Venatio Creo Basics
Venatio Creo products share similar structures, naming conventions and program flow. This page is designed to be an introductory primer to some of the things you can expect to see when using Venatio Creo Online or another product in our catalog.
Application Structure
All Venatio Creo products are split into two separate program functions: a game player, and a game editor. The game player is used to play games that have been created with that version of Venatio Creo. The game editor is the toolset used to create new game experiences. Venatio Creo products always share both a game player and an editor, even in cases where the game is loaded automatically.
Game Player
The game player inside a Venatio Creo application can only play games created with that application. It is not possible to share games across different products, and attempting to load them could result in undefined behavior. We strongly recommend against doing this.
Game Editor
The Venatio Creo Game Editor is typically called the Game World Editor. The editor provides an interface for creating each aspect of a game, as well as playtesting it at any time. In the next few sections, we're going to go into some of the building blocks that make up a game.
Maps
Game maps are the basis of your game world. Each map acts as a background comprised of fixed-sized tiles. Each tile may have its own individual image and you build your background by mixing and matching images. A game map also plays host to Global Game Logic.
Tiles
Tiles are fixed sized objects that form the background of your game world and comprise a game map. Each tile may have its own unique image. In certain versions of Venatio Creo, tiles may be made solid and act as obstructions.
Objects
Objects are the entities that make up your game world. An object may be anything you want it to be, such as an NPC, a tree, a cloud, an explosion, etc... Object's are unique because they each have their own image, size, local game logic and other qualities. In some versions of Venatio Creo, it is possible to specify a collision bounding box for the object that is independent of its size. In addition, in certain cases you may be able to select solidity and visibility without using game logic. All game logics also feature a layer setting which designates which appears "on top" of another when they share the same space. By modifying the layer, you can create multi-leveled scenes that have a distinct background, a clear middle level and a higher level. Typically, you have access to 7 different layers.
Game Logic
Game logic exists at two levels, global game logic and local game logic. Global game logic is logic that exists at a map level and has the ability to encompass anything within that map. Local game logic on the other hand is active at the individual object level, and closely ties to its host logic. Game logic in Venatio Creo is designed to be simple English sentences instead of traditional programming code. You will build your game logic sentences from the Game Logic Editor interface, which is typically available directly on the Game World Editor's bottom menu.
Game logic is executed in a linear order. First, Global game logic is processed in a top to bottom order. Then, each object has its logic processed in their order of original creation, also in a top to bottom order. This makes it easy for you to anticipate which sentences will be read and perform actions in a clear and understandable order. The actual game logic available will differ between each version of Venatio Creo, and certain logic is only available in either global or local mode.
Playtesting
Each Venatio Creo Game Editor features a playtesting mode where you may see your changes in action immediately. When you are tweaking game logic or object placement, it's a good idea to hop into playtesting mode to make sure everything is working as expected. You can be assured that behavior in playtest mode will reflect identically to the normal game player and everything will be returned to its original spot when you leave playtesting. That being said, it never hurts to save your game before you begin playtesting, and we recommend keeping multiple save files for your game so that you may return to a previous version if you need to.
Additional Information
There is additional, more specific help information available in each version of Venatio Creo. You may also check out our Tutorials, or ask a question in our Forums if you need a quicker answer.
Application Structure
All Venatio Creo products are split into two separate program functions: a game player, and a game editor. The game player is used to play games that have been created with that version of Venatio Creo. The game editor is the toolset used to create new game experiences. Venatio Creo products always share both a game player and an editor, even in cases where the game is loaded automatically.
Game Player
The game player inside a Venatio Creo application can only play games created with that application. It is not possible to share games across different products, and attempting to load them could result in undefined behavior. We strongly recommend against doing this.
Game Editor
The Venatio Creo Game Editor is typically called the Game World Editor. The editor provides an interface for creating each aspect of a game, as well as playtesting it at any time. In the next few sections, we're going to go into some of the building blocks that make up a game.
Maps
Game maps are the basis of your game world. Each map acts as a background comprised of fixed-sized tiles. Each tile may have its own individual image and you build your background by mixing and matching images. A game map also plays host to Global Game Logic.
Tiles
Tiles are fixed sized objects that form the background of your game world and comprise a game map. Each tile may have its own unique image. In certain versions of Venatio Creo, tiles may be made solid and act as obstructions.
Objects
Objects are the entities that make up your game world. An object may be anything you want it to be, such as an NPC, a tree, a cloud, an explosion, etc... Object's are unique because they each have their own image, size, local game logic and other qualities. In some versions of Venatio Creo, it is possible to specify a collision bounding box for the object that is independent of its size. In addition, in certain cases you may be able to select solidity and visibility without using game logic. All game logics also feature a layer setting which designates which appears "on top" of another when they share the same space. By modifying the layer, you can create multi-leveled scenes that have a distinct background, a clear middle level and a higher level. Typically, you have access to 7 different layers.
Game Logic
Game logic exists at two levels, global game logic and local game logic. Global game logic is logic that exists at a map level and has the ability to encompass anything within that map. Local game logic on the other hand is active at the individual object level, and closely ties to its host logic. Game logic in Venatio Creo is designed to be simple English sentences instead of traditional programming code. You will build your game logic sentences from the Game Logic Editor interface, which is typically available directly on the Game World Editor's bottom menu.
Game logic is executed in a linear order. First, Global game logic is processed in a top to bottom order. Then, each object has its logic processed in their order of original creation, also in a top to bottom order. This makes it easy for you to anticipate which sentences will be read and perform actions in a clear and understandable order. The actual game logic available will differ between each version of Venatio Creo, and certain logic is only available in either global or local mode.
Playtesting
Each Venatio Creo Game Editor features a playtesting mode where you may see your changes in action immediately. When you are tweaking game logic or object placement, it's a good idea to hop into playtesting mode to make sure everything is working as expected. You can be assured that behavior in playtest mode will reflect identically to the normal game player and everything will be returned to its original spot when you leave playtesting. That being said, it never hurts to save your game before you begin playtesting, and we recommend keeping multiple save files for your game so that you may return to a previous version if you need to.
Additional Information
There is additional, more specific help information available in each version of Venatio Creo. You may also check out our Tutorials, or ask a question in our Forums if you need a quicker answer.
