Frogboy

I hope things work out well for the engine.

Why all the C++ hate?

It deserves a chance too...

I love C++.

I'm learning Python now.

The main advantage of Python is that it doesn't have to be compiled so a user can just make a few changes to the text file and it works right then and there.

Looks like I got to learn Python, but I like the idea of using Python because like Civ 4 Elemental should be just as moddable.

I love this dream, I hope it becomes a reality.

Sammual

This is great news.  I prefer Java, but having the ability to modify AI routines in any high-level language is nice.  Python is probably worth learning anyway.

Hey Frogboy! How about opening up a new line of business in e-learning? C++, Python, modding... You already have the programmers right there (and instruction capable?), as well as Impulse for its distribution.

With all the possibiliites out there and in the works, I'm sure there's plenty of people willing to purchase that from Impulse. Audiovisual instruction makes this approachable to a wider audience and is a lot faster to learn (e.g. CBT Nuggets).

It's a great dream you have there.

@Frogboy, reply #5

About that. Given how quickly someone can change the code for python, the most time consuming part of making mods might very well be loading of the game. More so if you have a habit of making a small number changes to see how things work out.

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Do you think its possible to have Elemental to do 1 or more of the following?

1) Have an in game editor so you could not only edit code in the game, but also load the changes so see what happens right away. You know, you start a battle but then you get the idea for a new spell. You write the thing up, load the changes, and then use the spell right away to see how things work.

2) Allow the users to minimize the game, tinker with the files, then unminimize the game and load the changes (like #1 but you don't use an in game editor to edit the python files). This would be useful to users who are already comfortable with programing outside of Elemental, and this would allow users to download other mods for use or reference. It would also allow the modders to go read online documentation to help them mod.

3) Have the option to play in a "god mode" (or whatever name sounds best). Basically you could add units, alter terrain, add/destroy nations, and/or do whatever stuff you want to do. This could all be done as you play the game. This could also be used by non-modders to spice up games and so forth, such as adding a very angry dragon in a middle of a battle field. Basically natural disasters because you were bored.

4) Allow modders to mod the user interface. If we don't get a "god mode" as describe in #3, I would like to be able to attempt to mod one in, complete with the angry dragon button.

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If you do decide to add in 1 or more of my suggestions, you will probally want some means to prevent this stuff from being used during online play... unless of course the players agree to it.

Also, could you let me know what you think? Too much? Not what you're looking for?

As long as we get some nice documentation about the game's functions and similar, it'll be fine. At least for the most basic things so we don't have to start blindly pocking things.

It sort of looks to me like you're trying to do two things here: allow unlimited tinkering with the existing game (for which changing python files is a great idea), and allow someone to build something from the ground up on top of your engine. For the latter, surely people would need to be able to compile some code? I mean no disrespect to Python, which is a great tool for a lot of jobs, but I'd prefer some dlls with well thought-out public functions and a simple example project.

Also, isn't the Supcom engine designed for top-down when there are loads of units on the screen? Or am I missing the point there?

Have you seen the Unladen Swallow project for speeding up Python? Planning on making any use of it?

I like the direction this is going, and hope there will be people taking advantage of it. When I consider that tower defence was made in a map editor, the sort of flexibility you're offering is tantalizing.

This is beautiful.

I can tell you now what people will ask for in an expansion though.

(i) More spells

(ii) More creatures

(iii) More races + equipment / armour

(iv) More content

Basically ... they'll be after more canon content.

I am no pro in programming, but is it possible that making a game that cabn be fremade into any other kind of gamecould be taken by say EA and remade to a new game using your hard work and sold to make a new profit?

Just curious....

I actually read through the Python docs last week just for the coming Elemental release. If you're a decent programmer, you shouldn't have much trouble adapting. Python has some oddities with default values being persistent across method invocations, but if you think of them as similar to class level instance variables it's not so bad.

I don't quite grok the lambda stuff, but it doesn't look like it's a critical language feature. If you come from a Lisp background though, I'm sure it makes perfect sense.

Python's author lives in the 1980's in some ways though that I found amusing. He recommends no lines over 79 characters in length. Come on man, join the 1990's where we have more than 640x480 resolution monitors... . I don't think I've worked anywhere in the last 8-9 years that didn't have the recommended line length at 100 or 120 at this point in their style guide. Python's naming convention recommendations are very much different from the more dominant C/C++/Java/Mono/C#, which sort of struck me as an odd convention just for the sake of being different.