FACT FILE: Euhelopus

Name origin: Greek euos (true), helos (swamp) and pous (foot)

Short Description: Huge sauropod herbivorous dinosaur

Height (adult): 12 metres

Length (adult): 15 metres

Weight (adult): 8000kg

Temporal range: 133-129 Mya

Distribution: China
Sexual maturity (in years): 12

Description: Euhelopus was the tallest animal that lived in the Yixian Formation. This height allowed it to harvest food that manifested in the canopy of the rich jungles of early cretaceous China.

FACT FILE: Smilosuchus

Name origin: Greek smilos (chisel) and suchus (crocodile)

Short Description: Large carnivorous phytosaur

Height (adult): 1.5 metres

Length (adult): 10 metres

Weight (adult): 3000kg

Temporal range: Late Triassic

Distribution: North America
Sexual maturity (in years): 8

Description: Smilosuchus was one of the apex predators of the Ghost Ranch Formation. A distant relative of crocodiles, Smilosuchus was a land-dwelling predator that hunted a wide variety of prey.

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #19: Mating, Pregnancy and Birthing

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

In Dinosaur Mode, the primary goal is to find a mate and have children, continuing your progeny. Today, I want to talk about these fundamental mechanics.

First of all, mating is only an option when:

- You and the target are the same species
- You and the target are of opposing sexes
- You and the target are of sexual maturity
- The female partner is not already pregnant

If all of these conditions are met, then the option will appear on the drop menu when you click on your target.

As you can see, the option here does not appear. This is because the player is female, and the target is female.

Now, the process for females is more involved than males, on average. While some select males do stay and care for young, in many species this is not the case. So for males, the mating occurs and then they move on. However, females have to carry the offspring to term and either:

- Lay a clutch of eggs
- Birth live young

Children can be either left to fend for themselves or defended, depending on species in an AI's case or player choice for the player. The traits and states of both parents are mixed and passed to the young.

This whole process awards progress points which advances the growth of the player, making them bigger and more powerful. So the more children and matings you secure, the more successful your animal avatar becomes.

Of course, death comes for all. So when you die, especially if it is natural causes (a rare feat for an animal to accomplish), then certain awards will unlock.

Some species will be harder to beat - for example, completing a Tyrannosaurus run is easy because it is an apex predator; a Edmontosaurus run would be medium because the largest predators would hunt you but you're large enough to avoid most of the smaller ones; a Struthiomimus run would be hard, due to the frailty of their bodies and their lack of defences.

If you have had any children during your run and they are alive, you will be able to play as them, continuing your game.

More details on this will come another time.


Next diary, I will talk about tracking, smells and calls in DINODRIFTERS and how they work.

Until next time!

FACT FILE: Stegosaurus

Name origin: Greek stegos (roof) and sauros (lizard)

Short Description: Large stegosaurid herbivorous dinosaur

Height (adult): 5 metres

Length (adult): 9 metres

Weight (adult): 6000kg

Temporal range: 150-155 Mya

Distribution: North America
Sexual maturity (in years): 10

Description: Stegosaurus was a browsing herbivore from the Jurassic. It wandered the terrain, harvesting low-laying woody plants like cycads and ferns like a cow. They were solitary, but could defend themselves from medium-sized threats through a display of thermoregulatory bright plates and a dangerous spiked tail, capable of piercing flesh and breaking bones.

MILESTONE: Chapter 1, complete! Enter... Roguedrifters!

Chapter 1 of Dinodrifters Story Mode:

Ravaging across time and space!

The team of opportunistic drifters who use drift technology with the goal of bringing back people from the dead.

Roguedrifters - Raiders in Time!

Comprised of Drifters Navy, Violet and Army, they oppose the Dinodrifters, who waste their gifts on primitive animals. They lack imagination or sight. The Roguedrifters seek to benefit humanity as a whole, especially those who suddenly died in the Great Cataclysm all those years ago.

They need to gather the Time Drift Cards to restore what was. Will they succeed, or will the Dinodrifters? When greater, darker forces rise with more insidious goals, how will the Roguedrifters and Dinodrifters react? Can what was, be again?

--

It is my great pleasure to announce that Chapter 1 of Story Mode is in its first playable state, from start to finish! All dialogue, gameplay, locations and links are complete and playable in their entirety. The only thing to finish are the animations for cutscenes.

This leaves 1/3 chapters done and 7/21 episodes done.

I plan to bring the whole campaign and story to a similar point during February, then do all the animations after that point. This will allow me to test the core gameplay as intensively as possible.

By the end of Chapter 1, the Roguedrifters cease to be be the main villains of the story, as the main villain reveals itself. In addition, Chapter 2 will feature new power-ups for the existing Dinodrifters and several new members will join the team. The whole world of the game expands beyond in says I'm certain will be exciting! More to come on this next month!

I will update the blog in the coming few weeks with some slightly spoilery posts (including the unmasking of Violet, Army and Navy). Stay tuned!

Don't forget to play DINODRIFTERS later this year to experience the full adventure!

See you soon!

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #18: Underwater Life and Aquatic Animals

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

We've discussed the life of land and the sky, but not the eldest ecosystem of them all - the sea. Today, I will talk about how animals that live in the oceans differ from those above the ocean's surface in DINODRIFTERS.

Aquatic animals, classed here as animals that exclusively live in the ocean, share some of the mechanics that land-based animals do. However, they differ greatly in their movement.

Animals that are aquatic can swim between the surface, shallows and the seabed of a body of water. Each one is vastly different.

The surface is the same level of the map that the land animals live on. They can interact with any object directly near the water.

The shallows are the first few dozen metres of water beneath the surface. Here, algae is common and light shimmers down from above. Most of the animals will travel on this level.

The last level is the seabed. Here, sea plants can appear and there is very little light. Unique animals live here like trilobites and corals. Herbivorous aquatic animals will feed here often due to the unique life that present itself on this level of the ecosystem.

Due to the openness of the ocean, there are seldom any safe places to hide or nest in, so the only safety measure is to keep moving and keep your eyes open.

For monsters lurk in the gloom.


Next diary, I will talk about mating and how bearing offspring works in DINODRIFTERS!

Until next time!

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #17: Flying and Aerial Animals

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

Most animals in DINODRIFTERS are intelligent and move on their own volition. In the past, I have talked about mechanics shared between all of these animals. Today I will talk about how flying animals like pterosaurs differ from other animals.

The button above the minimap is used to both ascend to the skies and land on the ground.

Firstly, flying animals when on the ground operate just as any other. They walk, drink, feed and mate all on the ground. However, unlike non-flying animals, they have the ability to take off and ascend to the skies above.

They can only do so when certain conditions relating to health and energy are met. So be careful and make sure your reserves are sufficient to make a quick getaway at all times.

When in the sky, objects below cannot harm you. However, you can only take off when you have enough health to do so. Injuries to a pterosaur can be fatal.

Once you're in the air, nothing on the ground can harm you. The only threat is the weather conditions present and other flying animals. However, these are not common, so you can use the sky as a highway to your destination, free from most predators.

Changes in elevation are ignored by flying animals. So they can fly over oceans, hills and mountains and get to places not accessible to other animals. Good places to build nests and roosts.

However, most flying animals are weak. Even the largest, Quetzalcoatlus, can be killed by most medium size animals. So evasion is key to winning as a pterosaur or other flying animal.


Next diary, I will talk about aquatic animals and how underwater gameplay works in DINODRIFTERS!

Until next time!

FACT FILE: Opthalmosaurus

Name origin: Greek ophthalo (eye) and sauros (lizard)

Short Description: Large ichthyosaur

Height (adult): 2 metres

Length (adult): 6 metres

Weight (adult): 300kg

Temporal range: 160-165 Mya

Distribution: Europe and North America
Sexual maturity (in years): 5

Description: Opthalmosaurus was a squid-eating marine reptile that lived all its life in the sea. Its body was extremely streamlined, making it more adapted to its aquatic environment. They gave birth to live young and were extremely fast - the gazelles of the Oxford Clays.

FACT FILE: Liopleurodon

Name origin: Greek leios (smooth), pleura (side) and donti (tooth)

Short Description: Large apex predatory plesiosaur

Height (adult): 1.5 metres

Length (adult): 7 metres

Weight (adult): 2000kg

Temporal range: 155-160 Mya

Distribution: Europe
Sexual maturity (in years): 8

Description: The top predator of the oceans of Jurassic England. Liopleurodon was a huge plesiosaur that preyed upon other, smaller marine reptiles. It gets its name from its scissor-like teeth that could grapple onto a streamlined body and hold it down, using its neck and jaw muscles to crush and cause death through loss of blood.

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #16: Dinodriver Belt

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

During Chapter 1 of Story Mode, you will use the Tranqchanger as your primary Drifter Gear. However, once Chapter 2 rolls around, you shall gain access to the Dinodriver - the most powerful piece of technology that the Dinodrifters can employ. This is what I shall talk about today.

The Dinodriver is a belt worn around the waist. It is made of metal and has a clear glass window to the inside. When a button is pressed on top, two slots spring up from within, upright.

Up to two cards can be placed into these slots. All Drift Cards can be used - Technique, Time and Animal, the last of which are exclusively used with the Dinodriver. 

If a Technique Card is inserted, then the effects that would have in the Tranqchanger is bestowed onto the wearer (the player in this case). If two are placed, then both benefits will occur.

If a Time Card is inserted, then the player will henshin, like the Tranqchanger. If two Time Cards are inserted, in most cases, the Dinodriver will simply use the one placed in the left slot. However, if certain combinations are placed...

More on this to come later.

Finally, we come to Animal Cards. If an Animal Card is inserted, then the user will Drift into that animal's body. An animation will play, transforming the user. If two Animal Cards are inserted, the one on the right is used.

Work in progress!

Combinations of different cards work too. A Time Card and Animal Card will transform the user into a Drifter and then an animal. Likewise Technique cards will bestow their benefits.

The Dinodriver is not the last piece of Drifter Gear in Dinodrifters. There are more that come with the arrival of new Drifters and new villains as the story unfolds. More on those another day.


Next diary, I will talk about flying mechanics and aerial animals in DINODRIFTERS!

Until next time!

TIME FILE: Oxford Clays - England, 160 million years ago

"The hazardous sea of a thousand tooth-filled jaws"
(based on the Oxford Clays)

Description
Scattered islands separated by a sea of marine reptiles. Under the waters, the seabed is smooth due to the Jurassic flooding of the lowlands. The land above is sandy and sparse, offering little to the life that live there.

Geography
Most of the area is underwater with a few scattered islands that are sparsely populated.

Features
Ocean, lakes and sandy islands

Rock Type
Siltstone, sandstone and mudstone

Fossilisation Extent
Oceanic organisms are abundant in this area, whilst land animals are fragmentary. Most of the area has covered in water, enabling high quality preservation of submerged animals that land on the seabed.
 
Animals
Theropods – Eustreptospondylus, Metriacanthosaurus
Sauropods – Cetiosauriscus
Ornithopods – Callovosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Sarcolestes
Stegosaurids – Lexovisaurus, Loricatosaurus
Pterosaurs – Rhamphorhynchus
Plesiosaurs – Liopleurodon, Cryptoclidus, Marmornectes, Muraenosaurus, Pachycostasaurus, Peloneustes, Picrocleidus, Simolestes, Tricleidus
Thalattosuchians – Gracilineustes, Lemmysuchus, Metriorhynchus, Steneosaurus, Suchodus, Tyrannoneustes
Ichthyosaurs - Ophthalmosaurus
Fish – Leedsichthys, Hybodus, Leptolepis
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies, Horseshoe Crabs, Ammonites
 
Plants

Conifers – the trees of the Jurassic, dominant as such.
Cycads – stout, woody trunk with crown of evergreen leaves, like palm trees or ferns.
Tree ferns – tree-like structures with high, dangling fern branches.
Horsetails – spore-producing plants with pine-like needles. 

Other

Seaweed, Kelp, Coral and Algae

 

FACT FILE: Yutyrannus

Name origin: Chinese yu (feathered) and latin tyrannos (tyrant)

Short Description: Large theropod predatory dinosaur

Height (adult): 3 metres

Length (adult): 9 metres

Weight (adult): 2000kg

Temporal range: 125 Mya

Distribution: China
Sexual maturity (in years): 8 or 9

Description: Yutyrannus was the apex predator of the Yixian Formation. An ancestor of Tyrannosaurus and Tarbosaurus, Yutyrannus hunted in the jungles of its time, eating other like-feather cretaceous both great and small.

TIME FILE: Yixian Formation - China, 122 million years ago

"The forgotten jungle of feathered dragons"
(based on the Yixian and Huajiying Formations)

Description
Dense in a blanket of thick vegetation, the Yixian Formation was dominated by a vast warm forest within which lived dragons. Not of fire and myth, but feather and blood. The majority of animals here are feathered - predator and prey alike.

Geography
A deep forest covers the whole region. One river starts here and leads north whilst one to the east seperates the easternmost deep jungle from the rest. Especially dense vegetation can be found to the west and south and several lakes lie beneath the horizon-spanning treeline.

Features
Forests, jungles, lakes, rivers and floodplains.

Rock Type
Siltstone and mudstone

Fossilisation Extent
Heavy rainfall has secured many fossils, making Yixian one of the richest fossils sites in the world.
 
Animals
Theropods – Beipiaosaurus, Dilong paradoxus, Huaxiagnathus, Jianchangosaurus, Protarchaeopteryx, Scansoriopteryx, Sinocalliopteryx, Sinosauropteryx, Yutyrannus
Sauropods – Dongbeititan, Euhelopus, Liaoningotitan
Ankylosaurids – Liaoningosaurus, Psittacosaurus 
Pterosaurs – Beipiaopterus, Boreopterus, Cathayopterus, Elanodactylus, Eosipterus, Feilongus, Gegepterus, Gladocephaloideus, Haopterus, Moganopterus, Ningchengopterus, Pterofiltrus, Zhenyuanopterus 
Ceratopsians – Liaoceratops
Hadrosaurids – Bolong, Jeholosaurus, Jinzhousaurus, 
Ornithomimids – Hexing, Shenzhousaurus
Oviraptorsaurids – Caudipteryx, Incisivosaurus, Ningyuansaurus, Similicaudipteryx, 
Dromaeosaurids – Changyuraptor, Graciliraptor, Sinornithosaurus, Tianyuraptor, Zhenyuanlong, Zhongjianosaurus, Microraptor
Troodontids – Daliansaurus, Jianianhualong, Liaoningvenator, Mei long, Sinovenator, Sinusonasus, Jinfengopteryx
Fish – Lycoptera, Mesomyzon, Peipiaosteus, Protopsephurus, Sinamia, Yanosteus, Peipiaosteus
Amphibians – Callobatrachus, Laccotriton, Liaobatrachus, Mesophryne, Sinerpeton
Lizards and Snakes – Dalinghosaurus, Liushusaurus, Xianglong, Yabeinosaurus
Choristodera – Hyphalosaurus, Monjurosuchus
Turtles – Manchurochelys, Ordosemys
Mammals – Acristatherium, Akidolestes, Chaoyangodens, Eomaia, Gobiconodon, Jeholodens, Juchilestes, Maotherium, Meemannodon, Repenomamus, Sinobaatar, Sinodelphys, Yanoconodon, Zhangheotherium
Birds – Archaeorhynchus, Changchengornis, Confuciusornis, 
Dalingheornis, Eoenantiornis, Eogranivora, Confuciusornis, Jixiangornis, Hongshanornis, Jibeinia, Liaoningornis, Liaoxiornis, Longicrusavis, Longirostravis, Protopteryx, Shanweiniao, Vescornis, Yixianosaurus, Zhongornis, Cruralispennia, Shenqiornis
Other – Lacewings, Crayfish, Clams, Crickets, Dragonflies, Antlions, Dung Beetles, Scarab Beetles, Tadpole Shrimp, Clam Shrimp, Shrimp, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies, Sawflies, Snakeflies, Cockroaches, Cicadas, Water Bugs

 

Plants
Conifers, cycads, ginkgos, tree ferns, horsetails, angiosperms, yews and eudicots

Plants are dominant in Yixian, covering almost all land that can be found. The moist air and soil maintain the hydrosphere and mean that plants can easily live beyond the confines of rivers and lakes.

TIME FILE: Ghost Ranch Formation - Arizona, 200 million years ago

"The dry lands of a recovering world"
(based on the Ghost Ranch and Chinle Formations)

Description
Following the Great Dying of the Permian, desert and arid plains still dominate the landscape. Despite the harshness of the terrain, a massive lake dominates the middle. Greenery exists but is scattered and not in abundance.

Geography
Pillars of rock rise to the east and in the centre-west lies a massive lake. The parched land is recovering from the Permian and as such, is still in lack of green food. Massive herds migrate through occasionally, providing predators with a great opportunity for gains, if they can conquer their prey.

Features
Deserts, arid plains, lakes and shoes

Rock Type
Siltstone, sandstone and mudstone

Fossilisation Extent
A massive lake created a steady supply of fossils via siltstone fossilisation.
 
Animals
Aetosaurs – Adamanasuchus, Desmatosuchus, Rioarribasuchus, Paratypothorax, Scutarx, Stenomyti, Typothorax, Calyptosuchus
Crurotarsans – Hesperosuchus
Phytosaurs – Leptosuchus, Smilosuchus, Paleorhinus, Machaeroprosopus, Pravusuchus, Protome, Redondasaurus
Paracrocodylomorphs – Shuvosaurus, Effigia, Poposaurus, Postosuchus, Saurosuchus, Vivaron
Theropods – Camposaurus, Chindesaurus, Coelophysis, Daemonosaurus, Gojirasaurus, Tawa Hallae
Prosauropods - Plateosaurus
Drepanosaurs – Avicranium, Dolabrosaurus, Drepanosaurus
Proterochampsia – Doswellia
Tanystropheidae – Tanytrachelos
Allokotosaurs – Trilophosaurus
Archosauriformes – Vancleavea
Dicynodonts – Placerias
Turtles – Chinlechelys
Procolophonidae – Colognathus
Sphereodont – Whitakersaurus
Temnospondyli – Koskinonodon, Chinlestegophis
Fish – Acrodus, Lonchidion, Xenacanthus, Chinlea, Arganodus, Australosomus, Hemicalypterus, Cionichthys, Lasalichthys, Lophionotus, Synorichthys, Tanaocrossus
Other – Termites, Beetles, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Wasps, Flies
 
Plants
Conifers, cycads and horsetails

Most plants were riparian, living near the water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.

 

TIME FILE: Flaming Cliffs Formation - Mongolia, 80 million years ago

"The burning sands of a desolate kingdom"
(based on the Flaming Cliffs Formation)

Description
The climate here is a hot desert. The only sources of water and green come from sheltered oasis' between massive rolling dunes of sand.

Geography
The dunes are constantly on the move, making the ecosystem for water and food sources precarious at best. Large dunes are to the west, protecting a portion of the east well enough. Massive rainstorms periodically visit the desert, turning sand loose and creating massive sandslides capable of burying animals alive.

Features
Swampy lowlands, lakes, rivers and floodplains

Rock Type
Sandstone and limestone

Fossilisation Extent
Found mostly in sandstone, often individuals are in the poses they died in to the sudden nature of being buried alive in sand.
 
Animals
Theropods – Tarbosaurus, Velociraptor, Saurornithoides, Archaeornithoides, Kol, Shuvuuia, Alectrosaurus, Therizinosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Pinacosaurus
Pterosaurs – Quetzalcoatlus 
Ceratopsians – Protoceratops, Udanceratops 
Hadrosaurids – Plesiohadros
Ornithomimids – Aepyornithomimus
Oviraptorsaurids – Oviraptor, Gigantoraptor, Citipati, Khaan
Dromaeosaurids – Halszkaraptor, Mahakala 
Troodontids – Almas, Byronosaurus, Gobivenator, Saurornithoides, Tsaagan
Crurotarsans – Gobiosuchus, Shamosuchus, Zaraasuchus, Zosuchus
Lizards and Snakes – Alolosaurus, Anchaurosaurus, Estesia, Gobiderma, Mimeosaurus, Pleurodontagama, Priscagama, Saichangurvel, Telmasaurus, Xihaina 
Mammals – Bulgannbaatar, Deltatheridium, Deltatheroides, Hyotheridium, Kannalestes, Kamptobaatar, Kryptobaatar, Zalambdalestes
Birds – Apsaravis, Gobipteryx
Other – Termites, Beetles, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Wasps, Flies
 
Plants
Conifers, cycads and horsetails

Most plants were riparian, living near oasis'. Only tough conifers  could live away from direct sources of hydration.

 

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #15: Saving Progress

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

DINODRIFTERS is a big game. With 21 story episodes and at least 25 areas to explore, from the beginning I knew that a reliable save system would be needed. One I, as developer, would need complete control over. Let me briefly talk about this today.

The top-left button lets you save, load and restart the game. Saving is only allowed when not in battle or in an event.

Firstly, saving is as simple as it should be.

You press the button in the top-left corner and it opens up the file menu. Here you can save (if free in game), load and restart/go back to the main menu.

Save files are .ini files that can be easily edited (I might create a tutorial for such in the future) and are structured thusly:

- Core save data (stats, character details and story progress)
- Blackhill animal data [only for Story Mode files] (the details of all the saved animals the file has saved on Blackhill Reserve)
- Temporary save data (the animals, plants and objects in the game world that are not permanent)

In theory, there is no limit to how many save files the player can have at once, but I'll probably limit it to a number below 20 at a later date when I make a final UI for it. That way you can have multiple Story and Dinosaur files at once.


Next diary, I will talk about the Dinodriver - the most powerful piece of Drifter Gear in DINODRIFTERS!

Until next time!

TIME FILE: Hell Creek Formation - Montana, 66 million years ago

"The toxic lands of a dying dynasty"
(based on the Hell Creek Formation)

Description
Volcanic and hot, the plains of Hell Creek are poisoned by noxious fumes and the shadow of a rumbling mountain. In addition, a threat from beyond earth stalks the sky, ticking down the seconds until the end of the Cretaceous and the beginning of the Paleogene. Tar pits pose a danger to those seeking an easy drink and toxic rain from volcanic ash can poison fresh water sources.

Geography
Contained on the western portion of North America, separated from the rest via a great inland sea. A massive volcano stands to the north with a lush forest to the south with groups of lakes dotted in the green.

Features
Volcanic plains, highlands, forests, lakes and tar pits

Rock Type
Volcanic rock and mudstone

Fossilisation Extent
Found both around silty areas such as the lakes and the inland sea to the east.
 
Animals
Theropods – Tyrannosaurus
Ankylosaurids – Ankylosaurus, Denversaurus
Pterosaurs – Quetzalcoatlus 
Pachycephalosaurids – Pachycephalosaurus, Sphaerotholus 
Ceratopsians – Triceratops, Torosaurus, Leptoceratops 
Hadrosaurids – Edmontosaurus, Thescelosaurus
Ornithomimids – Struthiomimus
Oviraptorsaurids – Leptorhynchos, Anzu Wyliei
Dromaeosaurids – Acheroraptor, Dakotaraptor
Crurotarsans – Borealosuchus, Brachychampsa, Thoracosaurus
Lizards and Snakes – Boid, Palaeosaniwa, Obamadon
Choristodera – Champsosaurus
Turtles – Adocus, Trionyx
Mammals – Didelphodon, Alphadon, Purgatorius
Birds – Aviasaurus, Brodavis, Potamornis
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies
 
Plants
Conifers, cycads, tree ferns, horsetails, redwoods, palm trees, laurels and angiosperms

Most plants were riparian, living near the water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.

 

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #14: Transformation Mechanics

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

One of the most technically demanding parts of Story Mode is the ability to transform from human form to animal (usually dinosaur) form and back again. Today I will talk about how this works.

The red button to the right is used to transform back into a human. It replaces the inventory button.

Humans are not very physically strong, nor are their senses that good. Sometimes the best way to travel across a prehistoric environment is through the eyes and body of one of its inhabitants.

In Chapter 2 of Story Mode (which starts after episode 7), the Dinodrifters gain access to the Dinodrivers - powerful belts that enable them to transform using Animal Drift Cards into dinosaurs, large mammals, amphibians and many other useful forms. Some strong, some fast, some to fly, some to swim and some for very special situations.

Humans are classed as animals in the code, much the same way as any other animal, from bugs to Tyrannosaurus. So, when the human drifts into another animal, all of their stats are recast using the biological template of the target animal. Some things carry over to the new body, like colour and sex, but most do not.

The core stats of the human do not change, so when they drift back, they lose none of their identity.

Animal Drift Cards are powerful and require a full three quarter-charge to use, so you cannot drift over and over without thinking it through. In addition, Drift Charge does not increase when in an animal's body.

Animal Drift Cards only work when placed in the Dinodriver's second input slot (more to come another time).

The animal's brain is different than a human's so if the animal needs something (like food, water and even a mate), it pushes against the controlling human mind. If this push is too high, the animal can wrestle control from the human. If it gets too bad, it results in death, so be careful.

Transforming from human to drifter to animal is a core component of DINODRIFTERS. It widens the possibilities of the player. Want to fly? Become a Quetzalcoatlus. Explore the oceans? Become a Liopleurodon. Want to fight? A Giganotosaurus will do the job.

Who will you become during your time as a Dinodrifter?

Time shall see.


Next diary, I will talk about saving and loading in DINODRIFTERS!

Until next time!

FACT FILE: Alectrosaurus

Name origin: Greek aetos (eagle) and sauros (lizard)

Short Description: Medium theropod predatory dinosaur

Height (adult): 2 metres

Length (adult): 5 metres

Weight (adult): 800kg

Temporal range: 74-83 Mya

Distribution: Central Asia
Sexual maturity (in years): 8-9

Description: Alectrosaurus was a solitary hunter that preyed on smaller dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs, like Protoceratops and Plesiohadros. A smaller Tyrannosaurid dinosaur, Alectrosaurus were fast and active hunters capable of tracking prey across vast deserts almost effortlessly.

CHARACTER FILE: Drifter Violet

Drifter Violet

"Humans have longed to live beyond death since before my time. I am a testament to the will of my species. Even fractured, I'm still more whole than any of you."

Name: ???
Age: ???
Sex: Female?
Gender: ???
Date of Birth: ???
Place of Birth: ???
Time Drift Card: Quaternary

A concluded renegade who stalks the Dinodrifters with the goal of collecting all the Time Cards. Violet can travel through time seemingly independently of the Timegate and possesses the Dinodriver – a new form of Drifter tech that the Dinodrifters lack, allowing her to transform into dinosaurs.

Violet's motives can only be guessed. Violet's identity is unknown, as there have been no sightings outside of Timegate excursions. Judging by several factors, Violet is guessed to be female, but this is not certain. This rogue drifter is highly dangerous and capable of levitation, shapeshifting and time-travelling beyond the use of the known Timegate.

Beware!

DINODRIFTERS Dev Diary #13: Creating a Character

Hello and welcome to another DINODRIFTERS dev diary!

In Story Mode, you don't play a pre-made character. Rather, you will create your own avatar that will appear in both gameplay and cutscenes. You are Drifter Green, and Drifter Green is you. Who they are, what they do and what they look like is entirely in your hands.

You can choose between pre-made colours or mix your own for hair, skin and eye colours using the colour sliders!

Firstly, you name your character and give them a birthday (this is to be used for in-game events only). Then you move on to the physical, where you customise your human avatar.

Colour is purely for visual distinctiveness, same with eye and hair colours alike. Almost all the options are entirely visual, save for sex. Some characters in the later portion of the game will speak differently and give you different options based on your character's sex and your relationship with them. More on this will come at a later date when I talk about relationships with characters and how they work. For now, understand that you can't romance every person under the sun without considering their preferences.

After this, you will pick what background your avatar has. Are they military? A scientist? Perhaps a criminal? Each path offers unique game dialogues and options based on what you pick. In addition, starting relationship status will be based on what selection you make.

After this, the game starts.

When you become Drifter Green proper, you will gain access to Blackhill. There you can find a barber and style your hair (with some secret selections later on), after starting the game.

Clothes can be changed at anytime using your dresser in your room in Blackhill. New clothes can be acquired in several ways in the story. More on this to come later.

A few other things can be changed after creating your character... but you'll have to find these out for yourself.


Next diary, I will talk about transformation in DINODRIFTERS. Not just from human to drifter, but with the power of the Dinodriver, from human to animal!

Until next time!

TIME FILE: Morrison Formation - Wyoming, 153 million years ago

"The fragile land of the Allosaurus"
(based on the Morrison Formation)

Description
The overall climate was dry, like a modern grassland sans the grass. Flowering plants have yet to evolve, leaving ferns and horsetails to dominate the earthy landscape.

Geography
Sundance Sea, an extension of the Arctic, bordered the north and a massive desert to the south that we know existed due to aeolian processes, with dunes and one massive salt pan called Lake T'oo'dichi' evident from siltstone deposits.

Features
Swampy lowlands, lakes, rivers and floodplains

Rock Type
Mudstone, sandstone, siltstone and limestone

Fossilisation Extent
Found mostly in green siltstone and lower sandstone layers, in former rivers and floodplains, ideal for fossilisation.
 
Animals
Theropods – Allosaurus, Torvosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Marshosaurus, Strokesosaurus, Ornitholestes, Tanycolagreus
Sauropods – Diplodocus, Camarasaurus, Brontosaurus, Apatosaurus, Barosaurus, Supersaurus, Brachiosaurus, Suuwassea, Haplocanthosaurus
Ornithopods – Camptosaurus, Dryosaurus, Othnielosaurus
Heterodontosaurids – Fruitadens
Ankylosaurids – Gargoyleosaurus, Mymoorapelta
Stegosaurids – Stegosaurus, Hesperosaurus
Pterosaurs – Mesadactylus, Harpactognathus
Crurotarsans – Amphicotylus, Hallopus, Fruitachampsa, Hoplosuchus
Lizards and Snakes – Dorsetisaurus, Diablophis
Sphenodonts – Eilenodon
Choristodera – Ctenigenys
Turtles – Glyptops
Amphibians – Rhadinosteus, Iridotriton
Fish – Ceratodus, Morrolepis, Leptolepis, Hulettia
Mammals – Triconolestes, Docodon, Glirodon, Dryolestes, Tinodon
Other – Termites, Crayfish, Clams, Dragonflies, Scorpions, Millipedes, Dung Beetles, Snails, Slugs, Jellyfish, Wasps, Flies
 
Plants
Conifers, ginkgos, cycads, Tree ferns and horsetails

Most plants were riparian, living near the river and other water sources like lakes. Only tough conifers and ferns could live away from direct sources of hydration.