Chapter 12

Top-Down Shooter/RPG Game Framework

In this chapter we will create a game framework suitable for a top-down shooter/role playing type game.

Of course, role playing games do not need to be from the top-down perspective. However, the old roleplaying games such as the original Ultima series featured a 2D top-down view of the playfield and used 2D icons for characters. This is the sort of feel we want to create here in this game framework although everything will be in 3D. Elements in the framework presented in this chapter that specifically relate to role playing games are:

• The ability to display and save individual character statistics such as hit points, experience, and so forth.
• The ability to direct members of the player's group to perform actions such as attacking an enemy and moving to a new location.