Today: Mob Shadows..

I’ve been on the fence on how to handle combat encounters - Do monsters wonder around (expensive to animate/code)? Do I introduce tall grass a la Pokemon (limiting in different biomes)? Do certain zones just randomly trigger combat like FF (unpredictable and feels jarring)?

My current plan? Shadows! Here’s my first stab at a “Mob Shadow” that wanders around an area, but once you get close, speeds up and tracks towards you. If it comes in contact with you, combat is triggered! I like the idea of seeing the mobs and have control over the situation, as well as dodging if you wish.

Some pipe-dreams would be different shadow shapes/colors, footprints, sound effects, etc. to hint at what the mob might be. But for now - I think this is perfect for the initial game loop.