Why No Windmills

[LittleNightma]

I think the electricity portion of the game could use more TLC. and windmills/wind turbines would be a cool addition. Besides, if our players are smart enough to build apiaries, forges, and dew collectors, they can probably figure out how to create one of those too.

 

[IElderwolfI]

Not quite a good comparison. A drawbridge is just a lot of planks or half logs connected to form the bridge and then ropes or chains with winches to lower and raise it (for unpowered). That's very different from trying to make a very long windmill or wind turbine blade. But even so, people have been making windmill blades at home for a very long time. What people are really complaining about is the difference between a windmill and a wind turbine. You won't craft a wind turbine at home and some aren't willing to accept that a game can treat a normal windmill that *can* be crafted at home as a power source even though a LOT of games do that.

Small wind turbines on farms have been a thing for a very very long time

 

[Riamus]

I think the electricity portion of the game could use more TLC. and windmills/wind turbines would be a cool addition. Besides, if our players are smart enough to create apiaries, forges, and dew collectors, they can probably figure out how to create one of those too.

To be fair, the three things you listed are actually pretty easy to make with just a little knowledge about them. I think I could probably make all 3 without trouble. Of course, I think I can also make a windmill without trouble as well. But I definitely couldn't build a vehicle or generator or gun from scratch and we can do those in the game, so making a windmill would be feasible. I still don't think a wind turbine is something they need to even consider, though. Games use windmills for power all the time and players of those games don't mind, so I don't see an issue here. You'd get the few diehards who can't accept a windmill for power, but the vast majority of players will just appreciate a new power source.

Small wind turbines on farms have been a thing for a very very long time

Usually as kits that you assemble and not ones you build entirely from scratch, unless you consider adding a generator to a standard windmill the same thing as making a wind turbine.

 

[LittleNightma]

To be fair, the three things you listed are actually pretty easy to make with just a little knowledge about them. I think I could probably make all 3 without trouble. Of course, I think I can also make a windmill without trouble as well. But I definitely couldn't build a vehicle or generator or gun from scratch and we can do those in the game, so making a windmill would be feasible. I still don't think a wind turbine is something they need to even consider, though. Games use windmills for power all the time and players of those games don't mind, so I don't see an issue here. You'd get the few diehards who can't accept a windmill for power, but the vast majority of players will just appreciate a new power source.

I can build a rocket ship out of tinfoil and toilet paper rolls trust

 

[IElderwolfI]

To be fair, the three things you listed are actually pretty easy to make with just a little knowledge about them. I think I could probably make all 3 without trouble. Of course, I think I can also make a windmill without trouble as well. But I definitely couldn't build a vehicle or generator or gun from scratch and we can do those in the game, so making a windmill would be feasible. I still don't think a wind turbine is something they need to even consider, though. Games use windmills for power all the time and players of those games don't mind, so I don't see an issue here. You'd get the few diehards who can't accept a windmill for power, but the vast majority of players will just appreciate a new power source.


Usually as kits that you assemble and not ones you build entirely from scratch, unless you consider adding a generator to a standard windmill the same thing as making a wind turbine.

I get the kit thing, which could also be an easy add to the traders. But farmers have been pretty inventive since the beginning of time, I guarantee some farmers have manufactured some themselves instead of buying a kit

 

[zztong]

I get the kit thing, which could also be an easy add to the traders. But farmers have been pretty inventive since the beginning of time, I guarantee some farmers have manufactured some themselves instead of buying a kit

My grandparents had one that was decorative, but it would sure get spinning under no load. Those farmers pumped water. They didn't drive a generator. Big difference? Probably in reality. I'm not the one to know.

In game I'm not sure it matters. It would be more a matter of getting it to land at the right place in the tech. Is it wood for the blades? Is it forged iron for the drive? Does the output depend on the weather? Does it operate or take damage during a storm? Perhaps a "break" mod is needed to let it avoid damage in a storm? What can it power?

Post automatically merged: Today at 2:20 PM

I can build a rocket ship out of tinfoil and toilet paper rolls

Desdemona, is that you? (A Jimmy Buffet reference...)

 

[Riamus]

Yeah, we had one as decoration when I was growing up as well, though ours was made mostly from a broken down one that was laying in a scrap heap and we just put it back together and replaced any parts necessary. It also got going fast in the wind. It was probably about 40-50 foot tall and I can tell you that being on top of it and hanging Christmas lights around the blades was a harrowing (okay, not that bad, but still not that safe) experience. (We locked the blades so it didn't spin for that)

 

[IElderwolfI]

My grandparents had one that was decorative, but it would sure get spinning under no load. Those farmers pumped water. They didn't drive a generator. Big difference? Probably in reality. I'm not the one to know.

In game I'm not sure it matters. It would be more a matter of getting it to land at the right place in the tech. Is it wood for the blades? Is it forged iron for the drive? Does the output depend on the weather? Does it operate or take damage during a storm? Perhaps a "break" mod is needed to let it avoid damage in a storm? What can it power?

Post automatically merged: Today at 2:20 PM

Desdemona, is that you? (A Jimmy Buffet reference...)

Early models on farms used wood but changed to metal turbines the 1880s and plastic and steel in the 1900s, so it could be tiered levels like weapons. Not sure it really matters what it powers, just produces some level of power

 

[warmer]

I suppose having the ability to use a single battery connected to a light would be a possible option, though I'm not sure if it's really worth it. In most cases, I never get a battery more than a short time before I have the lights and generator unlocked anyhow since they aren't too common until you can scrap cars and unless I find a wrench early, I'm not scrapping cars early. But I think it could still be interesting and perhaps be a nice option for adding lights somewhere other than your main base or horde base without having to use gas.

It would be cool if "lights" didn't add heat, but only torches did. I also attributed "heat" from actually burning things and causing smoke/noise (forge/building/workbench/campfire)

If they didn't produce heat this would actually give me a reason to use electric lights. I never do. The game isn't dark enough to even need torches unless you are underground in my opinion. Now that underground bases are again viable with digging options, lighting is a lot more valuable.

Do electric lights contribute to heat? I honestly have no idea.

 

[Riamus]

It would be cool if "lights" didn't add heat, but only torches did. I also attributed "heat" from actually burning things and causing smoke/noise (forge/building/workbench/campfire)

If they didn't produce heat this would actually give me a reason to use electric lights. I never do. The game isn't dark enough to even need torches unless you are underground in my opinion. Now that underground bases are again viable with digging options, lighting is a lot more valuable.

Do electric lights contribute to heat? I honestly have no idea.

I am pretty sure they do. But remember that "heat" isn't just warmth. It is activity. Lights aren't normally used when someone isn't around, so it is a way to increase the activity (heat) level for areas where players regularly are. As far as being dark, I dropped brightness to 20% IIRC and it's pretty dark inside unless you're near a window.

 

[warmer]

I am pretty sure they do. But remember that "heat" isn't just warmth. It is activity. Lights aren't normally used when someone isn't around, so it is a way to increase the activity (heat) level for areas where players regularly are.

The reason I would say lights shouldn't provide heat, is they don't produce noise or smoke/smell on their own. If you are underground and using lights, they shouldn't logically contribute unless you re using a generator to run them. I guess that is my logic. Unless it's on your porch blinking, there really isn't a reason for them to attract zombies.