Crafting chemical molecules/structures

[ResendeTech]

Building on the foundation of implementing all 118 elements as blocks, we propose an additional feature to enrich the educational aspect and gameplay of the Periodic Elements mod. This feature enables players to combine elements on the crafting grid to create structures or molecules, simulating basic chemical reactions. A key consideration is the use of Minetest's item stacking capability within the crafting grid to efficiently represent molecular composition, addressing the spatial constraints of the 3x3 grid for more complex molecules.

Objective:

Develop a crafting feature that allows players to combine specific elements in the crafting grid to form molecules or structures, starting with simple examples such as the creation of a water molecule from hydrogen and oxygen.

Implementation Steps:

• Design Crafting Recipes

  • Identify key molecules for initial implementation (e.g., water, carbon dioxide).
  • Design crafting recipes considering Minetest's item stacking feature to efficiently utilize the 3x3 grid.

• Develop Crafting Mechanics

  • Implement a system to recognize specific combinations of elements as valid recipes.
  • Ensure the system accounts for item stacking in a single crafting cell for recipe recognition.

• User Interface and Experience

  • Design intuitive UI prompts or indications for successful or attempted crafting.
  • Provide feedback for invalid combinations or incorrect recipes.

• Testing and Balancing

  • Test crafting system for accuracy in molecule creation.
  • Balance the gameplay by adjusting the availability of elements needed for crafting key molecules.

• Educational Content Integration

  • Include educational content or tooltips explaining the chemical significance of each molecule crafted.
  • Optionally, implement a feature to visualize the molecular structure post-crafting.

• Documentation and Release

  • Update mod documentation to include the new crafting feature and instructions.
  • Prepare and publish release notes detailing the introduction of molecule crafting.

Discussion Points:

• Potential challenges in implementing a versatile crafting system within the spatial constraints of the 3x3 grid.
• Selection of molecules for implementation and criteria for their inclusion.
• Ways to involve the community in suggesting molecules for future updates.

Conclusion:

Introducing a molecule crafting feature significantly enhances the educational value of the Periodic Elements mod, providing players with an interactive way to learn about chemical combinations and molecular structures. This feature, combined with the comprehensive implementation of all 118 elements, sets the stage for a deeply engaging and educational experience within Minetest.