Revision 1

Overview

The citizens of Hethereau in Neverness to Everness are not static background elements. NPCs go about their daily lives, following routines, reacting to events, and responding to the player's actions. This behavioral system creates the impression of a living, functioning city where the supernatural coexists with ordinary urban life.

Daily Routines

NPCs follow schedules tied to the day-night cycle. Shop owners open and close their stores, residents walk between locations, and the overall population density shifts between day and night. This creates different atmospheres for exploration depending on when the player visits an area.

Event Reactions

NPCs react to events happening around them. Combat encounters, anomaly manifestations, and even the player's criminal behavior draw reactions from nearby citizens:

• Citizens will flee from combat and anomaly encounters happening nearby.

• NPC reactions to the player vary based on the wanted system; criminal behavior causes NPCs to react with fear or alert the authorities.

• Some NPCs may provide commentary on anomalous events they witness.

Interactable NPCs

Many NPCs throughout Hethereau can be directly interacted with:

• Shop owners sell items and services.

• Quest givers provide City Commissions and side quests.

• Informants share rumors and lore about nearby anomalies.

• Taxi passengers request rides during Taxi Driver shifts.

Containment Test Improvements

The Containment Test beta expanded NPC behaviors with more interactable animals, additional NPC dialogue, and improved reactions to anomaly events. NPCs now exhibit more varied behavior patterns across the expanded city districts.