Machinery and Continuous work

[kisukin]

First of all , i understand this is a game and we need fun mechanics. Its simply a sugestion and feel free to desagree ^^.

We have a lot of machines running and they condition still the same if not overheated or deliver any improper material. Bateries and power produces could keep running without extra problems once you deal the setup. Maybe we could have a job to maintain machines: after X cycles or Y uses the machine starts to get damaged ( the components have some sort of decay ). If its works that way , we need expend more materials and/or have a duplicant ( or even a robot ) doing a task to repair or prevent the machines have problems.The concept behind is have a organic setup instead "once done just leave". this imply in a continuous job ( even if is once at each 100 cycles , for example ).

About the modalities of work, I usually separate into continuous and non-continuous. The rancher would be a example of an ongoing activity, since he always has to visit creatures and take care . Activities such as digging or building would be non-continuous (although voluminous at the beginning of the game), as once done it is done. 

Perhaps other activities could be ongoing as well. The doctor may examine or talk to a patient (like a psychologist) to reduce stress for a while. The artist could sing, dance or tell a joke to entertain his colleagues (as a way of working). Plumbers and constructors maintain the pipes and machines.The concept behind this would be to make some very restrictive functions have more actions and interactions with other duplicants. I understand that some roles need to have fewer tasks ( especially if you have few duplicates in the colony) , but others seem to have been forgotten.

[Sasza22]

Maintaining machines that would break down is sometimes suggested but in the end it doesn`t add much to the game. What it adds are extra tasks that consume dupe time and resources and force you to build stuff in a speific way (so everything is accessible). Some setups are really hard to open once sealed without spilling stuff all over the base. The goal for most people is no maintainance bases which is possible but hard to do. Making it artificially impossible is kinda bakwards in that regard.

Anyway certain machines need maintainance anyway either by getting filled/emptied or depressurized/cleaned. Other require dupe operation. Dupes aren`t getting bored, most of the time they have something to do. Giving them more might stagnate progress especially with long pipes and cause the game to get more annoying lategame.

[KonfigSys]

Take a dupe with destroyer trait and keep him stressed (no breaks). You will enjoy repairing done very often.

People even rarely use the building which increases the electricity generators output in the generator room as it requires constant maintenance and refined metal. Also farm station is not extremely popular because of constant labor required.

Most people want to automate processes. There are more complains about not enough automation options rather than the other way around. 

Here we have new features: meters, grubgrubs, rocket automation, sublimation station, etc. All to reduce mundane labor.

it is more interesting to start a new project and build something new rather than to spend time to keep maintaining already built buildings. 

Game veterans are designing no labor units; like replacing oil processing building which require dupe intervention with magma, aquatuner, rocket boilers with no labor to maintain but construction only. Desalinizers with steam chambers, etc.

But I like your idea of doctors talking to dupes to reduce their stress. Relaxation rooms. Something more for doctors to do. Currently they are limited only to cure patients with physical illnesses (rare case) and making medicine. Yes, we have an entertainment pack but it is more for a later stage of the game. So I use massage tables quite frequently at the early game sessions. If doctors in no power required rooms can treat mental diseases/stress more effectively than it is a good change.