From: Adam West <adamw AT iquest DOT net>
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp,rec.games.design,rec.games.programmer
Subject: Re: RPG Event Engine?
Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 22:00:54 -0500
Organization: Commonwealth Software
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"Alex Kain" <syntaxlogic AT earthlink DOT net> writes:
> I read somewhere that some console RPG's engines are programmed as one
> executable without the use of scripts.  How are CRPG's engines 
> programmed? I'd like to know whether using a script the determine 
> events or just hot wiring it into the excutable would be better.

Here's my pitch for event-driven: I can't think of all the ideas I
want to implement in the game while I'm coding. So an event-driven
engine allows flexability up to the minute before you go gold with it.
Beyond that, I just like the whole concept of a CRPG system instead of
a one time game. And of course an Adventure Maker is always a nice touch
to give your game extra playability.

As for how it's done, that's a little longer discussion. The basic
idea is to attach programs to Objects. In fact, from an OO standpoint,
the programs ARE Objects --- a series of Objects which make up a 
program. In effect, you declare events to be triggered by certain 
actions. Say, just before a Character's turn. Then there might be a 
default event. In the case mentioned, it might do nothing. But once a 
spell is cast on the character (a program is "attached" to the 
character), he might gain 2 hitpoints. That lasts for say 10 turns. Then 
the program is destroyed. That's the basic idea.

If you want to toy around with a complete engine, I offer two possible
directions: First, check out MOOs (Object Oriented Multi-User Dungeons) 
and for that, look up LAMDA MOO in Yahoo. Second, look at an engine 
called DCGames. I have a link to it on my web page below. If you just 
read the documentation, I think you'll get the swing of things.

If you have specific questions, send me some E-Mail. I'd be glad to
discuss issues.

Excelsior!

Adam
-- 
Check on the In Development CRPG: Bronze Dragon: The Land Beyond
http:///www.iquest.net/~adamw