Adventure Game Studio

AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: Scarab on Sun 04/10/2009 07:34:32

Title: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Scarab on Sun 04/10/2009 07:34:32
My first game (not the first one I started, but the first one I will finish)

Plot Synopsis:
Davy has a test tomorow, and he has not studied. At all.
The only solution he can think of is to steal a copy of the test paper from his teacher's house, and study it all throughout the night.
But how will he get the teacher away from his house...?

The goal of this game is mainly to create the tile engine which I have been trying to implement, but I have tried to make the storyline and gameplay as good as possible.

There will be no mouse use in this game, just arrow keys and 'z' to interact with what is in front of you, and 'x' to cancel the current action/ close menu screens etc.

A lot of the tiles are ripped from various rpg's on Spriter's Resource (mostly the Pokémon games, beacuse they are abundant and so the graphics 'flow' from tile to tile), this is because drawing my own would severely increase production time, and this game is more about the code anyway.

Screenshots:
These may not be the final product, but they're quite close.
There are no backgrounds and walkable areas in this game, and these backgrounds are drawn entirely using the DawingSurface functions.
(http://scarab117.webs.com/photos/RON-game/SneakPeek.png)
This is the right hand side of the town square, with Davy standing outside of YahtzeeBrand Store
(http://scarab117.webs.com/photos/RON-game/SneakPeek2.png)
Davy out at the farm

Production:
Story                                100%
Puzzles                            100%
Dialog                              100%
Character art           65%  97%
Room art                              2%
Sound/Music                        0%
Scripting:
    Tile Engine Mechanics    70%
    Interactions                   10%

Your comments/opinions are appreciated
Peace 8)
Scarab
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sun 04/10/2009 07:50:47
Sweeeeeet!  :D
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sun 04/10/2009 13:24:24
I hope you see this through.  I love cutesy tile art.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 17:57:29
Looking and sounding really good, I'm motivated to continue working on my own tile engine now :=

A small request though, if I may: I'd include a way to change the keyboard controls. Sure, there's JoyToKey, but not everybody is going to know that (or has a gamepad).
And I myself greatly prefer WASD to the arrow keys, and having a german keyboard, my Z isn't even close to my X.
So while people can always use JoyToKey or switch their keyboard layout to US, most will wanna play this without much screwing around first, and I'm sure those with different keyboards or WASD preference would greatly appreciate a remap function.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Matti on Mon 05/10/2009 18:18:54
I second Khris' request.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Scarab on Mon 05/10/2009 18:20:41
@Ben304:   Thanks!  :D Glad you think so
@ProgZ: I will be sure to, as progress is being slowed atm bym exams :(
@Khris & Mr Matti:
I would like the game to be accessible, and will look into making an alternate set of controls, (I can definitely see wasd being a possibility) but I'm afraid that a key editor is, at this stage at least, out of my reach in terms of scripting. If I do end up following through with the tile module though, I guess I will have to come up with something... (in my naivety I completely forgot to consider foreign keyboards *slaps head*)
In the meantime, would you consider wasd and, say, nm, as an acceptable alternative?

Peace
Scarab
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 18:29:39
I guess there could be a way to script controls setting for keyboard, like the one that asks you to "press a key for *** action" and stores key pressed to compare with keys in game and start corresponding actions.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 18:32:22
The problem would probably be that there is no way to get the name of a key, unless you make a beastly-long if-construction!
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Scarab on Mon 05/10/2009 18:50:25
Quote from: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 18:32:22
The problem would probably be that there is no way to get the name of a key, unless you make a beastly-long if-construction!

My thoughts exactly
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: ShiverMeSideways on Mon 05/10/2009 18:55:40
x = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForWalking;
y = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForSmiling;
z = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForFlippingOff;
if KeyPressed = x then WalkScript;
if KeyPressed = y then Smile;
if KeyPressed = z then FlipOffPlayer;

Yay or nay?
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 19:21:43
Quote from: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 18:32:22
The problem would probably be that there is no way to get the name of a key, unless you make a beastly-long if-construction!

There's no need for "beastly-long" if construction, if there's a way to just get pressed key code, you store it in a global variable, and when a key pressed in game you check if one of these stored keys is pressed.

Quote
x = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForWalking;
y = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForSmiling;
z = StoreKeyFunctionScriptForFlippingOff;
if KeyPressed = x then WalkScript;
if KeyPressed = y then Smile;
if KeyPressed = z then FlipOffPlayer;

Yay or nay?

Yeah, something in that style.

Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 19:23:36
Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 19:21:43
There's no need for if construction, if there's a way to just get pressed key code, you store it in a global variable, and when a key pressed in game you check if one of these stored keys is pressed.

Of course there is - the player wouldn't know what keys he chose otherwise.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 19:26:47
Consider this:


function on_key_press(eKeyCode keycode)
{
   if ( we are in the key-setting mode )
   {
        if ( we are currently setting key for walking left )
        {
             WalkLeftKeyCode = keycode;
        }
        <... etc ...>
   }

  <... etc ...>

   if ( we are currently in game )
   {
       if (keycode == WalkLeftKeyCode)
       {
            do walk left
       }
        <... etc ...>
   }
}
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 19:31:03
Exactly, keycodes are ints so all you need to do is store them into variables.
A full-fledged key editor would be nice but isn't necessary, just read them all like this:

int noloopcheck GetKey(String which) {
 int i = 0;
 int k;
 lblKey.Text = String.Format("Press key for %s", which);
 Wait(1);
 while (i < 435) {
   if (IsKeyPressed(i)) {
     k = i;
     i = 436;
   }
   i++;
    if (i == 435) i = 0;
 }
 while (IsKeyPressed(k)) {
   Wait(1);
 }
 lblKey.Text = "";
 return k;
}

 ...
 left_key = GetKey("moving left");
 ...


Edit: too late
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 19:39:50
Quote from: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 19:31:03
Edit: too late
Heh, well, I should admit that your variant is easier to insert in game, since mine requires adding flags for modes/states.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 20:01:03
I get more and more the feeling you don't have a clue what Scarab and me are talking about.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 20:01:56
Quote from: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 20:01:03
I get more and more the feeling you don't have a clue what Scarab and me are talking about.
Maybe... :) elaborate then please?
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 20:03:05
In every game where you can  choose the key you want to use, the NAME of that key is displayed somewhere. Imagine you set a new key, but forgot what it was... and setting the key again is kind of annoying.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 20:04:43
Quote from: NsMn on Mon 05/10/2009 20:03:05
In every game where you can  choose the key you want to use, the NAME of that key is displayed somewhere. Imagine you set a new key, but forgot what it was... and setting the key again is kind of annoying.

Hmmm... right... what about key names array then?


EDIT: Hey, check this, I found in String Formatting help article:

%c  Character (displays the ASCII character of the supplied value)

can this help?
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 20:19:56
NsMn:
First of all, we very much DO know what you are talking about. The thing is, with a mere two buttons besides four directional keys, it shouldn't be THAT hard to remember them, right...?
Secondly, like Crimson Wizard pointed out, the selected keys can be displayed easily using %c.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Crimson Wizard on Mon 05/10/2009 20:32:05
Oh, come on, Khris, no need for rough words ;)

Quote from: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 20:19:56
NsMn:
First of all, we very much DO know what you are talking about.
Honestly, I didn't :)

Quote from: Khris on Mon 05/10/2009 20:19:56
The thing is, with a mere two buttons besides four directional keys, it shouldn't be THAT hard to remember them
... and I actually agree that it's better to have them displayed to make game look better :)
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: ShiverMeSideways on Mon 05/10/2009 20:34:55
Yeah, I agree with Khris, I've played tons of games which required you to input 10 keys and didn't show you what key you pressed for each one, but I still remembered what I binded each one to. And you've got 6 keys, all very basic stuff. But again, if you want, use an array. And then, post it on the forums, so others can use it too! :)
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Gilbert on Tue 06/10/2009 02:01:09
I think you people should have stopped talking about the key names already. Take it elsewhere. :P
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Scarab on Tue 06/10/2009 03:41:48
I like to think that if I'm going to release a game, I'm going to do it right, and the idea of the whole "just remember it" approach seems a bit too There, I fixed it (http://thereifixedit.com) style for my liking.
I have found a way to do it that I think should be acceptable:

A modification GUI on the Options panel of my main GUI (currently openned by Enter, making it 7 buttons total needing changing, not 6), which displays all the keys that the player is using, although to change one of them, you must change all of them (using the "press Up now" caper).
I'm happy for feedback on this, however if these mods are-a-frowning then it might be best to send me a PM, or for a mod to move the posts about this to Adventure?

peace
scarab
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Khris on Tue 06/10/2009 08:09:54
Sorry Gilbet, but what better place to talk about an integral part of the game than here?
"Press up now" is exactly what I had in mind, too.
If it seems like a kludge, let people choose between cursor keys and wasd and redefine the other two, enter will be fine for everyone I'd guess.
Title: Re: Running Title: The Test. An Experimental Tile-Based Ron Game.
Post by: Gilbert on Tue 06/10/2009 08:49:35
Your discussions are a mix between critics and in part technical implementation of stuff, none of which encouraged by the rules of this forum. I'll say you can have such discussions in Adventure General or if you're deep into the scripting, one of the technical forums.