Hi JACK,
JACK EVERETT was observed on 11-Oct-97, writing to ALL
          Something about: C
 JE> I understand that this is the C++ discusion area..but until I can
 JE> get my sysop to get the C area I need to ask a question for C..I
 JE> I am trying to write a RPG text Game...
 JE> and it has come time for the user to take oon some harry monster
 JE> but no matter what I do i am unable to get any code ideas to start
 JE> this..
 I don't do RPG's and I don't have any sample code, but I
 may be able to give you some coding tips.
 Before you can have any monsters you need to define the
 data that the monsters consist of.  In the top area of
 your C file, before any functions, put all your structure
 templates.  (you could also use an .h file, but for now
 just work with one file)  You can also define global
 variables here, if you need any.  Read your C book to
 learn about variable scope.  Also note that structure
 templates are not variables.  They specify the data layout
 but you have to declare a variable of that type before
 you can use one.  I give you an example below... Don't
 get overwhelmed by all of this.  Work your way through
 a tutorial or book and it will all come together for you
 in time....
 /* this structure template can store the number of
    hits required from each weapon to kill the monster
 */
 struct hits2kill {
     int hammer;
     int pistol;
     int shotgun;
     int grenade;
 }
 /* this structure template can be the main
    monster data structure.  Other structures
    like the one above can be nested inside this one
 */
 struct monster {
     char name[26];           /* monsters name */
     char description[120];   /* string displayed to player */
     int  health;             /* current health rating */
     struct hits2kill hits;   /* nested structure hits2kill */
     BOOL mortum;             /* boolean value is it dead? */
 }
 Now you have a way to organize data for the monsters.
 Before you can use these structures you have to define
 and initialize them...  Say you want to use two monsters
 in the game.. you might define an array of two monsters
 and initialize them at the same time like...
 struct monster_data monster[2]  = {
     { "BloB", "A huge green jelly like mass that
        devours his victims by melting them with
        his external stomach acids",
        100, 50, 25, 10, 2, FALSE  },
     { "Stink Thing", "Fat greasy, pimple covered
        beast that kills it's victims with poison
        gas farts", 100, 70, 37, 17, 5, FALSE }
 };
 To access an element like say, each time player shoots a
 monster you need to see how much health  has left...
 Somewhere in your program you will have a big loop where
 you evaluate what the player does and act on those things.
 In this part you might evaluate the shots/hits and how they
 impact on the monsters health...
 monster[current_monster].health -= (100/monster.hits.shotgun);
 These are just some thoughts off the top of my head.  This
 is not intended as a tutorial by any stretch.
 I hope this gives you some ideas on how to code your game.
 Roger Scudder
 rscudder@usa.net
--- Terminate 5.00/Pro
 * TerMail/QWK * Terminate point system, the easiest in the world!
---------------