27-05-1999 14:06									#1
	Game modify Got spare money?

Scenario making and game edit.

Just a few thought about the scenario possibility and game editing. Please send me feedback. If something is not clear (I'm not a native speaker) just ask, I try to explain again.

1. We need to think about the game modify from the start. I suspect the other games (CTP, CIVI &II, SMAC) just get these parts, when the game was finished. (I don't speak about the script and text files, which contain game information). We can get a better system with less effort if we plan these parts together with the main part of the game. The another advantage is to get working editors from the beginning: we can use to produce quickly different rules, game situations to check the game balance, the interface parts, the AI and kill the bugs.
2. I find a site with a donationware embedded javascript interpreter. The javascript code can use the variables from the java program. Because the interpreted codes are slow we can use this possibility where the speed is not too relevant. We need to produce javascript code, where the user needs to modify the code to get full control about the events, units, etc. The URL:
http://home.worldcom.ch/~jmlugrin/fesi/ext.html
3. OK. So what we need to produce:
· Map editor.
· Unit editor.
· Governments editor
· Resources and economy editor
· Technology tree editor
· Game rules editor
· Javascript codes to control the game
· ?
4. I will produce a parser, which can read the information from text files to the game. When a programmer use a static information (like a unit hit point) he needs immediately write this information to the unit text file, and the parser will send back this information from the text file to the game code.
5. The text files needs to contain all the relevant information about the units, governments, economy, etc. I will produce little programs to modify all this text files.
6. My suggested text file format:

Variable = value; //comment

This way the programmers can use the standard C, C++, java expression so there will be less error and problem. The users can change the values easily also. They just use the editor which write the changes to the text file in correct format.

I think the javasript or any other kind of macro language possibilities needs more brainstorming.

Blade Runner

	27-05-1999 17:51									#2
	Suffering from ads?

You're completely right, that is the way we will need to go. There's been some discussion and a few example editors already.

Using the browser's file save abilities (javascript i/o and cookies) from within Java is a simple matter. It's going to have to be our preferred method of file saves.

Altho we can sign applets if we absolutely decide we must have full file i/o from within the applet.

	27-05-1999 18:38									#3
	Tired of ads?

Good idea, BR! My thoughts:

3. AI script editor for various AI functions:
movement, city development, combat

In general, I'd also suggest --*especially for the building and debugging stage*-- that the editor always write out a 'before change' image of the file, so that the change can be 'undone' easily. Or maybe it would be easier to 'comment out' the old data when writing in the new... either would work.