When delivering scrap, Manticores spread out to use all processors if possible.
- Nexus Mods: https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/1234
- Steam Workshop: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3044228579
NOTE: This mod is now archived; see below "Post-7.0 Code Review" for more details.
This mod is directly inspired by Multi Scrap Processor Station Fix. At one point, I was a user of that mod, but then I still notice some scrap processors running empty when there are multiple Manticores with scrap waiting nearby.
Basically, pre-7.0 vanilla scrap processing flow looks like this:
- Pick up scrap cube (or sth)
- Move into the zone of the destination
- Pick a random processor
- Move closer
- Try to drop the scrap cube (it does not know whether the processor is usable)
By analyzing vanilla code, I noticed there is a chance where multiple Manticores will pick the same processor, which is likely the main reason why Manticores are often seen "not delivering scrap cubes": they simply arrived at the same processor, notice that it is in use, and just stop and wait.
This mod simply spreads out the Manticores when they are approaching the processors. When a Manticore has selected a certain processor, in the upcoming 5 minutes or so, other Manticores will avoid selecting the same processor if possible.
Because we currently cannot know whether specific processors are usable, this mod is not perfect. But still, you will see that your scrap processors are running at a higher throughput.
Scrap delivery got improved in the 7.0 free update, and I decided to take a look at the script file to confirm the improvement.
Basically, post-7.0 vanilla scrap processing flow looks like this:
- Pick up scrap cube (or sth)
- Move into the zone of the destination
Then, it gets complicated:
- The station manager oversees the entire process
- Find any available processor, and ask the manager to reserve it
- If reservation is successful, will get 10 minutes to drop the scrap cube
- When reservation is unsuccessful, wait in the pool/queue for the next available processor
The essential difference between 7.0 and this mod is the following:
- Reservation can be remembered across save/load
- Can now listen for "processor available" event, resulting in even less waiting time (new feature in 7.0)
- Much more elaborate reservation logic (e.g. what if the ship got destroyed?)
I am quite satisfied with this improvement because that's what I would do if I had the time and knowledge to do so. Seeing that this mod is essentially improved and accepted into the vanilla game, I am archiving this mod and stepping down.