diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb6b6e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+extends NPC
+class_name AbstractPredator
+
+# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
+func _ready() -> void:
+	pass # Replace with function body.
+
+
+# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
+func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	pass
+
+
+func attack(target) -> void:
+	push_error("Function attack() not implemented.")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd.uid b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ecc577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://dgfimmq53whll
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cee0962
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_predator.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3 uid="uid://b7wqd5owafn6g"]
+
+[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://biup0eej85fq2" path="res://npc.tscn" id="1_eoj71"]
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://dgfimmq53whll" path="res://abstract_predator.gd" id="2_hv0s6"]
+
+[node name="AbstractPredator" instance=ExtResource("1_eoj71")]
+script = ExtResource("2_hv0s6")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd
similarity index 72%
rename from evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd
rename to evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd
index 32dd950..d661054 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-extends RigidBody2D
-
+extends NPC
+class_name AbstractPrey
 
 # Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
 func _ready() -> void:
@@ -9,7 +9,4 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 # Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 	pass
-
-
-func _on_visible_on_screen_notifier_2d_screen_exited():
-	queue_free();
+	
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd.uid b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74b2a89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://76jxpubyd8wp
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8901d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/abstract_prey.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3 uid="uid://bvsdg1v3ksixy"]
+
+[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://biup0eej85fq2" path="res://npc.tscn" id="1_2m1le"]
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://76jxpubyd8wp" path="res://abstract_prey.gd" id="2_dny00"]
+
+[node name="AbstractPrey" instance=ExtResource("1_2m1le")]
+script = ExtResource("2_dny00")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.gd
index 34dd067..5971a8e 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.gd
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.gd
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
-extends Area2D
+extends CharacterBody2D
 
 @export var speed = 400
 var screen_size
+var str = 1
 
 func _ready():
 	screen_size = get_viewport_rect().size
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.tscn
index b872d15..a897798 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.tscn
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_player.tscn
@@ -18,14 +18,16 @@ animations = [{
 radius = 191.95984
 height = 1295.8773
 
-[node name="player" type="Area2D"]
+[node name="player" type="CharacterBody2D"]
+collision_mask = 2
 script = ExtResource("1_0ix7k")
 
 [node name="AnimatedSprite2D" type="AnimatedSprite2D" parent="."]
+visibility_layer = 2
 scale = Vector2(0.5, 0.5)
 sprite_frames = SubResource("SpriteFrames_onrkg")
 
-[node name="CollisionShape2D" type="CollisionShape2D" parent="."]
+[node name="CollisionShape2D" type="CollisionShape2D" parent="." groups=["player"]]
 position = Vector2(0, 56)
 rotation = -1.5732701
 shape = SubResource("CapsuleShape2D_4flbx")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_stage.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_stage.tscn
index a4e532a..e2ed151 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_stage.tscn
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/molecular_stage.tscn
@@ -1,17 +1,10 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=8 format=3 uid="uid://b55w56d4twno1"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=6 format=3 uid="uid://b55w56d4twno1"]
 
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://dnlrq8gxiix6" path="res://molecular/assets/bg-far-placeholder.jpg" id="1_cthuy"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bfjf6dxvbq5cj" path="res://dirt-specs.png" id="2_a5cls"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://dxluckxdkpv4f" path="res://molecular/molecular_player.tscn" id="3_b1jr0"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://ceut2lrvkns75" path="res://debug_label.gd" id="4_mys4o"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://2pmjtnrg5471" path="res://molecular/preyManager.gd" id="5_ojt85"]
-[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://cum0iux1pv7bu" path="res://molecular/prey.tscn" id="6_a5cls"]
-
-[sub_resource type="Curve2D" id="Curve2D_4kroc"]
-_data = {
-"points": PackedVector2Array(0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 78, 0, 0, 0, 0, 234, 81, 0, 0, 0, 0, 234, 209, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 209, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 77)
-}
-point_count = 5
 
 [node name="MolecularStag" type="Node2D"]
 
@@ -40,7 +33,7 @@ position = Vector2(596, 359.5)
 scale = Vector2(3.725, 2.4159663)
 texture = ExtResource("2_a5cls")
 
-[node name="player" parent="." instance=ExtResource("3_b1jr0")]
+[node name="player" parent="." groups=["player"] instance=ExtResource("3_b1jr0")]
 position = Vector2(120, 144)
 scale = Vector2(0.01, 0.01)
 
@@ -66,11 +59,3 @@ script = ExtResource("4_mys4o")
 
 [node name="Prey" type="Node" parent="."]
 script = ExtResource("5_ojt85")
-preyScene = ExtResource("6_a5cls")
-
-[node name="PreyPath" type="Path2D" parent="Prey"]
-curve = SubResource("Curve2D_4kroc")
-
-[node name="PreySpawnLocation" type="PathFollow2D" parent="Prey/PreyPath"]
-position = Vector2(5, 78)
-rotation = 0.013099688
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e2e32e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+extends AbstractPrey
+
+@onready var sprite = get_node("AnimatedSprite2D")
+
+# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
+func _ready() -> void:
+	pass # Replace with function body.
+
+
+# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
+func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	self.move(Vector3(randfn(0, 1), randfn(0, 1), 0))
+	return
+
+
+func move(destination: Vector3) -> void:
+	self.position += Vector2(destination.x, destination.y) # stub
+
+
+func _on_rigid_body_2d_body_entered(body: Node) -> void:
+	# TODO: collision with other entities
+	# check if colision with player
+	print("we collidin")
+	if body.is_in_group("player"):  
+		handle_collision_player(body)
+	else:
+		self.die()
+
+# Function to handle collision logic
+func handle_collision_player(player):
+	print("Collision!")
+	self.health -= player.str
+	if sprite:
+		if self.health <= 0:
+			self.die()
+		else:
+			sprite.play("injured")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd.uid b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7770fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://bgossk6xo31gi
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bdea7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/nucleotide_prey.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=10 format=3 uid="uid://c3iw2v3x6ngrb"]
+
+[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://bvsdg1v3ksixy" path="res://abstract_prey.tscn" id="1_qvulj"]
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://bgossk6xo31gi" path="res://molecular/nucleotide_prey.gd" id="2_0227s"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bhcb5g7g7um8" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-dying-frame0.png" id="2_lkj7f"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bxn11avw7dykl" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-dying-frame1.png" id="3_svqyr"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://ctkehsavw6ghx" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-healthy-frame0.png" id="4_ee1gb"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://uy28y3mkk6nt" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-healthy-frame1.png" id="5_ae5nf"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://btnyajci8ptb2" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-injured-frame0.png" id="6_0f87h"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bqll8ge4cr2uf" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-injured-frame1.png" id="7_w7inl"]
+
+[sub_resource type="SpriteFrames" id="SpriteFrames_66x8p"]
+animations = [{
+"frames": [{
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("2_lkj7f")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("3_svqyr")
+}],
+"loop": true,
+"name": &"Dying",
+"speed": 5.0
+}, {
+"frames": [{
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("4_ee1gb")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("5_ae5nf")
+}],
+"loop": true,
+"name": &"Healthy",
+"speed": 5.0
+}, {
+"frames": [{
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("6_0f87h")
+}, {
+"duration": 1.0,
+"texture": ExtResource("7_w7inl")
+}],
+"loop": true,
+"name": &"Injured",
+"speed": 5.0
+}]
+
+[node name="NucleotidePrey" instance=ExtResource("1_qvulj")]
+script = ExtResource("2_0227s")
+
+[node name="AnimatedSprite2D" type="AnimatedSprite2D" parent="." index="0"]
+scale = Vector2(0.1, 0.1)
+sprite_frames = SubResource("SpriteFrames_66x8p")
+animation = &"Healthy"
+
+[node name="RigidBody2D" type="RigidBody2D" parent="." index="1"]
+collision_layer = 2
+collision_mask = 3
+
+[node name="CollisionPolygon2D" type="CollisionPolygon2D" parent="RigidBody2D" index="0"]
+polygon = PackedVector2Array(-16.442108, -21.739502, 14.039459, -23.432922, 29.280273, 3.097351, 12.346039, 27.369736, -17.571075, 29.62761, -32.247375, 1.968399)
+
+[connection signal="body_entered" from="RigidBody2D" to="." method="_on_rigid_body_2d_body_entered"]
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd.uid b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd.uid
deleted file mode 100644
index 9cb47df..0000000
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.gd.uid
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-uid://d1b3twb5c47c0
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.tscn
index 8e52a5d..bbb9c23 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.tscn
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/prey.tscn
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 [gd_scene load_steps=9 format=3 uid="uid://cum0iux1pv7bu"]
 
-[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://d1b3twb5c47c0" path="res://molecular/prey.gd" id="1_wojl0"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bhcb5g7g7um8" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-dying-frame0.png" id="2_5mr0w"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bxn11avw7dykl" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-dying-frame1.png" id="3_eomdj"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://ctkehsavw6ghx" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-healthy-frame0.png" id="4_t6vdg"]
@@ -8,6 +7,24 @@
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://btnyajci8ptb2" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-injured-frame0.png" id="6_o44iv"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bqll8ge4cr2uf" path="res://molecular/assets/prey/prey-injured-frame1.png" id="7_wx0y7"]
 
+[sub_resource type="GDScript" id="GDScript_56kmc"]
+script/source = "extends RigidBody2D
+
+
+# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
+func _ready() -> void:
+	pass # Replace with function body.
+
+
+# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
+func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	pass
+
+
+func _on_visible_on_screen_notifier_2d_screen_exited():
+	queue_free();
+"
+
 [sub_resource type="SpriteFrames" id="SpriteFrames_43b72"]
 animations = [{
 "frames": [{
@@ -46,7 +63,7 @@ animations = [{
 
 [node name="Prey" type="RigidBody2D"]
 gravity_scale = 0.379
-script = ExtResource("1_wojl0")
+script = SubResource("GDScript_56kmc")
 metadata/_edit_group_ = true
 
 [node name="VisibleOnScreenNotifier2D" type="VisibleOnScreenNotifier2D" parent="."]
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/preyManager.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/preyManager.gd
index 6a5eaaa..f170db1 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/preyManager.gd
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/molecular/preyManager.gd
@@ -1,39 +1,27 @@
 extends Node
 
-@export var preyScene: PackedScene
+var preyScene = preload("res://molecular/nucleotide_prey.tscn")
+#var predatorScene = preload("res://Predator.tscn")
 var score
 
 # Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
 func _ready() -> void:
-	pass # Replace with function body.
+	for i in range(0, 100, 10):
+		spawn_creature(preyScene, Vector2(i, i))
+	spawn_random()
+	spawn_random()
+	spawn_random()
+	spawn_random()
 
 
 # Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 	pass
 
+func spawn_random() -> void:
+	spawn_creature(preyScene, Vector2(randfn(100, 100), randfn(100, 100)))
 
-func _on_prey_timer_timeout() -> void:
-	# Create a new instance of the Mob scene.
-	var prey = preyScene.instantiate()
-
-	# Choose a random location on Path2D.
-	var preySpawnLocation = $PreyPath/PreySpawnLocation
-	preySpawnLocation.progress_ratio = randf()
-
-	# Set the mob's position to the random location.
-	prey.position = preySpawnLocation.position
-
-	# Set the mob's direction perpendicular to the path direction.
-	var direction = preySpawnLocation.rotation + PI / 2
-
-	# Add some randomness to the direction.
-	direction += randf_range(-PI / 4, PI / 4)
-	prey.rotation = direction
-
-	# Choose the velocity for the mob.
-	var velocity = Vector2(randf_range(50.0, 100.0), 0.0)
-	prey.linear_velocity = velocity.rotated(direction)
-
-	# Spawn the mob by adding it to the Main scene.
-	add_child(prey)
+func spawn_creature(scene, position: Vector2) -> void:
+	var instance = scene.instantiate()
+	instance.position = position
+	add_child(instance)
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..210ed68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+extends Node2D
+class_name NPC
+
+@export var maxHealth: int = 0
+var health: int = maxHealth
+
+# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
+func _ready() -> void:
+	spawn()
+
+# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
+func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	pass
+
+func spawn() -> void:
+	pass
+
+
+# I think the move per npc is to model concrete behaviours in functions. 
+# How the npc acts can be determined elsewhere, these functions just implement the behvaiour
+func flee(direction: Vector3) -> void:
+	push_error("Function flee() not implemented.")
+	
+# Im envisioning we feed on "sustenance (to be classed)" only; when something dies it should spawn some sustenance
+func feed(source ) -> void:
+	push_error("Function feed() not implemented.")
+	
+func die() -> void:
+	queue_free()
+	# TODO: should associate this class with a loot table (or equivalent), and can then implement logic for dying in parent class here.
+	
+func move(destination: Vector3) -> void:
+	push_error("Function move() not implemented.")
+	
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd.uid b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d082561
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://biu3sctw15ga
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/npc.tscn b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ac878b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/npc.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=2 format=3 uid="uid://biup0eej85fq2"]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://biu3sctw15ga" path="res://npc.gd" id="1_ideak"]
+
+[node name="NPC" type="Node2D"]
+script = ExtResource("1_ideak")
diff --git a/evolve-die-repeat/project.godot b/evolve-die-repeat/project.godot
index 7e2c788..7f2671d 100644
--- a/evolve-die-repeat/project.godot
+++ b/evolve-die-repeat/project.godot
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ run/main_scene="uid://drgv154ei1vrl"
 config/features=PackedStringArray("4.5", "Forward Plus")
 config/icon="res://icon.svg"
 
+[global_group]
+
+player="All scenes that constitute players should be added here."
+
 [input]
 
 move_right={
@@ -37,3 +41,8 @@ move_down={
 "events": [Object(InputEventKey,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"window_id":0,"alt_pressed":false,"shift_pressed":false,"ctrl_pressed":false,"meta_pressed":false,"pressed":false,"keycode":0,"physical_keycode":83,"key_label":0,"unicode":115,"location":0,"echo":false,"script":null)
 ]
 }
+
+[layer_names]
+
+2d_render/layer_1="Player"
+2d_render/layer_2="Prey"