finally got something working. although it's very barebones right now, hopefully this is the hardest and least fun part out of the way. i ended up having to use unity with the renderer disabled, so i could not see the scene or anything 3d, just the file manager within the editor
now i just need to decide: do i replace kelvin or virginia
kelvin pros:
>very helpful for homesteading/getting supplies and food
>bipedal
cons:
>male animations might be awkward remapped onto a female skeleton
>cannot fight, though i personally don't have an issue with this since i want to fantasize about protecting a woman, and traditionally women were not fighters
>male voice lines, though i think the only time i ever heard his voice is when you first find kelvin
virginia pros:
>female voice lines
>can also get you food
>more feminine animations
>slowly befurriend her, gives an experience of trying to gain the trust of a scared person
>can defend herself, and use guns
cons:
>3 legs and 3 arms, which might even look weirder to remap a bipedal skeleton onto
>will eat human flesh in front of you... not technically cannibalism if she's going to be an anthro i guess
>i don't think she can be instructed to do things, nor does she help with building, etc
>i don't know how to reference her actor in code yet