logic-controlled mouse cursor for programmer

[Roblin]

As is, the programmer can simulate any input that any other captain can perform, with the exception of the mouse cursor, this causes some clunky behavior.

 

in particular, this is especially important for combat, which is very strange for the programmer.

 

Combat is essentially trivial, because every problem related to combat can be solved with 'moar guns' and any energy problems that arise can be solved with 'moar energy'

However, because guns aiming is strictly 'fixed' that means that aiming the guns are complicated. frequently it is far easier to rotate the entire space drone to aim towards the target than it is to rotate some sort of connected turret comprised of several guns. (having a rotating turret with only 1 gun is not worth it space-efficiency wise) so the go-to solution becomes 'fire in every direction' which makes for some very boring gameplay.

this can be solved by allowing the guns to actually aim similar to how other captains can: by rotating in place to aim at some simulated cursor.

this would likely make people use fewer guns on programmer creations simply because there would be more fun ways of solving the problem: make the guns you do have actually aim at the enemy the way other captains can.

[kitsu.eb]

Agreed, unlimited parts leads to Programmer requiring the dumbest play instead of the smartest.

More limitations could curtail the "moar guns" solutions, paired with some additional automation like this suggestion would lead to more interesting solutions.

[Orange Guise]

Furthermore, I don't see a reason other machines can't use a "Virtual Cursor".

However I think a more elegant solution would be the ability to assign something like a "WAYPOINT" and manage it. Then this waypoint could be set as a target aside from FIXED or CURSOR.

Having the machines actually move your mouse pointer would be very frustrating for a lot of programmers and could softlock the game.