Game Maker's Garage Forum

Game Maker's Garage => Announcements => Topic started by: Silverwind on April 26, 2010, 05:48:05 PM

Title: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on April 26, 2010, 05:48:05 PM
As most of you know, I've long regarded stat calibration as the most difficult task in game design. It has singlehandedly brought down several of my unfinished projects and sapped an unhealthy amount of motivation from the ones I did finish.

I used to spend countless hours writing and rewriting stat tables that never quite worked out when put to the test, and after almost three years of formulating these tedious number patterns I was no nearer to achieving a balanced stat table than I was when I began. If anything I was getting worse! Then, with a sudden spark of inspiration last February while working on the Roguesoft RPG Engine, I concocted the Percentile Based Table system.

Put simply, I love the PBT system. It's beautiful. It's the V6 of stat calibration. Not only does it deliver the balanced rates I've long sought after, it's also extremely versatile. Indeed, versatility is the driving force behind PBT in the form of distinctive entity characteristics. Whereas up until now most GM/SC RPGs (certainly mine) boast varying degrees of enemy strength, there's virtually no depth whatsoever applied to enemy characteristics. An enemy is either strong or weak, nothing else, and with such flat levels of versatility RPGs like Quest of Magic boasting vast amounts of combat fail to engage the player in any degree of skilfulness, as gameplay revolves solely around level grinding.

With PBT it's a piece of cake to define enemy strengths and weaknesses, and using the base value chart as a reference you can easily work out the overall strength of an enemy in accordance with its level. Furthermore it's incredibly easy to adjust the rates of battle damage, accuracy and duration to whatever you like without ever having to modify the system.

In short, the PBT system is one of the most beneficial game resources ever. If you haven't already tried it out, you're bound to fall in love with it like me.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentage Based Table system
Post by: Mystor on April 26, 2010, 05:52:14 PM
Can I has link?
TYVM :P
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentage Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on April 26, 2010, 06:03:45 PM
The RSRPGE uses the PBT system. Check out the topic for the latest release: http://www.gamemakersgarage.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=gametime;action=display;num=1259869684;start=90#90
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentage Based Table system
Post by: Mystor on April 26, 2010, 06:13:02 PM
Only problem: I don't have a mac available right now...
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentage Based Table system
Post by: Gan on April 26, 2010, 06:20:51 PM
I feel your pain...


-Gan
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentage Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on April 26, 2010, 06:21:01 PM
Ah. Well here's the formula for battle calculation:

'--- Preset variables.
baseHitChance = 50
maxHitChance = 95
minHitChance = 5
baseDamage = 16
baseRandomDamage = 7
maxDamage = 999
minDamage = 5
 
'--- Determine the chance of the attack hitting.
hitWindow = baseHitChance
hitWindow = hitWindow + attackerAccuracy
hitWindow = hitWindow - defenderEvasion
IF hitWindow > maxHitChance THEN hitWindow = maxHitChance
IF hitWindow < minHitChance THEN hitWindow = minHitChance
hitRoll = RANDOM 100
 
'--- If the attack hits, deal damage.
IF hitRoll =< hitWindow THEN
  damageRoll = RANDOM baseRandomDamage
  damageRoll = damageRoll + baseDamage
  damageRoll = damageRoll + attackerAttack
  damageRoll = damageRoll - defenderDefense
  IF damageRoll < minDamage THEN damageRoll = minDamage
  IF damageRoll > maxDamage THEN damageRoll = maxDamage
  defenderHP = defenderHP - damageRoll
END IF


And these are the primary attributes of an entity: (keeping to my template, but you can easily add your own)


entityAttack = 10
entityDefence = 10
entityAccuracy = 10
entityEvasion = 10


The combined attribute values of an enemy should equal 10 * the amount of its primary attributes * the enemy's level. So 40 for a level 1 enemy with 4 primary attributes.

Also, an enemy's HP should equal 100 to ensure correct calculation of the percentile based sum. You can set the player's HP to whatever you want to accommodate your desired vitality rate. For example, if I wanted the player to survive 4 monsters of equal level on average before getting defeated, I'd set the player's HP to 400.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Mystor on April 26, 2010, 06:56:57 PM
Thanks, So basically it is all based around percentiles?
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Charlo on April 26, 2010, 07:32:34 PM
That code is nice.  I've tried implementing percentages into battle calculations but GM's lack of decimal support is hard to get around.  Your way is ingenious.  
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on April 27, 2010, 03:22:37 AM
Quote
Thanks, So basically it is all based around percentiles?
Yup. :) If you'd like to give me some odds and rates for battle damage, attack accuracy and battle length I can show you how to set up a table.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Tireas Dragon on April 27, 2010, 09:54:03 AM
I try to stick with smaller numbers, and gain more health as you go up levels. So the first few levels increase your strength exponentially. I don't like it though I think I am going to try something else involving vitality and level.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on April 27, 2010, 11:20:07 AM
I used to work off raw numbers too, but trust me when I say it's a spiral of doom. The concept of percentage based calculation fixes all the problems down the line with progression rates.

The values themselves are no longer important, it's the table of values as a whole that matters.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: EqwanoX on January 20, 2011, 11:39:24 AM
i think its easier to just have armor+def subtract a fixed amount of hit points, better armor subtracts more.

how do you handle accuracy and evade stats? those are even more complicated to balance
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on February 04, 2011, 04:24:28 PM
Here's a basic explanation of how the system works:

http://screencast.com/t/vtqow4k4mc

I'll gladly do another one (when it's not so late and my voice isn't so raspy) if there's anything else you'd like me to explain.

EDIT:

Whoops! The Medusa would have a 70% chance of hitting the player, not an 80% chance (50 + 30 - 10). Pretend you didn't hear that...
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: EqwanoX on February 05, 2011, 01:29:06 PM
 thats exacly what i did in gangwars. i agree thats probly the best way to handle hit and evade stats
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: GMG Kurt on May 01, 2011, 08:37:28 PM
personally I'm a fan of Thac0 like in AD&D. I'm currently starting an RPG that will use a lot of AD&D mechanics.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on May 02, 2011, 12:54:50 PM
Quote
personally I'm a fan of Thac0 like in AD&D.
Yeah, I'm a big fan of the 2nd edition Thac0 system. To emulate the rates of the Thac0 system, set the maximum achievable values of entityAccuracy and entityEvasion to 100 and set the increments per influencing factor to 5.

Quote
I'm currently starting an RPG that will use a lot of AD&D mechanics.
Which edition?
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: GMG Kurt on May 02, 2011, 02:45:35 PM
AD&D 1st with moral rules from AD&D 2nd. I'm using them for the SilverStone RPG I contacted you about.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: GMG Kurt on May 03, 2011, 09:47:59 PM
Quote
AD&D 1st with moral rules from AD&D 2nd. I'm using them for the SilverStone RPG I contacted you about.
I meant that I'm using a lot of them. You'll have no stats in SilverStone... or at least thats the intention. I may change that, but I'm sure to use the combat tables, and somehow emulate the turn structure to a real time game.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Connors on June 27, 2012, 01:26:04 AM
Coolest. Thread. Ever. ;D
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on June 27, 2012, 03:08:19 PM
I love that I randomly log in for the first time in weeks and this thread has been grave digged mere hours ago. I also think it's a cool thread! ;D Is anyone using the PBT system at the mo? I was polishing up a few things in the Roguesoft RPG Engine the other day and I fell in love with it again. It's so lovely!
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Gan on June 27, 2012, 03:11:52 PM
I'm planning on using your PBT system very soon for the chat box game.
Connors has been going on about it's awesomeness, so I'll check out the RRPGEE tonight and start planning on how to build this in.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Connors on June 27, 2012, 03:16:54 PM
The GMG's very first POG (Pointless Online Game) is going to make use of this ingenious percentile system. Should be really fun.
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Silverwind on June 27, 2012, 03:23:28 PM
Sounds cool, I'll post up the up to date version of the RRPGE... for no particular reason. :)
Title: Re: Why I love the Percentile Based Table system
Post by: Connors on June 27, 2012, 03:52:08 PM
personally I'm a fan of Thac0 like in AD&D. I'm currently starting an RPG that will use a lot of AD&D mechanics.
There's a webcomic that satires DnD called Goblins, that has a character named Thaco. Now i know why.  8)
Title: But rituximab contours resisting territory.
Post by: ocuxakoozot on March 23, 2024, 05:43:21 AM
Adherent intracardiac mobilize mesencephalic order lasix (https://yourdirectpt.com/order-lasix/) prednisone 10 mg information (https://heavenlyhappyhour.com/prednisone-20-mg/) amoxicillin (https://primerafootandankle.com/item/amoxicillin/) buy xenical (https://a1sewcraft.com/xenical/) precio de la orlistat triamterene overnight (https://fountainheadapartmentsma.com/triamterene/) nemasole (https://miaseilern.com/product/nemasole/) prednisone without perscription (https://recipiy.com/prednisone/) online generic nizagara (https://dallashealthybabies.org/nizagara/) generic levitra vardenafil (https://columbiainnastoria.com/generic-levitra/) zithromax.com lowest price (https://primerafootandankle.com/zithromax-com-lowest-price/) cymbalta (https://primerafootandankle.com/discount-cymbalta/) walmart cialis price (https://mplseye.com/cialis-generic-canada/) methylprednisolone (https://racelineonline.com/methylprednisolone/) order super pack online (https://petermillerfineart.com/pill/super-pack/) dostinex commercial (https://umichicago.com/drugs/dostinex/) orap on line (https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/orap/) price of sildenafil (https://pureelegance-decor.com/sildenafil/) azilect (https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/product/azilect/) celebrex prices (https://thepaleomodel.com/celebrex/) sumycin (https://midsouthprc.org/product/sumycin/) flexible <a href="https://yourdirectpt.com/order-lasix/">cheapest lasix dosage price</a> <a href="https://heavenlyhappyhour.com/prednisone-20-mg/">prednisone information</a> <a href="https://primerafootandankle.com/item/amoxicillin/">amoxicillin</a> <a href="https://a1sewcraft.com/xenical/">xenical online</a> <a href="https://fountainheadapartmentsma.com/triamterene/">triamterene overnight</a> <a href="https://miaseilern.com/product/nemasole/">nemasole</a> <a href="https://recipiy.com/prednisone/">prednisone without prescription</a> <a href="https://dallashealthybabies.org/nizagara/">online generic nizagara</a> <a href="https://columbiainnastoria.com/generic-levitra/">generic levitra vardenafil 20mg</a> <a href="https://primerafootandankle.com/zithromax-com-lowest-price/">buy cheap zithromax</a> <a href="https://primerafootandankle.com/discount-cymbalta/">overnight cymbalta</a> <a href="https://mplseye.com/cialis-generic-canada/">cialis tablets</a> <a href="https://racelineonline.com/methylprednisolone/">methylprednisolone 8mg</a> methylprednisolone walmart price <a href="https://petermillerfineart.com/pill/super-pack/">sales for super-pack</a> <a href="https://umichicago.com/drugs/dostinex/">buy cheap dostinex</a> <a href="https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/orap/">orap</a> <a href="https://pureelegance-decor.com/sildenafil/">sildenafil coupons</a> <a href="https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/product/azilect/">lowest price on generic azilect</a> <a href="https://thepaleomodel.com/celebrex/">celebrex without dr prescription usa</a> <a href="https://midsouthprc.org/product/sumycin/">low price sumycin</a> deposition, horns https://yourdirectpt.com/order-lasix/ https://heavenlyhappyhour.com/prednisone-20-mg/ https://primerafootandankle.com/item/amoxicillin/ https://a1sewcraft.com/xenical/ https://fountainheadapartmentsma.com/triamterene/ triamterene generic pills https://miaseilern.com/product/nemasole/ https://recipiy.com/prednisone/ https://dallashealthybabies.org/nizagara/ https://columbiainnastoria.com/generic-levitra/ https://primerafootandankle.com/zithromax-com-lowest-price/ https://primerafootandankle.com/discount-cymbalta/ https://mplseye.com/cialis-generic-canada/ cialis generic canada https://racelineonline.com/methylprednisolone/ https://petermillerfineart.com/pill/super-pack/ https://umichicago.com/drugs/dostinex/ https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/orap/ https://pureelegance-decor.com/sildenafil/ https://fairbusinessgoodwillappraisal.com/product/azilect/ https://thepaleomodel.com/celebrex/ https://midsouthprc.org/product/sumycin/ confidentiality scarring; track.