RE: [Xenocide-programming] Tech Tree XML layout

[Vlad J. <vj...@au...>]

Captain,

I really liked the idea about adding missions. As you said that would allow
us to open some specific missions if some conditions met.

Another observation.
The XML format you have created is suitable for "priming" the game. That is,
the game code will read it and initialize internal state of some research
management object. I imagine the whole tree will be kept in the memory and
the object will check the nodes to determine what actions to take.
But what about saved games? When player will save the game, the whole
research tree state (topics researched, the progress on current topic, etc.)
must be saved as well. Then why couldn't we use the same format? It will fit
the purpose, except that it misses the variable to reflect that state.

What if you would add such variables? I think that 'topic' should have a
Boolean variable to indicate whether it is researched or not, then another
Boolean to indicate whether it is under research now or not, and then some
integer to indicate the progress made (that is in case only when the topic
is under research now)? What do you think?

Anyway, the great job is done. 

Although, I take it is not complete yet as I have found couple oddities
myself:
1) "Tank/Laser" topic is missing; 
2) "Laser Rifle" prereqs a "Laser Pistol" although as far as I remember it
should prereq only "Laser Weapons".
It would be nice if someone from our X-Com gurus (Stewart, Micah, STJones,
others ???) would go other that file and make sure that its content is
correct.

Again, it is really great job. I like what I see.

Regards,
mamutas 

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