I don’t know if other players think like me… But, I’m not entirely satisfied with the age groups of the zoids.
In my opinion, there is a gap between some age groups, and also age groups that look older than they should.
Personally, I find it strange that newborns and babies look the same and are the same size. I think newborns should be smaller and have specific characteristics of that age (have their eyes more closed, have no teeth, keep their hands closed, sometimes still be a bit skinny, etc.).
Perhaps they could combine all the current functionality/gameplay of newborns and babies to be used only for babies, since they already exist, and allowing interaction with the babies both in the crib and outside of it. In fact, I find it strange that newborns are stuck in the crib, just as it is strange not to be able to put babies to sleep in the crib. It would also be interesting if babies had only 4 or 8 teeth (only central incisors or all incisors).
I feel there is a gap/void/space between the ‘baby’ and ‘child’ phases… So, to be completely honest, it would be interesting not only to modify the newborns and “combine” the current phases of ‘newborn’ and ‘baby’, but also to add another age group right after. It would be like bigger babies, who already know how to walk, talk, and have a little more autonomy; or like small children, in preschool phase (02 to 05 years).
Regarding the following age groups, considering the school phases, I understand that:
- child (elementary school I): 06/07 to 09/10 years;
- adolescent (elementary school II): 10/11 to 13/14 years;
- young (high school): 14/15 to 17/18 years;
- young adult (university): 18/19 to 29 years.
Thus, I consider that the division of age groups is great, but the appearance not so much. I think there is a big difference in the appearance of the ‘child’ zoid to the ‘adolescent’ zoid. Also, the appearance of ‘adolescent’, ‘young’, and ‘young adult’ zoids is very similar/alike. Many times, in simulation mode, it is difficult to distinguish the ages without positioning the mouse over the zoid, to show its information. For these reasons, I consider that it would be good to reformulate a bit the appearance of adolescent and young zoids. I think the appearance of ‘adolescent’ should become that of ‘young’, leaving a bigger difference between ‘young’ and ‘young adult’. The ‘adolescent’ zoids could have an average height between what they have today and that of child zoids, and a slightly more childish appearance than now.
I don’t know about other languages, but there is a small mistake in the case of the translation into Portuguese. As far as I could notice, the phase called ‘adolescent’, which studies in elementary school II, represents the age range of 10/11 to 13/14 years; and the phase called ‘young’, which studies in high school, represents the age range of 14/15 to 17/18 years. Therefore, they should be called respectively ‘pre-adolescent’ and ‘adolescent’. The term ‘young’ would actually refer to the phase of ‘young adult’ (as a synonym/equivalent).
Finally, from the ‘adult’ zoid onwards, I consider that they look older than they should. Some adults, for example, already seem to be middle-aged; middle-aged adults seem to be 60 years or older; and the elderly seem to be over 80 years old. In my opinion, young adults should NEVER have wrinkles or expression lines, they should have skin completely without any wrinkles or expression lines; adults could sometimes have only a few expression lines, but never any wrinkles; middle-aged adults could have a lot of expression lines and some wrinkles, but few; the elderly could have wrinkles, but not as many as they have now. So, my opinion is that they could (starting from young adult) put the appearance of each age group for the next one; and create another age group, which would be like an older elderly person/elder, really representing elderly people aged 80 or over. And they could keep the height and proportions of the young adult but perhaps use the current skin texture of a young person (high school).
Summarizing the opinions above:
- Newborns: modify the appearance to really look like a real newborn;
- Baby (up to 02 years): “combine” current functionality/gameplay of ‘newborn’ and ‘baby’ (and leave with only 4 or 8 teeth);
- Small Child (02 to 05/06 years): create a new age group of bigger baby (already walking and talking) or small child (preschool age);
- Child (06/07 to 09/10 years): keep as is;
- Adolescent (10/11 to 13/14 years): modify the appearance making it shorter and with a slightly more childish trait;
- Young (14/15 to 17/18 years): change the appearance to the current appearance of adolescent;
- Brazilian Portuguese: replace the age names ‘adolescent’ and ‘young’ with the names ‘pre-adolescent’ and ‘adolescent’ respectively;
- Young Adult (18/19 to 29 years): keep current height and proportions, but with the skin texture that is currently of ‘young’;
- Adult (30 to 39/49 years): use the skin texture that is currently of ‘young adult’;
- Middle-aged Adult (40/50 to 59 years): use the skin texture that is currently of ‘adult’;
- Elderly (60 to 79 years): use the skin texture that is currently of ‘middle-aged adult’;
- Elder (80 years and over): create a new age group using the skin texture that is currently of ‘elderly’.
I don’t know if other players agree, but I really think that this reorganization of ages/age groups/life phases would make a big difference. I think the current form is a bit flawed and incomplete.
I would like to know the opinion of other players.
