refactor entity management into Entity Component System

[jwfwessels]

after doing some research into entity management it seems that within game development circles there is a trend towards Entity Component Systems (ECS).

This is a move away from deeper and deeper class hierarchies (inheritance) in favour of methods where entities are represented by the composition of components.

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Generic
• Modability of system

  Cons:

• Could be complicated
• Large scale refactor
• Would probably result in a refactor of how physics and entities currently relate

  Conclusion:

I believe that this refactor will result in a much more flexible entity creation system. and allow us to more easily actuate future requirements

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity_component_system
• http://t-machine.org/index.php/2007/09/03/entity-systems-are-the-future-of-mmog-development-part-1/

[danini-the-panini]

Sounds good. Would like to see a diagram as to how the system would integrate into the current AFK system.

[jwfwessels]

Cool, I'll do a diagram tomorrow after I've gone through all the literature again.

[danini-the-panini]

This has been implemented in master.