I'm not sure if this should go in the suggestion box but if it does, I wanted some outside thoughts before i put it there. I was thinking about how adding mutations to species is a problem stated by the admins because it makes them look to different from what they really are. So I was thinking of a way for a lot of mutations, not changing the creature at all but still making it unique.

A few examples would be, let's just say, for the morkko?

On back: it would be laying on its back with all its normal genes+ other muts
On belly: it would be laying on its belly with ditto^
Surprised: it's eyes would be wide and surprised
And so on

Basically, I wondered if it had been considered to have mutations of the pet with different emotions or positions. I have no idea how hard this would be, just wondered what you guys thought? And if it wouldn't work or had been thought of before would someone let me know? :)

I think it would be cute, but I also think it would be a crazy amount of work. As it is, some genes and mutations need to be tweaked slightly to work with new mutations, and others can just be left alone. Drastically changing a Sylesti's position (like, lying on its back) would require not only a complete lineart redraw, but also a complete redraw of all genes, and all mutations in the other two slots.

I think a change in facial expression would be doable and adorable, though. I'd love it if I could make all my pets smile! :)

After playing a virtual pet game where this is totally feasible, I kinda don't think that it's as feasible here on Sylestia. ;w;

Mainly because the current system of mutations are reserved for portions of the pet's body.

For morkkos, m1 is belly-area to the body, m2 is topback area to the body, and m3 is head; for lunemara for example, m1 is wings, m2 is posterior, and m3 is area around the body.

So there wouldn't really be a place for mutations like pose changes in Sylestia's current system.

I can only think they'd make a whole DIFFERENT slot, "pose slot", where a pet can keep the same genes and mutations, but "pose" could be something entirely separate to breed for. (and like the post above said, it'll take coding time and tons of art time to make that happen, both a separate slot and art of different poses to accommodate for all the genes/mutations there are, then for each new gene/mutation, it has to be drawn for each different pose)

That's totally understandable, I can see where this may not work. But if sylestia ever gets farther than perfect and there's nothing more to do.... They could work on it XD but as it's unlikely i won't expect it :) thanks for your time

I think this is why fanart was invented. (Wanders away to work on pic of Starter pet reading a book.)