Alright, so with the advent of logic gates in Minecraft, and Notch's post regarding them, I think we should have a suggestions thread detailing how we think these should work. Here are my ideas:
Power Generation
Power has to come from somewhere, right? My idea is that by crafting specific materials together- lets say a number of iron and copper blocks, you could craft a universal power generator. These are objects that are 1x1x1 block in size which generate power to be sent down a power line. These generators take a fairly long time to destroy by hacking at them, but are destroyed instantly when they touch lava. Power generators can be used in three different ways:
Hydro power: If a power generator is placed adjacent to a waterfall, or any other flowing water, the generator will create power. The disadvantage to hydro power is that it can be fairly hard to find perpetually flowing water.
Geothermic power: If a power generator is placed either 1 or 2 blocks above a lava block or a fire block it will begin generating power. The disadvantage to geothermic power is that, given the closeness to lava, it can be fairly easy to destroy the generator.
Wind power: If a power generator is placed in a location where there are no other blocks placed, spare those directly bellow the generator, within a 10x10x10 cube around itself it will begin to generate power. While these are the easiest to build, as one can simply build 10 copper blocks straight up, and then place a generator on top, they are also the easiest to find, and disable. Simply knocking out a single block in the copper tower is enough to cut power from the generator.
Each power generator can power up to four devices at a time, assuming that at least 4 sides of the generator are exposed to a means of power generation. For example, a power generator placed directly above a block of lava or fire will generate power for four devices, as all 6 sides are at least once removed from the lava. (though it is impossible to build a generator directly above lava for reasons explained later, it is possible to achieve the same effect.) If one were to place a generator above lava, with one block of air between you would only be able to generate power for one device. A generator placed for hydro generation must be adjacent to a source of flowing water for every device power is being generated for. Finally, a generator placed for wind power will automatically generate power for up to four devices, unless there is a block within 10 spaces of the generator, excluding those directly bellow it. If this is the case, then the side this block is closest too stops generating power.
As mentioned before, it is impossble to place a generator directly above lava, and this is because generators are effected by gravity. However, one could find a 3x3 plot of lava like so:
XXX
XXX
XXX
Place another block in the center:
XXX
XBX
XXX
And then place the generator on top of the middle block. Because each side is still adjacent to lava, you will still generate power for up to four devices.
If there are power lines going to more devices than the power generator can provide, then the devices with the shortest power line path are the ones that are given power.
Power Lines
Copper is the block which would be used to carry power. A player would create power lines out of lines of copper blocks. In it's raw form copper would be given the appearance that iron currently has, with small, brownish spots. Iron would then be given the same look, but with white/light gray spots rather than brown. A copper block placed by a player would look similar to a gold/iron block placed, but with a bronze color. Out of the three metals, copper would be the easiest to destroy, thus, it may become a good idea to coat copper lines with iron. (surround them with iron blocks) Raw copper blocks also carry power, opening up the potential for a short.
A simple power line would look as such:
GXXXXD
Where G is the power generator, the X's are blocks of copper, and the D is a power device. However, they can become more complex than this:
---XXXXD
---X
GXXXXXD
The above could be used to power two devices. (The dashes are simply used to indent. Pretend they aren't there.)
Power Device
A power device is any device which requires power in order to function.
Light bulb: Glass crafted with copper to create a glass block with a filament inside. When provided with power these glow a milky-white color and provide more light than torches. Unlike torches, they would be placeable underwater, and would not need to be relit as time goes on.
Spinning block: This block spins so long as a connection to power is maintained. This block can be used to create gears, and other devices which would require something to spin perpetually.
Block floater: This block, when connected to a source of power, will cause any blocks above it that are effected by gravity to be elevated. This block will act as four devices if the needed power is available, and no other devices are using it, thus elevating blocks by four spaces, however, if the power is used or disabled, it will drop to acting as 3, 2, or 1 devices respectively. (And only raising above blocks by 3, 2, and 1 spaces.)
Power Switches and Buttons
Switches act as a means to easily shift the path through which power flows. When a switch is triggered it with toggle which direction power flows. For example:
-------XXXXXD
-------X
GXXXSXXXXD
G = generator
D = device
S = switch
X = power line
In this case when the switch is triggered it toggles power between the top device and the bottom device.
Switches may also mediate between more than two devices:
In this case the switch toggles between all three devices.
Switches may also be used to completely cut off power, like so:
--------X
GXXXXSXXXXD
In this case the switch mediates between the two paths it is connected to, only one of which is connected to a device. When the switch is toggled to the path without a device, the switch essentially turns the device 'off'.
You can toggle a switch by touching it, but you can also create a button block, which can toggle the switch remotely. There are two types of buttons.
The first, a toggle button, works the same as a switch. When you touch it it toggles through the different paths the switch is connected to. This allows you to operate a switch remotely:
In this case when the player touches the button block (represented by 'B') it acts just as if the player had touched the switch, alternating between the two devices.
The second type of button is a hold button. A hold button maps each of its sides to the sides of the switch, so if the left side of a switch is connected to a device then touching that side will turn the switch to that path for as long as you are touching it. When you stop touching it the switch reverts back to the state it is toggled to.
i support the power generation, perhaps a giant waterwheel? as it would fit in with the medieval theme, or you could bring in magic into the equation, or even alchemy, melting and converting elements together to find an ultimate source of power (it can also change base metals into gold ;P lol) lol yeah i enjoy the idea of power in minecraft, adds more things to do
At the end of the day it's the chair I trust
The cushion is comfy and the works don't rust
With a straight line of vision to my Elvis bust
Watch the kingdom, eat the bread crust
i support the power generation, perhaps a giant waterwheel? as it would fit in with the medieval theme, or you could bring in magic into the equation, or even alchemy, melting and converting elements together to find an ultimate source of power (it can also change base metals into gold ;P lol) lol yeah i enjoy the idea of power in minecraft, adds more things to do
The only purpose of Wind and Water mills were to grind grain
Hence the term, "Watermill or Windmill"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from Kilgallon »
Quote from MomizerRox »
Quote from ZarroTsu »
Creepa stole ma bike. [SSSS]
Sooo... when's the next seecret Friday update topic going up? =[
I don't like the idea of Minecraft having a 'theme' as far as a timeperiod goes. Minecraft should really be its own, completely original world.
Quote from Nicknam4 »
I think we should keep it simple and just have generators that don't need to be around lava or anything.
Then what's the purpose of having generators in the first place? I like my solution as it forces the players to utilize the naturally present structures, fitting the general gameplay theme of the game.
Also, perhaps it should be noted that I'm only suggesting there be a single power generator type, that can be used in all three ways, and possibly more. (Coal? It's mentioned in the Minecraft Wiki.) I don't think each type of energy should require a different generator, thus, 'keeping it simple'.
Of course, these structures can get fairly complex, but they don't necessarily have to. It keeps the entry level fairly low, while making mastery something to really shoot for.
Just have a little blueprint option and when you open it up chuck in your blocks and you get your very own generator in your inventory!
This would always generate power and wires like copper or something could be placed to carry the power, just don't worry about lava, water and wind. We would have bury the wires if we want in a little trench to hide it(Stuff the iron wrapping).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Quote from MichaeljMM79 »
Talent didn't go anywhere, it just gets lost in all the noise. You have to find it.
Just have a little blueprint option and when you open it up chuck in your blocks and you get your very own generator in your inventory!
This would always generate power and wires like copper or something could be placed to carry the power, just don't worry about lava, water and wind. We would have bury the wires if we want in a little trench to hide it(Stuff the iron wrapping).
In most cases that would render wires/copper worthless. The point is to carry power from the generator to the device. If you don't need a power source to generate power than the logical conclusion is to just place the generator adjacent to the device.
Quote from Menen »
Heat Generator, Water Generator.
There is no wind, so yeah...
There doesn't actually have to be wind in game to simulate wind for the purpose of power generation.
It's really not. It's far simpler than most power systems in games which have them. (Such as Dwarf Fortress and GMod.) It takes a long time to explain, but I think the basics of it would be very intuitive in practice. Essentially what you'd expect from a system like this.
A generator near a power source connects to a device through a powerline. Switches/buttons are optional, and a means of expanding the power/flexibility of the system.
I'd quite like power systems so long as they were kept simple (UG MAKE GENERATOR, UG MAKE WIRE TO LIGHT, UG'S LIGHT GET BRIGHT), and if it were optional for creative (Server property, option in SP)
Power Generation
Power has to come from somewhere, right? My idea is that by crafting specific materials together- lets say a number of iron and copper blocks, you could craft a universal power generator. These are objects that are 1x1x1 block in size which generate power to be sent down a power line. These generators take a fairly long time to destroy by hacking at them, but are destroyed instantly when they touch lava. Power generators can be used in three different ways:
Hydro power: If a power generator is placed adjacent to a waterfall, or any other flowing water, the generator will create power. The disadvantage to hydro power is that it can be fairly hard to find perpetually flowing water.
Geothermic power: If a power generator is placed either 1 or 2 blocks above a lava block or a fire block it will begin generating power. The disadvantage to geothermic power is that, given the closeness to lava, it can be fairly easy to destroy the generator.
Wind power: If a power generator is placed in a location where there are no other blocks placed, spare those directly bellow the generator, within a 10x10x10 cube around itself it will begin to generate power. While these are the easiest to build, as one can simply build 10 copper blocks straight up, and then place a generator on top, they are also the easiest to find, and disable. Simply knocking out a single block in the copper tower is enough to cut power from the generator.
Each power generator can power up to four devices at a time, assuming that at least 4 sides of the generator are exposed to a means of power generation. For example, a power generator placed directly above a block of lava or fire will generate power for four devices, as all 6 sides are at least once removed from the lava. (though it is impossible to build a generator directly above lava for reasons explained later, it is possible to achieve the same effect.) If one were to place a generator above lava, with one block of air between you would only be able to generate power for one device. A generator placed for hydro generation must be adjacent to a source of flowing water for every device power is being generated for. Finally, a generator placed for wind power will automatically generate power for up to four devices, unless there is a block within 10 spaces of the generator, excluding those directly bellow it. If this is the case, then the side this block is closest too stops generating power.
As mentioned before, it is impossble to place a generator directly above lava, and this is because generators are effected by gravity. However, one could find a 3x3 plot of lava like so:
XXX
XXX
XXX
Place another block in the center:
XXX
XBX
XXX
And then place the generator on top of the middle block. Because each side is still adjacent to lava, you will still generate power for up to four devices.
If there are power lines going to more devices than the power generator can provide, then the devices with the shortest power line path are the ones that are given power.
Power Lines
Copper is the block which would be used to carry power. A player would create power lines out of lines of copper blocks. In it's raw form copper would be given the appearance that iron currently has, with small, brownish spots. Iron would then be given the same look, but with white/light gray spots rather than brown. A copper block placed by a player would look similar to a gold/iron block placed, but with a bronze color. Out of the three metals, copper would be the easiest to destroy, thus, it may become a good idea to coat copper lines with iron. (surround them with iron blocks) Raw copper blocks also carry power, opening up the potential for a short.
A simple power line would look as such:
GXXXXD
Where G is the power generator, the X's are blocks of copper, and the D is a power device. However, they can become more complex than this:
---XXXXD
---X
GXXXXXD
The above could be used to power two devices. (The dashes are simply used to indent. Pretend they aren't there.)
Power Device
A power device is any device which requires power in order to function.
Light bulb: Glass crafted with copper to create a glass block with a filament inside. When provided with power these glow a milky-white color and provide more light than torches. Unlike torches, they would be placeable underwater, and would not need to be relit as time goes on.
Spinning block: This block spins so long as a connection to power is maintained. This block can be used to create gears, and other devices which would require something to spin perpetually.
Block floater: This block, when connected to a source of power, will cause any blocks above it that are effected by gravity to be elevated. This block will act as four devices if the needed power is available, and no other devices are using it, thus elevating blocks by four spaces, however, if the power is used or disabled, it will drop to acting as 3, 2, or 1 devices respectively. (And only raising above blocks by 3, 2, and 1 spaces.)
Power Switches and Buttons
Switches act as a means to easily shift the path through which power flows. When a switch is triggered it with toggle which direction power flows. For example:
-------XXXXXD
-------X
GXXXSXXXXD
G = generator
D = device
S = switch
X = power line
In this case when the switch is triggered it toggles power between the top device and the bottom device.
Switches may also mediate between more than two devices:
-------XXXXXXD
-------X
GXXXSXXXXXD
-------X
-------XXXXXXD
In this case the switch toggles between all three devices.
Switches may also be used to completely cut off power, like so:
--------X
GXXXXSXXXXD
In this case the switch mediates between the two paths it is connected to, only one of which is connected to a device. When the switch is toggled to the path without a device, the switch essentially turns the device 'off'.
You can toggle a switch by touching it, but you can also create a button block, which can toggle the switch remotely. There are two types of buttons.
The first, a toggle button, works the same as a switch. When you touch it it toggles through the different paths the switch is connected to. This allows you to operate a switch remotely:
--------B
--------X
GXXXXSXXD
--------X
--------XXXD
In this case when the player touches the button block (represented by 'B') it acts just as if the player had touched the switch, alternating between the two devices.
The second type of button is a hold button. A hold button maps each of its sides to the sides of the switch, so if the left side of a switch is connected to a device then touching that side will turn the switch to that path for as long as you are touching it. When you stop touching it the switch reverts back to the state it is toggled to.
Of course it could be an option.
Minecraft does not have any theme, but people just make medieval buildings because they are easy and recognizable.
The cushion is comfy and the works don't rust
With a straight line of vision to my Elvis bust
Watch the kingdom, eat the bread crust
The only purpose of Wind and Water mills were to grind grain
Hence the term, "Watermill or Windmill"
I don't like the idea of Minecraft having a 'theme' as far as a timeperiod goes. Minecraft should really be its own, completely original world.
Then what's the purpose of having generators in the first place? I like my solution as it forces the players to utilize the naturally present structures, fitting the general gameplay theme of the game.
Also, perhaps it should be noted that I'm only suggesting there be a single power generator type, that can be used in all three ways, and possibly more. (Coal? It's mentioned in the Minecraft Wiki.) I don't think each type of energy should require a different generator, thus, 'keeping it simple'.
Of course, these structures can get fairly complex, but they don't necessarily have to. It keeps the entry level fairly low, while making mastery something to really shoot for.
This would always generate power and wires like copper or something could be placed to carry the power, just don't worry about lava, water and wind. We would have bury the wires if we want in a little trench to hide it(Stuff the iron wrapping).
http://www.minerwars.com/?aid=640
There is no wind, so yeah...
In most cases that would render wires/copper worthless. The point is to carry power from the generator to the device. If you don't need a power source to generate power than the logical conclusion is to just place the generator adjacent to the device.
There doesn't actually have to be wind in game to simulate wind for the purpose of power generation.
We dont have wind in the game.
Yeah, but I talked about how wind generation would work in the first post.
The clouds move, indicating some form of wind O.o
It's really not. It's far simpler than most power systems in games which have them. (Such as Dwarf Fortress and GMod.) It takes a long time to explain, but I think the basics of it would be very intuitive in practice. Essentially what you'd expect from a system like this.
A generator near a power source connects to a device through a powerline. Switches/buttons are optional, and a means of expanding the power/flexibility of the system.
Nor does TNT.