We have introduced a new stat into the game, along with the new Sprint controls, called Energy. I just wanted to see how everyone thinks it should work!
First of all, yes, now we have Energy AND Stamina. The basic difference is that Energy is short-term and Stamina is long-term. Energy recovers from resting and not using abilities that consume it. Stamina is restored by eating and drinking and runs out very gradually over a very long time. Even with the use of abilities, Stamina will typically be designed to last for an hour or more in good conditions, whereas Energy can run out in a few seconds by using your most intense abilities. It also recovers in a matter of seconds, though.
Energy is consumed by using abilities. Stamina is also consumed by using abilities but also by not eating, travelling through harsh landscapes, etc. Stamina affects the effectiveness of your character and when it hits zero, you start losing HP gradually.
My question is, what should happen when we run out of energy? By Sprinting, energy is gradually used up until it hits zero. Right now, your energy won't start to recover until you *release* the Sprint key and here's why:
My idea right now:
When energy hits zero, *do not* disable the ability, but instead let the player keep the Sprint function active (if that's the ability we're using). The catch is that we're now in "push yourself to the absolute limit" mode and you'll only want to do this when absolutely necessary.
When using energy-consuming abilities when out of energy, you have a chance on every game frame to lose a small amount of stamina (or even HP!), which could eat up your stamina supply much faster than normal. This lets you call on this extra bit more speed or whatever you're doing if absolutely vital, however it comes at a large cost so it's really only for emergencies.
Do you like this idea? Is there anything you don't like? Do you have any ideas of your own? Lemme know!
Thanks!