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Dynamic Health & Vitality System

Survival Is More Than a Health Bar​

The Dynamic Health & Vitality System turns every calorie burned, sip of water, and restless night into a meaningful gameplay decision. Survival stats are modeled as interconnected resources that respond to the player's habits, environment, and long-term choices, echoing the earliest experiments described in the Planting the First Cobblestone devlog.

Health & Stamina Management​

  • Track health, stamina, energy, hydration, and weight simultaneously.
  • Regeneration depends on rest quality, injuries, and environment—instant heals do not exist.

Weight & Body Composition​

  • Weight, fat, and muscle change based on caloric intake, physical exertion, and age.
  • Starvation, overexertion, and extreme conditions degrade performance until the player adapts or recovers.

Energy & Starvation​

  • Daily caloric intake drives energy reserves; negative states trigger muscle loss and stat degradation.
  • Starvation unfolds gradually, forcing hard choices about rationing, rest, and risk.

Hydration Model​

  • Hydration affects stamina recovery, coordination, and reaction time.
  • Environmental heat, humidity, and activity levels accelerate water loss.

Environment & Activity Interactions​

  • Extreme weather drains vitals faster; safe zones offer accelerated recovery.
  • Activity intensity (running, climbing, hauling) determines caloric burn and fatigue.

Aging & Development​

  • Characters age naturally; body composition shifts with growth and neglect.
  • Strength and endurance peak before tapering off without ongoing training.

Tactical Resource Planning​

  • Food, water, and carried weight directly influence stamina and movement speed.
  • Players must balance survival gear with mobility and combat readiness.

Gameplay Impact​

  • Stat Evolution — Activity raises strength and endurance, while malnutrition or dehydration erodes them.
  • Adaptive Body Systems — Weight and body fat fluctuate, altering stamina recovery and combat performance.
  • World Pressure — Weather and rest quality determine whether the city wears you down or lets you rebound.
  • Energy & Stamina Loop — Energy governs stamina regeneration, making retreats, rest, and preparation critical.
  • Threaded Simulation — Because every subsystem runs inside a C++ and GDExtension backend, the city can evaluate thousands of actors without sacrificing our Godot GDExtension performance targets.

Unique Selling Points​

  • Deeply integrated survival loop where the body feels tangible and reactive.
  • Progression reflects player choices and lifestyle over the course of a run.
  • Strategic resource management that elevates every scavenging trip and meal.
  • A world that reacts to your condition, making survival storytelling personal and tense.

Tagline: "Survive, Adapt, Overcome: Your body is your greatest asset—or your greatest weakness."