I've got "races", "classes", "affiliations"
I figure I can use database instead of attribute files (though I'll be starting with files to get the hang of the coding.)

Class will be one database w/ Rows for each individual class and columns for each attribute (bonuses and the like).
Same for Races and Affiliations.
I'll leave actual base character stats for later.

I figure the "world" could be a table, with each room being a row, with each room attribute being a column.

My question is how do you make NPCs (which could be in the PCharacter table or in a separate NPC table) and PCs exist in the same room. Is that a File, a Table, or is there some other method normally used in a non-graphical or maybe it's the same for graphical "rooms".

I figure for Player1 playing Character1 the code to see who's in the room would have the PC Table include a column for "current_room". You'd run an (something like):
IF Character1.Current_Room = Character[2..x].Current_Room
THEN ~Populate Player1's Client w/ Character[2..x].Name

At least that's what I was thinking a few hours ago....now it makes me think that would be a *lot* of processing....much like having each Room have it's own table w/ a bunch of add/drop commands running for each character that enters the room.

Some of that wouldn't be so bad if you had only a few rooms....but I'm thinking of at least hundreds if not thousands of rooms.

p.s. reference material on this kind of consideration in game design would be welcome.

Thanks,
NC

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

I started trying to get organized in a spreadsheet but it started getting a bit confusing trying to get it into plain and simple relations. I'd definately need to brainstorm a little more in detail before trying to commit anything to code.

Any suggestions on paper game creation thoughts or "things to consider"?

I also suggest playing it yourself with yourself making it fair. One of my problems after doing this for a few months was I went so much harder on myself I got experience at a faster rate, and thus became more powerful, and grew faster. Have fun! I've got to scram!

Edit: An additional note: I build first in my head, then write it all down. I find the nighttime in bed to be more than sutible for my imagination.

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

[This message has been edited by Mene-Mene (edited December 04, 2006).]

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MM out-
Thought travels much faster than sound, it is better to think something twice, and say it once, than to think something once, and have to say it twice.
"Frogs and Fauns! The tournament!" - Professor Winneynoodle/HanClinto

Side note:
This is kind of a mixed bag - I still have questions as to the place of magic and the like, as well as non-human races, in games or other fiction. But I'm going to try to get the ideas out of my system rather than just floating in my head. I figure once I get them down I can actually see them and decide where I want to go with it and why.