PDA & PAi update

Captain_Clueless

There should be more attachments for the PDA systems especially for command, and PAi's should have more capabilities than just music and a map, they're great for teaching new players however on an experienced server it's not very fun to just be someone's music bot.

Captain_Clueless

Translating this from discord, I'll try to summarize the entire discussion

Captain_Clueless

We're looking a the idea of revamping the PDA app and cartridge system to help more jobs and in general, and turn the PDA into a true digital assistant. While later revamping PAis to be more useful to the crew members and more fun to play as
Ideas are

a taskboard app for each department, can be edited by command roles, and tasks marked as done by specific individuals- noting who did them when marked
creating cartridges for things like science's anomaly / node scanner
-converting/ creating a station map chip
-creating a camera chip (based off the camera bug) for the warden/HoS (and maybe body cameras for sec officers)
perhaps making command staff items (handheld crew monitor and qm's clipboard) into cartridges (need to figure out if that makes them harder to steal)
Giving syndicate shadow apps that don't have physical icons but upgrade their PDA's functionality none the less. Perhaps a signal stealer that can pick up nearby nanochats, or a bug that can be attached to telecoms server, EMP app that shuts down the PDA for a while, maybe a tracking device and quick implanter so you can track a specific person's movement/ location when combined with the map
The ability for sec to copy nanochat logs using floppy disks to be read at a computer terminal
-engineering could use a "wire finder" app that works like a studfineer but for wires under walls/floors
-botany plant analyzer chip?
-janitor alert light map/app
-and integrating these new cartridges to be obtainable from the HOP like a North Korean physical app store

Captain_Clueless

PAis need an overhaul to go with these changes, they should have access to whatever apps are installed on the PDA, and depending on the access given to them by the owner of the PDA, the ability to do things like send messages for them in nanochat (marked as being sent by a PAi of course) or mark tasks that have been completed
Recently I had the idea that we give them interaction like how the station AI can look around, but they're teathered to the PDA location, maybe they could place pings that can be seen by a Station AI or other PAis, remotely access doors that a person has access to like a door remote, and someone even suggested giving them a hacking mini game to try and get access to doors they don't, this would be a great addition to Syndicate PAis
The PAis should also have access to their owner's job radio, this can be synced by interacting with the PAi using a headset/comm device

Captain_Clueless

And I guess a music cartridge would't go amiss

GhastIsBack

PAi's copying encrypted keys would go hard
Though if this is added the syndicate PAi should probably be increased in price by like two TC