PLAYER-ACCESSIBLE ITEM TO CHANGE OBJECT STYLES
Hello. I would like to purpose a change that I feel would massively improve the game, especially for engineers. As you might know, there is an object in the game called the
Floor & Wall Designer. This item is a utility that quite frankly, is the backbone for customization of the station and it's improvements. From creating a mechanical chapel for a robot-loving priest to a saloon based bar, this item makes it that much more immersive while accessible to change what is typically a standard wall or floor. However, there is a important feature that I feel is missing. A way to change the styles of various objects with variant textures. Things like closets, chairs, stools and more have variants that are present in the game yet unable to be crafted by, or hard to come-by for players. Typically players will not bother, and a room made to feel like a department centered aesthetic will look like every other improvement or build. To be perfectly honest, it makes improving the station kind of uninteresting to some. It may be a secondary role, but since the engineer fills the roles of the former construction worker and mechanic, an argument could be made that after repairs and maintenance, their job is to improve the station now that the other two roles no longer exist. It makes sense for it to be the case too, even after mechanic was merged into engineer, it still feels a bit lacking until damage is done. Sometimes, there are quiet hours, and thus this is important.
The addition of an object, mechanic or other form of way to get an item to look a certain way would add to the engineers catalogue quite a bit. The rage-cage builders could make a medical section for when one is fallen and have it look like it belongs, the expanders could design entirely new department rooms, the improvers could add to the station while fitting with the designs that are already there. As it stands, the only way to get these variants is through luck or theft, making other areas look empty. Have your mind wander for a moment on the possibilities with some control over textures that are already there, like the
Floor & Wall Designer. This would be the next step into making engineers into a more interesting role that makes each game feel even more different.
If it is possible, this is an addition that should be considered. The implementation could be changed, but at the end of the day, a way to get the textures you need is something I see as a step up from what we have. I see no reason why it could not work in conjunction with the
Floor & Wall Designer. Thank you for your time, I will be keeping an eye here to respond to any questions or concerns.