Thoughts on the Future of Friendly NPCs

Bandits has evolved into a mature project. While there are still bugs, things are steadily becoming more refined.

From the start, I focused primarily on hostile NPCs, leaving friendly ones underdeveloped. However, I'm noticing increasing feedback about the lack of friendly "bandits," so it's time to address this.

Many players are combining Bandits with Superb Survivors, which is great. I know I could integrate the two mods to improve their synergy, but I've chosen not to for two key reasons:

1. Superb Survivors doesn't work in multiplayer, and multiplayer compatibility was a driving force behind this mod.
2. Its performance is reportedly lacking.

As a result, friendly NPC development will continue within the Bandits mod.

I also want to avoid simply copying ideas from Superb Survivors. Imitation doesn’t align with my passion for original work.

Here’s what you can expect from these changes:

Friendly NPCs won’t be programmable robots. You won't be able to give them direct orders, alter their inventory, change their names, clothes, or weapons. They are human-like, with their own sense of autonomy, and should know how to handle basic needs.

NPCs will learn through experience. They'll process various inputs and figure out tasks on their own. For example, by observing the player, an NPC might mimic looting behavior and then store the items in the appropriate container. They can also infer patterns, like recognizing that if food is being placed in the fridge, it likely means they're in the player’s base.