Semi-Sapient Life

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In our world today, there are species which have various rudimentary characteristics of sapience (apes, dolphins, elephants etc.); these species, however, are not civilized nor truly sapient to the same level as a human.

An ape can use tools, fight or collaberate with other "tribes", and communicate among their members. Dolphins have shown imagination, self-awareness and emotion.

The transition between the Creature phase and the Tribal phase is unclear -- will there be levels of intelligence along the way, where creatures can benefit from advanced intelligence without moving on to full sapience? And will sapient tribes be able to interact with these beings (whether it be through domestication, such as dogs; or hunting, like mammoths)?

Note: In the GDC '05 presentation by Will Wright, there was a herd of mono-footed hoppers behind the settlement in the tribal phase. Whether this is evidence of domestication is unclear.