bashrun and Beyond: Building an Advanced Terminal Game

Starting with bashrun as a base and building upon it is a great way to create an advanced terminal-based game. bashrun is typically built using shell scripts, which can be a bit limiting but also provides a good foundation for learning and expanding.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to start with bashrun and build upon it:

Step 1: Setting Up bashrun

1. Clone the bashrun Repository: If bashrun is hosted on a repository, you can clone it using:

   git clone https://gitlab.com/slackermedia/bashrun.git bashrun
   cd bashrun
   

2. Understand the Structure: Explore the directory structure and understand how the game is organized. Typically, it might include directories for maps, scripts for different levels, and resources for the game.

Step 2: Basic Improvements

1. Enhance Storyline and Levels:
   • Add new levels with more complex puzzles and objectives.
   • Create more detailed and engaging storylines.

   Example of adding a new level (level2.sh):

   #!/bin/bash
   echo "Welcome to Level 2!"
   echo "You need to find the hidden key to unlock the treasure."
   
   # Player actions and logic here
   

2. Improve Navigation and Interaction: Add more commands for interaction, such as examining objects or using items.

   Example of an interaction command:

   function examine {
       case $1 in
           "key")
               echo "It's a shiny golden key. It might unlock something."
               ;;
           "door")
               echo "It's a sturdy wooden door. It seems to be locked."
               ;;
           *)
               echo "You can't examine that."
               ;;
       esac
   }
   

3. Add an Inventory System: Implement a simple inventory system to manage items collected by the player.

   Example inventory system:

   inventory=()
   
   function add_to_inventory {
       inventory+=("$1")
       echo "$1 added to your inventory."
   }
   
   function show_inventory {
       echo "Your inventory: ${inventory[@]}"
   }
   

Step 3: Advanced Features

1. Implement Save/Load Functionality: Allow players to save their progress and load it later.

   Example save/load system:

   function save_game {
       echo "${inventory[@]}" > savefile.txt
       echo "Game saved."
   }
   
   function load_game {
       if [ -f savefile.txt ]; then
           inventory=($(cat savefile.txt))
           echo "Game loaded."
       else
           echo "No saved game found."
       fi
   }
   

2. Add a Combat System: Create a simple combat system where players can encounter enemies and engage in battles.

   Example combat system:

   function combat {
       local enemy_health=10
       local player_health=20
   
       echo "You encounter an enemy!"
   
       while [ $enemy_health -gt 0 ] && [ $player_health -gt 0 ]; do
           echo "Choose an action: [attack/run]"
           read action
           case $action in
               "attack")
                   enemy_health=$((enemy_health - 2))
                   player_health=$((player_health - 1))
                   echo "You attack the enemy. Enemy health: $enemy_health"
                   echo "The enemy attacks you. Your health: $player_health"
                   ;;
               "run")
                   echo "You run away!"
                   return
                   ;;
               *)
                   echo "Invalid action."
                   ;;
           esac
       done
   
       if [ $player_health -le 0 ]; then
           echo "You have been defeated."
       else
           echo "You defeated the enemy!"
       fi
   }
   

Step 4: Polish and Expand

1. Enhance User Interface: Improve the display and user interface to make the game more visually appealing. Use ASCII art for maps and objects.

2. Add More Interactions and Puzzles: Introduce complex puzzles and more interactive elements to keep the game engaging.

3. Create a Comprehensive Tutorial: Provide a detailed tutorial at the beginning to help new players understand the game mechanics.

4. Test and Iterate: Continuously test your game and gather feedback. Use this feedback to make iterative improvements.

Example Directory Structure

bashrun/
├── maps/
│   ├── level1.txt
│   ├── level2.txt
├── scripts/
│   ├── level1.sh
│   ├── level2.sh
│   ├── common.sh  # Contains common functions like inventory and combat
├── resources/
│   ├── ascii_art/
│   ├── items.txt
├── savefile.txt
└── README.md

Example common.sh

#!/bin/bash

# Inventory system
inventory=()

function add_to_inventory {
    inventory+=("$1")
    echo "$1 added to your inventory."
}

function show_inventory {
    echo "Your inventory: ${inventory[@]}"
}

# Combat system
function combat {
    local enemy_health=10
    local player_health=20

    echo "You encounter an enemy!"

    while [ $enemy_health -gt 0 ] && [ $player_health -gt 0 ]; do
        echo "Choose an action: [attack/run]"
        read action
        case $action in
            "attack")
                enemy_health=$((enemy_health - 2))
                player_health=$((player_health - 1))
                echo "You attack the enemy. Enemy health: $enemy_health"
                echo "The enemy attacks you. Your health: $player_health"
                ;;
            "run")
                echo "You run away!"
                return
                ;;
            *)
                echo "Invalid action."
                ;;
        esac
    done

    if [ $player_health -le 0 ]; then
        echo "You have been defeated."
    else
        echo "You defeated the enemy!"
    fi
}

# Save/Load system
function save_game {
    echo "${inventory[@]}" > savefile.txt
    echo "Game saved."
}

function load_game {
    if [ -f savefile.txt ]; then
        inventory=($(cat savefile.txt))
        echo "Game loaded."
    else
        echo "No saved game found."
    fi
}

This guide should help you get started with building upon bashrun to create a more advanced and engaging terminal game. Enjoy the process and happy coding!