Why the heck is there a negative modifier...

[lt_halle]

This just occurred to me. Why is there a negative modifier on nutrient paste right now...?
I mean, I know it's disgusting and it makes sense that eventually your colonists would want some real food or whatever, but it seems a bit stupid to me that the modifier is currently enabled given that raw food and nutrient paste are literally the only thing your colonists can eat at all. So no matter what, every single colonist is gonna have at least a -8 happiness modifier, pretty much all the damn time.

Why?

[Semmy]

I think it was put on because it is what should happen when cooking is finished. And for testing purposes. To see if the system worked that if you fed 1 thing to your goons that they would get a negative reaction.

Why its not off now i can't give a conclusive answer. But i do know cooking is on the to-do list.

[jjgoldman]

Think of it as a positive modifier relative to starvation's large negative modifier.   

[EarthyTurtle]

Lots of content is still missing. I guess it's to make sure players don't get the wrong impression about nutrient paste in the future, it's not that good now and will remain the same in the future when more food options are available. As previously stated cook is a trait so it stands to reason colonists will be able to cook food for other colonists and depending on their skill level it will add a positive modifier.

[Tynan]

The truth is: I implemented that mechanic many months ago, gave paste a small negative effect (because it makes sense) and moved on to the thousands of other things that have to get done to get a game like this to a playable pre-alpha stae. It never came up in comments, playtests, or tester reports, so it just didn't cross my mind again.

Anyway, it's such a small modifier I hope it doesn't bother you too much.

[Semmy]

In all honousty it was noticed and talked about on irc for a good evening.
And because it was the only permanent negative modifier the goons suffer atm nobody tought it was worth complaining about.
Specially since you had cooking on the first page of your to-do list (-;

Hope its still there.

[Stickle]

Not only that, but it doesn't really make sense for Tynan to take the time to deal with minor balance issues that might not even be issues once planned content makes it into the game.

[lt_halle]

The one time I get a Tynan reply and it's on the most inconsequential post I've ever made. Good job, me.

And yeah, it doesn't bother me that much but I'm sort of a perfectionist so it's minorly bothersome to have a negative modifier I literally can't get rid of. Plus, it makes happiness even harder to run in comparison to fear; but I'm sure things will get worked out in the next few major updates.