Genetics Lesson: Preparing to Tear Apart Genomes
Difficulty: Easy | Games: Creatures 1, Creatures 2, and Creatures 3/Docking Station
Anna Log: Before we can jump right into studying the genetics in any of the Creatures games, it helps to have a starting point and a baseline to start with. Since everyone learns differently, this lesson will hopefully help us all understand the very basics of becoming a Creatures geneticist! Today, the question we hope to answer is: How and where does someone begin with these genetics lessons? Join us today for the very basics!
Part I: Default Genomes
From my own learning experiences, I know that sometimes it helps to actually try new things for myself. Everyone learns a different way, but I think it’s important for anyone wishing to use the genetics programs to be able to easily follow along. Unless otherwise noted, all genetic information will be based on the following set of genomes. Edited genomes and newer breeds, such as the CFE breeds for C3/DS, often have new or altered genes. Additionally, it can be difficult to follow along when gene numbers are different.
Download the Default Creatures Genomes
- C1 Genome: Basic genome with two gene changes made by Tarlia to allow death by old age and no way to increase the aging chemical via antioxidants.
- C2 Genome: Basic genome with no changes. This is not a Canny Norn, Nova Subterra, nor other edited genome. The shortcomings will be explored to show why these updated genomes are so useful.
- C3/DS Genome: Basic genome with no changes. This is not a CFE Norn nor any other edited genome. The shortcomings will be explored to show why the CFE genome is so useful.
Norn genomes will take priority during these genetics lessons, but Grendels and Ettins will not be forgotten! Their genetics are normally very similar to those of Norns, though, with the ability to use the same concepts. Specific lessons will be geared towards Grendels and Ettins, and will be noted. These genomes will be made available with these lessons, if need be. Lucas Locus and Gene Gnome would never want their species to be left out!
Part II: Genetics Kit
Perhaps the most important tool for understanding Creatures genetics is the all important Genetics Kit! It contains hundreds of options, the ability to change a gene at will, and many more features. One important concept to note is that there is a separate Genetics Kit for each Creatures game. I’ve had times when I’ve used the wrong program without even knowing it! Luckily, this just returns an error message. Make sure to grab one or more of the following downloads if you would like to follow along closely with the lessons.
Note: The license page download links have broken URLs, but the direct download links listed below will work.
- Creatures 1 Genetics Kit: License Key and Direct Download (.exe File)
- Creatures 2 Genetics Kit: License Key and Direct Download (.exe File)
- Creatures 3/Docking Station Genetics Kit: License Key and Direct Download (.exe File)
Part III: Genome Comparison Programs
Besides the Genetics Kit, there are a couple of very useful programs. I recommend these mostly for those trying to understand the differences between two creatures, or figuring out which mutations a baby has from his or her parents. Although the information in these programs is much more limited than that of the Genetics Kit, I usually use them almost as often, particularly during Norn breeding season!
- D-DNA Analyzer: For Creatures 1 and Creatures 2.
- Gene Compare: For Creatures 3 and Docking Station.
Part IV: Differences in Genetics
Denny D. Rite: It would be simple to explain genetics if everything was the same across all of the games! Of course, each of the Creatures games has its own set of genetics. The information builds upon itself, but we have to remember which concepts go with which game. Just as an example, the Creatures 1 default genome has 320 genes. In Creatures 2, this number shoots up to 786 genes! Don’t let it scare you: I look scared enough for everyone!
All lessons will start off with concepts that can be applied to Creatures 1, and possibly used in Creatures 2 and Creatures 3/Docking Station. Once we get through a good deal of information for the first game, I plan on diving into the new aspects introduced in the later games. For example, organ systems and a more complicated digestive system were introduced in C2 and expanded upon in C3/DS. Naturally, this final game in the series has the most complicated genetics system. Complicated can be fun, though!
Part V: Extended Learning
Download the default genomes and all genetics programs that will be useful to you. It might even be a good idea to open up a genome in the correct Genetics Kit, just to get an idea of what the genes look like. Be warned that there will be a lot of information and options! Make note of any particular genes you might have questions about, or if there are certain areas you would be most interested in. Feel free to reply with your notes, or just keep them on hand as the genetics lessons start to get more in-depth! And please don’t think of this as a series of lectures: Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!
Wow, I knew the c2 genome was more complicated but I didn’t realise it was twice the size. Can’t wait to get into more of this stuff. I’d love an excuse to boot up C2 again and play with the generics in there.
I didn’t know about the D-Dna analyzer! I just had a first generation baby hatch in C2 that had a crippling mutation. I kept saying, “If only gendiff worked on C2 genomes …” Now I may actually be able to figure out what exactly happened! It’s not every day that I get a first gen norn with such a serious defect!
I didn’t realize that C1 genomes were so … small. Kind of makes C1 norns all the more endearing.
This is very exciting! Unfortunately, I cannot use the C3 Genetics Kit without registering with a license key, which I do not have. Any suggestions?
Found the key! So disregard my last comment, except for the “this is very exciting” part :P
ArchDragon: I was pretty surprised about the huge size difference in the genomes, too! Oddly enough, the C3/DS genome increased by only about 25 genes, although many were altered. I guess that’s a good thing, though, since a genome with more than 1,000 different genes would be a bit daunting to start looking at!
Crowster: Awesome! The D-DNA Analyzer is pretty neat, and I originally thought it only worked for C1. With that and Gene Compare, it’s easy to find out where the mutations are in genomes… Figuring out what they mean is another story, though! The C1 genome is certainly on the small side, which should make it a good starting point to understanding genetics. It’s very simplistic after you take a look at the more complex systems at play in C2 and C3/DS. Yet those C1 Norns are still relatively intelligent and smart, even with a small number of genes!
Bizarra: I’m glad to hear that you got the C3 Genetics Kit working! And I’m thrilled that you’re excited about the lessons! I hope to have one up each week, although the more advanced ones might take some extra time to write. I have a feeling I’ll be learning lots along the way, too!
I haven’t read everything yet – but I had a quick glance and this truly look interessting ( I only did read the comments you got so far XD
I just come to think – what about the CA and CP norns then ?
(Creatures Adventures-Playground norns) I know the game was aimed for kids,but it is a creature game nontheless – wit the same things,just some stuff that made it limited (Caos codes for the most part,I think)
I remember I could load the CA (and CP) genoms via C3 genetic kit,
and as far I remember,everything where there,just a bit different XD
But since Im no expert in advanced genetical areas (or not even the most basic perhaps…except a few things I do understand >_<) Im quite curious to know if anyone could answer me if the CA-CP norns is having the same genom size of C3/DS..or perhaps they got some fewer differs O.o?
I do know the Creatures adventure game was made first then C3 came,and they both use same engine,so perhaps theyre pretty much alike (except the changes to some strange things I saw in the stimuli or instinct genoms (strange as in – I tried to save the genom and inject it intoC3,wich works,but as theyre Object ID classifiers seem to be a bit changed compared to those two games – they asked for strange things,like eating machinery instead of fruit etc (not realy accurate as it was long time I tried it,but I have memories it was something along the lines like that) Those who still have the CA norns to DS that dementchild originaly made and I fixed and added the bengal and Okapis and dont use my updated genom pack,probably notice the weird habits of them as well sleeping nonstop and need to wake up via a slap >_>
sorry for my CA-CP rant,I just was curious as C1,C2 and C3(DS) is mentioned and so I come to think on the only creature game many think is not advanced duo to the way it’s scripted ^^’
Other then that – Im sure this is a interessting read and this may reveal a lot and open new ways how to deal and even edit the genoms with both in a fun way and hopefuly with ease! ;P
I don’t have CA installed anymore, so I can’t check now, but way back I injected some CA norns into DS. They weren’t sliders (unlike the Sea Monkeys, who have barely any genome) but they had the wrong instincts for everything, so they had no clue how to relate to anything in the world. They weren’t all that good at learning to overcome their instincts, either, though I have no idea how DS norns would do in the CA world.
I haven’t played around with genetics in Creatures Village, although I do have it installed. Truth be told, I haven’t included it because I’ve never even attempted to look at the mechanics behind it! That isn’t to say that it will always be completely excluded: I have a feeling that many of the concepts can be applied to these Norns. Perhaps, down the line, I’ll work on creating a couple of lessons geared specifically towards Creatures Village.
Thanks for the ideas, Norngirl, and for the added information, Ettina!
I’ve only recently bought Creatures 3/DS (after reading a short-lived Let’s Play and remembering the fun times I had with Creatures 1 and 2 when I was younger) but I’d love to be able to understand what is going on ‘under the hood’ with my creatures so I shall be looking forward to these!
It will certainly be interesting to see how immortal creatures come about (I already have a small number of them!) and I hope it will enable me to figure out what went wrong with still birth hatches. How everything works in this game is pretty much new to me (I’m still figuring out what various machines and tools do in-game even!) so any explanation will definitely help. :)
I can’t download D-DNA Analyzer because I don’t know how to do what you told me.
You can find the direct link to download the D-DNA Analyzer Here. Hopefully it works for you!
HI, I wonder what’s license yet and genetically validates kit? why I digto key the User and this error appears:
lincese key is not valid. check your typing and try again.If you to not have a valid license, you can not use this software. press ok to exit this dialog, and select the Quit
I put equal to the website
Gameware
100-4492O-1234U-WI
Which Genetics Kit are you having the issue with? There is a different license key for each version (C1, C2, and C3/DS). However, all of mine worked fine by using the credentials listed on the Gameware site. The links listed above in the post should have all of the correct information. The key you referenced is only for the Creatures 1 version. If it’s still not working, though, I could likely come up with some other ideas! For instance, have you installed the Remastered Patch? Do any of the other Genetics Kits work for you? Hopefully you’ll have everything working soon so you can enjoy it! Best of luck!
Today I tried again and got ……. thanks for your attention.
I hope that it worked for you! I can’t tell if you succeeded or not, but I do hope that you’re able to open up the Genetics Kit now. Take care!
OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! i have been searching all over for these genetics kits Thank you
You’re very welcome! Enjoy! I remember trying to understand the Genetics Kit when I first had the game years and years ago, and it was all so confusing. That was also when they weren’t free, so I tried my best to do something. I’m glad these are still available: The Genetics Kit for each Creatures game can be quite a challenge, and learning how the genetics work is always interesting… At least for me!
Hello! Sorry to bother you, but do you know of another link I can use to download the genetics kit for C3/DS? I tried to use the links listed, but the site won’t load up for me. I don’t know if it’s an issue on my end or what.
On another note- glad to see I’m not the only one playing these games! I just recently gotten back into Creatures myself, and I’ve enjoyed reading your blog.
The Gameware domain expired a few months ago, and although some resources have been ported over, the Genetics Kits for all of the games have not been. I was waiting to see if the official links would be available, but luckily there is an archived version! You should be able to download it from here, and the license information can be found here. Enjoy!
Thank you for the kind words, too! I’m glad you’re having fun with Creatures, and it’s awesome to know you’re enjoying Discover Albia. Hope you enjoy the future posts!
hello! I noticed that your links to the creatures 2 and creatures 3 gen kits were dead (the direct exe ones) so i did a little digging and found the updated links :D
Creatures 2 Genetics Kit
Creatures 3 Genetics Kit
really hope this doesn’t get caught by the spam filter, this website has been so useful. Its nice to be able to give something back :)
Thank you very much for pointing out those rather awful mistakes! I thought I had checked those when the domain switched over, but clearly I missed something important. I’ve updated the post to point to the correct URLs. Apologies in the delay in getting back to you! I really appreciate you helping out, and hopefully Discover Albia will continue to be useful to you in the future. I’ll be back to posting regularly shortly!