VB Magic

Just a quick post as I’ve decided to write a simplified standalone version of a game to get some game mechanics designed. As a way of storing information that would have been stored I though I would use XML for the “Static” information which brings me to the great XML literals addition to vb.NET. Makes the code so much more readable and it also allows auto complete and error checking while you type it.

Below is a snippet of code to give an example of how the data is generated.

        Dim classes As XElement =
            <classes>
                <class description="A Character trained in weapons and armour">Fighter</class>
                <class description="A Character trained in Ranged and close quarters combat">Rogue</class>
                <class description="A Character trained in the arcane arts of combat">Mage</class>
                <class description="A Character trained in the arcane arts of healing and defence">Priest</class>
            </classes>

        Dim mobs As XElement =
            <mobs>
                <mob strength="1d4+2" constitution="1d6" dexterity="1d4" intelligence="3"
                    weapon="Rats Teeth">Giant Rat</mob>
            </mobs>

        Dim items As XElement =
            <items>
                <item type="weapon" value="1d4" action="stabs">Dagger</item>
                <item type="weapon" value="1d4+1" action="strikes">Staff</item>
                <item type="weapon" value="1d6" action="Shoots">Bow</item>
                <item type="weapon" value="1d6" action="swings">Short Sword</item>
                <item type="defence" value="1" action="">Robes</item>
                <item type="defence" value="2" action="">Leather Armour</item>
                <item type="defence" value="1d4-2" action="">Shield</item>
                <item type="potion" value="1d4" action="quaffs" stat="mana">Mana Potion</item>
                <item type="potion" value="1d4" action="quaffs" stat="hp">Health Potion</item>

                <item type="weapon" value="1d4-1" action="bites">Rats Teeth</item>
            </items>

        Dim spells As XElement =
            <spells>
                <spell></spell>
            </spells>

        Dim maps As XElement =
            <maps>
                <map name="test" rows="10" cols="10">
                    <row number="0">##########</row>
                    <row number="1">#*#f...g>#</row>
                    <row number="2">#.#.######</row>
                    <row number="3">#a#.#....#</row>
                    <row number="4">#+#.#.##.#</row>
                    <row number="5">#.#..e##.#</row>
                    <row number="6">#.######.#</row>
                    <row number="7">#.#....+d#</row>
                    <row number="8">#b+c...###</row>
                    <row number="9">##########</row>
                    <event type="message" description="As you were walking along the field, the ground shook and split appart and you landed in what looks to be an old mine tunnel">*</event>
                    <event type="message" description="You notice bones on the floor">a</event>
                    <event type="message" description="You hear scratching noises through the door">b</event>
                    <event type="fight" description="Giant rats run at you as you enter the room" mob="Giant Rat" mobcount="1d4">c</event>
                    <event type="item" description="You find a health potion on the floor" item="Health Potion" itemcount="1">d</event>
                    <event type="fight" description="Giant Rats swarm round the corrner of the tunnel" mob="Giant Rat" mobcount="1d4+4">e</event>
                    <event type="message" description="You feel a breeze from the end of the corridor">f</event>
                    <event type="message" description="You see a ladder ahead leading out of the tunnel">g</event>
                </map>
            </maps>