What are the species of ants you would like to see in the game?
- Thread starter Kildaron
- Start date
Leafcutters, honeypot repletes and exploding carpenter ants are all planned.
There was a stretch goal with a choice of either Vespula germanica or a termite species (Coptotermes formosanus) and the termites won. This doesn't mean that the wasps will never be in the game (I personally voted for the wasps!) but there will be termites before those picnic wreckers make an appearance.
There was a stretch goal with a choice of either Vespula germanica or a termite species (Coptotermes formosanus) and the termites won. This doesn't mean that the wasps will never be in the game (I personally voted for the wasps!) but there will be termites before those picnic wreckers make an appearance.
Here's a little preview of the version we had in our old engine - it'll be updated for the new one.
So we'll have Australian (C. inflatus), not North American (Myrmecocystus), honeypots?
Also if these species are all present on this one island, I'd say it's got a problem with invasive species.
But, really, wasps and termites would both be great additions to the game. Too bad it was an either-or scenario.
Also if these species are all present on this one island, I'd say it's got a problem with invasive species.
But, really, wasps and termites would both be great additions to the game. Too bad it was an either-or scenario.
A species I'd like to see are some form of smaller driver or army ant species. Not anything too big like Eciton or Dorylus, just a Neivamyrmex or Onychomyrmex.
The latter of which would could cover both vampire and army ants.
The latter of which would could cover both vampire and army ants.
There's a vague backstory explaining why all the various species from all over the world are on one island (but it likely won't be expanded on much in the game, we just want players to be able to interact with these species and have fun with them, it's not important).
It's not really an either-or with the wasps / termites, but more a case of time and consequently money. Development costs money so of course the guys want to do things that more people want to see first. Other things can be added later.
I'm afraid the bigger species of Driver ant are planned for the game (Dorylus). In fact have a look at the trailer released with the first Kickstarter (the one which was unsuccessful) which shows Drivers quite prominently. Note this is on an old engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOHhKKz1cNM
It's not really an either-or with the wasps / termites, but more a case of time and consequently money. Development costs money so of course the guys want to do things that more people want to see first. Other things can be added later.
I'm afraid the bigger species of Driver ant are planned for the game (Dorylus). In fact have a look at the trailer released with the first Kickstarter (the one which was unsuccessful) which shows Drivers quite prominently. Note this is on an old engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOHhKKz1cNM
Alright 
I was just saying perhaps a smaller species because the larger ones have such..huge colonies. I didn't know how you'd mimic that in-game.
Thanks for the reply.
I was just saying perhaps a smaller species because the larger ones have such..huge colonies. I didn't know how you'd mimic that in-game. Thanks for the reply.
Is your idea for the wasps to give them flight, or are you planning to have them run in the same way as ants if they ever make it in?Mike said:
Have you thought about adding Solenopsis Invicta(red imported fire ant) or Solenopsis Geminata(red tropical fire ant). I personally have a colony of invicta and almost had a colony of geminata, I didn't have anything to catch the queen in. I love watching my invictas when I put half dead bugs into their out-world. Maybe you could have them on the beaches? Perhaps with those lovely stingers? :-[
Tetramorium, as small cheap units that can be produced in large numbers (basically EoU's Zerglings). They could give 2-3 ants per tile.
Camponotus majors - powerful bites, large health pool, formic acid (stun spray) and quick movement, what's not to like there. They're pretty much the pinnacle of anti-insect warfare. Okay, the price for the hatchery and the ant itself might be bit of a shocker.
Thief ants. They could have a special form of digging that adds tiny tunnels to an earth tile without entirely removing it (essentially it makes the tile accessible only for their ants). That way they can dig into the enemy chambers and steal food and brood, and the enemy can't immediately chase them down when they retreat.
Camponotus majors - powerful bites, large health pool, formic acid (stun spray) and quick movement, what's not to like there. They're pretty much the pinnacle of anti-insect warfare. Okay, the price for the hatchery and the ant itself might be bit of a shocker.
Thief ants. They could have a special form of digging that adds tiny tunnels to an earth tile without entirely removing it (essentially it makes the tile accessible only for their ants). That way they can dig into the enemy chambers and steal food and brood, and the enemy can't immediately chase them down when they retreat.
Fire ants are planned, since there are fire ant bridges planned.
On another note, when did you guys change the black ants from Lasius niger to Formic fusca? The website still says niger.
On another note, when did you guys change the black ants from Lasius niger to Formic fusca? The website still says niger.
Granogg
Worker
Hi there!
Alright, let's get down to business. Here is a list of ants I hope to see and play in the game and probable scenarios for them And no, I've not read any information on what is planned to not get biased
* Camponotus sp.
Fight for dominance in a wood clearing or garden. Slow developing ants, probably good for a "relaxed" mission for those who do not like time pressure.
* Myrmica rubra
Fight for dominance in a garden, esp. vs. Lasius, Formica and Myrmica sp. Multiple queens make for a fast reproduction but the colony requires lots of food.
* Manica rubida
Survive close to rivers (they prefer wet soil for nesting), dominance over larger colonies of smaller ants, hunt larger insects as prey.
* Solenopsis fugax
Must steal enemy colony brood for food to reach ideal performance. Relies on their small size and stealth to weaken other colonies instead of directly attacking them.
* Lasius flavus
Very weak but great at hiding their nests. Try to survive with subterrean root-lice milking vs. more aggressive neighbours. Sometimes lives with other Lasius sp.
* Paraponera clavata
Mostly hunt aboreally, so high up in trees and top of other plants. Nests in tree stumps or below rotting wood.
* Solenopsis invicta
Home/garden invasion vs. established colonies. Mass battle scenario of fast reproducing invicta vs. Lasius sp., Formica sp. and other common ants.
* Monomorium pharaonis
Home invasion. Brought in with an imported plant's soil. Move the colony from the pot into walls or ground of a house/garden and use the incredible reproduction rate and massive amount of inbreed-queens to overcome any other colonies/insects; Hide at day from humans/pets.
* Messor barbarus
Wonderful polymorphous, from small brood nurses to very large headed seed-crackers. Can harvest crops. Is pretty harmless so their only chance is in the very large colonies that are often spread over several outposts for grain harvesting.
* Atta/Acromyrmex
Leafcutter ants - 'nuf said.
* Oecophylla smaragdina
Weaver ants. Building nests in bushes or trees from a woven material. Very pretty and aggressive.
* Dorylus wilverthi
A "real" army ant. Will be almost all the time on the move and the colony will grow to immense size of 10-20 Million individuals. Would require very large terrain to play with, but could be fun starting with a smaller army ant colony and rapidly grow with each "pillaging" of the area. Would require a different mechanic for new worker/soldier birth than species with a static nest.
Lots more of ideas but I think that's plenty for a start!
Alright, let's get down to business. Here is a list of ants I hope to see and play in the game and probable scenarios for them
And no, I've not read any information on what is planned to not get biased * Camponotus sp.
Fight for dominance in a wood clearing or garden. Slow developing ants, probably good for a "relaxed" mission for those who do not like time pressure.
* Myrmica rubra
Fight for dominance in a garden, esp. vs. Lasius, Formica and Myrmica sp. Multiple queens make for a fast reproduction but the colony requires lots of food.
* Manica rubida
Survive close to rivers (they prefer wet soil for nesting), dominance over larger colonies of smaller ants, hunt larger insects as prey.
* Solenopsis fugax
Must steal enemy colony brood for food to reach ideal performance. Relies on their small size and stealth to weaken other colonies instead of directly attacking them.
* Lasius flavus
Very weak but great at hiding their nests. Try to survive with subterrean root-lice milking vs. more aggressive neighbours. Sometimes lives with other Lasius sp.
* Paraponera clavata
Mostly hunt aboreally, so high up in trees and top of other plants. Nests in tree stumps or below rotting wood.
* Solenopsis invicta
Home/garden invasion vs. established colonies. Mass battle scenario of fast reproducing invicta vs. Lasius sp., Formica sp. and other common ants.
* Monomorium pharaonis
Home invasion. Brought in with an imported plant's soil. Move the colony from the pot into walls or ground of a house/garden and use the incredible reproduction rate and massive amount of inbreed-queens to overcome any other colonies/insects; Hide at day from humans/pets.
* Messor barbarus
Wonderful polymorphous, from small brood nurses to very large headed seed-crackers. Can harvest crops. Is pretty harmless so their only chance is in the very large colonies that are often spread over several outposts for grain harvesting.
* Atta/Acromyrmex
Leafcutter ants - 'nuf said.
* Oecophylla smaragdina
Weaver ants. Building nests in bushes or trees from a woven material. Very pretty and aggressive.
* Dorylus wilverthi
A "real" army ant. Will be almost all the time on the move and the colony will grow to immense size of 10-20 Million individuals. Would require very large terrain to play with, but could be fun starting with a smaller army ant colony and rapidly grow with each "pillaging" of the area. Would require a different mechanic for new worker/soldier birth than species with a static nest.
Lots more of ideas but I think that's plenty for a start!