Devlog #15. No pain no gain
Implementation of the dynamic body type and physical system :
Your character, just like any NPC, can lose weight, gain weight, or build muscle depending on their actions and lifestyle. The process is gradual and can affect both men and women.
- Eat too much without exercising, and you’ll gain weight.
- Till the soil, chop wood, train in combat, or build structures, and you’ll gain muscle.
- If you don’t eat properly, you’ll lose weight. If you're too thin, you could end up getting weaker and starving to death.
Similarly, NPCs will gain weight, build muscle, or lose weight depending on their activities. Your political decisions can directly influence your villagers body type : Double the rations distributed to the people from the public stockpile, and you’ll see the difference over time. And of course, physical appearance plays a direct role in gameplay effects :
- You’re slower and more resilient when you’re overweight, and faster and more agile when you’re lean.
- You’re more resilient and strong if you’re muscular.
Changes in agility, strength, and resilience stats are directly reflected in your character’s physique as well as that of your villagers. And finally, how the villagers perceive you or other villagers matters :
- During times of scarcity, villagers will seek out partners with higher body fat, as this is a sign of food security.
- During times of abundance, villagers will seek out partners with lower body fat, as this is a sign of a healthy lifestyle.
- And finally, NPCs seeking security will naturally look for muscular partners.
All of this is, of course, moddable and freely configurable.