6. Variables

Items count things the avatar carries. Variables remember everything else: whether you met someone, how many times you knocked, the name of a choice. In this step the game remembers that the gardener said thank you.

Make a variable

1. Open Variables and choose New variable.
2. Name it thanked and leave it starts at 0.

A variable can hold a number or a word. Under each variable the tool says where it is used, like Used in 1 dialog.

Change it from dialog

Open the gardener's dialog in Dialog, Blocks view. In the branch for three chilis, after Set how many of an item, add Set a variable: thanked to 1. In Text view that is {thanked = 1}.

Check it from dialog

Now anything can ask whether the gardener said thank you. For example, an item in the shed could say:

{
  - thanked == 1 ?
    The gardener would love this.
  - else ?
    A dusty jar.
}

Build it with If a variable is… in Blocks.

Block	Script	Does
Set a variable	{thanked = 1}	Puts a value in
Change a variable	{thanked = thanked + 1}	Adds to it
Show a variable	{say thanked}	Prints it in the text
If a variable is…	{ - thanked == 1 ? … - else ? … }	Says different things

Watch it change

Play the game. The Variables table under the game screen shows thanked go from 0 to 1 when the gardener thanks you.

Next

7. Test and release: finish and share the game.