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[Adragis]

Spoiler: The code for placing monsters in a room (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

    for i in range(num_monsters):
        #choose random spot for this monster
        x = libtcod.random_get_int(0, room.x1+1, room.x2-1)
        y = libtcod.random_get_int(0, room.y1+1, room.y2-1)
        if not is_blocked(x, y):
            choice = random_choice(monster_chances)
            if choice == 'nurgle_mini':
                #create a nurgling
                fighter_component = Fighter(0, 5, hp=random.randint(30, 50), defense=0, power=30, xp=15, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A small creature, covered in festering boils and rotting flesh. Nurgle\'s worshippers tend to find them adorable. Most people think they\'re anything but.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'n', 'nurgling', libtcod.desaturated_green, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'nurgle_cult':
                #create a nurgle cultist
                fighter_component = Fighter(2, 10, hp=random.randint(120,140), defense=random.randint(8,10), power=40, xp=55, aim=0, dropchance=20, drops={'ragged robes' : 20, 'weapon' : 20}, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Nurgle, clad in sickly green robes and exuding vile pestilence. They smile unnervingly as they praise their Plaguefather, and clutch a makeshift weapon in one disease-ridden hand.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'c', 'Nurgle cultist', libtcod.green,blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'khorne_cult':
                #create a khornate cultist
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(90,100), defense=random.randint(4,8), power=75, xp=60, aim=0, dropchance=20, drops={'chainsword': 20}, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Khorne, clad in bright red robes and adorned with grisly trophies from those they have slain. They shout and snarl as they ready themselves for a bloodbath.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'c', 'Khornate cultist', libtcod.dark_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'chaos_spawn':
                #create a chaos spawn
                spawnval = random.randint(100, 200)
                fighter_component = Fighter(-5, 10, hp=spawnval, defense=0, power=spawnval-25, xp=spawnval-10, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A writhing mass of organic matter, its shifting features and unnatural cries marking it as a creature of Chaos. Mindless, it wanders aimlessly and lashes out at those who venture too close.')
                ai_component = ChaosSpawn()
                monster = Object(x, y, 's', 'chaos spawn', libtcod.pink, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'berserker':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(120,160), defense=random.randint(5,9), power=115, xp=190, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Khorne, overtaken by unnatural fury. Swinging their weapon in a mad frenzy as they seek out victims, the berserker shrugs off injuries and smashes aside all in its way, shrieking "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!"')
                ai_component = Berserker()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'C', 'Berserk Khornate cultist', libtcod.dark_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'weak_mutant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(100, 130), defense=random.randint(10, 12), power=45, xp=60, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A mutant, driven mad by Chaos. They snarl and growl like an animal as they seek out conflict.')
                ai_component = Berserker()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'm', 'savage mutant', libtcod.lightest_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'nurgle_lesser':
                fighter_component = Fighter(+1, 10, hp=random.randint(190,210), defense=random.randint(10,14), power=80, xp=200, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A lesser daemon of Nurgle, this shambling cyclopean mass of rot and plague feels no pain as it spreads its pestilence to those yet untainted by Chaos.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'P', 'plaguebearer', libtcod.light_green, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'khorne_lesser':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(150, 170), defense=random.randint(5,12), power=130, xp=200, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A lesser daemon of Khorne, this creature nonetheless cuts an imposing figure: a red, horned humanoid menacing with spikes and carrying a vicious, bloodstained weapon.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'B', 'bloodletter', libtcod.darker_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'ripper':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(30, 50), defense=0, power=55, xp=20, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A Tyranid bio-organism with a small, worm-like body and a mouth with rows upon rows of sharp teeth. Normally found in swarms, they are - mercifully - weak individually.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'r', 'ripper', libtcod.lighter_violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'termagant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(100, 130), defense=random.randint(4, 8), power=75, xp=65, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the most numerous Tyranid bio-organisms. The lowest form of Tyranid besides Rippers, they are nonetheless dangerous to an unarmoured or unskilled foe.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 't', 'termagant', libtcod.light_violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'gene_hybrid':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(120, 170), defense=12, power=95, xp=100, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the hybrid offspring of a Tyranid Genestealer, this part-human creature still looks more like a Tyranid than its mundane progenitor, albeit with a glint of muderous intelligence in its eyes.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'g', 'genestealer hybrid', libtcod.lightest_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)
            elif choice == 'claw_termagant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(150, 180), defense=random.randint(6, 10), power=110, xp=130, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the most numerous Tyranid bio-organisms. The lowest form of Tyranid besides Rippers, they are nonetheless dangerous to an unarmoured or unskilled foe.\n \nThis Termagant has a pronounced pair of scything claws.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 't', 'clawed termagant', libtcod.violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)


            objects.append(monster)


That's just the bit of the code that places monsters, just to show how defining them works.

[Skyrunner]

Spoiler: The code for placing monsters in a room (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

    for i in range(num_monsters):
        #choose random spot for this monster
        x = libtcod.random_get_int(0, room.x1+1, room.x2-1)
        y = libtcod.random_get_int(0, room.y1+1, room.y2-1)
        if not is_blocked(x, y):
            choice = random_choice(monster_chances)
            if choice == 'nurgle_mini':
                #create a nurgling
                fighter_component = Fighter(0, 5, hp=random.randint(30, 50), defense=0, power=30, xp=15, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A small creature, covered in festering boils and rotting flesh. Nurgle\'s worshippers tend to find them adorable. Most people think they\'re anything but.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'n', 'nurgling', libtcod.desaturated_green, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'nurgle_cult':
                #create a nurgle cultist
                fighter_component = Fighter(2, 10, hp=random.randint(120,140), defense=random.randint(8,10), power=40, xp=55, aim=0, dropchance=20, drops={'ragged robes' : 20, 'weapon' : 20}, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Nurgle, clad in sickly green robes and exuding vile pestilence. They smile unnervingly as they praise their Plaguefather, and clutch a makeshift weapon in one disease-ridden hand.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'c', 'Nurgle cultist', libtcod.green,blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'khorne_cult':
                #create a khornate cultist
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(90,100), defense=random.randint(4,8), power=75, xp=60, aim=0, dropchance=20, drops={'chainsword': 20}, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Khorne, clad in bright red robes and adorned with grisly trophies from those they have slain. They shout and snarl as they ready themselves for a bloodbath.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'c', 'Khornate cultist', libtcod.dark_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'chaos_spawn':
                #create a chaos spawn
                spawnval = random.randint(100, 200)
                fighter_component = Fighter(-5, 10, hp=spawnval, defense=0, power=spawnval-25, xp=spawnval-10, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A writhing mass of organic matter, its shifting features and unnatural cries marking it as a creature of Chaos. Mindless, it wanders aimlessly and lashes out at those who venture too close.')
                ai_component = ChaosSpawn()
                monster = Object(x, y, 's', 'chaos spawn', libtcod.pink, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'berserker':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(120,160), defense=random.randint(5,9), power=115, xp=190, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A cultist of Khorne, overtaken by unnatural fury. Swinging their weapon in a mad frenzy as they seek out victims, the berserker shrugs off injuries and smashes aside all in its way, shrieking "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!"')
                ai_component = Berserker()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'C', 'Berserk Khornate cultist', libtcod.dark_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'weak_mutant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(100, 130), defense=random.randint(10, 12), power=45, xp=60, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A mutant, driven mad by Chaos. They snarl and growl like an animal as they seek out conflict.')
                ai_component = Berserker()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'm', 'savage mutant', libtcod.lightest_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'nurgle_lesser':
                fighter_component = Fighter(+1, 10, hp=random.randint(190,210), defense=random.randint(10,14), power=80, xp=200, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A lesser daemon of Nurgle, this shambling cyclopean mass of rot and plague feels no pain as it spreads its pestilence to those yet untainted by Chaos.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'P', 'plaguebearer', libtcod.light_green, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'khorne_lesser':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 10, hp=random.randint(150, 170), defense=random.randint(5,12), power=130, xp=200, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A lesser daemon of Khorne, this creature nonetheless cuts an imposing figure: a red, horned humanoid menacing with spikes and carrying a vicious, bloodstained weapon.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'B', 'bloodletter', libtcod.darker_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'ripper':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(30, 50), defense=0, power=55, xp=20, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='A Tyranid bio-organism with a small, worm-like body and a mouth with rows upon rows of sharp teeth. Normally found in swarms, they are - mercifully - weak individually.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'r', 'ripper', libtcod.lighter_violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'termagant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(100, 130), defense=random.randint(4, 8), power=75, xp=65, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the most numerous Tyranid bio-organisms. The lowest form of Tyranid besides Rippers, they are nonetheless dangerous to an unarmoured or unskilled foe.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 't', 'termagant', libtcod.light_violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)

            elif choice == 'gene_hybrid':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(120, 170), defense=12, power=95, xp=100, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the hybrid offspring of a Tyranid Genestealer, this part-human creature still looks more like a Tyranid than its mundane progenitor, albeit with a glint of muderous intelligence in its eyes.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 'g', 'genestealer hybrid', libtcod.lightest_red, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)
            elif choice == 'claw_termagant':
                fighter_component = Fighter(-1, 9, hp=random.randint(150, 180), defense=random.randint(6, 10), power=110, xp=130, aim=0, death_function=monster_death, desc='One of the most numerous Tyranid bio-organisms. The lowest form of Tyranid besides Rippers, they are nonetheless dangerous to an unarmoured or unskilled foe.\n \nThis Termagant has a pronounced pair of scything claws.')
                ai_component = BasicMonster()
                monster = Object(x, y, 't', 'clawed termagant', libtcod.violet, blocks=True, fighter=fighter_component, ai=ai_component)


            objects.append(monster)


That's just the bit of the code that places monsters, just to show how defining them works.

You'd definitely want to put all the info like HP range, defense range, power, xp etc into a lookup table to make it look less messy.

[RoguelikeRazuka]

Finally, after having played roguelikes for more than 3 years I (naively) consider myself competent enough to start making my own roguelike game, and currently I can't decide whether I should use C++ or Python (C# is also fine) to code that thing (I have a fair bit of programming experience with both languages, even if I don't know something it shouldn't be much of a problem to get better at either as I work on the roguelike of my dream). What I basically need is an OO language and a library/framework/game engine offering convenient tools for representing game objects as text characters, but it would also be great to have the possibility to transition to tiles with as little effort as possible, so I don't think it's a good idea to use libraries like libtcod with limited 2D sprite graphics support (to my knowledge) or even libraries like curses designed to perform manipulations with text characters in a console window.

So, what would you suggest?


PS I'm sorry for necroing in advance, but since this thread hasn't been closed by this point, I think it's allright to post here.

[sambojin]

Have you thought of just making it in a game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine 4? Unity "kind of" uses a c# derivative, while UE has a fairly quick back-end for compiled code.

Mostly because there's quite a few "starter kits" available on their respective stores for making roguelikes, so they may give you the jump-start you need to get the project actually going. They may also be a bit too generic for your liking, or make you feel like you're learning "that" framework, rather than actual pure coding though. It may make it harder to grab code snippets from around the place to insert into your project too (although, you'll really know what they're doing by the time you've got the code going in either engine).

Unfortunately I can't say if any of them are any good, but getting something started is one of the biggest hurdles, and this may ease that process.

(don't worry about necroing. It's what we do, and this is the right thread for your questions, so necro away )

[EnigmaticHat]

From experience: don't use python.  Python code runs slower than C# by a lot.  Roguelikes involve a lot of processor intensive stuff.  Level generation, pathfinding, line of sight.  With proper optimization you certainly could write a roguelike in Python, but you might miss that extra speed a lot.  Never know what you might try to do down the line.

Edit: I don't have an opinion on platform.  Unity is good in general but I don't know if its the easiest way to make simple 2D graphics.  I made a fake console for roguelikes (as in, it would print text to the screen, but it was just drawing sprites) in... I think, Monodevelop?  Whatever it was its pretty much obsolete because everyone moved on to Unity and Unreal Engine.

[RoguelikeRazuka]

No, I don't want Unity or UE4 -- they seem a bit overkill-ish for my goals (for I don't aim at producing serious shit intended for sale at the moment). I was thinking about using libraries like SDL or SFML or maybe a 2D engine like oxygene, but maybe there are better options, especially if I'm not using C++.

[Mephisto]

From experience: don't use python.  Python code runs slower than C# by a lot.  Roguelikes involve a lot of processor intensive stuff.  Level generation, pathfinding, line of sight.  With proper optimization you certainly could write a roguelike in Python, but you might miss that extra speed a lot.  Never know what you might try to do down the line.

Also speaking from experience, it really doesn't matter. This guy has admitted that "my code is rarely very elegant (since I don’t come from a Computer Science background)" and he doesn't appear to be having any of those problems.

[FallacyofUrist]

I've been interested in producing a roguelike for a long while, and there's something I want to know...

How do pathfinding algorithms work? And sight algorithms? This is driving me batty. Mad as a hatter. Whatever.

[Sergius]

Pathfinding is usually some variation of A*, which is a type of search algorithm. Probably Googling it will turn up something better than my limited knowledge of it.

Here's a cool site about line-of-sight algorithms and explanation: https://www.redblobgames.com/articles/visibility/

EDIT: Same site with some pathfinding: https://www.redblobgames.com/pathfinding/a-star/introduction.html

[Retropunch]

I've been interested in producing a roguelike for a long while, and there's something I want to know...

How do pathfinding algorithms work? And sight algorithms? This is driving me batty. Mad as a hatter. Whatever.

Have you gone through the roguebasin Python/C# + libtcod tutorial? That has some stuff on pathfinding - it doesn't go into the technicalities in depth, but it's the best way to get a RL up and working quickly

[EnigmaticHat]

I've been interested in producing a roguelike for a long while, and there's something I want to know...

How do pathfinding algorithms work? And sight algorithms? This is driving me batty. Mad as a hatter. Whatever.

Line of sight you do via rays, AKA a continuous line along which you check every point until it hits something.  At the end of level generation mark every tile unexplored.  Then every time you want to recalculate line of sight, mark every tile as unseen and send out rays in every direction.  Every time a ray crosses over a tile, mark it as seen AND explored.  If that ray hits a LoS blocker, like a wall, end the ray (although still mark the wall as visible).  You don't need to calculate LoS to creatures, you just need to calculate it to the tiles the creatures are standing on.

Alternately, you could go with a simpler route.  Either make everything on-camera visible and lock camera movement, or divide your level up into rooms and let the player see everything in any room they're standing in.  Honestly tho LoS is simple enough that you shouldn't need to cheat like that.

I'd highly recommend only calculating LoS for the player.  Assume any creature the player can see can see them, and any creature out of sight can't see the player.  It lines up with how most players will intuitively think LoS works, and its soooo much more efficient than checking each creature's LoS.

A* pathfinding is a bit harder than LoS.  For the first time you implement I'd honestly recommend just following a guide word for word and learning that way.  That should be easier than trying to understand the entire process before you start. 

[Retropunch]

I'd highly recommend only calculating LoS for the player.  Assume any creature the player can see can see them, and any creature out of sight can't see the player.  It lines up with how most players will intuitively think LoS works, and its soooo much more efficient than checking each creature's LoS.

A* pathfinding is a bit harder than LoS.  For the first time you implement I'd honestly recommend just following a guide word for word and learning that way.  That should be easier than trying to understand the entire process before you start.

Definitely agree with both of these - unless you're building some sort of mechanic around it, ALWAYS assume that all LoS is based on the player. It gets confusing and feels unfair if creatures can see you and you can't see them. I tried to do this in an early RL I did a quick mock up of and it just didn't work.

Definitely use a library for A* and just follow the libtcod tutorial on it - it's not worth doing anything more until you need it.

[sambojin]

Two way LoS can work in some cases. In DoomRL it turned from an exploit, to an essential part of gameplay, with character traits on levelling to exploit it even more.

If you do want a less CPU intensive style, but with some depth to it still, just add ranges for different environments/creature types. Say the player has 15 squares of vision during daytime and an enemy only has 10, the player will see the creature at 12 squares, but the creature's attack AI won't be triggered until you get within ten of it. Swap them around for nighttime.

Basically you do normal one-way LoS out to about 20 squares, but with all objects having a seen/not seen Boolean tag that gets altered by the player's actual vision distance. Tiles only get updated in UI if seen=true, even though it's actually calculating tiles out to a further range for AI checking. Creatures just get tagged as seeing/unseeing you to trigger various behaviors, depending on distance to player and their vision stat in that environment, with LoS=true/false based off the player's "extended" vision of 20. You can make it more complicated if you'd like....

Not the greatest explanation, but it adds quite a bit of complexity to vision, and can add all kinds of peculiar quirks to different enemies, and even player races. Living/robotic, day/night, particularly good against certain enemies, etc, and it gives you another layer of itemization to play with as well. Not bad for a couple of tags or values added to each enemy, jumped off the core one-way vision system.

I'm mainly just saying that one-way player-centric LoS calcs don't necessarily mean simple or without significant gameplay or design options to it.

[EnigmaticHat]

There’s only one reason you would need to understand how A* works: if you want to change the heuristic.  That’s the guide the computer uses to guess which tiles are closest to the objective.  You can do things like set a trap’s pathing cost to 600 times a standard tile.  Thus the computer won’t even try to make a path over the trap unless its the only way through.