Race specific sub-appearances

Probably the biggest obstacle to integrating non-humanoid races like the Avali, Hanashii or Ponybound mods is the rather hacky solution to clothing them (placing clothing hiders or appropriate items in the vanity slots).

This could be overcome simply by allowing merges with the stock clothing that would supply alternative sprite sheets for specific races.

For example, the mod might contain a file called: "copperarmor.chest" inside it would have a merge command along these lines:

Code:

{
  "__merge" : [],
  "speciesVariant": [
    "species" : "Avali",
    "maleFrames" : {
        "body" : "chest.png",        // These lines would be parsed treating the merge file location as root
        "backSleeve" : "bsleeve.png",
        "frontSleeve" : "fsleeve.png"
    },
    "femaleFrames" : {
        "body" : "chest.png",
        "backSleeve" : "bsleeve.png",
        "frontSleeve" : "fsleeve.png"
    }
  ]
}

I'm not an expert at JSON, and that might have a few issues in that precise format, but, it illustrates my point.

At any rate, the new code and associated engine function would provide an alternative set of sprite sheets for if the wearer belongs to a specific species. This'd instantly wipe out the problem of incompatible armour types, because they would be able to create variant sprite sheets for their race's phenotype.

 

I approve of anything to help modding move forward~

 

Yes, a million times YES! All my favourite species mods are non-humanoids.

 

I say yes, not only for the modded species like the cute fluffy space raptors (A.K.A the Avali), but so the Devs can get more creative with race design instead of the all having the same humanoid shape

 

I don't think we'll be seeing any official, non-humanoids from the devs themselves, they have 7 races already. But if the engine supported non-humanoids, then in principle they COULD integrate player-made non-humanoid races into the game at an official level in the future. Unlikely, but the possibility exists given their introduction of mods into the core game

 

You know people who want modding to advance in anyway should make a group of sorts to get more mods out, that have better quality and completion. This is a good example of how spreading a little information around the internet toast can help people.

 

I lazily declare this bumped, liked, and all sorts of other things.