Tutorial: Downloading Norns with Gene Files

	Gene files (.gen and .gno) are what makes the Norn. They decide everything from appearance, to behavior, disease immunity, age, gender, and everything in between. I consider them to be the most complicated aspect of Norns, because there is so much about them that makes a Norn a Norn. You’ll see what I mean when I have you open the Genetics Kit.

To download a Norn using a Genetics Kit, you must first get a Genetics Kit. There are two that I would recommend. 

Here is the official one: http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/cdn/cdn_more.php?CDN_article_id=102

And here is a third part one:
http://www.double.co.nz/creatures/creatures3/index.htm
For the unofficial one, you will need to download something called the Functional Developer Run Time Library. The link to that is also on this page.

For this tutorial, I will be using the official Genetics Kit, as it is simpler.

1.	First, we need to find a “genetics file” that will allow you to download a Norn. Because most people do not use genetics files, I have some on my genetics page. Go ahead and pick one. The type does not matter (but remember, you must have the sprites to view them!) For this tutorial, I will be using the Lavender Bengal genes.

2.	When you open it, you will see two files. Genes come in .gen and .gno, and both are equally important. Go ahead and copy/paste both of those files into your Genetics folder. That pathway (on my computer) is: Start/My Computer/Local Disk C/Program Files/Docking Station/Genetics.

3.	Next, start your game and open the Genetics Kit. I am going to tell you right now that using the Genetics Kit (for most computers) is slow and takes a long time. That’s because the computer has so many files to deal with concerning a gene. 

4.	With the Genetics Kit open, click the Load Genome button, and locate the gene called LavenderBengals.gen.

5.	Go ahead and open it. Now, another disclaimer: in all my time working with the Genetics Kit, I often get errors while attempting to open a .gen file. This is often because the Genetics Kit does not recognize mutations that occur while Norns breed and such. I just ignore those errors.

6.	It may take some time for the Genetics Kit to load up your .gen file. This is another reason why people dislike working wit the kit. It’s time consuming AND complicated. When it opens, move onto step 7.

7.	At the top of the Genetics Kit you will see various tabs. You want to click the very last one labeled Export.

8.	Here you will see a screen with lots of options. Let’s stick to the basics here and we’ll mess around with the rest in more advanced tutorials. Select the gender of the Norn you want, and make sure “virgin birth” is selected too. Then click lay egg.

9.	The egg will appear in the Norn Meso by the Egg layer. Move it to the incubator area for faster hatching. Congratulations! You’ve downloaded your first Norn by genetics alone!