generate roof graphics for random-shaped structures, but it can't be impossible.
- This could be used for griefing much like walls.
- People could just build HUGE structures for no good reason.
- There would need to be a server-side protection for people not to see what is inside a house with x-ray, since with this idea houses would not use a separate map area of their own. They'd have to open the door to see what is inside.

But the advantages would be great, and in my opinion they outweigh the issues above:
- Better-looking villages with original structures that rarely look like any others you've seen before.
- Larger structures with different rooms inside.
- Castles, fortresses, and pretty much anything you feel like building.
- More combinations when it comes to the looks of structures (Straw+Wood, Bough+Stone, -PERHAPS- brick color affecting wall color as well?).
- Doors wherever you need them to be.
- New means for players to manifest their creativity in game.
- Flexible system that allows easier implementation of even more ideas concerning structures.

So, am I dreaming too much? Is this even possible?

[Potjeh]

They originally wanted to this, but it proved to be very difficult to implement in a satisfactory manner. Roofs in particular couldn't be dynamically generated while still looking good. So they opted out of it. It's possible they may go back to the idea sometimes, but since the effort/reward ratio is low you shouldn't hold your breath.

[Grelf]

They originally wanted to this, but it proved to be very difficult to implement in a satisfactory manner. Roofs in particular couldn't be dynamically generated while still looking good. So they opted out of it. It's possible they may go back to the idea sometimes, but since the effort/reward ratio is low you shouldn't hold your breath.

Ah, what a shame. I knew the roof thing would be the most problematic about this. Well, maybe one day...