Override Input (for AI simulation)

[Michael_Gummelt]

So I was finding that I was duplicating a lot of work in my 1 or 2 player space combat game because everything the player 2 could do via joystick input, I had to duplicate with "AI" events. Every create object, counter modification, etc, etc. What I'd really like to be able to do is have the AI able to "stuff" commands into one of the joysticks - basically, make the game think player 2 is pressing the fire button, or pressing forward, etc. This way, all the projectile creation logic (etc.) is all centralized and based off input. This is very similar to how Single/Multi-Player networked games I've worked on in the past worked - all player control was driven by input, but AI just provided its own input.

I considered putting a layer of variables between the input and projectile-spawning events (so I'd store what buttons, etc. are being pressed by input, but be able to override those variables with AI) so that all player actions were driven by this in-between layer of variables. That would work, but I'd lose the ability to tell if a button was just pressed or is being held... I could probably work around that, but it'd be a pain in the butt. I also still wouldn't be able to make my AI drive the ship around via actual input.

Anyone know of a way to do this, either intrinsically in MMF2 or with an extension?

[Michael_Gummelt]

So I was finding that I was duplicating a lot of work in my 1 or 2 player space combat game because everything the player 2 could do via joystick input, I had to duplicate with "AI" events. Every create object, counter modification, etc, etc. What I'd really like to be able to do is have the AI able to "stuff" commands into one of the joysticks - basically, make the game think player 2 is pressing the fire button, or pressing forward, etc. This way, all the projectile creation logic (etc.) is all centralized and based off input. This is very similar to how Single/Multi-Player networked games I've worked on in the past worked - all player control was driven by input, but AI just provided its own input.

I considered putting a layer of variables between the input and projectile-spawning events (so I'd store what buttons, etc. are being pressed by input, but be able to override those variables with AI) so that all player actions were driven by this in-between layer of variables. That would work, but I'd lose the ability to tell if a button was just pressed or is being held... I could probably work around that, but it'd be a pain in the butt. I also still wouldn't be able to make my AI drive the ship around via actual input.

Anyone know of a way to do this, either intrinsically in MMF2 or with an extension?

[Harvy]

No... it's a feature I've been asking for... it shouldn't be that hard to implement.

[Harvy]

No... it's a feature I've been asking for... it shouldn't be that hard to implement.

[Alonso]

Well, if you set it to a joystick, I think the ControlX object could simulate key-strikes. Neither of the X objects (TimeX, ControlX etc) has been converted to MMF2, though.

[Alonso]

Well, if you set it to a joystick, I think the ControlX object could simulate key-strikes. Neither of the X objects (TimeX, ControlX etc) has been converted to MMF2, though.

[Isbeorn]

I used to use the Global Function object to do that. Maybe not precisely what you're asking for but it might help you.
And yeah, the GF object hasn't been ported yet has it?
You can use loops:
On loop "fire": Fire teh missiles!

You can trigger this loop both from the AI's events and with the player's controls - just start the loop 1 time.
This saves you the code duplication. <img src="/center/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Isbeorn]

I used to use the Global Function object to do that. Maybe not precisely what you're asking for but it might help you.
And yeah, the GF object hasn't been ported yet has it?
You can use loops:
On loop "fire": Fire teh missiles!

You can trigger this loop both from the AI's events and with the player's controls - just start the loop 1 time.
This saves you the code duplication. <img src="/center/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[joewski]

The windows message object is an option for simulating keystrokes just a little messy to use.

[joewski]

The windows message object is an option for simulating keystrokes just a little messy to use.