Before we go any farther, it would be nice to be able to test our modules and functions to make sure they do what we think they do. If you haven't yet, go ahead and download the latest version of the Torque Game Engine (TGE) from Garage Games:
Download TGE HERE
One you have installed TGE you should have a folder named TGE_1_5_2 or something similar. Unless you know C++ already, you are going to have a ton of extra files that you won't really have a use for right now. The folder we are most interested in is under that one TGE_1_5_2\Example\
Under that folder go ahead and create a directory called "Test". This is where we will put all of our modules before we try them out.
Now, go ahead and double-click torqueDemo.exe. This will start Torque and allow us to test our modules. Once Torque is open, open the console window by hitting the "~" key. The "~" is your friend. Trust me.
Ok, so lets make something to test. Open notepad.exe or another text editor and create a new document. Then, type in the following module. You will need to save it as type "all files" or "*.*" and name it takedamage.cs and save it to the TGE_1_5_2\Example\Test folder you just created.
Since yesterdays module covered a lot of territory, lets go ahead and use it as our example:
//takedamage.cs
//reduces health after being hit or falling
function healthtracker()//main function doesn't need an arguement
{
%playerHP = 100; //initializes player health at 100
echo ("Starting Player HP ="@%playerHP); //prints the players current health to the console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after fall ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after hit ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
}
function take10dmg (%playerHP) //create the new function. Can use the same variable since it is local
{
%playerHP = %playerHP-10; //reduce HP by the stated amount
return %playerHP; //passes the arguement back to the calling function
}
Once you have it typed in (or cut and paste) and saved as takedamage.cs open the console window in Torque and type in: exec("/test/takedamage.cs");
Make sure to use "/" and not "\" inside of Torque.
Once you type that, Torque will load and compile your module. If you make any changes you will need to reload the module before Torque sees the changes you have made.
Next type: healthtracker
And the function should run and you should see what happens to %playerHP when they take damage.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Intro to Torque Moduals and Functions
Ok, so now you know about variables. But where do you put them? I suppose you could enter them in through the console window but that wouldn't be very efficient and you couldn't exactly create a game that way.
Well, to get your commands and information into Torque you need to create Modules. If you look through the folders under the Example directory you should see a bunch of files with .cs at the end. These are your modules and they are what is going to make your game YOUR game.
main.cs is the first torque script file that the engine will try to load. This file will be in the same folder as the executable. Go ahead and open it up and take a look around.
Most modules will use a header that describes what the file is:
//main.cs
//Main module for the Torque Game Engine
After that, the module will be broken up into functions. Functions are where the real work occurs inside of the program and look like this:
function Take10Damage()
{
//commands, variables, etc go here
}
You will notice that there is no ";" at the end of these lines. It is not required and will give you a syntax error when it is run in Torque. After the function is declared, a "{" marks the beginning of the function and a "}" marks the end of the function.
So why use a function at all? Why not put everything into one big file? Because functions can be made very flexible and multi-purpose. Lets say that our player is hit with a rock and then falls off a cliff. If both are supposed to cause 10 damage to the player then a single function can be created and called by both to decrease the players health.
So you may be asking yourself how do you get values from one function to another. Well, one way is to use Global Variables (ones that start with $). Another way is to pass an argument. The () at the end of the function declaration is not just for looks. You can use it to pass any amount of useful data into the function. Lets take a look at the following module:
//takedamage.cs
//reduces health after being hit or falling
function healthtracker()//main function doesn't need an arguement
{
%playerHP = 100; //initializes player health at 100
echo ("Starting Player HP ="@%playerHP); //prints the players current health to the console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after fall ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after hit ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
}
function take10dmg (%playerHP) //create the new function. Can use the same variable since it is local
{
%playerHP = %playerHP-10; //reduce HP by the stated amount
return %playerHP; //passes the arguement back to the calling function
}
I am sure you can imagine the flexibility of a tool like functions and passing arguments between them. I know this seems like a lot of messing around after all, where are all the cool graphics and effects? Don't worry, those will come in time. For now we have to lay the ground work for where we are going to end up. And that is hopefully with a fun, playable game.
Well, to get your commands and information into Torque you need to create Modules. If you look through the folders under the Example directory you should see a bunch of files with .cs at the end. These are your modules and they are what is going to make your game YOUR game.
main.cs is the first torque script file that the engine will try to load. This file will be in the same folder as the executable. Go ahead and open it up and take a look around.
Most modules will use a header that describes what the file is:
//main.cs
//Main module for the Torque Game Engine
After that, the module will be broken up into functions. Functions are where the real work occurs inside of the program and look like this:
function Take10Damage()
{
//commands, variables, etc go here
}
You will notice that there is no ";" at the end of these lines. It is not required and will give you a syntax error when it is run in Torque. After the function is declared, a "{" marks the beginning of the function and a "}" marks the end of the function.
So why use a function at all? Why not put everything into one big file? Because functions can be made very flexible and multi-purpose. Lets say that our player is hit with a rock and then falls off a cliff. If both are supposed to cause 10 damage to the player then a single function can be created and called by both to decrease the players health.
So you may be asking yourself how do you get values from one function to another. Well, one way is to use Global Variables (ones that start with $). Another way is to pass an argument. The () at the end of the function declaration is not just for looks. You can use it to pass any amount of useful data into the function. Lets take a look at the following module:
//takedamage.cs
//reduces health after being hit or falling
function healthtracker()//main function doesn't need an arguement
{
%playerHP = 100; //initializes player health at 100
echo ("Starting Player HP ="@%playerHP); //prints the players current health to the console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after fall ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
%playerHP = take10dmg (%playerHP); //calls the function "take10dmg" and passes the players current health as an argument
echo("Player HP after hit ="@%playerHP);//current health to console
}
function take10dmg (%playerHP) //create the new function. Can use the same variable since it is local
{
%playerHP = %playerHP-10; //reduce HP by the stated amount
return %playerHP; //passes the arguement back to the calling function
}
I am sure you can imagine the flexibility of a tool like functions and passing arguments between them. I know this seems like a lot of messing around after all, where are all the cool graphics and effects? Don't worry, those will come in time. For now we have to lay the ground work for where we are going to end up. And that is hopefully with a fun, playable game.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Starting with Torque: Variables
For a computer to make decisions it has to have data. This data could be about the number of Hull Points a Starcruiser has, or it could be the players name. For this data to be useful it has to be stored in a useful manner. That is to say, Torque must know where to find that information. The answer to this is variables.
Torque script is a little different than other languages. You do not have to define a variable before you use it. Additionally, there are only a few types of variables and they are not dependent on the type of information stored.
Examples:
$hullPoints = 100;
$playerName = "Lucifer";
The engine knows just how to treat each variable depending on the context.
You will notice that the variable name started with "$". This marks it as a Global Variable. You can use this variable in any function and its value will carry over into any other function. If the variable started with "%" it would be a Local Variable. The value stored for that variable could only be used inside of the function in which it is created.
Data will usually need to be manipulated in some way. Otherwise, why bother having it? Number can be added, subtracted, or any other standard form of calculation in the following way:
$hullPoints = $hullPoints - 1;
Another way to subtract (or decrement) by one is:
$hullPoints--;
You can also increment a variable by 1:
$hullPoints++;
You can also decrement, increment, divide, or multiple by arbitary numbers using the following formulas:
$hullPoints += 10; //increments by 10
$hullPoints *= 2; //multiplies by 2
(Side note: using "//" marks whatever follows it as a comment. Torque ignores anything after the // until the next line.)
Text variable work a little differently. After all, you cannot multiply or divide by a line of text. To put two text variable together we use the "@". Here is an example:
$firstName = "Tom";
$lastName = "Beauchamp";
$fullName = $firstName@" "@$lastName;
If we were to print out the value of $fullName it would give: Tom Beauchamp.
Since Torque recognizes the context that a variable is used in, we can also do this:
$firstName = "Tom";
$lastName = "Beauchamp";
$Age = 36;
$personalInfo = $fullName = $firstName@" "@$lastName@" is "@$Age"@" years old.";
If we were to print out the value of $personalInfo we would get: Tom Beauchamp is 36 years old.
Another way to determine a value is using a boolean expression. Boolean expressions always equal either True (1) or False (0). The number value is what will be stored in the variable.
Example:
$firstAge = 36;
$secondAge = 31;
$isolder = $firstAge > $secondAge;
This last example is the perfect time to talk about storing multiple pieces of the same type of data. What if we had 20 ages to store? Would we want to create 20 separate variable that we then have to keep track of?
No, and luckily we do not have to. This is why Torque Script allows the use of arrays. Instead of creating $firstAge through $twentieth age we can do the following:
$ages[0]=36;
...
$ages[19]=31;
One thing about arrays: The first index position in an array is always 0 and the last is always 1 number less than the total in the array. So if an array has 20 positions, then the last one is 19.
Arrays are very handy for storing large amounts of similar data. When we get to loops they will come in very handy and save a lot of coding time.
If you have any questions, or see any mistakes please let me know at we4ponsgr4de@gmail.com
Torque script is a little different than other languages. You do not have to define a variable before you use it. Additionally, there are only a few types of variables and they are not dependent on the type of information stored.
Examples:
$hullPoints = 100;
$playerName = "Lucifer";
The engine knows just how to treat each variable depending on the context.
You will notice that the variable name started with "$". This marks it as a Global Variable. You can use this variable in any function and its value will carry over into any other function. If the variable started with "%" it would be a Local Variable. The value stored for that variable could only be used inside of the function in which it is created.
Data will usually need to be manipulated in some way. Otherwise, why bother having it? Number can be added, subtracted, or any other standard form of calculation in the following way:
$hullPoints = $hullPoints - 1;
Another way to subtract (or decrement) by one is:
$hullPoints--;
You can also increment a variable by 1:
$hullPoints++;
You can also decrement, increment, divide, or multiple by arbitary numbers using the following formulas:
$hullPoints += 10; //increments by 10
$hullPoints *= 2; //multiplies by 2
(Side note: using "//" marks whatever follows it as a comment. Torque ignores anything after the // until the next line.)
Text variable work a little differently. After all, you cannot multiply or divide by a line of text. To put two text variable together we use the "@". Here is an example:
$firstName = "Tom";
$lastName = "Beauchamp";
$fullName = $firstName@" "@$lastName;
If we were to print out the value of $fullName it would give: Tom Beauchamp.
Since Torque recognizes the context that a variable is used in, we can also do this:
$firstName = "Tom";
$lastName = "Beauchamp";
$Age = 36;
$personalInfo = $fullName = $firstName@" "@$lastName@" is "@$Age"@" years old.";
If we were to print out the value of $personalInfo we would get: Tom Beauchamp is 36 years old.
Another way to determine a value is using a boolean expression. Boolean expressions always equal either True (1) or False (0). The number value is what will be stored in the variable.
Example:
$firstAge = 36;
$secondAge = 31;
$isolder = $firstAge > $secondAge;
This last example is the perfect time to talk about storing multiple pieces of the same type of data. What if we had 20 ages to store? Would we want to create 20 separate variable that we then have to keep track of?
No, and luckily we do not have to. This is why Torque Script allows the use of arrays. Instead of creating $firstAge through $twentieth age we can do the following:
$ages[0]=36;
...
$ages[19]=31;
One thing about arrays: The first index position in an array is always 0 and the last is always 1 number less than the total in the array. So if an array has 20 positions, then the last one is 19.
Arrays are very handy for storing large amounts of similar data. When we get to loops they will come in very handy and save a lot of coding time.
If you have any questions, or see any mistakes please let me know at we4ponsgr4de@gmail.com
What is Torque?
The Torque Game Engine (or TGE) is a professional grade 3D engine for building the backbone of just about any type of game you want. Here is what Garage Games has to say about their product:
"TGE has everything you need out of box to make any genre of game. You can create games for the PC, Mac, and Linux, with a porting path to popular consoles such as the Xbox 360 and Wii. The 3D Toolset allows you to create game worlds on the fly, for a real-time editing experience. Couple all this with the award-winning TorqueNet client/server architecture for multiplayer games, the GeoTerrain system for large worlds, and the Torque Lighting Kit for realistic scenes, and you've got a complete development solution."
Sounds simple, right? However there are a few of caveats:
1.) You have to know how to code.
2.) You may have a game idea, but do you have a DESIGN?
3.) You need content for your game.
Still here? Good, because though they may seem like a lot, they are pretty easy to overcome and here is why:
1.) Just about anything in the game can be modified using Torque Script. It is similar in form to C++, but not near as complex. Plus, the heavy duty graphics and networking work is already done for you.
2.) If you've got an idea, you have proven that you have the imagination to design your game. Just keep a pad and pencil handy and before you know it you will have your design document in hand.
3.) There are a few way to get content into your game. The first is to make it yourself. Milkshape an amazing and inexpensive tool for making high polygon models. The second is to buy models online. Some packs are expensive, some are cheap. Just be aware of what you are getting. Lastly is to find free models. Several websites offer models ranging from rocks and trees to hyperspace-capable battlecruisers. Just make sure that you follow whatever licensing agreement they offer.
Here are some links to get your started:
Torque Game Engine by Garage Games (Free Demo)
Milkshape by Chumbalumsoft
Free 3D Models from 3DXtras.com
"TGE has everything you need out of box to make any genre of game. You can create games for the PC, Mac, and Linux, with a porting path to popular consoles such as the Xbox 360 and Wii. The 3D Toolset allows you to create game worlds on the fly, for a real-time editing experience. Couple all this with the award-winning TorqueNet client/server architecture for multiplayer games, the GeoTerrain system for large worlds, and the Torque Lighting Kit for realistic scenes, and you've got a complete development solution."
Sounds simple, right? However there are a few of caveats:
1.) You have to know how to code.
2.) You may have a game idea, but do you have a DESIGN?
3.) You need content for your game.
Still here? Good, because though they may seem like a lot, they are pretty easy to overcome and here is why:
1.) Just about anything in the game can be modified using Torque Script. It is similar in form to C++, but not near as complex. Plus, the heavy duty graphics and networking work is already done for you.
2.) If you've got an idea, you have proven that you have the imagination to design your game. Just keep a pad and pencil handy and before you know it you will have your design document in hand.
3.) There are a few way to get content into your game. The first is to make it yourself. Milkshape an amazing and inexpensive tool for making high polygon models. The second is to buy models online. Some packs are expensive, some are cheap. Just be aware of what you are getting. Lastly is to find free models. Several websites offer models ranging from rocks and trees to hyperspace-capable battlecruisers. Just make sure that you follow whatever licensing agreement they offer.
Here are some links to get your started:
Torque Game Engine by Garage Games (Free Demo)
Milkshape by Chumbalumsoft
Free 3D Models from 3DXtras.com
Friday, October 26, 2007
Would...you...like...to...play...a...game?
"Would you like to play a game?"
I still hear that in the strange, computer generated voice from the 80's. "War Games" started a whole generation down the path to jobs in computer science. At that time, I had already had my Commodore 64 for several years. I had fun making sprites dance across the screen. I had the Game Construction Set and made my own side scrolling shooter based on "Air Wolf". All I wanted to do was make games for a living, or at least as a hobby.
So I joined the Navy.
Yeah, ok, it seemed like a good idea at the time. By the time I got out, the dotcom crash was just around the corner. The computer industry was completed flooded with people fresh out of college and I didn't even have my degree yet. So, dreams put on hold, I went into marketing.
Yeah, marketing. Hey, we are all allowed to make a mistake.
So, here I am. Definately not going to make computer games for a living. So it is time to fall back on number 2: making games as a hobby.
Luckly, Garage Games has made a great engine for hobbiest to use to produce games. My goal is to learn about the engine and how to use it and to share that information.
Who knows, maybe someday one of my readers will produce the next "Quake" or "World of Warcraft."
I still hear that in the strange, computer generated voice from the 80's. "War Games" started a whole generation down the path to jobs in computer science. At that time, I had already had my Commodore 64 for several years. I had fun making sprites dance across the screen. I had the Game Construction Set and made my own side scrolling shooter based on "Air Wolf". All I wanted to do was make games for a living, or at least as a hobby.
So I joined the Navy.
Yeah, ok, it seemed like a good idea at the time. By the time I got out, the dotcom crash was just around the corner. The computer industry was completed flooded with people fresh out of college and I didn't even have my degree yet. So, dreams put on hold, I went into marketing.
Yeah, marketing. Hey, we are all allowed to make a mistake.
So, here I am. Definately not going to make computer games for a living. So it is time to fall back on number 2: making games as a hobby.
Luckly, Garage Games has made a great engine for hobbiest to use to produce games. My goal is to learn about the engine and how to use it and to share that information.
Who knows, maybe someday one of my readers will produce the next "Quake" or "World of Warcraft."
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