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A few quotes:


CONDITION: If the designated condition is met, the Script Commands up to the
Condition End will be executed. If the condition is not met, they will be
passed by.

TO END: This command takes you to the Script Branch End when the conditions
within a Repeat or Sort script branch are fulfilled. In the in-game example,
"To End" is entered after the correct password is given.

Two small paragraphs from page 49 of 150 pages of the "Strategy Guide" for
the Playstation II game RPG Maker II.

This is what Marty wanted for his birthday. He turns 15 tomorrow. We're
giving it to him tonight, because the whole family will be home.

The whole book is about script commands, and substituting variables for
attributes, and all manner of computer-programming and logic stuff. He could take
a college course to learn those terms, but I doubt he'll come across any he
doesn't already know and if he does he'll figure them out in practical ways, as
he goes, and when/if he needs to know them for a project or a job, there
they'll be. And they won't be in his head as memorized definitions, but as 3-D
pictures with histories and pasts, failures and successes.

He figured RPG Maker out (the first version) very painstakingly over many
months of trial and error. This one will be much easier because it's the "new
improved" version <g> and because the strategy book shows "screenshots"
(pictures of what he will be seeing at that point in the instructions or options, as
he builds his game) and has tips and clarifications for the little 50 page
booklet that comes with the game.

I tried to talk him into wanting a different game, when we were discussing
this before Christmas. We're lucky with Marty. We can discuss a bunch of stuff
before Christmas, and decide from that what to wait for his birthday to do.
RPG Maker II seemed to be too dry and technical and difficult. I thought he
should get some merry four-player game.

He said he LIKES figuring out the little details of designing the games and
worlds and characters.

So there it is. Another example of the depths "playing" can reach. <g>

(And the reading level of that sort of technical writing is nothing to scoff
at either.)



Sandra