A ScriptEase: Pattern Based Approach to Scripting
Curtis Onuczko Thursday, January 19, 2006
Overview
What is ScriptEase? Why use ScriptEase? When to use ScriptEase? How to use ScriptEase Tips and Tricks
What is ScriptEase?
Why use ScriptEase?
A tool to automatically generate scripts for Neverwinter Nights
Uses patterns to automatically script commonly occurring scenarios
External tool used with the Aurora toolset
The goal is to generate scripting code without writing any code Easy enough for a non-programmer to use Flexible enough to script some complicated scenarios
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When should you use ScriptEase?
How to use ScriptEase - 1
You have very little experience programming
Preparation
Learn the pattern catalog Instantiate a pattern Modifying a pattern
e.g. a game designer
You need to script a simple, commonly occurring scenario Prototyping Can use to complete 90% of a real game's scripts...
Game development
Removing actions, situations, definitions and conditions Adding actions Adding definitions and conditions
How to use ScriptEase - 2
Tips and Tricks - 1
Game development cont.
Save lots of time testing
Plot tokens
In the toolset
Useful way to pass information between pattern instances
Build Test Module Build Load and Play Module in NWN
(*) actions Vs. regular actions Conditional actions (If there is time)
In ScriptEase
Copy and paste from Encounter Designer to Encounter Builder
Can be less tedious than navigating menus
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Tips and Tricks - 2
Conclusions
Picking objects in ScriptEase
Use drop down menu in picker to quickly search for objects Get in habit of only instantiating objects that are in the custom palette
In the toolset
You can use ScriptEase to script most game scenarios ScriptEase avoids many of the common errors encountered with programming and scripting languages
Makes ScriptEase much easier to use
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