Monster food chain

[Rethius]

Okay, now this may have been posted before, infact it probaly has, I searched, and found nothing really, but if im wrong, please give an answer and lockith.


Alrighty, here it is, many of times you'll see a tefusang and a trepor just kinda hangin' out next to each other... Geez you wonder if they're having some deep discussion about the meaning of life...

Now, in RL two very carniverous creatures are not normaly seen hanging out... More then likely they will resorte to attacking and eating each other... In example, A ulbernaut is giving chase to some stupid elf who thought he could take the ulber down, but obviously turnned and ran after he saw his health gage drop to 5% in a few hits... So hes running.... Annnnnd, he crosses a consumer, the ulber is still a good distance away from him but is giving chase, as the ulber meets up by the consumer the elf is no where to be found, the ulbernaut's mouth was watering at the sight of that elf... Well... Think... What is the top preditor of yliakum going to do in this situation?


We know they arnt the smartest crayon in the box, but c'mon...


....



Its obvious he is going to look at that consumer like a mobile hot dog or something....
And no doubt the ulbernaut would win that fight... Now sure maybe some races are cannibalistic and don't hang around each other, think like some of the stronger creatures... So if two meet they fight, its a bit more realistic. Also I really dislike it when you're being chased by a rouge and an ulber, and a bandit, which happens ecspeciliy when you run pass them, but its annoying when you see a rouge, which is basicly a yilan... And hes not even being attacked by that ulber... I mean, what makes YOU so much more appealing then a rouge?... Know what I mean?

[Karyuu]

And then all the carnivores eat all the herbivores to extinction

Such a depth in NPC interactions is my dream. Ryzom did it wonderfully. Hoping that PlaneShift will be next.

[Rethius]

Right, but heres the thing, do you know of any herbavors in ps currently?... I mean, most of the monsters to me look like they're built to kill... I could be wrong but... it doesn't seem so likely

Now, even if there are some, they can no doubt act in defense... so in a since the carnavors wouldn't up and wipe them all out with ease.

[grenkar]

I don't think the comment about the herbivors was a very serious one Rethius, I mean of course it's a brilliant idea.

[Rethius]

ah yes, well... okay 


anyways,

Good idea? 

or

Bad idea? 


suggestions are good too..

[grenkar]

I think it's a good idea, why don't we talk about what the order of the food chain would be?

[Narure]

Well ive always thought of rats and clackers as scavengers so is that the top or bottom?

[grenkar]

I'd say both, they can eat anything that's already dead, but i they got into an actual battle, they're caked.

[Karyuu]

By the time such NPC behavior will be implemented, we will have many more NPCs than what we have now. Discussing it to the tiniest detail like that is really pointless at this time.

[Narure]

Yeah but the game sever is down and we need to kill time  yeah yeah go read a book

[dying_inside]

So ok, I have a question.
Will there ever be anything worse than an ulbernaught in PS?
Or will the inhabitants vary form level to level, as the climate and surrounding would no doubt be different on the different levels and therefore suit  different species  better.

For instance, would the levels closest to the azure sun be the hottest?
Would the lower subterraiian / underwater  etc levels be home to a completely new set of monsters?
Would the level above that, which is occasionally flooded be home to both water and air breathing  inhabitants, or  will the creatures simply migrate to the level above?

[Karyuu]

The Ulbernaut won't be the King Beast of Yliakum, for sure ;) And the inhabitants do vary from level to level. For example the first level is more of rolling hills and farmland, with large fields of grain and herbs, with some patches of large bamboo style forests. Thus the majority of the animals there resemble insects in some way or form, to feed on the plentiful seeds and produce. With the distance of the ceiling to the ground, there is more of a flight area for bird-like creatures too, that will in turn feed on the insects. The second level receives less light than the first, so you might see more nocturnal creatures there.

I imagine that some migration may happen on the borders, but definitely not from level 6 to level 1 for instance. Generally the wildlife will be unique to that 'step' of Yliakum.

[Ithorius]

Ohhh sounds awesome, though heres my question, the thing with the swim skill kinda plays interest in here... On the furthest down levels, the ones filled compleatly with water, is there any plans on having marine monsters?... and if so, how is the battle system going to adept to under water.... If you even have thought that far yet....

[Karyuu]

Before we get to the very lowest levels, we need to have the upper ones done. And there's a ton of planning that needs to happen still :] But, there is no reason why marine animals wouldn't exist - it's just more than just a little early to be thinking of underwater battle systems.

[Ithorius]

Okay, just wondering because the under water battle system would be mutiple layers, more of a 3D combat area, very different from current battle system, anyways, I can't wait for another layer to be added to yliakum, kudos to all staff!