26/04/2014

Added some more dialogue options and some explanation of how to run the game as well as an object whose description is a list of subjects that the player can talk about. However the description list does not include options that the player has to find out by asking previous questions and its intention was to remedy the "too many permutations" problems.

I should also explain my intentions with this project which I haven't thought about explaining which is that this current project was designed to part of a much bigger world and as such some of the choices such as having the player involved and being able to make world changing decisions.

What I forgot to mention in previous posts (being too caught up in the process) is how I approached the multiple endings since it is an important aspect. What I have done is created six different endings and using Inform7's system I placed everything in a scene so when that scene ends it gives an ending based on the players actions and interactions with the characters. Within that scene the player can talk to and interact with the two factions and their leaders and ultimately the player must make a decision to leave, join or in some way convince both sides to agree upon something.

I will submit the lore of each character since it is an important aspect of playing the game, particularly for the diplomatic outcome. Since joining a side is a basic decision and a basic outcome the lore is not necessary to know for that option. However for diplomacy you can't just be 'diplomatic' you have to convince the character against their current decision. For this knowing the lore is important as its necessary to know what makes the character tick. In all of this I wanted to make it so that knowing the lore was actually important to the game play since it usually feels like an external aspect. I will submit the lore as a separate part since its information found outside of the scenario described in the current engagement and part of something the player would have to find in their exploration of the world.

I think I will submit the source code as well just for an indication on how I've approached it through informs interface since I did have issues in understanding how to write the source code and getting things to work. Finding solutions were also difficult since inform doesn't have the largest online community to find frequent problems/answers for.

19/04/2014

Added some logical actions making navigation through the scenario much easier for those who wish to approach the more obvious endings.

18/04/2014

In creating the different ways to approach the battle I am attempting to exhaust every logical dialogue choice from the player, but I believe this can only be truly achieved by having people other than myself test the game as well.

One interesting thing that I thought of which emerged while writing out the source script is for the diplomatic options and how I am currently using lore to determine the player's options. While doing this I also added dialogues which didn't pertain to the lore itself but played on the players common knowledge as well. (Examples can be found playing through the game I don't want to spoil anything here)

I had a friend test the game out and one of the key problems was that the person had to know how interactive fiction worked and what specific phrases needed to be said to usher a response. After telling him I got some insight on some other responses I needed to add.

17/04/2014

Base endings and responses written, just need to edit and write alternatives.

12/04/2014

Progress report,

learned how to write the sequences I want in Inform7 now all that's necessary is for me to write everything up.

02/04/2014

Much of my time has been spent learning how to use Inform 7