Vapourware Codexian Game Development Thread

[Kosmonaut]

If you decide to work on mobile games, don't forget to leave your brain in a cold storage before you start.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Speaking of Codexian Game Development questions, I would like to read opinions about an issue I have with the implementation of advancement tables. Say, for example that I have a table with the values of the Base Attack Bonus (BAB) for each level (check this example).

Currently, I implemented the table as an array, and I get the BAB using the level as index (level one is index one, level two is index two and so on), however I have the feeling that this is not right. I mean, I kinda think that using the level as index is somewhat dangerous and is just a plain bad technique.

What would you do to implement the table? Is the array thingie correct? Or is there a better (and safer) way? Maybe using an associative array? Discuss!!!

 

[shihonage]

I don't think it's wrong, because there's no significant alteration that's going to happen there. You're not going to suddenly "lose" BAB for level 4, or insert a level 2.5 between 2 and 3.

If this was a table of attributes like "strength" and "charisma" which you were addressing by numerical index values, that would cause problems later. But a simple list of levels? Unless I misunderstood what you said... shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Yeah, the levels are obviously a series of integers from 1 to 20. Basically what I have is this:

int BoBProgression[21] = { 0, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... };

and then I just get the BoB using the level as index:

int currBoB =  BoBProgression[10]; // Getting the BoB for a level 10 Bard.

 

[Niektory]

Tables should work fine. Another approach would be functions that calculate BAB based on a formula, taking the level as an argument.

 

[SCO]

The only thing 'wrong' it's that it's not externalized, if ever you want your game to be moddable (and if by some insane reason it is such a success people want to).
Watch out for behaviour at the boundaries. If you want unlimited levelling, then obviously, you want some kind of default, or formula for those cases.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Tables should work fine. Another approach would be functions that calculate BAB based on a formula, taking the level as an argument.

What I'm doing right now is using the array, but I query the values using a function. That way I can validate the input and throw an error or clamp the value if it is out of range.

The only thing 'wrong' it's that it's not externalized, if ever you want your game to be moddable (and if by some insane reason it is such a success people want to).
Watch out for behaviour at the boundaries. If you want unlimited levelling, then obviously, you want some kind of default, or formula for those cases.

I don't plan to make a full-fledged game, I know I can't. I'm just experimenting with a combat demo implementing the Pathfinder PRG. Anyways, I plan to extract all these kind of data to Lua files, but that would be at later stages.

With respect to the BAB table, as I said to Niektory I just moved the table to a function right now. If the thing gets more complicated I can change the internal implementation to make room for more rules or different behaviour.

My biggest hurdle right now is to conceptualize or design the skills and traits system. The rules for each skill or trait are sometimes very complicated and the dependence between sub-systems is huge. For example, just to calculate a dodge bonus in a battle, I need to check the race, class, selected skills, statuses, buffs, current experience, etc. etc. I just lack the skills to easily design something like that.

 

[Zed]

I look at the top-grossing (1-200) iPhone games and they are all horrifying garbage that I cannot fathom putting any effort behind. Jesus Christ. The toilet gamer generation is here.

... probably not the attitude I should have when it comes to mobile game development.

I was an indie, and I had to make a game to stay afloat, I would make an adventure game. But that's cuz I could draw the game myself and wouldn't have to buy shit, and also..uh.. make it myself. Entirely.
I would probably steal the story from somewhere though.
Play to your strengths, that's my motto (which I made up, just now).

It's not Sell Games = Profit.
It's Sell Games - Cost of Development = Profit.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Fucking snowfags.

 

[Zed]

awww look at the little wombat/guinea pig thingy

 

[Kosmonaut]

Why don't you make it a gif?

 

[Zed]

cba, it can't export as a gif.
I'm doing critters and animals for animation practice, and interface elements. but I'm always doing interface stuff.
here's a single line dialogue option button

here's a bitmap font

 

[Kosmonaut]

What I have difficult when doing or, more exactly, attempting to make sprites and tiles, is the dittering of the shadows and the proportion of the bodies.

 

[Zed]

if the sprite is less than 64x, you shouldn't even attempt to do anything proportionate.

 

[Mastermind]

I look at the top-grossing (1-200) iPhone games and they are all horrifying garbage that I cannot fathom putting any effort behind. Jesus Christ. The toilet gamer generation is here.

Bloons TD5 is awesome.
It's also free for PC master race (with some premium content for purchase).http://ninjakiwi.com/Games/Tower-Defense/Play/Bloons-Tower-Defense-5.html

 

[Kosmonaut]

Bros, looking at the option of exporting all the game classes, feats, skills, creatures, etc. to Lua files, now I have the option to go on either the Crusader Kings 2 rute (pure data, variables and text) or Civilization V (data and logic in the Lua files). What do you think that would be the best option for a RPG game? Currently I'm moving all the Pathfinder rules and tables to Lua files, and I also plan to use functions for the game logic, in Lua. In other words, implement all the game logic in Lua and just call the scripts from the engine. Thoughts?

 

[tuluse]

I look at the top-grossing (1-200) iPhone games and they are all horrifying garbage that I cannot fathom putting any effort behind. Jesus Christ. The toilet gamer generation is here.

... probably not the attitude I should have when it comes to mobile game development.

Think about when people play games on their phones. It's for a few minutes when they're sitting on the can or waiting for the bus. They're not looking for anything that requires any kind of commitment or effort on their part.

I think if you want to make a good game, and you want to make money from it, make it for PC and get on Steam.

It will be really interesting to see what sales numbers look like from the kickstarters that come out in the next 18 months.

 

[Kosmonaut]

Just make some shitty physics-based puzzle game and sell skins or new enemies or weapons as addon. If the characters looks cute, it'll sell well.

 

[Destroid]

It's long, but there's some really cool stuff in there, in particular about user interfaces for developing both media and code that are a more natural process.

 

[tuluse]

Just make some shitty physics-based puzzle game and sell skins or new enemies or weapons as addon. If the characters looks cute, it'll sell well.

That's why I specified good game.

 

[shihonage]

I keep looking at games that Youtube commentators pick to try, and came to a very clear course of action. I stand behind the gameplay of Dead Colony. It's fun. However, not a single indie review site touched it with a ten-foot pole, because of the graphics.

It hasn't been reviewed ONCE.

So, my goal is a relaunch of the game with upgraded graphics. They will be upgraded to the point where it can no longer be ignored.

Ironically, an earlier port of this game already had enhanced multi-tile walls and realistic blood spatter graphics, but it was an alternate branch of the code - unsalvageable. I need to reintegrate that technology into the current renderer.

I will start with some textures I already have, but may actually end up buying them. Anyone know an affordable website to buy sprites?

(expected reply: "what's a sprite, grandpa?")

 

[Kosmonaut]

I depends what kind of sprites do you want. Hand painted? Pixel art? 3D renders?

 

[shihonage]

Gonna find out more about best visual style when I see how the placeholder multi-tile textures and props look.

 

[Awor Szurkrarz]

I keep looking at games that Youtube commentators pick to try, and came to a very clear course of action. I stand behind the gameplay of Dead Colony. It's fun. However, not a single indie review site touched it with a ten-foot pole, because of the graphics.

It hasn't been reviewed ONCE.

Everything is shit.

Anyway, do you still plan the random adventure mode?

 

[shihonage]

Anyway, do you still plan the random adventure mode?

I have a stub for it in there. It's sorta fun, in a throwaway sort of way. But not what's intended.

Random adventure mode may not be worth the effort until I expand the inventory system and items (which do exist, but are limited and disabled in campaign), for the game to resemble Terraria more. That is a huge undertaking and graphics facelift has to be the priority.

Not that I am working particularly hard. Between recovering from my health stuff and maintaining a positive outlook, I spend way too much time outdoors.