Cowardice: A great philosopher said something along the lines that we'd all sell our souls to the devil if we were scared(his name escapes me). The point being, that the smaller, squishy monsters of the swamp make sure to get out of the way when the big ones show up. I've also incorporated this, in some cases, to a staged regeneration system, which means the little guys have a point in running other than simply running. This is not a totally new idea, I'll admit, but I think it necessary when you have multiple species of creatures interacting.
Ignoring the Small fry: Let's say you, intrepid hero, have somehow stumbled across a big bad Blastoderm(pro tip: don't). Naturally, you run away hoping to find some possibility of escape. The thing is, most of the big monsters will initially ignore the smaller monsters if they're preoccupied with something else. The idea being something like: if a Lion is busy with a Buffalo, it won't go for a rabbit just because it's there. NWN2 is hardly real life, but I'd like to think, if we're making environments with the monsters, that they should be afforded more than just encounter strength.
Boredom: But, of course, I'm a fair guy. Most monsters, if you run for too long, will just grow bored and quit hassling you. This is a very "gamey" solution, meaning that the player could act outrageous and still survive, but it, in sense, does mimic the behavior of "real animals". In turn, it means I can spawn in very, very dangerous creatures early on because I give an "out" option for the player(and, assuming they're suicidal and/or bloodthirsty, they might try and go for an early kill).
Species: I'm trying to make the monsters of the swamp feel more than just monsters. In Metroid Prime, for instance, there are detailed biographies and lifestyles for many of the creatures. You can see them foraging, living out their life as if yours does not "matter" to them. And, really, for most animals in real life, human interaction is not a direct interest in their day to day activities(and God knows the monsters in an RPG are hardly "animals"). So, in some cases, the monsters simply are foraging for plant life, pollinating or just flat out ignoring you. Although there are some really crazy monster fights in this module, many of them have lives that are outside the player and should, I hope, be respected as such.
I've also made a request over at the official forums. I need some help with a reskin for the deer model and remodel of the wolf to make a fox. At the risk of sanctimonious musing, I'd be eternally grateful to anyone skilled in these arts to assist me. I can, yes, do some skin work on my own, but this is, sadly, outside my skill. Please contact me here or via the forums if you can. Thanks in advance.
5 comments:
I like the sound of your monster AI. I am always one for making a system change the way the game behaves, and monster encounters is a good one to focus on ... and I imagine will be quite a bit of work.
By the way, the overland map creatures have some AI that works a little like some of those options, which you may like to take a closer look at. It may offer a starting point?
Unfortunately, my skills in skinning are zero ... I made a post requesting help on it once (to make a black bear if I recall correctly), but the answer looked too involved for my doing.
I hope you manage to get them though, as the more monsters made available at the Vault, the better.
Lance.
Yeah, I probably should have looked at the overland map AI prior to this. Right now, though, things seem to be working out--I'm quite sure there is some nasty bug waiting in the wings, but I'll try and not think about it.
The difference with this, though, is that the monsters have a normal AI that they circumvent when a really dangerous one shows up. So, it's more complicated, in that sense, than the OLM, Still, I might give it a look.
I'm thinking the skin help is going to be none, sadly. I could always do a form of "modder bribery" and release some stuff I've got sitting around on the hard drive. It might just work. ;)
Thanks.
"A great philosopher said something along the lines that we'd all sell our souls to the devil if we were scared(his name escapes me)."
Are you making fun of me, CW? =)
This indoor temple pic is the cats buttocks.
It almost looks hand drawn in the trees and the books.
@ Azenn
Maybe.
:P
@ EE
Is that positive or negative? I mean, my cat's butt is at times useful(a weapon), but it's more often than not a terrifying thing.
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