[Automate] add optional balanced mode

[Pathoschild]

Automate is easy to set up by design, but many players would like a more challenging / balanced mode.

This just a tracking ticket for suggested ideas:

• require fuel to keep machines running;
• require an auto-grabber (or similar) in the machine group;
• replace the chest with a custom automation chest that's more expensive / harder to craft;
• require unlocking automation through an in-game quest line or event (e.g. with Maru and Clint).

[DannyDaemonic]

One of the things I like about the mod is that I can send my save file out to someone else or otherwise remove the mod from the game and everything is still there. Adding a new kind of chest or a special fuel would complicate that. Re-purposing an Auto-Grabber is more reasonable in that sense but less aesthetically pleasing.

Instead you could just require a Battery Pack be stored in the chest for it to work. This has the effect of putting a time limitation on the number of automated chests you can have. To delay the automated "technology" more you could require a stack of X batteries to activate the chest. Or you could require X batteries per machine that would be automated by the chest. A chest would only be added to the automation group when it has the required number of batteries.

This is simple from a developmental point of view as you don't have to add a new machine or fuel and you wouldn't have to serialize any extra data to the save file. It also wouldn't be hard to put a simple text indicator somewhere showing a chest has "8 / 10 batteries required for automation."

[Traehgniw]

Maybe there could be a mode requiring a hopper somewhere in the group for the machine to work?

[Pet-Slime]

As some one who loves automation in Minecraft modpacks, the type of mod I tend to dislike most are "magic blocks" mods. It has one block that can do multiple functions, leading to really easy automation.

That said, there is value in what Danny said. Trying to bridge the gap between players who love being able to just drag and drop and those who want more complex requirements for automation... it would most likely be best as a seperate mod file. Like an automate[hardmode] or something.

[WoosterUK]

replace the chest with a custom automation chest that's more expensive / harder to craft

This is provided for in the mod Automators.