TGE, OOP, Infinity, and beyond!
by Christopher Dapo · 04/17/2007 (8:07 am) · 3 comments
I just bought a new book and all I can say is:
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone!
The book: Object-Oriented Systems Design - An Integrated Approach by Edward Yourdon
Even from just the beginning I could tell it was exactly what I needed to start creating all my game elements for my current project, Infinity. Just reading some of the first chapter I've already figured out where the core TGE code goes as far as OOP, and it is beautiful! Now, it's just a matter of seeing roughly how far it can go...
I've already begun a list of functionality for Infinity to bring my ideas from their abstraction to reality (isn't OO fun!):
- Terrain -
Infinity requires a very functional terrain system that can be moddified on the fly. I'm originally going for an overlay system, the world being built on top of TGE's original terrain system (as it's, sorry to say, useless at this point) using OO to control and manipulate terrain objects. The objective of this is:
1) Support hexigonal mapping and placement toolset (building now).
2) Support terrain layering (underground, underwater, airborn, etc.).
3) Support terrain moddifications (from digging a hole to cracking open a chasm or building a mountain).
4) Ultimately, support for almost any terrain sizes, styles, and forms.
5) Integrated object hierarchy for the rest of the game objects.
I'm hoping I can integrate this functionality directly into TGE using the same in-game editors GG has provided. That's the flexability of OO anyways!
- (Abstract) Data Systems (and no XP) -
Game rules, modifiers, manipulation, and both PC and NPC character interaction will all be OO integrated into Infinity, allowing for the flexability of the interaction within the game. This will involve using OO encapsulation and both inheritance and polymorphism to classify and objectify all parameters applicable.
It is this system that will both rejuvinate the RPG experience and trade numerical representation for actual representation of RPG elements (no more experience point system!).
There is much, much more I've designed for this game to bring back both a PnP feel as well as revitalising the role-playing experience for users.
More to come!
- Ronixus
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone!
The book: Object-Oriented Systems Design - An Integrated Approach by Edward Yourdon
Even from just the beginning I could tell it was exactly what I needed to start creating all my game elements for my current project, Infinity. Just reading some of the first chapter I've already figured out where the core TGE code goes as far as OOP, and it is beautiful! Now, it's just a matter of seeing roughly how far it can go...
I've already begun a list of functionality for Infinity to bring my ideas from their abstraction to reality (isn't OO fun!):
- Terrain -
Infinity requires a very functional terrain system that can be moddified on the fly. I'm originally going for an overlay system, the world being built on top of TGE's original terrain system (as it's, sorry to say, useless at this point) using OO to control and manipulate terrain objects. The objective of this is:
1) Support hexigonal mapping and placement toolset (building now).
2) Support terrain layering (underground, underwater, airborn, etc.).
3) Support terrain moddifications (from digging a hole to cracking open a chasm or building a mountain).
4) Ultimately, support for almost any terrain sizes, styles, and forms.
5) Integrated object hierarchy for the rest of the game objects.
I'm hoping I can integrate this functionality directly into TGE using the same in-game editors GG has provided. That's the flexability of OO anyways!
- (Abstract) Data Systems (and no XP) -
Game rules, modifiers, manipulation, and both PC and NPC character interaction will all be OO integrated into Infinity, allowing for the flexability of the interaction within the game. This will involve using OO encapsulation and both inheritance and polymorphism to classify and objectify all parameters applicable.
It is this system that will both rejuvinate the RPG experience and trade numerical representation for actual representation of RPG elements (no more experience point system!).
There is much, much more I've designed for this game to bring back both a PnP feel as well as revitalising the role-playing experience for users.
More to come!
- Ronixus
About the author
#2
04/18/2007 (11:22 am)
That book is 14 years old. I wonder how much has really changed since then.
#3
01/04/2008 (9:01 pm)
I've never found any Yourdon book useful. The guy spends all his time writing books and no time on actually doing what he is writing about. If you want learn about OOP, read (and reread) "Design Patterns" by the Gang of Four (Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides). 
Torque 3D Owner Sean H.