Ultimate Game Design : Building game worlds

C H A P T E R 6
MEGA TIPS
1. Learn as much about basic programming, physics, and mathematics concepts
as you possibly can. Python is a great language to start with (and it’s free!),
and a few game developers are building their script systems around it.
2. Reverse-engineer character and prop behaviors in your favorite games. For
any behavior that you find intriguing, ask yourself how it might have been
scripted. What factors are behind controlling such a behavior? What specific
properties would you need to control in order to build such a behavior (for
example, control over a character’s inventory, gravity, weapon choice, and
weapon range)?
3. Watch for the use of trigger systems (as described in this chapter) in your
favorite games. Ask yourself what trigger properties would be required to
execute such an event or behavior.
4. Using common triggers as a starting point, develop your own triggers to try
out your own gameplay ideas. You might create a trigger that spawns an
exploding “thorn” weapon only when a certain character is present. Another
trigger might cause its spawns to search locally for a specific character and
recharge that character’s magical abilities. Try to think of new ways to use
triggers.
5. With a game design idea in mind, think about breaking down unit
behaviors into performance categories, such as in the baseball example.
Make it a challenge to try to define the specific script controls you’ll need.
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Scripting Scripting Action Events