Metric System

After a meeting with the EGC gents this morning, we decided to build a tool that will be a big help with the development of the economics game we are working on. I am calling this tool the Metric System. What the Metric System will do: The entire economics game revolves around a small number of metrics that will be effected one way or the other by what a player does. Player actions will be basically one of two things, one, build buildings on their virtual campus and two, make decisions that respond to random events. The Metric System tool, using a simple form, will generate an XML document that will hold not only the metrics that will be used in the final version of the game but also hold all the possible events and user responses that could take place during play. Once all these events are entered, the tool will also be able to simulate game play action. This will allow us developers to quickly and plainly see how all these events will effect our metrics without the distraction and complication of graphics and polished GUI elements. This tool should be a tremendous help in securing solid game mechanics before we go down the road of building all the graphic assets that will be needed for this large game. Also, since the code used to build the tool will be ready to slip into my game engine that will drive the final game, editing of the mechanics can happen side by side with the development of the final polished graphics. If done right, this tool will not only help the economics game, but will be versatile enough to aid in a wide range of game mechanic development.