Cat-Life GS is a singleplayer modification for Half-Life 1 that will follow the story of a scientist's pet project, XFC-71... a cat named Newton.
Newton Concept Colorized
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Description
LeoJFC over on the Discord colorized my old concept sketch of Newton and sent me the files. I think they turned out well.
Also, for those who can't read my scribbles...
Subject: Felis Catus Mutation and Cyber-Structure Test Unit
Formal Unit Designation: XFC-71 BiSO-37 ESO-12𝛾 DES-1456p
Unit Identifier: XFC-71
Common Name: Newton
And he's wearing the experimental E-HEV [Enhanced HEV] prototype mock up. Basically, if the little kitty version works, then they plan to make a human sized prototype.
that's cute and epic
I have plans to color the other sketches
I find this adorably cool.
My only gripe is that the paws are not covered but the tail is.
The argument could be made that the tactile feedback is too important to do without, but I'd argue that the risk of hazardous substances is much more important to account for. Not much good them exposed beans will do if they're getting dissolved in acid.
Also, servo-assisted carbide tipped claws seems like a natural excess for a suit designed by a cat enthusiast to prototype miniaturized features prior to up-scaling.
As for the tail, a cat doesn't necessarily need one, they help with balance and navigation (Which would be inhibited by armor), but tailless cats can navigate normally with some practice, and if a cat's tail is submerged in a hazardous substance, its head likely is as well. Tails also help distract aggressors away from the vitals, but if anything that's an argument for armoring and not against.
Have you considered a rendition of Newton as a bobtail? That solves all the tail problems.
My assumption is that there are actually both boots and a helmet for the suit. But the cat is prone to remaining in one place once that covered. observe the number of YouTube videos of cat's stiffening up and tipping over when people put relatively light clothing on them.
It is worth noting that the other identifier strings are related to enhancements that cat himself received. A series of mutagenic serums, nano-tech injections, and a series of internal bionic implants. It's part of the reason Newton is larger, tougher, stronger, and more cooperative then a normal cat. It's also why it has such effective claws against alien aggressors.
But there are limits to a cat's willingness and understanding even after changes of this magnitude. And since the experiment on this day was just a run through of a sort of hazard course to test the suit and the Cat's ability to move around in it the science team elected not to bother with the other covers. In truth, part of the day's experiment is actually the latest serum injection series - the expected result is greatly improved problem solving and understanding.
It's also worth remembering that the mod is more survival then strait run and gun action. It would probably be better that you didn't try swimming in acid.
As for the tail thing, a bob tail should work fine. But I prefer the full tail. It's not practical with regard to the rest of the suit being open, but I mentioned that already. As far as the design goes, its more of an aesthetic choice. It just looks better.
After all, a cat with such heavily mutated and bionically enhanced body probably wouldn't look so cat-like. I doubt it would be anywhere near as cute in reality.
Heck, my cat does that if I just put a harness on her to take her outside (My area has a coyote problem), but if you don't take it off of them right away, eventually they'll get used to it. I'd counter to say that one never needs to jump in the hazardous waste in Black Mesa, but it often occurs as a result of not being quick or agile enough. Now if that's an instant death sort of hazard anyways, fair enough.
I recommend checking out stray cat rehab vids on youtube, not just for research but in general for anyone that likes cats and needs a moment of relaxation. Felines aren't nearly as obstinate as they're made out to be, especially with patience and a good amount of positive reinforcement, and even moreso if they start as kittens. All compatible with the sci-fi enhancements proposed.
Is there a size comparison for Newton? Are we talking large for a domestic cat, small for a big cat?
The idea of the hazardous waste is that the facility isn't constantly a hazard course, but has the potential for danger. The point I was making is that the science team wasn't expecting to actually have Newton running around the entire facility... and certainly not during an invasion. They expected to run through a largely disused, cushy administrative hazard course to try out the mock-up and the latest series of injections.
Dr Breen and his admin staff certainly don't plan to crawl through the same grungy hazard course as security or the science team. They're above that after all.
And, by all practical appearances, they don't bother with it anyway unless it is required for some reason. Administrative staff have better things to do with their time.
I'd say Newton is about the size of a medium sized dog. His head, when standing flat footed, comes up to about an average person's knee. Maybe a little higher.
It's worth noting too that some of these are limitations of the engine and our way of explaining it rather then just ignoring it. The ideal is to get the explanation to make a bit of sense.