A Study into a Family of Creatures 2 Norns: Part I

Earlier in the week, Charley and I had a conversation about some of her Creatures 2 Norns and their genetics. This family of Norns had some interesting mutations, and one particular Norn had a very problematic gene. I only had a limited explanation for their mutations at the time, which prompted me to use the family as a case study. What a great way to dive into Creatures 2 for the first time! The parents had many, many mutations from one another and even from a standard Creatures 2 genome. For the sake of time, I focused on the main differences between them, to form a base for the mutations in their children. Now, to get started with the parents!

Lobes

Brain lobes include important information about how the different parts of the brain work, from how concepts are learned to how a Norn goes through the decision process. These genes can greatly affect the learning process.

622 Emb B MutDup 128 Lobe #= 7 Dendrite Type 0: Input Lobe=2, Min#=1, Max#=1, Spread=0, Fanout=0
624 Emb B MutDup 128 Lobe #= 7 Dendrite Type 0: Input Lobe=12, Min#=1, Max#=1, Spread=0, Fanout=0

The father’s gene carries a mutation from the Canny Norn genome. This gene defines how the attention lobe (lobe 7) functions. The mutation exists in which input lobe it receives its information from. The mother’s Canny Norn gene defines this input source as lobe 12, which is one of three new lobes introduced with the Canny Norn. I am fairly certain that this is the new choice lobe, which, according to the Canny Norn information, enables a Norn to “search for the object they’re interested in at the time.” The father’s mutation changes this input lobe to the stimulus source lobe (lobe 2), which is actually not an issue. His attention will be given to whatever is most stimulating at the time. The new lobes in the Canny Norns were designed to give them the ability to think and choose at a much higher level. This is a mutated gene, but one which should not create any issues.

Receptors

Chemical receptors define parameters for a certain chemical. When these parameters are met, an element in the Creature is affected. These genes can increase drives, define life stages, control fertility, and more.

164 Chi B MutDupCut 128 Organ #=15 Brain, Decision i/ps, Chemical 1, chem=Punishment, thresh=0, nom=0, gain=255, features=Analogue
164 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ #=15 Brain, Decision i/ps, Chemical 1, chem=Punishment, thresh=0, nom=0, gain=255, features=Analogue

This gene controls a chemical signal sent to the chemical 1 locus in the decision lobe, which is then used with reinforcement during the learning process. The father’s mutation causes this to occur at childhood, rather than at the embryonic stage and right from the beginning of life. There is a similar chemical receptor that connects reward with chemical 0 in the decision lobe. While the mother will be able to learn from both reward and punishment from birth, the father will only be able to learn through reward until his is a child. This could make the learning process difficult during the first life stage, which is also the most important stage of learning.

259 Old B Mut 128 Organ#=18 Brain, Perceptible i/ps, Den(0) relax LTW, chem=Ageing, thresh=10, nom=117, gain=255, features=Inverted Digital
259 Old B Mut 128 Organ#=18 Creature, Somatic, become senile, chem=Ageing, thresh=10, nom=117, gain=255, features=Inverted Digital

Again, the mutation lies with the father. This gene controls part of the aging process: Namely, when a creature enters the senile life stage. There is no information about what “Den(0) relax LTW” actually means, but it seems to be involved with the type 0 dendrites in the perception lobe. Theoretically, the father will never become a senile Norn, but will experience something in his perception lobe at the moment when he would have become old.

423 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=4 Organ, Clock Rate chem=081, thresh=16, nom=32, gain=48, features=Digital
425 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=4 Organ, Clock Rate chem=Amino Acid, thresh=16, nom=32, gain=48, features=Digital

This gene is part of the complex digestive system present in Creatures 2. Creatures 1 has a very simplistic digestive system, which is primarily made up of just starch, glucose, and glycogen. I highly recommend reading about the biochemistry of a Norn’s digestion, and also viewing the Creatures 2 biochemistry pathway. This particular gene is supposed to connect a certain level of amino acid with activity in the liver. The father’s mutation associates the liver with an unknown chemical. Amino acid is produced from protein, and any excess which makes it into the liver is converted into ammonia and urea. From what I understand, this is not a vital part of the digestive process, and the father should not be negatively impacted.

627 Ado F MutDupCut 128 Organ#=16 Creatures, Reproductive, become fertile if high, chem=Inhibin, thresh=150, nom=0, gain=255, features=Inverted Digital
650 Ado F MutDupCut 128 Organ#=16 Creatures, Reproductive, become fertile if high, chem=Progesterone, thresh=150, nom=0, gain=255, features=Inverted Digital

One thing I learned about chemical receptors is that the names and information can be misleading. At first glance, one might think that this gene controls when a female Norn becomes fertile. In actuality, its inverted feature means that the locus will decrease with the activity of the specified chemical. The mother’s gene makes perfect sense: When progesterone reaches a certain level in an adolescent or older female, she is no longer fertile until progesterone falls below the threshold. This keeps females from becoming pregnant again while they are already pregnant. The father’s gene will not directly affect him, since this gene only applies to females, but he could pass along this mutation to his daughters. Inhibin seems to be an unused chemical in Creatures 2, so a female with this gene could become pregnant, regardless of whether or not she was already pregnant.

201 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 8 State, chem=Adipose Tissue, thresh=66, nom=0, gain=255, features=Digital
201 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Creatures, tissue 9, locus 27 chem=Adipose Tissue, thresh=66, nom=0, gain=255, features=Digital

Finally, the first mutation in the mother’s genome! This gene controls how the regulator lobe (lobe 9) will be impacted by adipose tissue. This is a measure of long-term energy, and it is created from excess fat. If creatures could become obese, this would be the chemical to control it! In the unmutated father’s gene, it is tied in with the state value of cell 8 within the regulator lobe. I could not find any definitive information about this, but suffice to say that adipose tissue is used in the brain to regulate parts of the body. The mother’s mutation is outside the bounds of the normal information of the Genetics Kit: When loaded, this error is automatically corrected so that adipose tissue becomes connected with stress. Effectively, when the mother has reached the threshold of 66 units of adipose tissue, her stress drive will increase significantly. Stress reduces the healing process in organs, and can cut short the normal lifespan. Adipose tissue is healthy in moderate amounts, and the mother could become very stressed even when in a healthy situation.

208 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 11 State, chem=Protein, thresh=32, nom=0, gain=255, features=Inverted Digital
208 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 11 State, chem=Protein, thresh=32, nom=0, gain=255, features=Digital

It is still unclear exactly what the different cells in lobe 9 coincide with, since there are 213 listed in the locus, according to the Genetics Kit. However, as mentioned briefly above, an inverted receptor actually reduces the locus, while a normal analogue or digital receptor increases the locus. This gene connects a certain level of protein with the state value of cell 11 in the regulator lobe (lobe 9). The father’s mutation creatures an inverted receptor, so that it will decrease the value of the locus. The Creatures Developer Resource shows that cell 11 is associated with protein and fullness. Effectively, the father may never satisfy his need for protein, even if he has the maximum amount of protein in his system. This could lead to continuous consumption of protein, when other foods would be more appropriate. He may also always feel a need to eat protein.

528 Chi B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=10 Organ, Repair Rate chem=Stress, thresh=0, nom=0, gain-12, features=Inverted Analogue
530 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=10 Organ, Repair Rate chem=Stress, thresh=0, nom=0, gain-12, features=Inverted Analogue

At last, a positive mutation for one of the parents! The only difference with this gene is that it is triggered at childhood for the father, while it switches on immediately at birth for the mother. Notice again that this is an inverted chemical receptor: It will decrease the repair rate of bones (organ 10) when stress is present. The father can withstand stress as a baby without suffering from this reduced healing capability in his bones. It is a bit of a minor mutation since stress is usually not so overpowering so early in life, but I thought this was another helpful example of describing an inverted chemical receptor. We also finally get to see some green!

Emitters

Chemical emitters define specific conditions within a Creature in order to affect chemicals. Some examples include experiencing stress from excessive drives, becoming cold due to environmental conditions, and more.

44 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=1 Creature, Sensorimotor, Crowdedness, chem=Crowdedness, thresh=0, samp=16, gain=4, features=Inverted Analogue
44 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=1 Creature, Sensorimotor, Loneliness, chem=Crowdedness, thresh=0, samp=16, gain=4, features=Inverted Analogue

This is an interesting gene, because it looks like the sense of crowdedness should be associated with the crowdedness chemical. Notice one important aspect, though, which we learned from the chemical receptor section: This is an inverted emitter! According to the Genetics Kit, this gene called the “get lonely” emitter. Essentially, an emitter works like a receptor, only in the opposite direction. Where a receptor considers a chemical and alters a defined locus (working from right to left), an emitter considers what is happening in a locus and injects a chemical (working from left to right). This gene is supposed to consider the level of crowdedness a Norn is experiencing, and then injects an amount of crowdesness chemical. The father’s mutation makes it work in a diabolically opposed manner: His body will inject crowdedness chemical when he reaches a certain level of loneliness. Not exactly a great way for him to learn what being crowded or lonely actually means!

221 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 2 Output, chem=Hunger, thresh=127, samp=20, gain=2, features=Inverted Digital
221 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 15 Output, chem=Hunger, thresh=127, samp=20, gain=2, features=Inverted Digital

As far as I can tell, this gene was updated with the Canny Norn genome for an interesting reason. Most receptors and cells in the regulator lobe (lobe 9) are associated with just one emitter, except for cell 2, which is the glucose receptor. It is tied in with both insulin and hunger emitters. According to The Creatures Developer Resource, “I think this is why sometimes norns suddenly collapse when their levels of glycogen, muscle tissue and adipose tissue are low…the emitter suddenly switches to producing hunger, not insulin, essentially knackering the glycogen/glucose equilibrium.” The mother’s gene is identical to the Canny Norn gene. Even though cell 15 is not used or defined in the original gene, I assume that this is how the insulin and hunger emitters were given their own cells in the regulator lobe. The father’s gene has the same problem described, where both insulin and hunger are tied to the cell 2 output. This is not as negative as it seems, although it might probe to cause a few problems with low levels of adipose tissue, glycogen, and muscle tissue.

218 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 2 Output, chem=Thirst, thresh=127, samp=8, gain=25, features=Inverted Digital
218 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=8 Brain, Lobe 9, Cell 1 Output, chem=Thirst, thresh=127, samp=8, gain=25, features=Inverted Digital

This gene is very similar to the one listed above. In the standard gene from the mother, when she quenches her thirst with water, the regulator lobe (lobe 9) will decrease her thirst chemical and, through other processes, thirst drive. The father’s mutation connects thirst with the glucose cell output in the regulator lobe. As we learned above, this is already overloaded with emitters for hunger and insulin. This mutation could create even more confusion in his body, and also means that his ability to control his thirst will be severely compromised.

Reactions

Chemical reactions define rules for individual chemicals and chemical combinations. These genes can also state the rules for how chemicals are used up, and each reaction has a defined half-life to determine how often it occurs.

293 Ado B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=13 1*Parent Pheramone => 1*Crowdedness++; half-life=32
293 Ado B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=13 1*Parent Pheramone => 1*Fear++; half-life=32

On to the chemical reactions! This gene switches on at adolescence and is designed to encourage Norns to travel away from their parents, in the hopes of finding other mates. An increase in crowdedness is the normal response to parent pheramone: Norns will want to move away from their parents due to the increased level of crowdedness. For the mother, rather than feeling crowdedness, she will actually experience fear. This could still work in a similar way and make her move away from her parents, yet there is no way for her to know to associate this fear directly with her parents.

501 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=7 1*Fat + 1*Bile Acid => 10*Fatty Acid; half-life=64
503 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=7 1*Boredom- + 1*Bile Acid => 10*Fatty Acid; half-life=64

Well, fancy finding a very strange mutation at last! The father’s gene simply illustrates how fat and bile acid react together to produce fatty acid. This is a standard part of the digestive process. The mother’s mutation replaces fat with boredom decrease: She actually helps her digestive system when she satisfies her boredom! As nasty as fatty acid sounds, this is actually vital in allowing the pancreas to function. Fat should remain in her system longer, as it is not a chemical used in too many reactions. However, this also forces her to become bored and then reduce her boredom to keep her pancreas functioning properly. As bad as this mutation is, it is actually more neutral due to the following mutation. These interact in such strange ways!

478 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=6 1*Glycogen => 3*Fatty Acid; half-life=80
480 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=6 1*Glycogen => 3*Glucose; half-life=80

Many of us should be very familiar with this chemical reaction, since it has basically existed since Creatures 1. It simply states that one unit of glycogen can be converted into three units of glucose. The mother’s gene actually breaks glycogen down into fatty acid, though. This effectively helps her mutation listed directly above. It’s still not an ideal situation for the fatty acid since glycogen is only broken down when needed, as defined with other genes. This also breaks the nice two-way relationship between glycogen and glucose, which should be converted easily from one form to another. Fatty acid will eventually turn into glucose, but a quick look at the biochemistry pathway shows how long this process is. Theoretically, she would need to have a good supply of starchy foods to constantly snack on to keep her glucose levels in check.

483 Emb B MutDupCut 129 Organ#=6 1*Triglyceride => 42*Fatty Acid; half-life=64
485 Emb B MutDupCut 129 Organ#=6 1*Triglyceride => 3*Fatty Acid; half-life=64

If the mother struggled to produce fatty acids, the father’s mutation makes him a fatty acid machine! Note that fatty acids are produced from many processes, so the mother still has ways to keep up, despite her previous mutations. The father, however, is a powerhouse. He can take one unit of triclyderide and turn it into an amazing 42 units of fatty acid! This means he will end up with a highly active pancreas, along with a lot of excess glucose. In a human being, this would be unhealthy. In a Norn, where obesity is not possible and excess glucose does not cause harm, this should benefit him. From what I gather, excess glucose can be converted into glycogen, energy, and heat. Perhaps he will end up being one hot Norn!

566 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=11 2*Antigen1 + 1*NFP => 1*Antibody1 + 4*FeverToxin; half-life=64
568 Emb B MutDupCut 128 Organ#=11 2*Antigen1 => 1*Antibody1 + 4*FeverToxin; half-life=64

This is another fairly straightforward chemical reaction: It normally defines how two units of antigen 1 create one unit of antibody 1 and four units of fever toxin. I could go on a tangent about how unrealistic and nonexistent the immune system is, but I’ll save that for another time! The father’s mutation causes antigen 1 to react with need for pleasure (NFP) to create antibody 1 and fever toxin. Although getting sick is not a great thing, this mutation means that his NFP will actually fall when he is infected with antigen 1. Not a bad result!

639 You F MutDupCut 129 Organ#=16 6*Glucose + 1*Gonadotrophin => 1*NONE; half-life=64
641 Ado F MutDupCut 129 Organ#=16 6*Glucose + 1*Gonadotrophin => 1*NONE; half-life=64

This gene is specific to females only: The mutation in the father’s gene will not affect him, but it could be passed along to his daughters. The chemical reaction shows how a pregnant female quickly uses up glucose. Six units of glucose react with one unit of gonadotrophin, which is one of the chemicals produced by a pregnant female. Normally, this reaction switches on at adolescence, which is when a female can first become pregnant. The mutation means that this reaction will not occur until the youth life stage. Essentially, a female Norn could become pregnant in adolescence without experiencing such a high drop in glucose. This is why a pregnant female needs to eat so much more during pregnancy: She has to eat for two!

Initial Concentrations

Initial concentrations define the starting values of different chemicals at birth. The most important of these genes are for glucose and glycogen, allowing babies to survive without needing to eat immediately after hatching.

485 Chi B Mut 128 Initial Concentration of Antibody4 is 130
487 Emb B Mut 128 Initial Concentration of Antibody4 is 130

The initial concentrations define which chemicals are present at birth, and at what amount. Part of this set of genes are the infantile immunity genes: Newborns begin life with an added boost of antibodies to fight off illnesses. The mutation in the mother’s gene means that this initial concentration will not occur until childhood. I don’t believe if it’s been tested whether changing the switch on age actually makes a difference. It seems odd that an older Norn would suddenly receive a large dose of a certain chemical, no matter how helpful it might be. This mutations may not do much of anything, but she will be more susceptible to antigen 4 at birth than most.

Instincts

Instincts define the expectations for certain behaviors. These genes do not state exactly what happens when the parameters are met, but rather provide the basis for Norns to base their decisions on.

794 Chi B MutDupCut Drive i/ps Sleepiness + (Lobe/Cell=0/0)+ (Lobe/Cell=0/0)and I Rest => 255*Reward
796 Emb B MutDupCut Drive i/ps Sleepiness + (Lobe/Cell=0/0)+ (Lobe/Cell=0/0)and I Rest => 255*Reward

The last mutation! This instinct gene provides the maximum dose of reward to a Norn who has a high sleepiness drive and rests. Norns normally learn this right from birth, so that they can be rewarded internally for sleeping as babies. The father will not experience this reward until childhood. At that point, it might be too late to teach him good sleeping habits. This should not completely deter him from sleeping, since he will not be punished for it. The reward helps to reinforce the behavior, though, and could definitely create difficulty.

Did you make it through all that?! I thought I would only go through a few mutations, but it turned into my standard crazy talk about genetics. Ha ha! Hopefully these descriptions are helpful, though: Each time I do a genetic write-up, I learn a little bit more, and hope to pass along some of that knowledge to others. The next portion or two of this case study will detail the mutations in the children. I promise that things should be a little more succinct! Thanks again to Charley for providing the genetic files for these Creatures 2 Norns! Keep an eye out for a series of tutorials I hope to write showing how to best utilize the D-DNA Analyzer and Genetics Kit to understand what mutations exist in different Norns. Now, rest those tired eyes!