waterwheel and normal water

[star sky go]

waterwheels should still spin with normal water but not give any rotation power this will make it so you can make a decorative water wheel 

[LadyWYT]

Welcome to the forums!

Just now, star sky go said:

waterwheels should still spin with normal water but not give any rotation power this will make it so you can make a decorative water wheel 

I like the idea, but I don't think it should be in the game, as this would very likely confuse and frustrate many players. A waterwheel that doesn't spin is a clear indication that something is wrong, and will prompt the player to investigate. However, if the water wheel is spinning, it's very easy to assume that it's providing power, especially if tooltips are turned off.

[Rainbow Fresh]

Then what if it does spin normally and does produce power, but so little it's essentially worthless? It makes logical sense and could furthermore act as kind of "Didn't read the instructions" tutorial. You have a water wheel, you put it in water. It spins cause the water flows. It doesn't spin strongly enough though (bonus points if the stopping waterwheel also blocks water from flowing through) - the solution: You need stronger/faster water! Rapids.

[qualicabyss]

7 hours ago, Rainbow Fresh said:

the solution: You need stronger/faster water! Rapids.

Instructions unclear, built 500 water wheels

[Hanril]

I imagine a vintage world filled with 100 wheel water engines, powered by a seemingly neverending single bucket of water. Poles with axles on them providing rotary motion to every household, taxed. Unethically sourced iron hubs made in sweatsmithies by those who couldn't pay the waterlords. Windmills completely illegal.

[Demoncyborg]

it's probably even harder to make pretty, and more wasteful than just waterwheel for looks, but in the meantime, you can actually force waterwheels to spin without rapids by connecting it to a windmill. it'll spin with wind power, and still turn in regular water for looks.