Request or plugin: RunExternalProgram

[bspeers]

Okay, it's possible this is in (I haven't AGS'd in months), but in case it isn't I would like to suggest it.

There is already a RunAgsGame, what would RunExternalProgram do? (assuming it's not already in?)

RunExternal would allow makers to add bits that could not be done in AGS, save the elements to a file which could then be read using the load, read, or other file-functions in AGS.

One good example of this use is "the Games Factory" a simple (but robust) programming program for action games.  If you wanted to script an action sequence, but not in AGS, you could make it in TGF, save important elements like score or items gotten, or anything else in a source-file, and then return to AGS to read the information and save them to global or defined ints.

This would essentially make AGS programming a lot more powerful, more simple to integrate various elements.  I could make an RPG battle engine in another program designed for RPG battles, and then go back to AGS for the adventure components (etc).

Although AGS would still be excellent for all these events, the RunExternalProgram command could be used to simplify the process on things AGS was not designed to do.  Let's face it: Platformious is an amazing work, but it pretty much hit the limits of what AGS could do (at the time).  This might allow for other strange abilities, such as a chance to re-write elements of the game through an external "level editor" editor, etc.

I realize there are dangers to this command, but if it isn't implemented, I humbly suggest it should be, for the sheer outside power.  AGS is one of the best makers out there.  Etc.

[Pumaman]

This was considered before, but it's quite technically difficult, since AGS would have to shut down all its graphics and sound systems in order for the new application to take over, and would then have to restore everything afterwards. While possible, I haven't seen the demand to implement it. Note that leaving the game to another application would also be quite noticable to the player, as the desktop would flash up in between and so forth.

[bspeers100]

Thanks for the full reply.

I do appreciate it would be technically difficult--which is too bad, really.

I know very little of the complications, so bear with me.

Would it be possible to do something with windowing, rather than completely shutting down AGS?  It might be resource sapping, but might also work.

Could a program somehow be run *inside* AGS, avoiding the difficulty of having to shut *everything* down?

Finally, as far as the desktop goes, could RunExternal create a full-screen black background, similar to the pre-load screen?  Something that would just run in the background between cutting out of AGS and into the external program.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the reply.  Keep up the awesome AGS work!

[Pumaman]

I haven't fully looked into the technical issues, and it may be that DirectX has an easy way to switch to another application. Remember though, if the other application runs at a different resolution then you will get the desktop flashing up in between, there's nothing you can do about that.