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STRANGE CREATURES

Endowing game players with such deity-like powers can lead to strange results. On YouTube, I am watching a video uploaded by a gamer named Bantexkaa, who recorded the entire process of creating a creature named Rhinoface. The latter is a dinosaur-like behemoth with an array of jagged spikes on his snout and spike-laden balls on his tail. He’s reacting to each stage of his own construction with burping-like noises. Initially, his hide is a brilliant electric blue — a not totally unrealistic choice, I must concede, since scientists believe that the giant reptiles may have been as brightly colored as modern lizards. But then, with a few more belches, he metamorphoses from blue to yellow and abruptly sprouts red stripes, which vanish briefly before again reappearing. Fully decorated, the creature now begins to dance in an awkward, tight-hipped waddle, like an offensive tackle at the prom. But he soon acquires an upgrade in physical grace, which he demonstrates by performing several back flips. Apparently, Rhinoface’s creator is pleased, because several miniature versions of the creature suddenly pop up on the screen. (In virtual evolution, cumbersome formalities such as mating and sexual reproduction are apparently unnecessary). Soon, the entire pack is prancing, flipping and squealing in unison. The Darwinian struggle has been transformed into Dancing With the Stars.

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