Just a few thoughts after re-watching today`s commissions presentation and the YouTube video about Ultima Online`s attempt at an organic eco-system.
What if there were inter-relations between gathering professions such that they had inter-dependencies or possible circular production chains / benefits in addition to the upward chain towards crafting.
Lumberjacking & Forestry & Cooking:
- Lumberjacking provides wood, which is essential for cooking fires.
- Mining produces phosphorous by product necessary for re-seeding forest areas by Foresters.
- Lumberjackng produces kindling used by cooks and blacksmiths for ovens / furnaces.
Mining & Stone Masonry & Alchemy:
- Mining provides ores, and minerals for stone masonry but also ores
- Stone masonry uses ores and minterals to construct structures, equipment and also decorations.
- Perhaps by product ores are used by Foresters for equipment sharpening, Alchemy from oils etc
Mining & Cooking & Tanning:
- Mining yields ores used to improve cooking tools.
- Cooking produces excess food waste.
- Tanning utilizes food waste to create compost, which in turn enriches soil for farming, thus completing the loop.
Tanning & Leatherworking & Forestry:
- Tanning produces leather from animal hides.
- Leatherworking crafts armor and accessories from leather.
- Forestry provides materials like resin and sap, used to treat leather and enhance its durability.
Alchemy & Forestry & Mining:
- Alchemy requires rare herbs for potion brewing.
- Forestry provides a habitat for these herbs to grow.
- Using minerals from mining increases re-forestation rate and/or what re-grows
- Mining supplies minerals needed to extract potent ingredients for alchemical concoctions.
In these circular benefit chains, each profession contributes to the success of others, forming a sustainable ecosystem within the game. Players are incentivized to collaborate, trade resources, and engage with various professions to optimize their gameplay experience.
Especially thinking of the lesser tier by-product gatherables and/or by-products from crafting having purpose and function in a circular economy.