Wolfire Games Forums

Isn't overgrowth supposed to be free-roaming around the island?

If so, water would be important or it would just be plain weird.

I'll will stop insisting we have sea mammals, it was just a random suggestion that I got carried away with...

I do believe that the only type of anthropomorphism featured in the game is with mammals, but it would be way to hard to fit in aquatic life. However, one cool thing to feature would be bats. Just imagine it- if we can say that all the mammals in the game are in the relatively same, bats would be, without their wings expanded, as large as the rabbits and wolves, making them rather decent fighters. The fact that they can fly is just icing on the cake. They'd mostly be featured in any nighttime maps, or ones set near dusk/dawn, being nocturnal and all. (Doubt they'd be used as mounts or anything, as that would be rather complicated to code, but it would be awesome if you could control 'em. [hint, hint, David & Jeff])

True - obviously we'd all love to choose our species, at least in multiplayer/sandbox - by the by: GTA3 (original) took place on a bunch of island but the water was nothing more than an instant-kill boundry, there was no swimming or boats.

There was boats. You just couldn't get them at the beginning. I remember because I spent far too long trying to get one into my garage to see if it would save it.

That instant kill thing was pretty annoying, though. Especially when GTA3 2 reintroduced motorcycles so you could get in the water faster.

Hmm? Really - I thought they only got introduced in Vice City... Now that you mention it though...

Either way you getting floating and swimming working realistically is rather tricky (trust me I've been there - check out my game Supersoldat) and require a load of new animation/algorithmes (if done procedurally) for something that really only needs to exist as a boundry.
Then again I remember talk early on of wolves being able to track you, and so water coming into play as a way of shaking them off, which sounds like a cool idea...

It'd also be cool to see them to tip a cap to Frank from Donnie Darko in the way that Lugaru had references to Watership Down.

actually, lugaru mentioned frank, it has a texture that's franks. I think the command to access it in the console is cellardoor

Hurray for Frank!

Errm yeah, to stop this post from being entirely pointless - I played Iji this weekend - food for thought for how game stories can work: I mean, it's completly linear and yet you could play it very differently (side with different factions, kill everyone, kill nobody, kill a few here and there) and lots of endings. This sort of system might work well with Overgrowth actually...

Dang, now I'm off topic :S

The blog mentioned something about lethal and non-lethal attacks, so fighting to knock out rather than to kill would change the story slightly?

invertin wrote:The blog mentioned something about lethal and non-lethal attacks, so fighting to knock out rather than to kill would change the story slightly?

The madman makes an interesting point.
(I say madman because I've been animating Percy for quite a bit. Percy does strange things, like biting balrog for no reason at all, and then hanging onto him with his teeth... =D)

Glabbit wrote:

invertin wrote:The blog mentioned something about lethal and non-lethal attacks, so fighting to knock out rather than to kill would change the story slightly?

The madman makes an interesting point.
(I say madman because I've been animating Percy for quite a bit. Percy does strange things, like biting balrog for no reason at all, and then hanging onto him with his teeth... =D)

Hey! I hold the title for official mad man around here! Wait... what's that small print?

On a more serious note, something any martial artist learns quite quickly is that it's far easier to kill or seriously injure someone that it is to stop them without hurting them, and since by law you cannot retaliate in "self-defence" with more force than was used by your attacker the onus is not simply on winning but on how you win. Means and ends gentlemen, means and ends! The question is, do you need to kill this character in order to get what you want from them? In most cases a corpse is a lot less useful than a living person...

A good example: If anyone here hasn't played Iji yet they should - it won a few "indie game of the war" (edit: did I say "war"? Lol - what can I say, I just love war) awards and is made with Gamemaker, the software I use (and we all know that I'm fantastic) - it also has a very interesting storyline which manages to use exactly the same levels while still branching towards multiple ends, and doesn't pigeon hole you into good or evil which is a welcome change!

Wilbefast wrote:On a more serious note, something any martial artist learns quite quickly is that it's far easier to kill or seriously injure someone that it is to stop them without hurting them, and since by law you cannot retaliate in "self-defence" with more force than was used by your attacker the onus is not simply on winning but on how you win. Means and ends gentlemen, means and ends! The question is, do you need to kill this character in order to get what you want from them? In most cases a corpse is a lot less useful than a living person...

A good example: If anyone here hasn't played Iji yet they should - it won a few "indie game of the war" (edit: did I say "war"? Lol - what can I say, I just love war) awards and is made with Gamemaker, the software I use (and we all know that I'm fantastic) - it also has a very interesting storyline which manages to use exactly the same levels while still branching towards multiple ends, and doesn't pigeon hole you into good or evil which is a welcome change!

That depends on what martial art this martial artist would be practising. Ever heard of Aikido? =3
I'd go into it more, but I'm a lazy sod.

I am aware that this post is ridiculously late.
Onward nevertheless! Tremble before this titanic torrent of terrifying text!


Rabbits:
As someone already said, rabbits are essentially the humans of lugaru. They are the most numerous of all the species. Of the five confirmed species, rabbits are the only ones that are exclusively herbivore so it makes a certain sense for most of them to be peaceful farmer types who all too often find themselves caught up in conflicts that are none of their making.
When it comes to warfare, rabbits fight as an undisciplined rabble, usually in defence of their homes. Because their only natural weapon is a strong pair of legs, they embrace the use of swords, armour and the like. Skilled warrior types like Turner are rare exceptions.
Rabbits are mortally afraid of wolves, who frequently conduct murderous raids on their settlements. Although they regard rats with disdain, they are pragmatic enough to trade with them. They have an uneasy truce with both dogs and cats.

Rats:
There is a saying that goes, "one rat is a suspect, two rats are a conspiracy, and three rats should be arrested on sight." The second most numerous species, these crafty little fellows account for a sizable portion of the trade community and virtually all of the criminal underground. If you are looking for a hard-to-come-by item or a piece of delicate information then it's more then likely to be a rat who will sell it to you. Rats are businessmen at heart and most of them have a very mercenary outlook; their willingness to help others depends entirely on other's ability to pay.
They are hardy - in an adaptable sort of way - and able to thrive in conditions that others would find intolerable. They are skilled scavengers and are able to find a use for anything you care to name, including the refuse of other species.
The rat's puny stature precludes them from any real combat prowess, a fact that they are well aware of. A rat will invariably flee rather then fight. That said, anybody who corners one may have cause to regret it. These little folk know every nasty trick in the book and delight in using a range of unpleasant poisons. If a rat appears to be unarmed, you just aren't looking hard enough.
Despite their unwholesome reputation, rats try to maintain at least mild relations with other species (after all, being at war can be bad for business). That is, all species except the cats, who have this regrettable habit of chasing them about with kebab skewers and barbecue sauce.

Dogs:
I imagine them to be simple, slightly oafish, fun-loving and industrious. Dogs are the kind of folk who are content to work hard all day, then retire to the pub for a few pints and a good laugh. They will usually render assistance to anyone who requires it and won't ask for payment from those who can't afford to give it. They are very loyal with a straightforward code of honour, not the sort to ever make a promise they don't intend to keep. They have plenty of skilled artisans whose products are somewhat basic but also solid and dependable. If you buy something from a dog you can be sure it will be quality piece of work at a fair price.
While they love an honest punch-up, dogs do not take pleasure in killing. It is something of a mystery to them why everyone can't just get along. However, they recognize the harsh realities of the world in which they live: canine communities always contain a competent militia force. Dog soldiers are disciplined and well drilled, the sort who would march in columns, chanting "left, right, left, right". They favour simple weapons like spears and cudgels.
They have unusually friendly relations with the rats (who they find amusing), and a truce of sorts with the rabbits (who they sometimes eat). Importantly, they are the only race who have any influence over the wolves. They constantly lament the savagery of their lupine 'cousins'. Dog missionaries* can often by found traveling with wolf packs, earnestly trying to coax them onto the path of civilization, usually without success.

Cats:
A somewhat dualistic species. Cats are lazy, affectionate and generally friendly in a disdainful sort of way. However, they have a tendency to be mercurial in temperament. Some are liable to go from cheerful to murderous at the slightest of provocations. They all share a distinctly sadistic streak, of which they are not in the least bit ashamed. They value cunning, pragmatism and pride.
Cats love luxury and loath hard work (in fact, they have been known to work very hard to avoid hard work). They frequently hire rabbits and dogs as labourers or mercenaries. Most cats seek to amass material wealth, with varying degrees of success. They collect trinkets of all kinds and are delighted by quality jewelry. The work of feline artisans usually features extravagant decoration, although never to the point of interfering with function.
Cats are exceptionally vicious and efficient fighters. They have a penchant for more elegant weapons, particularly stilettos, glaives and flails. If they consider you to be dangerous, they will fight with artful precision and dispose of you quickly. On the other hand, if they are confident of victory, they will draw it out, savoring the kill. Lastly, if he thinks a fight is going to end badly, a cat will waste no time in making his escape. Regardless of their ability, cats would - as a general rule - prefer to have somebody else do their fighting for them. In addition, they try to avoid open warfare in favour of more subtle tactics. Their enemies are more likely to receive a pinch of poison in their soup then a sword through the heart.
Feline foreign relations vary greatly. They regard rats as food (they go well with a honey glaze and sometimes make the most delightful squeaks when chewed). They have little respect for rabbits, occasionally eating them. Dogs are thought of as unintelligent muscle and cats frequently take advantage of their loyal nature. They consider wolves to be dangerous lunatics, a menace to be eradicated at every opportunity.

Wolves:
If rabbits are Lugaru's humans, then wolves are the barbarian hordes. They live in nomadic packs and maintain large territories which they patrol in a near-constant search for meat, traveling fast and light. They will simply go wherever there is prey.
Wolves are extremely violent. They kill indiscriminately, eating their victims on the spot. In combat they are berserk killing machines. Hack a wolf's limbs off and he will keep trying to bite your ankles until he bleeds to death. Lupine fighters mostly eschew weapons, contend with teeth, claws and brute strength. Some will wear metal claws on their hands or spikes on their knees and elbows.
Wolves look upon the other species of Lugaru as ambulatory meals. They do however have some limited respect for the dogs (that is to say, they won't eat them unless they get really hungry). Of course, the other species see them as nightmarish lunatics beyond all redemption.


Ok, that's the lot. I blame the insomnia!


*Come to think of it... that wouldn't be a bad idea for a character.

You actually wrote really good descriptions for all the races. I actually hope these are in the game.
Good job.

Actually a fair degree of artistic flair and nice turn of phrase - I have my own ideas which differ here and there, but I've posted them already and I think your's are just as valid if not more - good job

Moles would be good if a geomod was supported