How? - Automated score counter

Hi,

I’d like to create an automated scoring system where rather than VP tokens being collected or score markers being moved around a score track, an actual score counter is displayed for each player.

It would still be up to the players to determine how much a particular players’ score counter be incremented or decremented at any point in the game but essentially I’d like the scores to be displayed as a single figure.

Is this possible and if so how do I go about it?

Taking it a step further is it possible to drop particular VP tokens (coins) into the ‘score display box’ and have it automatically increment depending on the value of the VP token? And again if so how?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Jim.

The obvious non automated method is to place a non moveable but selectable At Start Stack that displays the vp total by text label linked to a DP or GP with an interactive button(s) portion to increase/decrease/adjust value (might need 1, might need 3, depends on how you implement)

The automated method requires covering all possible scoring possibilities, adding the requisite traits to those pieces involved and have them trigger their scoring functions accordingly depending on circumstance which is sent to the VP display its altering.

For example, if you set the VP display total text label linked to a module GP and add an apply key to pieces ending movement on the map, have the token upon moving fire that key based upon entering a scoring zone which will increase the matching module GP by 1. This works except you now have to put in the piece an internal mechanism to prevent unintended scoring from things like double movement or accidental drag with a possible reset (if req’d) or everytime you move the token in that location it will keep adding 1 to the score, which you might not want to happen .

Further, depending on game mechanics, movement of the token might require you to subtract from one players VP GP and add to another and so on…this can complicate the routines needed. Without knowing the game, its rules, mechanics, or how you have it setup/built/layed out I cant tell you more beyond that except yes it is possible.

Some modules with automated point type tracking systems you can examine - their complexity varies
1805 Sea of Glory
Saratoga / Brandywine / Guilford (dont remember which one I helped Rob get it working on with)
Twilight Struggle
Combat Commander
Successors III

All of them are different in how they track/total their values as the method’s used are made to suit the particular game and its layout.

From: Yojimbo252 messages@forums.vassalengine.org
To: messages@forums.vassalengine.org
Sent: Fri, March 19, 2010 10:20:08 AM
Subject: [Module Design]How? - Automated score counter

Hi,

I’d like to create an automated scoring system where rather than VP tokens being collected or a score markers being moved around a score track, an actual score counter is displayed for each player.

It would still be up to the players to determine how much a particular players’ score counter be incremented or decremented at any point in the game but essentially I’d like the scores to be displayed as a single figure.

Is this possible and if so how do I go about it?

Taking it a step further is it possible to drop particular VP tokens (coins) into the ‘score display box’ and have it automatically increment depending on the value of the VP token? And again if so how?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Jim.


Small World Online - Vassal Module (vassalengine.org/community/i … ule_id=856)


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Thank you for a very quick and detailed answer.

Let me digest what you’ve said (as my vassal development skills are fairly limited) and I’ll also check out the example modules you’ve provided and if I have any further questions I’ll get back to you.

Many thanks.

I could use more help on this but just the manual way. I don’t know what DP or GP is. Can I make a blank game piece and attach some sort of trait that’ll simply display a number (not an image file so not layers) upon a command? And it’ll keep counting up or down as needed?

DP is short for Dynamic Property. GP is short for Global Property.

The most straightforward way to do what you see is a Text Label. You can reference a Dynamic Property in the piece itself, or a Global Property. DPs are adjusted by key commands you set in the DP config itself, and pieces can adjust GPs with a Set Global Property trait.

Thank you I did notice the text label trait seemed to work. The only issue is I want it attached to a transparent piece so only the number appears. Does vassal allow fully transparent png files?

Sure. As long as something is a valid image format, it’ll be displayed. VASSAL doesn’t care if the whole thing’s opaque, transparent, or anything in between (for image formats that have an alpha channel, that is).