Default Variable Values

[ItsAlterity]

Bit of a simple though odd one to ask, but wanted to ask for the idea of adding a default value to certain variables at the start of the game. For example, say I have an Approval/Trust system for my partners and I want them at default to start at 50, I want it to be able to immediately set it to that for each possible partner, as is with other values for my partners. I use 1.5.1, so I need it compatible with that, as I do need this compatible with Yanfly and all of that, though I'm not sure how important that is to this specific plugin. To all those who consider my request, thank you and a big thanks to advance to those who put it in!

 

[TheoAllen]

Can do this in VXA, should be doable in MV too.
But any specific reason as for why can't you just use autorun event to set variables from the start of the game?

 

[Jeremiah Eastman]

You can just create an auto run event on your first map or wherever that sets the variable to what you want then use like a self switch to a second auto run event page that only has an erase event tag in it. You will likely have a bunch of variables and maybe switches you want to set a certain way at the beginning, you can toss all of those items into the same page 1 of the auto run event. Well hope that helps and you get it all dialed, best of luck to ya.

 

[ItsAlterity]

Can do this in VXA, should be doable in MV too.
But any specific reason as for why can't you just use autorun event to set variables from the start of the game?

Four main reasons actually:
A) I have a rather large amount of these
B ) The autorun at the start of my game launches a personality quiz to get things started (Though I guess it COULD be added along with that)
C) The way my game runs its Approval system, it might actually be necessary
D) It's rather inconvenient, and I don't get why this isn't available by default if I am being honest

 

[Aloe Guvner]

Like the others said, this is best done with an autorun event, no reason to have code/plugins.
Personally, I put all "game initialization" stuff within a Common Event, and my autorun event just calls the Common Event. It keeps it clean and I never forget where it is or have to go find it. I would recommend doing it this way, you already have an autorun event so it's just adding one more Event Command at the beginning of it to call the Common Event.

Spoiler

If you really wanted to do it with code...

(function() {
    var alias_DataManager_setupNewGame = DataManager.setupNewGame;
    DataManager.setupNewGame = function() {
       alias_DataManager_setupNewGame.call(this);
       $gameVariables.setValue(ID, VALUE);
       $gameVariables.setValue(ID, VALUE);
       //and so on...
    };
})();

 

[Andar]

I suggest sticking with autorun as well, because even with a plugin you'll always need to manually specify which variables need that other default and which ones do not.
So the only difference between event and plugin is how to write the commands that change the default value of zero, and it's actually less work to include a control variable command in an autorun than to write the same command inside a JavaScript plugin.

 

[ItsAlterity]

I suggest sticking with autorun as well, because even with a plugin you'll always need to manually specify which variables need that other default and which ones do not.
So the only difference between event and plugin is how to write the commands that change the default value of zero, and it's actually less work to include a control variable command in an autorun than to write the same command inside a JavaScript plugin.

Well then..... this is a bit awkward. Not a lot to say. I had thought I'd been onto something, but I suppose I may have dun goofed. My apologies

 

[Frogboy]

You could also put this in a common event with a switch to activate it. At the beginning of your game, flip the switch and then have the common event flip it back when it's done. All this does is pull the initialization out from within the game itself and allows you to run it again easily if needed (which is rare).

This would be an easy plugin to write but I don't see how it would be any easier to set up than just using the editor as others have described. If you want to eliminate the clutter of having 50 set variable commands getting your way, you can try my method.

 

[TheoAllen]

Although, I do admit that using event to setup default variable is rather,... inconvenient.

Reason is, you need to exactly start at the map where the switch is flipped, event is triggered, or whatever it is that set the default value of some variables. Using custom plugin, you can configure it inside the code, always initialized, and basically you can move starting position everywhere for whatever reason (such as debugging or so) without you forgot to set the default variable.

Personally though when I'm developing a game myself, I often use scripted approach, in fact I use scripted approach more even some of it can be evented. As long as you know what you're doing, it's good anyway.

Aloe Guvner already give you a snippet code that would initialize a default variable value upon starting a new game, so I guess it's solved?