Since several people have been asking, I might as well give a general overview of the current state of SEx:Engine.
After a short self-induced exodus from SEx:Engine (and all computer-related activities) due to personal reasons, I have returned to continue where I have dropped off.
Basically - the game engine (as of now) allows players to define (via scripting) sectors and systems with planets which either "hang in space" or orbit. Graphics are customizable. There are several "triggers" which can call custom procedures - such as collision with planets. The script language allows scriptors to set variables, has if-clauses, and a growing amount of other events. It is also possible to activate custom "DAEMONs", which are timelines of events with its own internal clock. Of course, lots of nice smaller tools and tricks (such as custom decals) round this off.
As of now, my main work is getting TEMPLATEs fully customizable - that will save work on scripting and defining planets. The other main event is to expand the trade engine to allow a GUI trading interface.
So, as you can see - its very basic because most of my work so far has been on adding flexibility and functionality to SEx:script - the scripting language. It has alway been my opinion that it is important to provide the tools to allow people to do their own thing with the script language before concentrating on "hardcoded" engines to simplify things.
So - no NPCs, no enemies, no combat - as of now. At most, one could easily create simple fetch quests and simple pacifist adventure mini-quests. But I am happy with the system as it is so far, and it can only get better from here, now that the foundation is quite solid.
Oh, and to round things off... an extremely simple example of SEx:script:
PLANET *EARTH*
NAME *Earth*
MAP *SOLAR SYSTEM*
PICTURE *earth.jpg*
ENTER
TURNFLAGON *earthvisit*
DISPLAY *Initiating docking procedures...*
IFFLAG *illicitcargo*
DISPLAY *Our scans have discovered something...*
CALL *illegalcargo*
ELSE IFFLAG
DISPLAY *Have a nice time at Earth Starport!*
END IFFLAG
END ENTER
END PLANET
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