I didn't realise what a "monster" my list had actually turned into, haha, but the end is in sight, no really, it is, honestly, haha....

This is "Chapter 3" and once again, apologies for any duplications.

POT POURRI/GENERAL IDEAS
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8. Mothers and babies -

Should they work other then caring for their children. I heard many stories from elderly women when I was growing up (here in rural Ireland) about giving birth to children in the fields as they were "drawing" in the hay, or "cutting turf" (a very harsh existence at times).

But I don’t think the "modern" idea of "working" mothers (working at a career outside of the home) is relevant in this virtual world. It’s not as if they are lawyers, professors, or anything like that.

These are basic people struggling to survive. It’s impossible to pull these "two worlds" together in a virtual game.

Simplicity is probably the best option. And this is what I think could be possible... babies to be carried by mothers (in slings on their backs, maybe, but could look like humpbacked whales) for 1st year, and in 2nd & 3rd year they "toddle" (an extra developmental stage) with mammy (not with other children) so she can work at something. If she’s farming, researching, or whatever, the child wouldn’t be able to go where she was precisely, but in a designated “toddler” spot nearby.

Others could stop at these groups to “help care/play with babies”. Hopefully daddies would.

This could bring another set of "behaviours", i.e. toddler teething, crying, hiccups, giggles, napping, needs changing, etc. And they would wear blue/pink gowns until they "automatically" change clothes at 3 or the player would be responsible for this.

9. Possibility of changing the backdrop of the village. I came across a game where you could click an arrow on either side of screen and it would "slide" to another background.

Maybe have beach/working area and more cosy, colourful rest/home area. But this may be more complex to achieve then it sounds.

Based on the island as it is now, these are some changes I would make in layout/additions -

Waterfall at lagoon area so villagers could shower (maybe cuddle occasionally, haha)

A separate rock pool for laundry (near to beach on right around where temple is) with laundry hut next door.

Laundry hut could also be a changing room maybe (come out in different outfits)

Monument/Idol more in centre of village but towards the back. (This is where everyone would "wait for someone", not the school)
The garden area should be near lagoon at the back of village. No peeing here. There should be hammocks
(what’s a tropical isle without hammocks, haha) and stone benches/seating area so they don’t have to sit on top of each other.)

The peeing area should be moved to the palm trees on the left side (with some rocks around trees)

The vegetable patch where the garden is now (it would be between cemetery and laundry area)

The school would be on left where two living huts are now. The school shouldn’t be in the middle of "throughway" traffic of adults. Children need to be able to concentrate. The school should have a fenced school yard (gate at rear of school may make it a little more difficult to wander out. Children should go in/out of school and into schoolyard to play regularly (similar to laundry room).

Living quarters could be placed - one on left between school and lagoon, two at back between cemetery and lagoon.

Love shack could swap places with food bin (this would then be nearer to veg patch on mid right side)

Cooking/dining area would be where research table and vegetable patch are now. A low round table for dining (they could sit on ground when eating)

Research table where school is now.

Well stays as is.

Berry bushes - several smaller ones placed around isle instead of one large in centre.

Herbs - similar to now

Cave - Smaller opening moves more to the right corner.

Temple - Moved to left on the beach just in front of school or incorporate it into cemetery (in honour of departed spirits or similar)

Cemetery - stays but is smaller. No individual markers (as per suggestion)


To brighten things up, paint huts (or at least door/windows) using root pigments, such as beetroot, which can be used to create a purple dye/paint. Roofs should be green leafy branches. Flowers by living quarters/school/love shack. Love shack should be red!

So the central area would be dominated by fire/cooking/eating, with research and village idol/meeting area.

Anyway,

Best of Irish,
Maura