Idea for Alien Life

Dear Keen Software House,

Hope this message finds your team in the bests of spirits. I wanted to give you all some ideas for Space Engineers 2. I will be sharing some of my ideas on how diverse environmental factors may influence the evolution of alien species. My suggestions are targeted toward improving the general feel of gameplay mostly through exploration.

Planetary Gravity and Wildlife Evolution:

Larger creatures could be generated on high-gravity planets, while on low-gravity planets, there can be more agile and lighter wildlife. On planets with gravitation close to Earth, one would expect to see more avian species, since flight is far easier in low gravity. In contrast, heavier planets may have fewer, larger birds, since higher gravity would make the evolution of flight much more difficult.

Planetary Terrain and Adaptations:

Wildlife originating from rugged, rocky planets or having extreme climates may have tough exoskeletons or advanced camouflage capabilities, easily able to blend in with their surroundings and thus very hard to locate. On a planet with lush forests, the wildlife may have either developed camouflage capabilities or bioluminescence for use in communication or mating.

Aquatic Life on Water-based Planets:

Planets entirely of ocean or parts filled with large portions of water will have a complete variety of oceanic life-creatures and monsters of massive size down to small, lithe predators. Some sea animals could utilize methods of sonar or bioluminescence, making the darker depths both frustrating and open to new exploration abilities for players within an underwater stage.

Magnetic Fields and Wildlife Behavior:

Life forms on planets with strong magnetic fields could evolve magnetic or electromagnetic abilities that would enable them to navigate currents or defend against predators. It would add another layer of realism into gameplay-to have to interact with the native wildlife as well as planetary magnetic fields.

Toxic and Reactive Environments:

Planets with toxic or corrosive atmospheres might host wildlife that have developed specific protective coatings or other internal mechanisms that can deal with toxic chemicals. Some would develop acid-resistant exoskeletons, while others might learn to live in extreme temperature fluctuations-a really interesting challenge for the players to handle.

Gas Giants and Floating Lifeforms:

On gas giant planets, lacking in solid ground, wildlife would have forms to float in the dense atmosphere. Animals could develop, with built-in buoyancy coming from gas-filled sacs and floating organs that take mobility over the clouds. Larger species can travel, when properly tethered, via a planet's wind currents, while smaller species might hover at or near the planet's surface and be unseen to the naked human eye.

Planetary Orbits and Seasonal Adaptations:

On those planets that have longer or weird orbits, the wild may develop mechanisms for surviving extreme seasonal changes. They may hibernate, or develop unique ways of survival in their style-nite vision, increased sensitivity towards senses-to survive through the fluctuating nature of the planet.

Insect-like or Microscopic Life on Smaller Planets:

On smaller planets, the leading life forms may be insect-like or even microbial. These might have a really fast life span and be incorporated into resource collection and spaceship enhancements within the game. They also could form huge colonies or even symbiotic relations with other species to further overcomplicate life on the planet.

Symbiotic and Parasitic Relationships:

Symbiotic or parasitic relationships between alien species could influence the ecosystem of the planet and gameplay interactions. Some species could depend on others for protection or food, thereby opening up a new dimension of challenges for players who have to manipulate these relationships in order to gather resources or survive. The parasitic species may even latch onto spaceships, adding a degree of hazard for players in navigating foreign environments.

Light and Energy-based Lifeforms:

On worlds with high radiation levels or strong energy fields, life can develop to sustain itself on light or radiation rather than organic matter. These life forms could take the form of glowing entities or beams of energy that would have the ability to manipulate the environmental conditions of the planet, providing unique possibilities for interaction and conflict.

Fungal or Plant-based Lifeforms:

On worlds with dense plants or fungi, wildlife would survive off spores or symbiotic relationships with the plants. These could be thick ecosystems, full of plant life that one has to watch out for aggravating plant-like life forms or spores of toxic fungi. Other wildlife can use such a plant for defensive purposes or as a source of energy.

Coupled with the various factors involved, such as environmental ones and how they would influence alien wildlife, this would add a lot to the player's experience in space exploration. This would allow players to interact with unique ecosystems that foster strategic thinking, resource management, and adaptive strategies while exploring planets and building their spaceships.

I believe these suggestions could greatly enrich the gameplay, providing more dynamic and engaging interactions with alien species. Thank you greatly for reading or considering my thoughts, and I look forward to see how the game will evolve.

I look forward to the opportunities the future holds for SE2 keep it up

Don't hesitate to reach out to me via email if you have any questions. :)

Best regards,

Tristan