Picking from 2 objects at random to spawn

Hello,

I'm pretty new to learning Construct 2 - well, very new - and am attempting to make my first game with it.

The game is a simple top-down shooter , and is a kind of mix of Asteroids and Galaga. Nifty little thing.

Anyway, in the game, UFOs are to fly by every 10-15 seconds. There are two versions, one that will fly from Left to Right, and one that will fly from Right to Left.

Now, I've tried a couple approaches to make this work, including setting a variable at random, and then choosing which UFO to spawn based on that variable's setting. But it's not really getting the desired result - and I have a feeling it's not very elegantly done, either, and is probably wasting events. I'm still on the Free version (for now - just need the $$ avail to buy a license), so Events are at a premium, and I don't know how many this game will ultimately require.

I'm guessing it's probably a very easy thing to do and, in my newbie's naivete, I just haven't figured it out. But, if someone could point me in the right direction, that would be great, and very much appreciated.

Thank you!

If you are just wanting it to pick a between a couple choices you can use:

choose(a, b)

This will select one of the two..

So could also be numbers like;

choose(1, 2)

for example.

You can add as many choices as you want.

choose(a, b, c, d, 2, 4, 15, pizza)

The 'random' function is used for picking a random number between two numbers..

You should use choose instead i think/

You can read about both these expressions here..

https://www.scirra.com/manual/126/system-expressions

Ah!

I hadn't come across anything about the Choose command.

That's very similar to the last game editor I used... that should work fine. I'll go read up on it.

Thanks!

If you are just wanting it to pick a between a couple choices you can use:

choose(a, b)

This will select one of the two..

So could also be numbers like;

choose(1, 2)

for example.

You can add as many choices as you want.

choose(a, b, c, d, 2, 4, 15, pizza)

The 'random' function is used for picking a random number between two numbers..

You should use choose instead i think/

So, I tried the "Choose" approach, but am not able to find a way to actually do it.

In the System options, I have it set to every random(10,15) seconds, to create an object. The problem is, the "create object" option brings up the window that only lets you choose a single object. I can't actually enter Choose(x, y) anywhere...

Is there some other method to creating objects where I can circumvent that whole process? Again, I've been looking, but not seeing any other option.

Thanks!

You could do something like this:

system every random (10,15) seconds - call function "create" with parameters 0 = choose (1,2,3)

on function "create"

-- if parameter = 1

create object 1

-- if param = 2

create object 2

-- if param = 3

create object 3

Hi there, LittleStain,

Thanks for that tip. I've tried getting the Function thing to work, as well as watching a couple videos explaining it. I thought I had it figured out, but I can't get it to work.

At best, two UFOs spawn at once, each coming from opposite directions... then a few seconds later (much shorter than 10-15 seconds), a third flies by... and then that's it. Nothing else happens.

I think I'm in a bit over my head here at this point. I'd thought it would be simple to simply tell Construct "every 10-15 seconds, create one of two indicated objects at random". But of course, my luck, it has to be a lot more involved/complicated than that.

—

I hope this makes it more clear for you..

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1750576/chooseexample.capx

A ha. Well that explains a lot... You're not even using Functions. I was trying to work it out using the function suggestion.

Okay, that makes a lot more sense, now that I'm reading it. In my new-ness, I didn't even think of handling it that way. That's even simpler than how I'd been trying to do it.

I was basically trying to adapt the method I'd used when working with GMS to this. The overall "flow" is similar, but the setup is different. I guess I need to try and "un-learn" anything GMS... it'll probably help a lot.

Awesome, thank you for taking the time to help me out with that!

no worries <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink">

There is probably smarter ways than mine but this will get you by for now.

If you want to read more about functions, here is a link to the manual page about it..

https://www.scirra.com/manual/149/function

function example

capx> http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fi ... 9114024645

..sorry no sound <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy">

Okay, sweet! Got it working.

What's better, that same method will likely work for how I want to handle random items dropping from enemies when they're destroyed. Nice. I'm back on track.

Thanks again for all the feedback/help, from everyone.

function example

capx> ..sorry no sound

Bah, no sound is fine. I'll be playing a Silent film version of my project for a while, so it fits the theme :p.

Thanks

function example

capx> ..sorry no sound

I can't open that file. Says it was made with a newer version. I'm guessing you have a licensed version, and that the free edition is some versions behind.

Well, I have it downloaded, so as soon as I can get it licensed (hopefully soon), I'll be able to check it out, and it'll be a good reference.

https://www.scirra.com/construct2/releases/r205.2

example new link (Latest Stable r200)> http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fi ... 9285259204

( extract files and open caproj)