Shape Generator research?

[rigid star]

As I begin to work on my MAM I'm remembering how "fun" it is to go off and find large supplies of circles, squares, diamonds and stars, and red, green and blue paint. And by "fun" I mean tedious. The MAM is about the logic of being able to Make Anything.

So, here's an idea. After we finish the last milestone, let us research a basic shape/paint generator (for a LOT of research points). The generator can only produce 1 quarter square, or 1 quarter circle, or one launcher of rgb fluid. The point is to make the MAM about the MAM and not a basic shape and fluid hunt coupled with a train logistics/routing task.

Yeah folks could use this generator to end up generating any specific shape, but they'll never advance far on the operator level that way. It would only be useful for the MAM.

Though I worry that somehow someone would figure out how to abuse this feature. Thoughts?

[scarlet tapir]

In theory, trains are solving this problem, after you've found a source. So maybe instead some kind of a search functionality for the overworld, where it would highlight some specific shape sources, would work better.

[rigid star]

It's not the time it takes for the goods to get to the MAM that I begrudge. Like you said, that problem is mitigated by trains. And, it isn't really a problem anyway because we only have to pay the cost of filling up conveyor belts once.

What I begrudge is the time it takes me to set up and run all those lines carrying enough basic shapes and paint to handle all possible situations the MAM might throw at me. That's part is just drudge work, involving no new concepts. I've been running rail lines for about 3-4 hours now, and can't wait to actually get to the MAM and start analyzing shapes and building up whatever is asked for.

I wonder if my being a Shapez 1 player colors my feelings about this. I remember gathering all the shapes and paints for the MAM being tedious in Shapez 1. Now, doing it again for Shapez 2 (and again for the advanced milestone 8 shapes) just feels insulting. Like the game doesn't respect my time. By the time we get to the MAM, we've proven we know how to go out and find shapes and colors and ship them back to a factory. Don't make us keep doing it.

I'm looking for a way to hire "sub contractors" to go out and get me my shapes and colors while I work on the important MAM stuff.

Understand, I think this is a great game and if we never figure out a good work around to this not-fun piece, I'll still be happy with this game.