Indicator

The Indicator is a visual output component that displays the current state of its input signal using a colored light. When the signal is ON, the indicator light activates in a player-customizable color; when OFF, it turns off or displays a different state. At 400 Science Points, the Indicator provides a simple but effective way to visually monitor the status of automation circuits, sensor readings, and system conditions from a distance without opening any menus.

Connected to the output of any signal source (sensors, counters, logic gates, Relays, or Levers), the Indicator serves as a dashboard element for your automation network. Place Indicators at visible locations throughout your settlement to monitor critical conditions at a glance. For example, connect an Indicator to a Contamination Sensor to create a warning light that glows when Badwater contamination is detected, or wire one to a Resource Counter to show when food stockpiles are running low. The customizable light color allows you to establish a color-coding system across your colony.

While the Indicator does not control any buildings or affect gameplay directly, its value in complex automation networks is substantial. As circuits grow more elaborate, being able to see signal states at a glance helps enormously with debugging and monitoring. A common setup places a row of Indicators near the player's main viewpoint, each connected to a different critical sensor: water level, contamination, food supply, power status, and population health. When all lights show their safe color, everything is running smoothly; any change immediately draws attention to the affected system. The 400 Science Point cost is a worthwhile investment for any colony with more than a handful of automation circuits.