biometrically variable growth

[Thoreau]

It seems odd that I can make a 7 foot tall hulking goliath monster fleet footed weakling, or conversely a scrawny lilliputian lumbering hercules. I imagine it would probably be prohibitively complicated to have character models the evolve according to increasing stats like adding muscle for strength or subtracting fat for Dexterity, but maybe the initial biometric data like height and frame would create variable attribute growth parameters where big dudes get stronger faster, little guys gain Dexterity more quickly, and fat people increase intellectual acumen. Not sure if such a thing is feasible but would add strategic depth in character construction, increased individuality of squad members, and make characters perform and grow more reflective of their phenotypic traits.

[Blackbird]

I like this idea, but I think its execution could be much simpler. Many people have suggested "hidden attributes" or "perks" for individual characters and I think having such perks available at creation (i.e. "All Brains and No Brawn" or "Quickfoot" etc.) would allow players to make these choices when creating the characters without a whole lot more additional work for the developer.

[Clawdius Talonious]

It would be too simple to make a huge squad of warriors, a tiny squad of scouts, that sort of thing. Of course if the recruitable NPCs were all randomized and locked into specific stats in that regard it might make more sense.

[Blackbird]

Yeah, I think recruits should definitely be randomized for any sort of extra stat perks whether positive or negative.

[1337]

There's going to be 3 different bumpmaps for your characters. They get blended as needed, the middle one will be for weak/fat and puny characters, thats how you start out. The left will be for the strongest characters. And those in between will get a blend between the two extremes. The one on the right will be for characters that are starving or unhealthy, such as slaves and desperate bandits.

[CalPal]

There's going to be 3 different bumpmaps for your characters. They get blended as needed, the middle one will be for weak/fat and puny characters, thats how you start out. The left will be for the strongest characters. And those in between will get a blend between the two extremes. The one on the right will be for characters that are starving or unhealthy, such as slaves and desperate bandits.

... This is actually so beautiful. Den outta den.