Lemmings style game?

[TheDank]

Hey there,
I'm starting to work on a game that's a lot like the game Lemmings...

I was curious;

1. Whats the best way to make the 'lemmings'? by this I mean I want to make the code only once and then just be able to spawn 'lemmings' and have the user click abilities and then click on them.

I guess I'd start by making the 'lemming' with an ID value, but how do I make it keep track of multiple abilities going at the same time for different 'lemmings'
Can someone point me in the direction of a good tutorial that answers this or just give a few tips of how I might go about it and I'll figure the rest out... thanks!

2. Also I was wondering if anyone has made a game of this style in MMF ?

Thanks I just want to make the game in the most efficient way possible, otherwise my 'code' for this part is going to be long and sloppy help is much appreciated!

Liam

[nivram]

Hi The Dank. For number 1, maybe, when the user places the mouse over the Lemming, or the Lemming is active, have a stat box appear with the different abilities and etc. Or a stat screen in a sub-application. An Array could be used to keep stats.

2. There have been simular games made, but off the top of my head I don't recall a link for them. The file archives would be a good place to start. Sounds almost like a RTS example would help in your case.

Marv

[Watermelon786]

For question 1, Put the movement code and such in the behavior or use fastloops combined with ID. There have been a few examples of lemmings movements done, so check them out. When the user clicks on the ablility button set a Global Value, String, Counter, whatever, to the selected ability. When the user clicks on the lemming, subtract 1 from the ability stock and give the ability to the lemming.

For ablities, give each lemming an alterable string to record all their abilities. Seperate each ablility with a semi-colon and parse it at runtime. Or make 3 or so strings, each being a slot for a different ability. Compare to the string to find what abilities the lemming has.

The downside to the first method and the array method is complexity, but the downside to making a finite amount of strings is giving a finite amount of abilities.

I have seen multiple examples of lemmings style movements in the file archives even before I registered. Use the search function like nivram suggested.

[maVado]

If you are a starter with MMF2 this will be mission impossible, Lemmings is till a hard concept to make because of the variable and destructive terrain. Good luck anyway

[Popcorn]

It is not mission impossible. It just needs some basic knowledge, like how to use alterable and global values. I made a Lemmings game ten years ago (No IQ) in TGF 1 without much experience. It didn't have destructable terrain, but today that is possible and in fact very easy to do. Search for the desctructable terrain example by Andos, and you'll see it is piece of cake to make.

But I would do the terrain part last. First get a good movement engine going. Then start on the simple tools / skills for your lemmings, and finally the more advanced ones.

[TheDank]

Thank you for the feedback!
I didn't even think about the destructible terrain!
That's a great idea and I'm going to look into it...

Does anyone know whats the best way to make the movement for them? Would it be best to code my own movement for them (like set position +/-1) or make path movements left/right and apply gravity to the lemming ? How would YOU do this ?

I'm not too much of a beginner I have followed and skimmed a lot of tutorials around the web already and I have all around good programing skills so MMF2 comes very easily to me.

THANKS

[Popcorn]

The best would be to make your own full custom movement using fastloops.
An easier solution is to use the default platform movement for the falling, and only use custom movement on left and right.

Tip: If you want the lemmings to run at faster speed, do not set the position to + X, instead run a loop X times and on the loop, test for collision on right side, and if it doesn't collide with anything, add 1 to its position. I don't remember what this is called, but I have seen tutorials on it here in the forum.

[TheDank]

Thanks popcorn, I understand and I will do it with a fastloop for left & right and I'll try platform for the gravity. Thanks =)

About the destructible terrain if anyone is curious;
I found a great tutorial here:
Destructible Terrain Example

[DMT]

Oh thanks! I knew how to make destructable terrain, but I thought it was limited to single color backgrounds! I never thought of the overlay redux object!

Also, Never use the default Platform Movement! [size:20pt]NEVER![/size]

[Rabagast]

You can also use the platform movement object