Sunday, August 16, 2009

The true "Plug and Play" method revisited

We are crafting a "Module" system for NetRPG. Modules hold all the calculations, settings, and information for your games. This post is to give the readers a glimpse into the workings and mechanics of the Module system.

Modules are INI files that can be edited in most any text editor, on most any O.S.. Even simple Notepad can save INI files. INI files are an Array Hierarchy style data storage method. A basic INI file would be something along the lines of:
[ArrayLabel]
variable1=value
variable2=value
variable3=value
INI files can hold any number of variables, under any number of array labels. We want the DM/GMs to be able to completely customize every little bit of their campaigns. Every calculation and every variable is going to be saved and loaded from the Modules.
There will be "Default Values" it can load if no Modules are selected, or even downloaded, but when it all comes down to it.. who doesn't want to make their own adventure.. theirs?

So far we have 4 Modules created (they're not finished yet.. there's a LOT of stuff to add yet as we've just started) that have some of the basics.
  1. AI_DND3E_PRAI.ini
  2. AI_DND3E_CORE.ini
  3. AI_DND3E_CALCS.ini
  4. AI_DND3E_CLASS.ini
As with every Variable API, an entire list of valid variables will be available. To give you a small look into the PRAI variables:
[ResetWhen]
var_prai_TarLeave5f=False
var_prai_TarEnter5f=False
var_prai_TarLeaveMAXDIST=True
var_prai_TarEnterMAXDIST=False
var_prai_NewTarInMAXDIST=True

[Atkofop]
var_prai_AutoUse=F
var_prai_UseOnWeakest=True
var_prai_SuggestWeakest=True
var_prai_UseOnStrongest=False
var_prai_SuggestStrongest=False

[Automation]
var_prai_AutoRepeatOn=False
var_prai_AutoNewTarOnKill=False

As you can see, so far the PRAI variables are all Boolean operators (True/False or On/Off). This is not the case with every Module, though, as EVERY variable in the engine can be edited to your liking, and I can assure you.. Not every variable is Boolean.
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