The New Nesting System

[Why Watt]

SO, nesting. It is, by all means, a useless thing to do currently. Even if all you need is 25 minutes, 50 of your well earned food and a female 1.0 growth female dinosaur. It doesn't serve any purpose. Earlier today I got nested as Utah, it takes 20mins as hatchling, why? Because I didn't feel like sprinting over to where my group was after I decided to mess around as Utah.

None of them had, at any point, ever nested anyone as a Utah. So into the brave new world comes this smol thing they fawn over for a bit and laugh about.

Survival nesting is merely just a little silly feature. Its like emotes in games. Really no practical application, if a bit silly, at a disadvantage to the one using it but useable in roleplay.

So WHY on earth is this new nesting system going to be so complicated? Nesting is already rubbish in survival despite being easy. Now they make nesting things involved more complicated... when most people don't even use nesting anyways. When I, or someone else, dies, like in most survival groups, begin our marathon run back over to everyone. We get an invite to group as our new juvie and make it there on our own.
Nesting isn't the incredibly powerful tool of Progression. That nesting system deserves the 'overhaul' huge kick in the♥♥♥♥♥♥ that is coming our way, because it was widely used and incredibly powerful; instead of spending 18 hours growing another T.rex from Velo you could spend 4 hours growing from a hatchling to an adult. It would have needed this balancing, the requirement of a pair of adults along with all the other hoops because it was relevent.

Survival nesting isn't.

Now, if there is some actual, tangible, incredibly potent advantage for both the pair of parents and the poor sod adding anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes so that they can be in cute screenshots, than perhaps the new system is warranted.

To justify this complex mess here are some potential buffs.
a) Nested dinosaurs receive a very potent boost to affinity for their whole life, likewise, parents receive a boost to affinity that grows along with their offspring but is lost of they die.

b) Having a nest nearby reduces the hunger and food drain of that kind of dinosaur in the area, + buffing stamina & HP regen, whereas having the opposite effects on dinosaurs of another kind on those values. Thus nesting sites would actually kindof be a hub that makes growing more efficient, as does hunting or general surviving. If a Trike is near a Maia nest it'll be unhappy to say the least.

c) Nested dinosaurs will have a multiplier that increases how fast they grow over their whole life because they were raised well? A nested T.rex would take say, 3.5hrs instead of 7. However the increased pace in growth would therefore increase food & thirst drain.

But in all freaking honesty, the new nest system could have been the simplest thing on earth, hell, lemme add 3 versions.

a) Only males can access the nests whereas females can make them, or vice-versa, given more often than not birds make the nest for their lady to come get down in. This ensures that: both parents are needed to nest anyone. Potential babies cannot get invites without the individual that didn't make the nest. That one also feeds them by putting food in the nest. If it dies, no more babies can be had. If the one who made the nest logs off / dies no more babies can hatch.
b) A male and female make a nest together that acts as a joint 'respawn point'. If either of them die they pop back in as a hatchling at the nest. No messy invite system involved.
c) The nest system just creates new spawnpoints you could select when spawning in as a species. Obvious risk of being eaten in your first steps into the world but hey, no real drawback.
d) Bonus: remove nesting entirely if it was so messy lol. Not practical, or advantageous... and it was rudimentary. I doubt too many people would have wept over it, and people would have praised the heavens if in exchange we got a new spawning system to actually choose where we spawn.

[Sargon The Grape]

I like your idea of nests providing a buff, but I would take it a step further and tie it into how strains enter the game.

So let's say the original spawned-in parents make up Generation Zero (Gen 0). They make a nest, and have the option to pick one of three buffs that their children inherit; for simplicity's, we'll just call them the hypo, neuro, and tisso buffs respectively. Let's say that Gen 0 are Rexes, and they pick the hypo buff.

Enter Generation One (Gen 1). Gen 1 hatchlings are not Hypo Rexes. However, Gen 1 Rexes will be a little stronger, a little faster, a little hungrier, and a little bigger; basically, the first small step towards a full-blown hypo.

The Gen 1 Rexes are now adults, and decide to make nests. They have the same three options for buffs. If they pick the neuro or tisso buff, they will simply make Gen 1 Rexes on those paths. If they pick the hypo buff like their parents did, they make Gen 2 hatchlings on the hypo line. Gen 2 will, again, be stronger, faster, hungrier, and bigger than the Gen 1 parents, but still aren't hypos. This chain continues with each generation, with parent Rexes continuing to have a choice but also continuing to double down on the hypo buff.

At some point, let's say Gen 10, the nests finally start spitting out Hyperendocrine Tyrannosaurus hatchlings. The previous generations may or may not have tweaks to the T-Rex model, but Gen 10 is when the actual Hypo Rex species gets put into play, with all the sounds and animations that go with it. The hypos still play by the same rules if they choose to nest; however, selecting the hypo buff merely lets you nest in more hypos, and no longer makes the next generation stronger. This is end-game.

[Tophat Octopus]

Origineel geplaatst door Just Monika:

I like your idea of nests providing a buff, but I would take it a step further and tie it into how strains enter the game.

So let's say the original spawned-in parents make up Generation Zero (Gen 0). They make a nest, and have the option to pick one of three buffs that their children inherit; for simplicity's, we'll just call them the hypo, neuro, and tisso buffs respectively. Let's say that Gen 0 are Rexes, and they pick the hypo buff.

Enter Generation One (Gen 1). Gen 1 hatchlings are not Hypo Rexes. However, Gen 1 Rexes will be a little stronger, a little faster, a little hungrier, and a little bigger; basically, the first small step towards a full-blown hypo.

The Gen 1 Rexes are now adults, and decide to make nests. They have the same three options for buffs. If they pick the neuro or tisso buff, they will simply make Gen 1 Rexes on those paths. If they pick the hypo buff like their parents did, they make Gen 2 hatchlings on the hypo line. Gen 2 will, again, be stronger, faster, hungrier, and bigger than the Gen 1 parents, but still aren't hypos. This chain continues with each generation, with parent Rexes continuing to have a choice but also continuing to double down on the hypo buff.

At some point, let's say Gen 10, the nests finally start spitting out Hyperendocrine Tyrannosaurus hatchlings. The previous generations may or may not have tweaks to the T-Rex model, but Gen 10 is when the actual Hypo Rex species gets put into play, with all the sounds and animations that go with it. The hypos still play by the same rules if they choose to nest; however, selecting the hypo buff merely lets you nest in more hypos, and no longer makes the next generation stronger. This is end-game.

i see many problems with this
1. there are also neuros, tissos, and magnas. what about them?
2. all strains are sterile, and for the most part exclusively male.
3. strains are man made. this gradual inter generational system implies that its a natural process, when nature will never give a giga an extra 4 jaws.

[Tophat Octopus]

Origineel geplaatst door Just Monika:

I like your idea of nests providing a buff, but I would take it a step further and tie it into how strains enter the game.

So let's say the original spawned-in parents make up Generation Zero (Gen 0). They make a nest, and have the option to pick one of three buffs that their children inherit; for simplicity's, we'll just call them the hypo, neuro, and tisso buffs respectively. Let's say that Gen 0 are Rexes, and they pick the hypo buff.

Enter Generation One (Gen 1). Gen 1 hatchlings are not Hypo Rexes. However, Gen 1 Rexes will be a little stronger, a little faster, a little hungrier, and a little bigger; basically, the first small step towards a full-blown hypo.

The Gen 1 Rexes are now adults, and decide to make nests. They have the same three options for buffs. If they pick the neuro or tisso buff, they will simply make Gen 1 Rexes on those paths. If they pick the hypo buff like their parents did, they make Gen 2 hatchlings on the hypo line. Gen 2 will, again, be stronger, faster, hungrier, and bigger than the Gen 1 parents, but still aren't hypos. This chain continues with each generation, with parent Rexes continuing to have a choice but also continuing to double down on the hypo buff.

At some point, let's say Gen 10, the nests finally start spitting out Hyperendocrine Tyrannosaurus hatchlings. The previous generations may or may not have tweaks to the T-Rex model, but Gen 10 is when the actual Hypo Rex species gets put into play, with all the sounds and animations that go with it. The hypos still play by the same rules if they choose to nest; however, selecting the hypo buff merely lets you nest in more hypos, and no longer makes the next generation stronger. This is end-game.

dont forget about:
tissos
neuros
magnas
the fact that all strains are sterile
and man made genetic abominations.

[paco]

although i do not always agree with you Why Watt, i really like how you elaborate all of your post so much, very enjoyable to read!

[Powerferret]

I thought the whole perk for nesting is your dino won't have a tracking device so mercs can't easily hunt you. The idea was when you get airdropped in, you have a tracker implant.

[Why Watt]

Origineel geplaatst door Paco:

although i do not always agree with you wyatt, i really like how you elaborate all of your post so much, very enjoyable to read!

Thankyou very much!

@tophat_octopus & Just Monika -
Tophat glossed over it, but Strains being a mutation occuring naturally would be contrary to their theme as, well monsters, especially since the developpers wish for them to be ambiguous. They do not want something predictable, rather something to be figured out. The devs want us all scratching there heads if anyone becomes a strain. If I, tomorrow, became a strain, and their design worked as intended, everyone would be trying to figure out how I did it... including me

And I personally wouldn't want it any other way. Whatever it may be, some exposure factor with a value we cannot see based on what things we contact, I do not want the math to be simple, or potentially even involved. Perhaps a simple value that has to be exceeded. Or more complex. But regardless I do not think creatures being used as freaking administrator tools should be accessed by breeding. Ever. Period. Maybe exposing juveniles to strain-related things could be tolerable. I could buy nests that are made dangerously close having a chance to bare strain offspring, coming at the great risk of whatever is causing cross-contamination being quite capable of killing the parents.

I do not think nesting should be like breeding thuroughbred animals. Any sort of stacking generational-buff for me is a hard no. Because I've seen the big groups, I'm in a smaller one myself. If Gondwana of Dev 3, with over 100 members, realised they could breed stronger dinos? Even if it was RNG they would still spend hours breeding ungodly T.rexes and that would be the most unhealthy thing in the ecosystem imaginable. And nobody would be able to halt the breeding project. Every apex born, if it did not yield stronger stats, would be killed to feed the hoard.

Hell. No.

Nesting should not give some tremendous advantage to groups. Its benefits should be fully exploitable by a single mating pair. It should benefit both the adults breeding and potential youngsters. Whether it's the system Just Monika came up with i;e the opposite tophat proposed in his own thread over an hour ago... the young becoming more and more strain-like and the adults being granted status of strains if they bring enough babies successfully, respectively... they will make Mega packs even worse. Because normally, they are just a mob. You can 1v3 them, in many megapacks, due to friendly fire, lack of communication during a fight, but you'd never win if they can deploy battle units of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ strains.
Solo players should have exactly the same access to strains as groups.

[Why Watt]

Origineel geplaatst door powerferret:

I thought the whole perk for nesting is your dino won't have a tracking device so mercs can't easily hunt you. The idea was when you get airdropped in, you have a tracker implant.

Wait, that is an actual idea? Holy hell no. Why o why would you give humans the ability to track every single dinosaur on the map? That is the exact opposite of balanced.

"Right so, humans can kill a dinosaur without being hurt because they can juke around them like PUBG players, climb places dinosaurs can't reach and kill them from afar. They can kill a T.rex with a proper headshot."

"Idk man seems to have an obvious drawback: what if Carnos or Utahs get the drop on them; they're toast!"

"Oh ♥♥♥♥! Jimmy, you're right that's a catastrophic design oversight. Let's let Mercs know the exact location of everyone playing dinosaurs!"

"Wait I didn't mean-"

"Perhaps, as a reason for people to even bother nesting, we'll make babies natural born, so they don't have the chips and therefore can survive mercs. Yes it's perfect thanks for the invaluable Input. Get back to whatever it was you were doing"

"That's a ter-"

"I need some coffee. Make yourself useful Jimmy."

sight, good times...

[Sargon The Grape]

Origineel geplaatst door tophat octopus:

i see many problems with this
1. there are also neuros, tissos, and magnas. what about them?

That was addressed in the post. I went with hypos as the example; the other strains would work the same way.

Origineel geplaatst door tophat octopus:

2. all strains are sterile, and for the most part exclusively male.

And herbivores weren't originally going to be playable; and there were at some point planned to be two different spinosaurus species to play as. Just because something is, doesn't mean it will always be, especially with this game's history.

Origineel geplaatst door tophat octopus:

3. strains are man made. this gradual inter generational system implies that its a natural process, when nature will never give a giga an extra 4 jaws.

The dinosaurs were already genetically engineered by someone, presumably Apollo Engineering. Most of them have little to nothing in common with the real animals aside from basic body structure. Feathers are missing, scales are more reptillian than avian, they roar like mammals... you get the point. Who is to say that something wasn't added to the dinosaurs' gametes to cause strain mutations? Cloning dinosaurs is literally impossible due to how DNA decays, so it's not like this is more ridiculous than the game's premise already is.

[Sargon The Grape]

Origineel geplaatst door Why Watt:

...

This is a good point, and I'll admit that I was just spitballing ideas without regard for balance.

[Jeebs]

Origineel geplaatst door Why Watt:

Origineel geplaatst door powerferret:

I thought the whole perk for nesting is your dino won't have a tracking device so mercs can't easily hunt you. The idea was when you get airdropped in, you have a tracker implant.

Wait, that is an actual idea? Holy hell no. Why o why would you give humans the ability to track every single dinosaur on the map? That is the exact opposite of balanced.

"Right so, humans can kill a dinosaur without being hurt because they can juke around them like PUBG players, climb places dinosaurs can't reach and kill them from afar. They can kill a T.rex with a proper headshot."

"Idk man seems to have an obvious drawback: what if Carnos or Utahs get the drop on them; they're toast!"

"Oh ♥♥♥♥! Jimmy, you're right that's a catastrophic design oversight. Let's let Mercs know the exact location of everyone playing dinosaurs!"

"Wait I didn't mean-"

"Perhaps, as a reason for people to even bother nesting, we'll make babies natural born, so they don't have the chips and therefore can survive mercs. Yes it's perfect thanks for the invaluable Input. Get back to whatever it was you were doing"

"That's a ter-"

"I need some coffee. Make yourself useful Jimmy."

sight, good times...

Pretty sure Its been said that you can only detect Dinosaurs in your vicinity, and even then I think its been said that It'll only be a beeping sound