Preview Events / Testing

[Soulnet]

Description of the Feature:

• In the Event Editor window, a preview window to appear along side so you can achieve a simple playtest without actually having to launch the game, turning on all the requirements and running through an event. This would be handy to quickly check if something would work, if you are manually placing an object on the screen, special effects, timing etc... Think of it like the preview window for a video editor.

Code for Implementation:

• There would need to be a fair bit involved due to plugins and other factors coming in.

Mockups:

Spoiler

In real life the text part for this guy would also be highlighted on the left and the result would be shown on the 'preview' window. So if the first line was highlighted you'd get that displayed on the right (shown below).

Spoiler

Why is this feature good?

This feature is great because of the following:

• Think about how much time is wasted when we need to go and check for a minor change. Think how great it would be to visualise something is working as intended.
• Easier than launching the game everytime you need to test or check something. Long term it would save the creator so much time in playtesting. More editing means more time to implement features. More time to make means better games (hopefully)!
• You can make more complicated events and check them as you go along.
• Clearly shows the effect of anything you've done in the event window. Think of people not showing up or you've missed a box to tick etc...
• Checking timing. Making sure your sound effect works as intended. Imagine you had a sound effect at the end of an event with 200+ lines? How frustrating is it to replay the whole thing to make sure that one line works?

Possible issues with this feature?

Issues that might arise from this feature:

• It's damn complicated to program I think.
• Would be processor heavy given it needs to compute all these things.