Clixmaker in Python

Clixmaker will be written mostly in Python, not Java anymore. The scripting language will be Clixtalk, a dynamically-typed object-oriented language of my own invention. The Clixtalk Converter (part of the Game Editor) converts Clixtalk to JavaScript.

Game Editor

• Vector graphics
• Uses Cairo graphics toolkit

Game Engine

• Written in JavaScript
• Uses Canvas/HTML5 for graphics
• Handles animation and collision detection

Clixtalk

• Scripting language
• CT2JS converts Clixtalk to JavaScript
• Custom event handlers

Containers, highest to lowest

• Levels
• Grids, Tables, Multilevels
• Stacks

Containers in more detail

• Grid cells are always square
• Table row heights and column widths may vary
• Adjacent table cells may be merged
• Table cells may be split, horizontally or vertically, into multiple cells
• Multilevels are stacks of levels
• Stacks (in grid/table cells) contain zero or more cell objects
• Each stack may have a vertical or horizontal offset between its member cell objects (table cells only)

Game Objects

• Object types: cell/missile/background/widget
• Cell objects are contained in grid/table cells
• Cell objects may be player handles, non-player characters, or simple objects
• Cell objects have a bounding rectangle or circle for collision detection
• Missile objects are not confined to grid/table cells
• Missile objects may be circular or rectangular
• Circular missiles can move in any direction
• Rectangular missiles can only move up/down or left/right
• Missiles can be any shape, but the missile type (circular/rectangular) is used for collision detection
• Background objects can be any size
• Widgets are contained in table cells, and may be clicked on by any player who is contained in the same table
• Players and NPCs may carry multiple simple objects

Collisions

• First client to detect collision sends message to server
• Server synchronizes clients

Handles

• All players must have at least one handle
• Male handles are square, female handles are circular
• Male/female handles are equal in area
• Female handle circles touch grid cell borders at the midpoint of each border
• All handles bounded by a black square/circle of width one pixel
• In case background color of grid cell is uniform and very dark, handles are bounded by white square/circle

Events

• Collision
• Click
• Drag/Drop
• Direction (up/down/left/right)
• Translation (cell object jumps to non-adjacent cell)
• Enter/exit grid/table
• Verb

Verb Events

• Acquire
• Discard
• Give
• Receive
• Use
• Toggle
• Throw
• Catch
• Fire
• Kill
• Destroy
• Create
• Talk

Object Panel

• Current external object/player at upper right
• Objects being carried displayed vertically below current external object/player
• Associated names displayed beneath each object/player
• Primary object displayed below name of current external object/player
• Click on secondary object to swap it with primary object
• Click on external or primary object to display list of available verbs
• Double-click on primary object to perform default verb
• To interact with adjacent object/player, press arrow key in its direction

Sample Game

• Players wander around and interact with adjacent simple objects and other players
• NPCs have attraction, avoidance, exploration, and stationary behaviors
• NPCs can be attracted to or afraid of players within a given radius
• Exploration behavior causes NPCs to seek out places they haven't been to
• Missile objects can be benign or deadly
• Being struck by a deadly missile costs a player one of her lives
• Missile objects can bounce, die, or stick

Implementation

• Mike to implement game editor first, then Clixtalk Converter
• Sample game and Clixtalk Converter implemented simultaneously
• Partner to be hired to implement sample game