Require Proper Lighting for Knapping and Other Voxel-Based Work

[Dowlgrett]

As of 1.20.7, mechanics like knapping, clayforming, and forging can be done even in complete darkness. Even if it’s pitch black, all the wireframe voxels remain fully visible, allowing players to work without any light source.

For the sake of realism and immersion, I suggest restricting these activities when the light level is too low. Just like how players need light to see and interact with their surroundings, precise tasks like shaping stone or clay should require at least some visibility.

If a player attempts to knap, clayform, or forge in darkness, a message like "Insufficient light level to work" could appear, signaling that they need a nearby light source.

[Tom Cantine]

Mixed feelings on this one. Being stuck in absolute darkness is debilitating enough; this'd make it almost unplayable. Moreover, some forms of crafting, particularly knapping and clayforming, depend a lot on the tactile. IRL, much flint knapping is actually pressure flaking and not whacking away madly stone on stone. That may be more difficult in pitch dark, but not at all impossible.

In my first solo world, playing Homo sapiens, I died and respawned a long way from my hovel, in the dead of winter. After several deaths and respawns trying to get home, I finally managed to make it to my hovel as night fell, but I was freezing and losing health to hunger, and realized after closing the door my fire had gone completely cold in my absence. Pitch black. 

Fortunately the label that appears over whatever block or item I'm looking at allowed me to find reed chests, firewood, and the firestarter leaning against the wall. Very stressful several minutes, trying to get that fire started in the dark. I kind of cherish that moment as a triumph, though. And if I could get a fire started so as to have a source of light, while starving and freezing almost to death, why would I need light to do some basic knapping or clay forming. (Forging, if the metal is hot enough to keep working, it's going to be glowing a bit.)

[Broccoli Clock]

12 hours ago, Tom Cantine said:

Being stuck in absolute darkness is debilitating enough; this'd make it almost unplayable.

I mean... that's the point.

Ever been running with a torch underground and fell into a water/waterfall? VS leaves you blind, in the dark and won't hold your hand.

imo.. being "almost unplayable" at certain points is a design decision, not an unintended bug.

 

[Thorfinn]

Fair enough, @Broccoli Clock. I'd just point out that was not the decision that was made in the game.

I used to think lots of these kinds of things would be improvements, until someone points out that he is visually impaired and does things like that in near dark conditions to make it possible for him. Granted, my thoughts were more on the sound effect side, and the people with hearing impairments, but still. If I think it's important enough that I want to be able to see (and I do) I just make sure to place a few torches. I don't need the game to force me to do it.