Transformation methods, new elements, new disasters, etc.

[LordAzeroth]

There is no way to not notice that the game presents a very nice way for basics of chemistry and physics.

1. Transformation methods:

I would love to see some improvements in methods of producing existing and new elements by condensation, evaporation, combustion, fermentation, etc.

2. Game balance

I would love to see stabilized basics. At the moment the end of the water is interconnected with the end of the game. I would love to see ways of replenishing most basic elements by for instance aforementioned methods or perhaps new constructions to make sure the colony will potentially be able to survive infinitely at some point. However, I would provide new, permanent and/or periodic disasters.

Also, I would add some sort of game difficulty levels which would define generation of basic resources at the begin. So for instance, beginners could start with big or massive chunk of pure water at the start. Intermediate, could have less of pure water, but more contaminated water. Meanwhile, at hard mode the water would be reduced to some small or tiny bits, etc.

3. Permanent disasters

Radiation - The first one that come to mind would be a radiation which naturally would be bound to specific elements at later stage. Welcome to new monitoring tab. This would involve development of protective equipment, securing colony from spreading the radiation, development of medicine, etc.

Pressurized space - At the moment we got some gases, liquids or vacuum in closed environmental areas/tanks/rooms. What if we would add another thing to reconsideration? Pressure could work in two ways. It could result in blast making some damage OR it could suck in something when opened by digging into the space.

Surface - At the moment there is nothing to explore on the surface level. I would add some extra rare elements, not necessarily from periodic table, they could be fake. They would be protected by some dangerous monsters, aliens.

Another Colony - This could be some sort of barbarians whom will be encountered eventually. They could make some invasions, steal gathered food, elements, kill dupes, etc. until they would be dealt with.

Underground hostile aliens - I would add some threats on the bottom for those that are curious enough to see whats hidden there. Perhaps, some sort of mole type that can dig its way to your colony if encountered close enough.

4. Periodic disasters

Earth quakes - This could make some damage to rooms making them incapable to use. Look at sand tiles, they like to fall if there is no concrete tile underneath. This could work in same or similar way, but on much larger scale.

Eruptions - This could be done either on the surface or from the bottom of the map. If the eruption would occur on the surface, then dangerous liquids could go downwards and flood the colony unless the player made some precautions. If the eruption would occur on the bottom, then it could be resulted in the form of geyser shot which again could damage in some way the colony, but could be preventable by development or redirection.

Invasions - Like mentioned above, this is intrigue element of the game which would add some extra layer of randomness and uncertainty. This could be made by barbarians, aliens, or other creatures.

Mistakes - Now, this is something that could occur only from 3rd, 4th layer of development which would represent some advanced research. If dupes are not talented or not trained enough they could result in errors in the research. The error could produce some radiation, unwanted gas or liquid creation, explosion, death of one or two dupes, instant stress to 100%, etc.

5. New dupes

I would add more variety of dupes.

They could have expanded reaction on stress. For instance, Asthma type would consume big amounts of air if stressed, they would breath like when they have to hold breath for a while. Mutineer type would stop work and become idle for a while. Glutton type would eat extra 2-5 portion of food per day if stressed. Depressed type would trigger cry which could influence others as well. Suicidal type could try to make a suicide if stressed, etc.

6. New items

Aforementioned changes, methods, disasters would require a lot of new items and constructions which would be welcome to see. Also, I would love to see some equipment as well. Protective suit, gas masks, oxygen bottles, rope, bridges, weapons, armors, perhaps monitoring, alarm triggers, etc.

Power Generation Stations - For instance using flow of the water as agent to produce the power, perhaps later radioactive element.