This page explain how a character is stored, and will explain how to create one.

Introduction - Character creation

What

Every file about one character is contained in a directory of the name of the character, placed in media/characters/

these directory contain 2 types of file:

1. The png files of frames of animation which can have any name.
2. A xml file of the name of the player which discribe every details about the character like the name, and describe animations of every movement in term of duration of frames (a frame being described by indicating the corresponding png file).

How

About png files, they must use transparency if you want a correct integration in the game (and you /want/ that). I won't explain much about theses, they are just basically images of the character in every pwosition the player will see him when playing.

About the xml file, it describe any specificity of the player, every animation with all their meta-information are descrided here. Basically copy it from the first ever character for this game then modify it, it must follow those rules:

Character node

• Contain one "character" node containing general information about the character and containing nodes of every movements.
• The character must have a base "hardshape" wich is the rect that will physically collide level or other players.

Example:

<character
    name="Stick"
    image="./icon.jpg"
    creator="Samoht"
    weight="110"
    age="Not Disclosed"
    Description="A misterious character based on sticks, with some awsome powers.">
</character>

Movement nodes

Every "movement" node need at least the name of the movement, his duration, and if the animation of this movement "loop". And at least one "frame" node.

Example:

... Static

 <movement name="static"
    duration="1"
    repeat="-1"
    >
</movement>

... Movement

 <movement name="walk"
    duration="1000"
    repeat="-1"
    >
    </movement>

Frame nodes

• Every frame node must contain at least the time information (time=)(wich describe at what time this frame statrt to be showed) and the name of the image (image=) of this frame.
• Every frame can contain the hardshape of this frame, if not the game will default to the character main hardshape (recommended to give a hardshape to every frames more different than a little of the original)
• Every frame can contain one or more "agressiv point" node which will be tested for collision with other players, a player colliding with an agressiv point of another is hit. Obviously dont define agressive points for other frames than attacks, it would not be fun.(not implemented yet).

Example:

  <frame
        time="0"
        image="stick-static1.png"
        > </frame>
        <frame
        time="150"
        image="stick-walk1.png"
        > </frame>
        <frame
        time="300"
        image="stick-walk2.png"
        > </frame>
        <frame
        time="450"
        image="stick-walk3.png"
        > </frame>
        <frame
        time="600"
        image="stick-walk4.png"
        > </frame>
        <frame
        time="750"
        image="stick-walk5.png"
        > </frame>

Agressive nodes

• An agressive node has a position (x,y) from top-left origin of the frame and,
• A vector wich describe strengh and direction of projection if any. The strengh influence both damages and projection distance.

Ideas

If you want to create characters but you aren't inspired I put a few ideas here: you can add ideas too, please be descriptive.

• A knight with sword cape and so, big bonned ;)
• A Monkey, maybe a small, fun and fast one (NOT Donky Kong;))
• A sorcerer...