Critter Powered Manual Generators

[CrutchPunk]

Maybe it's not exactly necessary, with all the advanced automations and various ways we can produce power... but since we can ranch and tame animals, now, I feel like it's an untapped resource for manual labor in the early stages. Maybe a use for Morbs, finally? Different critters will generate different amounts of electricity, etc..

[HadashiBlacksky]

I really like this one - especially with the jobs update.

[vovik]

Hatchwheels!

[CrutchPunk]

5 hours ago, vovik said:

Hatchwheels!

That's exactly what I was thinking! Tiny version of the manual gen. that hatches run on. xD I figure any critter could run on them, Hatches, Morbs, maybe even slicksters... Not sure if there's a way to make something Pacu could power, and there's definitely not a way to make Drecko gen. power. xD

[ImpalerWrG]

That's been suggested before, idea needs refinement so as not to be free energy for nothing. Our current critters already have useful outputs so you likely need a whole new critter for this.

[CrutchPunk]

2 hours ago, ImpalerWrG said:

That's been suggested before, idea needs refinement so as not to be free energy for nothing. Our current critters already have useful outputs so you likely need a whole new critter for this.

I feel like, giving critters an athletics trait... some are better than others as producing power... as well as, by forcing them to do manual labor, it affects their well-being and can shorten their lifespan.. would be good ways to nerf is enough to not be OP. Just a decent low level starter way to produce power before you reach deep enough in to the Tech Tree as to not need any manual gens. anymore.

Maybe, as well, critters who die from exhaustion, result in meat that is not a viable food source. Maybe they don't even drop meat.

As far as the new critter part... I feel like Morbs would actually be a good critter for the task, since they basically do not have any significant benefit, and can not be tamed... I'm not opposed to more critters (WHERE'S MY VOLGAS?!) but I feel like any of the current ones could have modified behavior if they are tamed/trained to manually gen.

Speaking of new critters, there's also the Shockworm that has not been released, yet... while it's (purportedly) a hostile critter, its electric shocks could potentially be a source of power production, as well.

 

[Ambaire]

3 hours ago, ImpalerWrG said:

That's been suggested before, idea needs refinement so as not to be free energy for nothing. Our current critters already have useful outputs so you likely need a whole new critter for this.

The critters still need to eat, just like a dupe does, so not sure how you come up with this.

[Smuch]

Quote

That's been suggested before, idea needs refinement so as not to be free energy for nothing. Our current critters already have useful outputs so you likely need a whole new critter for this.

I don't think the material outputs are so great , at least compared to the big hastle that ranching can be, that some additional critters use couldn't be added.

(that said, more biodiversity in ONI, I'd stil welcome)

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When I sugested it, I figured that the cost would be increased food (that do NOT turn into precious mineral/metal/whathaveyo) and rancher duplicant time(as it would need thedupicant to at lest lead the citter in and out of the wheel and likely oversee them once In a while. (since the critters aen't going to start/stop alone)

Exhaustion for critters is also a good mechanic, tho.

I sill say, I don't believe however that Morbs or any flying criter should be eligable for such work.Too small, not enough strength. AndMorb shoul stay the adorably cute pest they are. Drekos seems the only one big enough, hatches too maybe.

[vovik]

On 16.06.2018 at 4:40 AM, ImpalerWrG said:

That's been suggested before, idea needs refinement so as not to be free energy for nothing. Our current critters already have useful outputs so you likely need a whole new critter for this.

We have hamster we have hamsterwheel, we have some materials, BANG hamster generator! dont think that critter wheel will be different from critters wandering around, also that may increase happiness and decrease requirement for space, or increase happiness

[BlueLance]

It could also be that hatches etc which are on it consume more but still give the same output as if they ate normally.

Morbs are useful, but only if you have a plan for them or a need for them. In the end it is free oxygen.

[Ricordis]

Placing such a wheel into a pen and the critters decide if they want to use it or not. Just in case wire it up.

I remember my mice had a wheel but either they were too stupid or simply didn't want to use it properly but in the end the wheel was used as some kind of summer retreat sun roof.

I'd have a hard time to force an animal to energy production labour in ONI.

[CrutchPunk]

On 6/18/2018 at 7:37 AM, Ricordis said:

Placing such a wheel into a pen and the critters decide if they want to use it or not. Just in case wire it up.

I remember my mice had a wheel but either they were too stupid or simply didn't want to use it properly but in the end the wheel was used as some kind of summer retreat sun roof.

I'd have a hard time to force an animal to energy production labour in ONI.

There's two routes this could go:

1. train them to run on the gen. on their own.

• Buff to happiness (speeds up reproduction cycle)
• Buff to Athletics (resulting in better energy production)

2. Strap/chain them to the machines for a set duration.

• Debuff to happiness (slows down reproduction cycle)
• Buff to Athletics (resulting in better energy production, but at a slower rate)

It definitely can't be treated like an actual hamster wheel.. easily ignored. Needs to be treated as equipment.