Life Cycle

The Life Cycle Game Mode

Life cycle is one of the three (current) in-game gamemodes, alongside freeroam and combat. However, it has unique features that set it apart from the other two.

The Basics

Like any other gamemode, life cycle requires one to keep their selected playable creature alive by maintaining an appropriate level of hunger, thirst, and comfort. Perhaps oxygen level as well, if one selects a completely aquatic creature. However, unlike combat and freeroam, where a player is granted a fully grown creature right off the bat, in life cycle you are spawned as a playable at 0.4 growth. The goal, if possible, is to grow to full size, or perhaps even larger.

Growth

While every creature within the life cycle gamemode spawns at a growth of 0.4, every creature has a different growth rate. Growth rate refers to how long it takes a certain creature to gain a tick of growth. Smaller creatures gain growth faster than larger creatures (for example, a Velociraptor will grow larger faster than a Mosasaurus would.) However, the rate of growth can be improved by keeping one's stats such as comfort at a high level. Having pack/herdmates can help to keep comfort high at all times; consuming a large amount of healthy herbs (comfort flowers, crystals, sponges) will increase one's comfort bias and allow comfort to be maintained at a higher level as well.

On some maps, there are specific areas where one can go to get a boost to growth no matter their status levels. The area may take the form of a small island or temple. The buffs are 25%, 50%, and 75%, increasing in intensity as one gets closer to the center of the growth increase radius. One will receive a status message in blue on their screen when they have entered or left a growth increase radius.