Building a Simple Text RPG

Hi all,

I have no background in programming and I wish to create a simple RPG text in Actionscript 3.0, like this one.

I know a RPG isn't the recommended way to start in game developing, but I'm not interested in creating another Pong, Snake, Asteroids, plataformer, etc. I just need to create variables some and simple functions. A combat system, a store and some areas filled with bad guys. Maybe I´ll implement a save/load system later on.

I already checked tons of threads and tutorials, but unfortunately pretty much all the information I found was either outdated, poorly explained, code filled with errors or useless.

I've seen some books that looked interesting (like Flash Game Uneversity) but they seem overkill, and while I kinda understand the logic when following the tutorial, when I have to build the same code without any sort of help, I'm hopeless.

With that in mind, it seems the right choice it to create a small project where you apply the few little concepts you know and learn

Where should I place the variables? It seems the easiest way is to put them in the timeline frames, but someone advised to use a XML file?

Also, I'm interested to know how to implement a save/load system.

Thanks.

P.S: I wasn't sure where I should post this thread. Hope this is the right place.

Drokar, start with one thing, when you are stuck at a point after trying, post it here and we will help. That way you will be able to learn faster, and we can help you with what "you" are doing wrong.

A text rpg isn't exactly the easiest first project, but it is not that hard either, unless you over-complicate things for yourself. Don't bother with a save/load system yet, you can easily include it near the end, but if you really want to know, then simply search in google for a SharedObject tutorial. This would be a good read

As for writing variables, I would really advice staying off the timeline, but XML is not where you declare variables.....XML is a fancy way to declare an nested array, which is mostly used to define your game/level structure. like

Code:

---

<game>
  <level requiredExp="0">
      <monster count="10" maxHealth="200">
      <treasureChest count="5" maxValue="50">
  </level>
</game>

---

You can then read in this data to generate your game levels. w3schools has excellent info on XML, and kirupa.com has nice tutorials on dealing with XML for flash. But before this, the first thing you need to do, is perfectly plan out your game. Like how many screens there will be?(story,dungeon,fight,shop,...e.t.c), and what each screen's looks and purposes are? Then plan out the gameplay in your head, and see where, if at all, you need XML. Then its time to write the various as3 classes for your game elements, and you will declare your variables within these classes.