I hope things work out well for the engine.

Best of luck!

By the way, is there going to be any plans on to help others learn how to program games? You keep mentioning that you want to make Elemental very modable. I'm just wondering how much control you plan on giving modders over this "base" program?

Why all the C++ hate?

It deserves a chance too...

Well, speaking as a non-programmer, I imagine that a lot of the modding community is more familiar w/ py b/c it is used for a lot of open-source stuff.

I love C++.

I'm learning Python now.

The main advantage of Python is that it doesn't have to be compiled so a user can just make a few changes to the text file and it works right then and there.

And that's a big advantage, especially for users who don't have beastly machines doing the compiling.

Looks like I got to learn Python, but I like the idea of using Python because like Civ 4 Elemental should be just as moddable.

Hi Frogboy,

the idea to open up as much of the elemental engine to modding is a fantastic idea. We've seen some great mods grow into full commercial games over the years from the Quake / Unreal / Source modding communities so it would be lovely if a similar thing could happen for strategy gaming. Have you thought about how licencing of the Elemental engine / SDK etc might play out, or is this still a bit too early to speculate?

re: python

I've been using python on and off for the last couple of years, mainly for scientific computing, and I'm increasingly delighted with it. After originally coming from a C/C++ background I find it really pleasant to have data types like tuples, lists, dictionaries and sets as a fundamental part of the language, with agreeable syntax. Some people seem to regard python as a scripting language, but from what I've seen so far it has better support for functions / functional programming / OO than C/C++/Java. It just doesn't place bizzare restrictions on what you can / can't do.

I love this dream, I hope it becomes a reality.

Sammual

Tourresh wishes he knew python instead of Lua.

I can't wait for all the syntax specific stuff of both languages to meld together in my mind so I constantly make stupid mistakes.

This is great news.  I prefer Java, but having the ability to modify AI routines in any high-level language is nice.  Python is probably worth learning anyway.

ugh i remember compiling stuff in c++ back when computers were so slow the word gigahertz wasn't even used yet. 

Hey Frogboy! How about opening up a new line of business in e-learning? C++, Python, modding... You already have the programmers right there (and instruction capable?), as well as Impulse for its distribution.

With all the possibiliites out there and in the works, I'm sure there's plenty of people willing to purchase that from Impulse. Audiovisual instruction makes this approachable to a wider audience and is a lot faster to learn (e.g. CBT Nuggets).

It's a great dream you have there.

I am totally going to brush up on python now.  Very exciting stuff. 

@Frogboy, reply #5

About that. Given how quickly someone can change the code for python, the most time consuming part of making mods might very well be loading of the game. More so if you have a habit of making a small number changes to see how things work out.

----

Do you think its possible to have Elemental to do 1 or more of the following?

1) Have an in game editor so you could not only edit code in the game, but also load the changes so see what happens right away. You know, you start a battle but then you get the idea for a new spell. You write the thing up, load the changes, and then use the spell right away to see how things work.

2) Allow the users to minimize the game, tinker with the files, then unminimize the game and load the changes (like #1 but you don't use an in game editor to edit the python files). This would be useful to users who are already comfortable with programing outside of Elemental, and this would allow users to download other mods for use or reference. It would also allow the modders to go read online documentation to help them mod.

3) Have the option to play in a "god mode" (or whatever name sounds best). Basically you could add units, alter terrain, add/destroy nations, and/or do whatever stuff you want to do. This could all be done as you play the game. This could also be used by non-modders to spice up games and so forth, such as adding a very angry dragon in a middle of a battle field. Basically natural disasters because you were bored.

4) Allow modders to mod the user interface. If we don't get a "god mode" as describe in #3, I would like to be able to attempt to mod one in, complete with the angry dragon button.

----

If you do decide to add in 1 or more of my suggestions, you will probally want some means to prevent this stuff from being used during online play... unless of course the players agree to it.

Also, could you let me know what you think? Too much? Not what you're looking for?