# Useful computers
**URL:** https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338
**Category:** The Drawing Board
**Created:** [February 1, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338 "2016-02-01T17:34:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@ethanwdp](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ethanwdp)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338/21 "2016-02-08T15:12:05Z")
[quote=“Kevin Granade, post:20, topic:11338”]I’m not sure where you’re getting “complex simulations”, that’s not going to be feasible anyway, that sort of thing is going to take months to write for a single coder, and there’s not a payoff in the entire game that would make that level of investment worthwhile.
Communication and automation though, those you can easily run from whatever working computers you stumble across.[/quote]
I meant “complex” in the role playing term. The game isn’t actually running NASA-level simulations, it would just be a disk with a “Complexity” flag.
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### Author:  [@jcd](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jcd)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338/22 "2016-02-08T20:28:59Z")
Kevin means that you as the player could never write anything complex enough to need anything more than a ‘standard’ laptop to run within the timeframe of the game… (i would argue that there are NP-Hard problems still around, but it is highly unlikely that the player will ever _have_ to solve something with exponential+ complexity)
Now, for finding and using complex simulators in disks to have any meaning, you need to specify their in-game use first. Based on that we could then find out if the machine needed is anything better than a ‘simple’ laptop.
I personally think that complexity won’t add anything meaningful to the game. (but tasks to automate/simulate/control with a computer will!!)
PS. Of course anyone can write something complex enough to not be able to run in _any_ pc. But a lvl 9-10 in computers survivor should be able to figure how to solve 99% of his problems with just his lappy.
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### Author:  [@ethanwdp](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ethanwdp)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338/23 "2016-02-09T16:51:16Z")
[quote=“jcd, post:22, topic:11338”]Kevin means that you as the player could never write anything complex enough to need anything more than a ‘standard’ laptop to run within the timeframe of the game… (i would argue that there are NP-Hard problems still around, but it is highly unlikely that the player will ever _have_ to solve something with exponential+ complexity)
Now, for finding and using complex simulators in disks to have any meaning, you need to specify their in-game use first. Based on that we could then find out if the machine needed is anything better than a ‘simple’ laptop.
I personally think that complexity won’t add anything meaningful to the game. (but tasks to automate/simulate/control with a computer will!!)
PS. Of course anyone can write something complex enough to not be able to run in _any_ pc. But a lvl 9-10 in computers survivor should be able to figure how to solve 99% of his problems with just his lappy.[/quote]
We could just have tiers of computers. Experimental programs (like those from labs) would require a high tier PC, lots of electricity, and a good computer skill to decrypt to the point of usability.
Higher tiered computers/laptops are harder to find and use more electricity. Tier 1 is regular consumer tier, Tier 2 is gaming tier, and Tier 3 is NASA tier.
This would be easy to implement, wouldn’t be needlessly complex, and would balance it out.
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### Author:  [@vache](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vache)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/useful-computers/11338/24 "2016-02-09T19:11:47Z")
But you still haven’t explained the function of such programs, but I will do it for you. One idea that I had for end-game progression would be that you secure a lab in working order and then spend a while finding and escorting scientists to the lab. Over time, the scientists perform research and make requests for certain materials to progress their studies, and finally provide you with the results. Some examples might be that the scientists can produce a tool that can stabilize and close nether portals, enhance CBMs for better power storage or efficiency, improve experimental weapons, etc. I think this should be a part of a set piece facility, like a certain lab, instead of something the player is responsible for setting up and installing though.
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