Re: [pygame] PCR & other notes

[Robert Mark Waugh <robert@waugh.com>]

> I think a good idea would be to look at a few games and see any areas 
> where their functionality overlaps.  Then take that code from them to 
> make modules which all the different games can use instead.  This way 
> it is likely that whatevar code is made will be quite useful for yet 
> more games.  Even more likely that the code will be fairly efficient 
> and correct, as it is being used allready.
>
> Such things as animation, path, map scrolling, vector classes I've 
> seen in a number of different games.  So those would be a good place 
> to start. 
> Be also neat to get the different transition effects in the pcr into 
> an 'transitions' module.  Things like fade to black/white, the 
> pixelized thing, wipes, warps, etc. 

Some ideas on paths:
1. My submission to the PCR that launched this thread was a bezier curve 
submission.  This is a good way of implementing non-linear paths.
2. Associated with the paths should be an Obstacle object that isa 
rect.  Then the path algorithm should have some implementations for 
obstacle avoidance.
3. It would also be nice if paths could be visible.  This is useful in a 
number of games (missle trails, etc), and very useful in debugging.

I think that some basic physics would be a good place to start. 
* Friction
* gravity
* collisions
* energy transference
The beautiful thing about physics is that so many things have such a 
strong relationship that by just implementing a few functions most of 
the other relationships are implicit.  It may be useful to provide two 
classes of physics and the ability to specify an degree of unreality by 
manipulating constants and turning off different physical relationships.
As to the two classes to consider, interstellar physics (gravitation, 
etc) is not needed in normal physical interactions.  However space games 
would benefit from interstellar physics.  These are much harder since 
you start getting into factorial algorithms since everything interacts 
with everything else.  I imagine that quantum physics is not required 
though.  :)  Although it may be kinda neat to have a quantum universe game.

One game that I've toyed with from time to time is a game where you 
control an interstellar probe being catapulted from one region of space 
to another and you have limited ability to steer the object.  This is 
fun because all the objects in game interact with each other and it's 
not a war based game.  I think that war based games are pretty fun, but 
the key to independent game development is creativity that would be 
squashed under the need to make a dollar.

Transitions is great.  I think that there are a number in the PCR and 
those could be reassembled into an object framework.

Map scrolling falls into the UI category, right?  Or were you thinking 
of something else?

robert