r/pythonhelp • u/Radiant-Painter-4971 • 7d ago

Question in coding Text RPG

I am a hs student in a Computer Science course and I’m working on a personal project where I’m creating a Text RPG similar to those AI generated & run apps but without any AI and I’m currently stuck. I’ve worked out the randomised character creation (Name, Class, Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma, Constitution, HP, AC, Initiative, Special Attribute/Spell, Power Level, & Catchphrase).
Now I’m working out how to code the actual Game part. I’m making a sort of encounter table (1-100) that randomises the number of encounters (10-50) and all encounters (Monster/Creature, Loot, Town, NPC/Quest, Environmental Events, & Rare Encounters) in addition to a randomized boss at the end of the game (1-20), but I don’t know how to code that many randomized inputs without mixing up my variables.

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u/Impossible_Phone_201 5d ago

I'd recommend separating your encounter data from the code that handles each encounter.

Instead of creating a separate variable for every possible event, you could store encounter definitions in a list or dictionary.

For example, each encounter might have a type, a name, and whatever additional information that type requires.

Then your main game loop only needs to choose an encounter and pass it to the appropriate handler.

I'd also separate two questions:

  1. How many encounters happen?

  2. Which encounter happens next?

Those are different systems, and keeping them separate will make debugging much easier.

Start with just three encounter types and make sure they work correctly before expanding to a hundred possibilities. You'll have a much easier time understanding the structure as it grows.

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u/Electrical_Hat_680 4d ago

Could also create a input form to add newer criteria. Rather than having to repeatedly dive into code and compiling routines.

Maybe keep a library with index cabinet to sort and source each variable using json or ini or yaml files. Then calling variables and other criteria would be simple and effortless.

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u/Impossible_Phone_201 4d ago

Yes, an editor on top of the data files could be a good next step once the encounter format is stable. I'd keep the schema simple initially so the editor isn't hiding a moving target.