Update 2

[Nullbear]

Was thinking about how we could implement circuit boards, and make it possible to actually see what components are on the board, without intensive spriting.

Here's what i've come up with:



With this method, Different circuit components will be able to be drawn onto the empty circuit boards properly.

Components are placed on a circuit board using some special machine. Players have to fiddle between components to use, actual designs/placement of the components, etc.

The connections between the components are also done using the same machine. Each component has certain nodes, say perhaps a power input, power output node, and for certain components, an input node, an output node, etc. These can be click+dragged to another to form a connection to another component. Not sure yet if things should be able to connect to multiple places or not yet. Probably an output can split, but an input can only take one.

[lorathor]

So, you need different boards and components to craft the main electrical parts for devices and machines? But what differences will the components make? I think it would be a bit of hard to make your own circuit board with every needed component in order to get a working module for your device and also connect them properly.

To make it a bit easier I would start with two or 3 base Mainboard sizes and different materials needed . Now you need to decide which device module you want to have (PDA module, radio module, virology computer module, apc module...) and set in on the board. All of these modules also come in 3 different stages and sizes to choose from with major function upgrades. And that's basically it. You could also add some special modules like for hacking or minor addon but with that you're ready to build the rest of your desired device.

[Par]

This would be really hard to program.

My suggestion is that we have pre-defined recipes that will use this system. For example, if you have a processor item and you connect it to a memory item, then you will be able to add software to your device. If you then connect a display item to the processor, you will have a terminal/screen on the completed item.
You could have stuff like battery modules that every single powered part needs to be connected to. This module could then have a power cell placed inside.

[Nullbear]

Lorathor, There would be no solid machines or boards, Hence why i went about finding a solution to limit the boards in the least limiting way. There would be no "PDA" board, only a board with the components a pda needs, such as a screen, processor, battery, antenna, memory, etc.

The different board sizes, (There wouldnt be many, between 3 and 5.) Wouldn't do much except allow different amounts of components onto the board. Some could actually be weird shapes to limit useable components, like say we have a 1x4 tall component, but a 4x3 board.

The components would be the core of the machine/assembly sstem, at least, for CT. Each would add some sort of functionality to the circuit board. It could be something simple, like a battery comp. to a light comp. Or something advanced, where you would need a processor adn a pda, and to code what to do with all the input/output stuff.

Par, It may not be that hard to program. A board would just be a list of components, and then a datastring of procedural code based on how its been configured. Its complex, original, etc. But its not ridiculously unachievable.

[lorathor]

But if I got a Mainboard and components, how would I archive to get an pda? What components do I need to add to the Mainboards to get one? It would be quite hard and too much if you need to add light, message system and what else

[Nullbear]

message system would just be memory plus antenna.

[walterkovacs]

So to just recap it in the simplest of terms.

Players use a Tetris style system to fit components onto a circuit board. The combination of components dictates what the circuit does.
(example using example components; Battery + Memory + Microphone = Recording Gizmo ?)

Sounds neat, if I've got that down right.

[Nullbear]

Pretty close. The combination of components dictates what the circuit is ABLE to do.

The connections between the components do the rest.
One of the most advanced components will still be the 'processor'

[Hate9]

that, and you have to design the interface.

[Amelorate]

Well designing the interface would fall under the tasks of the processor.

[Hate9]

I'm pretty sure null mentioned making your own interface in HTML.

[Nullbear]

you're both right. the html code would be either directly on the processor, or mem-storage