From 22e9edc9ff2f6cbff65240d58f5c8e7e92a3c613 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Scrambledking <118861382+Scrambledking@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2026 19:06:58 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Created Flatpack Removal Flatpack Removal Design Doc Created --- src/design-proposals/Flatpack Removal | 88 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 88 insertions(+) create mode 100644 src/design-proposals/Flatpack Removal diff --git a/src/design-proposals/Flatpack Removal b/src/design-proposals/Flatpack Removal new file mode 100644 index 00000000..a9c2cf23 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/design-proposals/Flatpack Removal @@ -0,0 +1,88 @@ +Flatpack Removal +Scrambleking ℹ️ Open PR https://github.com/funky-station/funky-station/pull/2953 + + +# Overview +This proposal recomends flatpack (machine/research) removal, and reducing flatpack use in pre-mapped flatpacks. + + +# Background +Flatpacks have become a staple of science, simply slip a board in, hit the button, zap it with a yellow box, and its built. +Not only that the machine cheaper than a normal lathe, mobile, and easy to set up. + + +## The Machine/Research: +Science has lost the feeling of being a tinkering department, and lost the interactions with the greater station as a whole for construction of machines. +With the removal of flatpacks scientists will actualy leave and interact with the station as a whole, getting access to departments they normaly wouldnt. +You can also work with engineering to have them set up the machines you lathe the parts for should science be lacking, or lone tools out for construction purposes. + +## The Mapping level: +While not every flatpack needs to go, there are a fair few that are used as flatpacks that have no reason to be done as such. +If it makes any sense for a prior shift to set it up (EG what we have to do shift start) then it shouldnt be in a flatpack, it should be built. + + Examples of un-needed mapped flatpacks: + +Autoclave (medical) +This is a box to clean surgical tools. +Why is it not just set up in medical surgery bays? +Does this only exist so medical gets a mutltitool shift start? +Why does CMO even keep this in their locker? + +Solar (Engineering): +There were shifts before this one, why are we the first shift to place the solar pannels on the wing? +Damadge I get, but seriously no shift before this set up the 8 crates of solar pannels that were just sitting on the lattice? + +AME (Engineering): +Im also unsure why the AME is all packed up, it has a designated position on every map shift start. +I am fairly sure the only reason you can re-flatpack this is because of the old theif objective, and theives do not currently have objectives. + +## Discord conversations (you can find more by just searching for flatpack) +https://discord.com/channels/1276640157511979008/1364790644278562856/1478805676867326045 +https://discord.com/channels/1276640157511979008/1276653734767755294/1478597864958726336 +https://discord.com/channels/1276640157511979008/1276653734767755294/1478538582099623976 + + +# Features to be Removed +The Flatpack from regular play (admins could still spawn it if needed) +Mapped flatpack machines (replaced with the actual machines) + + +# Game Design Rationale + +## How does the feature align with our Core Design Principles and game philosphy? + +Maintaining Authenticity: It currently takes the same ammount steps to build a machine that can print exotic weaponry as it does to light a cigarette. 7 for the cig, 7 to flatpack and deploy. + +Take Things Slow: The flatpack was built for wizden's 60 minuet rounds. We have double lengh. Science also regularly finishes research and has nothing to do. Even when they dont finish research they sometimes have nothing to do. + +Maximizing Roleplay Potential (Avoid QOL slop): Actualy interacting with other departments past *throws flatpack out of window* by constructing the machine on site sounds like a hell of a lot more RP to me. + +Dynamic Environment: Having people go back and forth with crates and bags to construct things on site is a hell of a lot more dynamic than waiting in line for them to throw a machine at you. + +Seriously Silly: Poping up 30 mounted PKAs or an entire department of machines is funy sure, but it completely fails to be in any way serious. + + +## Other discussed possiblities: + +Rework of the construction system to put in all parts at once, then preform tool tasks on the "in progress" sprite +While this would be ideal, it can be done simultaiously outside of this PR and does not fit within it's scope. + +Assign a T3 research slot to the flatpack and increase the cost of the machine +While useful, the only slot that the flatpack would accurately fit is industrial, which is already one of the more picked catagories. +It may be possible to theme it for experimental, which is sorely lacking in useful T3, but there is curently too large of a disparity in theme currently. + +Increase cost of using the flatpack +A cost increase on the flatpack (proposed at 200%) has been suggested, but it fails to accurately hit the problems with the flatpack. +Additionaly hyperlathes are already cheaper than the flatpack, but are not utilised in it's place. + + +## Arguments against change (from real people): + +Many shenanigan are only avalible through flat packing +All flatpacking does is make you able to pop up any machine anywhere. Unless your looking to just summon a mounted PKA wall out of nothing or something, this has no benefit. + +Over half of science is antags every shift, nothing would get done +If this is true we need to seperately look at why so many antags are chosing science and fix that. Doing so is outside of the scope of this PR. + +Engineering would be lost! How would we move machines that need flatpacks around! (creative liberties taken from "just remove engineering while you are at it IG") +Most of the machines that use flatpacks could just be given a deconstruction, or recipie with time. Worst case you can unwrench and fulerton it for long distances.