Multiplayer learning issue

[thesourceeternal]

In multiplayer mode people would either write/create their own versions of components or they would use those others had made. If they write their own, we end up with a lot of repeated scripts. If they use others' components, they don't get to learn by writing their own.

Can the game itself combat this weakness? Is that the only way?

Perhaps we only allow people to make stuff with components they've made themselves? Perhaps they can see the effects their friends have created, but cannot use those specific components themselves. They'll still be able to get pre-made stuff online. It may end up as simply a more complicated and flexible minecraft.

It seems to me that learning basic concepts is possible in such a multiplayer environment, but that it's less crucial and thus less likely. Perhaps if we provide un-editable levels that are simply for learning.

[kumavis]

When you invite someone to join your game, do they bring their inventory? or are they a fresh/empty character? or are they a clone of you at this level?

[thesourceeternal]

Wow, that is a very astute question.

I would imagine they'd bring their inventory - they did presumably write/create those components already, so I'd say they deserve to keep them. If I wrote a four page script that creates a procedurally built castle, I wouldn't really appreciate writing it over and over again every new place I came to.

Besides that, it'll probably be impossible to stop people from bringing in outside scripts, so why make it hard.

Besides that, don't we want people to be able to share tools they've made and build on each others' work to make their games? We're trying to facilitate game making after all, allowing them to use pre-built modules, etc.

Thanks for bringing it up, I hadn't thought about that question so clearly before.

[thesourceeternal]

Perhaps this is another place where the game and the game creator are separated - the game creator is a tool, the game is a teacher. I think this actually isn't a problem we need to solve for the creator.

[kumavis]

@thesourceeternal you should port the issue to the other repo, not just close it

[thesourceeternal]

Sorry, maybe I didn't explain clearly. What I mean is that in the game, people won't be able to bring in components from outside, but that in the editor they would be able to. I don't think it's the issue I thought it was.