So since we have been aiming to implement binding agents lately, I have decided to go ahead and put our general ideas into writing for future reference.
To begin, binding agents will be represented by a placable part as a placeholder as we currently do not have a different system for it to call home. This part will only be placeable as a eukaryote, and once placed will allow the player to bind with other individuals of their species to form a colony. Aside from unlocking the binding functionality, the placable part will simply be capable of performing basic glycolysis much like prokaryotic parts. This is to reflect the fact that the binding agents are infact a protein and not an actual organelle. Finally, the part will cost 100 MP, again this is temporary, and will likely change once we have a more defined concept of unlocking parts.
With that said and done, let us move on to how the act of binding shall work. First we need to discuss how to initiate bonding. I’m not entirely sure what the best way to do so might be, so I am going to go ahead and display the following options I have devised.
Option A: I suppose the easiest method of doing so would be to add a new toggled mode (Probably toggled by the B key) similar to engulfment mode that allows you to bond with cells you collide with. However, I am not fond of the idea of having separate toggled modes for each feature we add.
Option B: Alternatively binding could be an automatic action that is performed by pushing against an allied cell for a certain time. You could then break away from the cell by swimming away from them for a time. The problem with this however, is that it would mean colonies would be rather immobile, and potentially temporary.
Option C: A bit similar to Option B, but instead of being an automatic function, you would instead initiate bonding by clicking on cells you are touching. I personally feel this might be my favorite choice.
Finally, we need to think about the benefits of colonial bonding. I personally believe that cells bound together should share resources, that way if one cell ends up collecting glucose, it transfuses excess to
adjacent connected cells equally. Additionally, cells should have reduced osmoregulation cost for each cell bound to them. I would say a flat bonus of -0.2 (Not a percentage) osmoregulation cost per adjacent cell would be good to start with.
This should make forming colonies a viable option to help a species grow larger, and eventually bridge into multicelluarity.
(Was this the right place to post this?)