Post by Garry Francis in Possible issues.

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I don't think I've ever written an adventure that doesn't have containers and supporters (or bags and surfaces in Adventuron parlance), even way back in the days of BASIC adventures. I had three pseudo-containers in 'Seeker of Magic' and the coding to implement them was quite complicated. They weren't true containers either, as I couldn't put things in them.

My next adventure (still in the design phase) will have several surfaces, one surface-like (enterable) object and several containers of different types.

For me, being able to refer to generic nouns is the number one priority, but containers are certainly high up on the list.

Dark Blue Monkey5 years ago

You *can* make containers using the scripting language. It's a teeny bit messy, but there's enough flexibility in the system to allow you to pretend. The only real limitation is the VERB NOUN match construct limitation, because that prevents PUT x INSIDE y or PUT a ONTO b, but it looks like those are being worked on at some point....

I think the way Quest handled containers is pretty cool. It has a reachability calculation which is quite sophisticated. :)

Adventuron5 years ago(+1)

The Adventuron parser is not just verb noun. It's just the gamejam that is verb noun.

You can use this for example :

: if (preposition_is "in" && noun2_is "lamp") {
}

Garry Francis5 years ago

I really want to use multi-word input for non-jam games (and maybe updates to post-jam games?), but it doesn't appear to be documented. For example, how do you define the match statement when you've got verb, direct-noun, indirect-noun and probably one or two prepositions?

Adventuron5 years ago(+2)

: match "put lamp" {

   : if (preposition_is "on" && noun2_is "table" && is_carried "lamp" && is_present "table") {
      // Do something
    }

}

Yes, I know this is currently sub-optimal, but if you need it it's there and it does the job.

As far as disambiguation goes, it's not fully there yet. A whole new structure of match patterns that are subject and subject context centric is planned.

For now, disambiguation works for gets, drops, examine, wear and remove commands.

Dark Blue Monkey5 years ago

Interesting! Thanks...

Garry Francis5 years ago

I don't want to harp on this, because it isn't relevant to the jam, but I am curious and raise it because it may have an influence on your future match statement format.

It looks like there is only provision for one preposition, but this doesn't account for where the preposition is located within the command. For example TURN ON LAMP and TURN LAMP ON mean the same thing, but JUMP ACROSS CHASM and JUMP CHASM ACROSS are definitiely not the same thing. The latter is rubbish. There are also situations where the presence or absence of the preposition changes the order of the direct and indirect object. The classic example is GIVE SWORD TO TROLL vs GIVE TROLL SWORD. The former is the more common syntax. You might like to say that the latter format is not supported, the direct object must precede the indirect object and they must be separated by a preposition.

This still doesn't account for the situation where you need two prepositions. I can't think of a good example off hand, but something like CHOP UP CARROT WITH KNIFE or TURN OFF MACHINE WITH LONG POLE or REACH INTO HOLE WITH STICK or WRAP UP PARCEL WITH BROWN PAPER.

Adventuron5 years ago

Don't worry, everything is in hand.

There are a number of mitigations already built into adventuron.

Pick up lamp

Put on coat

Get into boat

... And more

All language specific grammatical constructs are handled by a parser preprocessor. I'll document and allow extensions at a later stage.

Garry Francis5 years ago(+1)

If you need a tester, you know I'm available.

Adventuron5 years ago

Thanks Garry !

You give me grief but the good type.

itch.io

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