First of all, let me say, it's an honor to finally see the legendary Max the Mug rear his knowledge crammed head. I've heard stories about you that would make a vaugnarian opera seem unembellished. Please, I am filled with questions that simply cry out for answers- e-mail me-
ichelm@aol.com
Anywhoo, if I remember it correctly, mr. Lanning himself said that he based the species of oddworld off of the super species on earth, and one of the defining elements of a super species is the whole queen dynamic. For non-honey-producing bees, wasps, hornets and such, royal jelly isn't present, as I would expect would be the case with Mudokons, not producing any kind of honey as far as I can tell and all. Instead, at least with hornets and termites, I bthink it is, every single member of the hive has the ability to become a queen if need be. Scenario- a tapir or something gets to the queen, and has a good old fashion ten course meal out of her. As the hive is rebuilt, one seemingly random member of the hive, by processes we don't quite understand yet, will begin the extremely painful sounding transformation- complete reorganization of their icor (bug guts), development of sexual organs, loss of pincers, stinger, whatever- a complete transmografication into a new queen. It can even be a male that makes the transformation, which is kind of disturbing, especially considering the possibilities for Abe. Sam dies and he starts having the weirdest dreams, morning sickness, an extra pair of arms or three...