Redemption And The Physics Of Natural Selection
Ross
Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19396Members
Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19396Members
<div class="IPBDescription">a look at the game universe's physics</div> Why is redemption even in the game? I won't even begin to talk about its abuse by players. Taking into account the physics of the Natural Selection game universe, redemption shouldn't be possible. Come on, you can't expect me to believe that aliens have evolved a technology similar to phase gates that is embedded entirely in their flesh? How can an alien just dissapear like that? Aliens already have numerous belieable evolutionary features that boost adrenaline production, increase the sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, and allow aliens to act like chameleons. These are all logical and believable characteristics of a feral, animalistic species like the Khaara. But wait, in addition to all of these physical traits we have one that allows one of these animals to somehow magically warp the fabric of space and time to their whim, transporting themselves to safety. It just dosen't fit.
Redemption should be removed not only because its an incredibly annoying skill, but it's completely unbelievable (even in this science fiction type universe). A huge alien can't warp instantly to a location without the aid of technology.
I might consider changing my mind if someone can give me a reasonable, believable explanation on how it can work in the game universe. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Redemption should be removed not only because its an incredibly annoying skill, but it's completely unbelievable (even in this science fiction type universe). A huge alien can't warp instantly to a location without the aid of technology.
I might consider changing my mind if someone can give me a reasonable, believable explanation on how it can work in the game universe. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Comments
IANAPP so I'm not sure how it all works, but from my rudimentary education, particles "exist" in probability fields. You're not sure exactly where they will be and how fast they're moving (or a number of other things, see Heisenberg's uncertainty). For that matter, all objects (even solid objects like humans) exist in a similar probability field, but we're so big in relation to the particles that it doesn't really matter. If you were playing baseball with an electron it would matter, but not with an actual large-scale baseball. What these physicists are trying to do is somehow manipulate the probability that it will exist in one location and make it more probable that it exists in another location, in essence transporting it to wherever they choose.
What does this all have to do with NS? Well, it is certainly possible (although highly improbable) that aliens have somehow adapted to incorporate these changes into their biological structure, given the sci-fi theme of the game. There are other possibilities as well (wormholes, etc) but IMO this seems more probable (moving all the component particles from one location to another and reassembling them, a la Willy Wonka).
Hmm, I have thought of that, but there are a few problems with it.
I think that the hive mind's interaction with matter should be ruled out. I don't believe that a conciousness (however powerful the hive mind's conciousness must be) is capable of interacting with matter without the help of technology.
The cloning theory is interesting though. I can believe that the hive mind would keep an additional genetic copy of the alien in its memory, and clones it. Maybe the alien should completely die, go through its death animation, and be reborn at the hive again. The actual death of the alien would be more belivable than simply disappearing. Perhaps the marines should get all (or at least a percentage) of the alien's resources, because foreign matter can't be cloned.
Hmm, I have thought of that, but there are a few problems with it.
I think that the hive mind's interaction with matter should be ruled out. I don't believe that a conciousness (however powerful the hive mind's conciousness must be) is capable of interacting with matter without the help of technology.
The cloning theory is interesting though. I can believe that the hive mind would keep an additional genetic copy of the alien in its memory, and clones it. Maybe the alien should completely die, go through its death animation, and be reborn at the hive again. The actual death of the alien would be more belivable than simply disappearing. Perhaps the marines should get all (or at least a percentage) of the alien's resources, because foreign matter can't be cloned. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Read about nano-gridlock, and about the Kharaa. They're made of Bacterium, the stuff that causes nano-gridlock. My theory still holds true.
oy... <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif'><!--endemo-->
it's something in the game just to be in the game. doesn't have to make sense. i know, it IS frustrating to get digested and then redeemed to another hive (where all hopes of survival is lost), but if you're looking for answers to your troubles, don't look to realistic physics. cuz they're not gonna help you in an UNrealistic game.
It just is. That's all there is to know.
For now.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Thesis: This, paired with the "blink" ability, may be the most scientifically troubling of alien evolutions. The two must be related, but it is unclear how – and any "experiment" that might "test" these abilities is, at this juncture, impractical. The best idea so far is that a new body is created back at the hive, and the alien's unique information (memories, etc.) is somehow transferred to it. This information is probably stored in some transmission-ready bacterial form, that is released when the creature sustains too much damage – much like a mushroom shooting off its spores when it is stepped on.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
ROFL I was 100% right! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> I've never read that thing either! I WIN j00 LOOSE!
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Thesis: This, paired with the "blink" ability, may be the most scientifically troubling of alien evolutions. The two must be related, but it is unclear how – and any "experiment" that might "test" these abilities is, at this juncture, impractical. The best idea so far is that a new body is created back at the hive, and the alien's unique information (memories, etc.) is somehow transferred to it. This information is probably stored in some transmission-ready bacterial form, that is released when the creature sustains too much damage – much like a mushroom shooting off its spores when it is stepped on.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
ROFL I was 100% right! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> I've never read that thing either! I WIN j00 LOOSE! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
I find it more likely that the alien's memories are transmitted through telepathy instead of bacteria; doesn't the hive mind and hive sight work through telepathy?
If that article is true, perhaps there should be more visual effects than just the alien dissapearing. I can believe that a mushroom shoots off spores when it is stepped on, but does the mushroom dissapear afterwards?
I would make a great TSA scientist <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
The aliens don't really have any skills besides their base instincts (vis-a-vis the player) and their evolutionary upgrades, which would be carried through the genetic matter.
As for the marine phase gates, that's a toss-up. I guess the assumption there is that either thinking is electrochemical or that the soul travels with the body.
Ever hear of Canadians? Ever see a REAL Canadian wandering around without their disguises on? Yes, i am implying that the Canadians ARE the aliens and in fact, i have proof, for behold, I know some canadians in real life!
I have recently come to understand this last week that Canadians have magical powers, some of which include the ability to place curses on people. Yes, thats right, before that i thought only gypsies and leprechauns were able to do this kind of thing but apparently i was wrong. Anyways, back to the topic at hand, yes, they are magical aliens, and one of their powers (besides placing curses on people) is magically teleporting back to their "hive" (aka Canadia) and then creating a new body out of snow.
Anyways, this is how i believe the NS universe works. Some people may try to brainwash you into "logical" explanations but i assure you, this goes FAR beyond logic.
PS: If some of you guys couldn't tell, this was just meant as a humorous post designed to lighten the mood of this thread, remember, it doesnt really have to make sense (even though it does based on the storyline) because it is just a game, if you really wanted someone to explain everything to you, you might as well go read a book or watch a movie, the game is fun, explaining respawn is not. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
As a side note, i apologize to anyone who might be offended by this thread. I do not dislike Canadians, in fact, i am friends with a lot of them and find them to be nice people, this is just my way of messing around with them. If you do feel offended somehow, feel free to make fun of me!
How about the fact that all the kharaa evolutions have telepathic powers (hence how they can tell when another lifeform is under attack, and sense fear in their enemies). Now wouldn't such powers be able to, in time, evolve to the point where the alien could wilfully teleport matter? Perhaps blink and redemption is really just a form of simple teleportation. Although redemption does have to do with the hive, but the hive is kharaa itself, so therefore it has the same abilities, but in a mcuh more advanced way because it IS the "hive mind".
You could also explain the fact that aliens don't teleport all the time, or do it to marines, because they can only transfer their own matter.
But seriously, I don't really give a damn. I wouldn't question a game's logic too often. Especially in a Sci-Fi themed game. We just have the technology, they just so happened to be able to do it.
My best guess(although extremely stupid) is that the alien moves at a insanely high speed (i.e. Ludicrus Speed) towards the hive once a alien reaches the red. Ya know, blink, cept SUPER MAGICALLY fast.
But then, your theories (sp?) and assumptions raise another question....
How does the Marine still stay in the Onos' stomach? You say it re-contructs itself via TEH HIVE, but how does the marine stay in the stomach? I would picture him being left behind were he redeemed. =/
Congrats with the Misconception of The Year Award!
<!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Find a way to push the water of one end of the tube down. Note how the water rises on the other side.
Now, consider the bacteria to be dense and light formations. Light formations results in not much at all. Dense formations result in aliens and structures.
Simply put, redemption could work by turning the dense concentration into a light concentration, with an area of light concentration becoming dense to maintain equilibrium. Voila, alien redeemed.
I have a bit more to say but I must be off to work now...