Project Nevada - Mutations Proof of Concept

[The 3rd Type]

Hmm, I still have to figure out how to translate my initial ideas into your system. Hmmmm.

[Darian Stephens]

I know it's possible, I saw a mod that adds a mask to the game, and when you put it on you get to choose your disposition.

Or you could, you know, add an invisible piece of armor that is tied to the faction in question. You'd probably have to force at least nearby npcs to exit combat temporarily for the change to take effect, and preferably some way to prevent the message 'You are now disguised as such and such faction'.

[Risewild]

A bit more creative today I think it was from reading all those awesome ideas people just posted .

How about mutations that would give you some powers like those of mutated critters already in game? For example throwing sludge like Centaurs, have a firebreath like Fire Geckos, unarmed (bare hands) attack could cause poison like a Cazador, get invisible for a bit like Nightstalkers, etc. Heck it would even be a cool idea for a complete new "discipline" tree branch something like Beastman hahahaha xD.

Also I can't remember if it was already suggested or not but how about a psychic blast like those from robobrains? that cripples the head of the enemy.

How about a flatulence XD or flammable gas breath, that it will fill a room over time with some gas that will explode when using energy weapons or fire weapons or explosives, like we see in some places over the wastes.

An energy field effect around the player (that looks like the MZ alien one that some though bastard aliens use) that would increase the player DT or DR for some type of damage or something.

An area effect that would disable any trap or mine near the player and give him/her the exp as if they did it themselves

How about some references to super heroes too:

Spiderman's "Spider Sense" that would somehow alert the player when enemies are nearby, or when enemies spotted the player and are targeting him/her increasing the player agility at the same type.

Superman's "Heat Vision" the player would shoot two small laser beams from their eyes, just like a miniature double barrel laser pistol or something.

Superman's "Super Breath", an area attack that would slow and even freeze (like cryo grenades) enemies.

Hulk's "Rage Strength" the lower the player's life points the higher the player's Strength, Constitution, unarmed, melee and throwing damage, and DT/DR becomes, but the lower the Charisma, Inteligence, Perception and damage using any type of weapon that is not included on the previous list becomes.

Several Shapeshifter heroes/villains "Shapeshifting" allows the player to change their appearance without the need of a barber/hair saloon person, also allows the player to change sex at will, and allows the player to reset or make their influence over factions more neutral (if the faction hates you, it will become less hateful and if it loves you it will love you less) something like that, it can also increase charisma or something like that.

Professor Charles Xavier and other telepaths "Telekinesis" makes it possible to pickup (and place into the inventory) or just grab and move objects that are far (not in arms reach) from the player.

Creativity phase run out, can't think of any other stuff, will be back later if I get any more ideas.

[thermador]

Cool ideas risewild; hope you're feeling better

[WizardOfAtlantis]

@Darian Stephens

"preferably some way to prevent the message 'You are now disguised as such and such faction'."

 

Maybe the message could just be changed into something more appropriate, in 1st person, that reflects the nature of the power.

@Rise, I was thinking that for the Spidey Sense power, too. There are already in-game notifications when someone is attacking (Combat music), maybe a message that pops up in the top-left and then disappears, like "Someone is coming" or something along those lines.

Also, the idea of flaming flatulence would actually be really useful when you're running for your life from sledgehammer-wielding Super Mutants!!

Maybe it even gives you a temporary speed boost!

[Computerrock1]

Hey Jax,

Is this still in development because it's a pretty BA concept and kinda reminds me of the Dawngaurd DLC for Skyrim except instead of werewolves and vampires you get to mutate yourself into a psuedo mutant.

@Risewild,

Hope you are feeling better!

[JaxFirehart]

I've had stuff come up in my life so I have not actively worked on it in about a month, but I will finish it eventually, because I think it is a very cool mechanic.

[CourierSix]

I really like this. Especially since there are various mutagens the player gets over the course of FO3, and it would be cool to have a way of balancing/managing and adding more of them.

[JaxFirehart]

Yeah I haven't worked on it in a while, but I'm still passionate about it. The UI is done (and quite flashy, in my opinion) the framework of scripting is pseudo-coded, I just need to finish writing the code and then start implementing mutations, but I have no idea when I will get back to it.

[pintocat]

This reminds me of the scifi book Old Man's War. The soldiers fighting aliens have their consciousness moved to a new genetically engineered body that is partly a result of genetic splicing of human, alien, maybe even animal... as well as some nano-tech, to create super-soldiers. They also have a computer (Called a BrainPal) implanted in their brain they interface with to control their gun, communicate, etc.. reminiscient of Pip-boy/VATS.

Here's an excerpt from the book, of the protagonist reading the pamphlet about the process...

[collapsed title=Wall of text]

THE NEW YOU

An introduction to your new body,

for recruits of the Colonial Defense Forces

From the staff of Colonial Genetics

Two centuries of building better bodies!

[This was the splash page of the brochure waiting for me on my PDA. You’ll just have to imagine the illustration, which echoed the famous da Vinci study of the human body, only with a nude green man where the other dude used to be. But let’s continue.]

 

By now, you have received your new body from the Colonial Defense Forces. Congratulations! Your new body is the end result of decades of refinement by the scientists and engineers at Colonial Genetics, and is optimized for the rigorous demands of CDF service. This document will serve to give a brief introduction on the important features and functions of your new body, and provide answers to some of the most common questions recruits have about their new body.

 

NOT JUST A NEW BODY—A BETTER BODY

You’ve surely noticed the green skin tone of your new body. This isn’t merely cosmetic. Your new skin (KloraDerm™) incorporates chlorophyll to provide your body with an extra source of energy and to optimize your body’s use of both oxygen and carbon dioxide. The result: You’ll feel fresher, longer—and better able to perform your duties as a CDF serviceperson! This is only the beginning of the improvements you’ll find in your body. Here are some others:

 

Your blood tissue has been replaced by SmartBlood™—a revolutionary system that increases oxygen-carrying capacity fourfold while it guards your body against disease, toxins, and death from blood tissue loss! Our patented CatsEye™ technology gives you sight you have to see to believe! Increased rod and cone counts give you better imaging resolution than can be achieved in most naturally evolved systems, while specially designed light amplifiers allow you to see clearly in extreme low-light situations.

 

Our UncommonSense™ suite of sense enhancements allows you to touch, smell, hear and taste like you never have before, as our expanded nerve placement and optimized connections expand your perceptual ranges in all sense categories. You’ll feel the difference from the first day!

 

How strong do you want to be? With HardArm™ technologies that boost natural muscle strength and reaction time, you’ll be stronger and faster than you ever dreamed possible—so strong and fast, in fact, that by law Colonial Genetics can’t sell this technology on the consumer market. That’s a real “leg up” for you recruits!

 

Never be unconnected again! You’ll never lose your BrainPal™ computer because it resides in your own brain. Our proprietary Assistive Adaptive Interface works with you so you can access your BrainPal™ your way. Your BrainPal™ also serves to coordinate nonorganic technologies in your new body, such as SmartBlood™. CDF servicepeople swear by this amazing piece of technology—and so will you.

 

BUILDING A BETTER YOU

You’ll no doubt be amazed at how much your new body can do. But have you wondered how it was designed? You may be interested to know that your body is just the latest series in a line of advanced, improved bodies designed by Colonial Genetics. Through proprietary technology, we adapt both genetic information from other species and the latest in miniaturized robotic technologies to improve your new body. It’s hard work, but you’ll be glad we made the effort!

 

From our first improvements nearly two centuries ago, we’ve progressively built on our work. To introduce changes and improvements, we rely first on advanced computer modeling techniques to simulate the effects of each proposed improvement on the entire body system. The improvements that make it through this process are then tested on biological models. Then and only then are improvements incorporated into the final body design, integrated with the “starter” DNA you provide. Rest assured that each body improvement is safe and tested, and designed to make a better you!

 

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR NEW BODY

1. Does My New Body Have a Brand Name?

Yes! Your new body is known as the Defender Series XII, “Hercules” model. Technically, it’s known as CG/CDF Model 12, Revision 1.2.11. This body model is for use only by the Colonial Defense Forces. Additionally, each body has its own model number for maintenance purposes. You can access your own number through your BrainPal™. Don’t worry, you can still use your given name for everyday purposes!

 

2. Does My New Body Age?

The Defender Series body is designed to provide the CDF with optimum performance its entire operating life. To do this, advanced regenerative techniques are employed at the genetic level to reduce natural entropic tendencies. With a basic maintenance regimen, your new body will remain in top condition as long as you operate it. You’ll also find that injuries and disabilities are corrected quickly—so you can be up and running again in no time flat!

 

3. Can I Pass These Amazing Improvements to My Children?

No. Your body and its biological and technological systems are patented by Colonial Genetics and may not be passed on without permission. Also, due to the extensive nature of Defender Series improvements, its DNA is no longer genetically compatible with unmodified humans, and lab tests indicate that Defender Series mating creates incompatibilities lethal to the embryo in every case. Additionally, the CDF has determined that the ability to transmit genetic information is nonessential to its servicepeople’s mission; therefore, each Defender model ships sterile, although other related functionality remains intact.

 

4. I’m Worried About the Theological Implications of This New Body. What Should I Do?

While neither Colonial Genetics nor the CDF maintains an official position on the theological or psychological ramifications of the transfer of consciousness from one body to another, we understand that many recruits may have questions or concerns. Each recruit transport comes equipped with clergy representing most of Earth’s major religions and an additional complement of psychological therapists. We encourage you to seek them out and discuss your questions with them.

 

5. How Long Will I Stay in My New Body?

Defender Series bodies are designed for CDF use; so long as you stay in the CDF, you will be able to use and enjoy the technological and biological advancements of this new body. When you leave the CDF, you will be provided with a new, unaltered human body based on your own original DNA.

From all of us here at Colonial Genetics, congratulations on your new body! We know it will serve you well through your service in the Colonial Defense Forces. Thanks for your service to the colonies—and enjoy… Your New Body.[/collapsed]

And the gun they use, is like Gribbleshnibit8's Callahan Fullbore Autolock.

[collapsed title=Wall of text]

In the second week, we were introduced to our weapon.

“This is the CDF standard-issue MP-35 Infantry Rifle,” Ruiz said, holding out his while ours sat where they had been placed, still within protective wrapping, in the parade-ground dirt at our feet. “The ‘MP’ stands for ‘Multi-Purpose.’ Depending on your need, it can create and fire on the fly six different projectiles or beams. These include rifle bullets and shot of both explosive and nonexplosive varieties, which can be fired semiautomatically or automatically, low-yield grenades, low-yield guided rockets, high-pressure flammable liquid, and microwave energy beams. This is possible through the use of high-density nano-robotic ammunition”—Ruiz held up a dully gleaming block of what appeared to be metal; a similar block was located next to the rifle at my feet—“that self-assembles immediately prior to firing. This allows for a weapon with maximum flexibility with minimum training, a fact that you sad lumps of ambulatory meat will no doubt appreciate.

 

“Those of you who have military experience will remember how you were required to frequently assemble and disassemble your weapon. You will not do this with your MP-35. The MP-35 is an extremely complex piece of machinery and you cannot be trusted to fuck with it! It carries onboard self-diagnostic and repair capabilities. It can also patch into your BrainPal to alert you of problems, if any, which there will be none, since in thirty years of service there has yet to be an MP-35 that has malfunctioned. This is because, unlike your dipshit military scientists on Earth, we can build a weapon that works! Your job is not to fuck with your weapon; your job is to fire your weapon. Trust your weapon, it is almost certainly smarter than you are. Remember this and you may yet live.

 

“You will activate your MP-35 momentarily by taking it out of its protective wrapping, and accessing it with your BrainPal. Once you do this, your MP-35 will truly be yours. While you are on this base, only you will be able to fire your MP-35, and then only when you are given clearance from your platoon leader or your squad leaders, who must in turn get clearance from their drill instructors. In actual combat situations, only CDF soldiers with CDF-issued BrainPals will be able to fire your MP-35. So long as you don’t piss off your own squadmates, you will never have to fear your own weapon being used against you.

 

“From this point forward you will take your MP-35 with you everywhere you go. You will take it with you when you take a shit. You will take it with you when you shower—don’t worry about getting it wet, it will spit out anything it regards as foreign. You will take it to meals. You will sleep with it. If you somehow manage to find time to fuck, your MP-35 damn well better have a fine view.

 

“You will learn how to use this weapon. It will save your life. The U.S. Marines are fucking chumps, but the one thing they got right was their Marine Rifle Creed. It reads, in part, ‘This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. And I will.’

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, take this creed to heart. This is your rifle. Pick it up and activate it.”

 

I knelt down and removed the rifle from its plastic wrap. Notwithstanding everything Ruiz described about the rifle, the MP-35 did not appear especially impressive. It had heft but was not unwieldy, was well balanced and well sized for maneuverability. On the side of the rifle stock was a sticker. “TO ACTIVATE WITH BRAINPAL: Initialize BrainPal and say Activate MP-35, serial number ASD-324-DDD-4E3C1.”

 

“Hey, Asshole,” I said. “Activate MP-35, serial number ASD-324-DDD-4E3C1.”

 

MP-35 ASD-324-DDD-4E3C1 is now activated for CDF Recruit John Perry, Asshole responded. Please load ammunition now. A small graphic display hovered in the corner of my field of vision, showing me how to load my rifle. I reached back down and picked up the rectangular block that was my ammunition—and nearly lost my balance trying to pick it up. It was impressively heavy; they weren’t kidding about the “high density” part. I jammed it into my rifle where instructed. As I did so, the graphic showing me how to load my rifle disappeared and a counter sprang up in its place, which read:

Firing Options Available

Note: Using One Type of Round Decreases Availability of Other Types

Rifle Rounds: 200

Shot Rounds: 80

Grenade Rounds: 40

Missile Rounds: 35

Fire Rounds: 10 Minutes

Microwave: 10 Minutes

Rifle Rounds Currently Selected.

 

“Select shot rounds,” I said.

 

Shot rounds selected, Asshole replied.

 

“Select missile rounds,” I said.

 

Missile rounds selected, Asshole replied. Please select target. Suddenly every member of the platoon had a tight green targeting outline; glancing directly at one would cause an overlay to flash. What the hell, I thought, and selected one, a recruit in Martin’s squad named Toshima.

 

Target selected. Asshole confirmed. You may fire, cancel, or select a second target.

[/collapsed]