The planets update was a step in a direction. It could be forward, backwards, or a side step. All the new features from the planets update are really cool, although I miss being an engineer. I had visions of game being more like it was in the pre-alpha days, more mechanical. There were these special hidden blocks that served mechanical functions like gear ratio, reverse gearing, and windmill block. I want those blocks to be created and updated, instead of portcullis block and door blocks which are all in one solutions for something that you must design as a “medieval engineer” using catch blocks, rope drums, hand cranks, etc. It would be more fun to create your own doors and gates in this fashion. I am aware of performance issues this may cause. Of course all of this is still possible in the current state of the game.

tl;dr being an "engineer" is no longer required

The planets update was a step in a direction. It could be forward, backwards, or a side step. All the new features from the planets update are really cool, although I miss being an engineer. I had visions of game being more like it was in the pre-alpha days, more mechanical. There were these special hidden blocks that served mechanical functions like gear ratio, reverse gearing, and windmill block. I want those blocks to be created and updated, instead of portcullis block and door blocks which are all in one solutions for something that you must design as a “medieval engineer” using catch blocks, rope drums, hand cranks, etc. It would be more fun to create your own doors and gates in this fashion. I am aware of performance issues this may cause. Of course all of this is still possible in the current state of the game. tl;dr being an "engineer" is no longer required