This is one which I think a lot of other people might be able to use as well. Seems doable, but I don't know where to really start. I hope I've explained it properly. It would be pretty multi-functional.
for example: a Keep the Generator Running script. (player has to have two items, in this case fuel plus spare part)
Basic Repair and refuel a Generator (or other mechanism) to put the lights on (etc)
1. find a part to fix it
2. put fuel in it and it runs and things happen...
3. when it runs a light entity (or several lights) is on, and a sound is looped
4. when it's not running light entity is off and the sound loop stops.
(idea here is player has to find a repair kit or spare part to fix a mechanism, then find fuel for it and start the mechanism. When the mechanism is running lights are in a certain state (on) and when it is not running the lights are off.
Refinement: (because simply keeping the lights on will soon lose it's novelty value)
It runs out of fuel after x-minutes = display a png in the hud to tell you to find fuel, and/or displays a prompt.
you add the fuel, it runs as above = the png/prompt disappears.
also:
When it is running an entity is spawned, when it stops the entity is destoyed (eg a forcefield) or changes state (eg a door unlocks) or operates (a door opens etc)
I could see lots of uses for this other than turning virtual petrol into noise and light and unlocking doors. Puzzles where you fix stuff to unlock doors or proceed through the level, or repairing you ship to get off the planet to the next level, or as part of quests etc.
What do you think?
