Game Systems

Creating Dynamic Crafting Systems

Build engaging crafting and harvesting systems that adapt to player skills, world state, and environmental conditions using our generation API.

Quick Start Guide

1. Define Recipe Base

Start with core ingredients and basic crafting requirements

2. Add Context

Include environment, tools, and player skill levels

3. Generate Results

Let the API determine outcomes and quality levels

Key components of crafting systems

Recipe Generation

Create dynamic recipes that adapt to available materials and conditions.
Material Properties

Define how materials interact and affect crafting outcomes.
Tool Interactions

Create meaningful interactions between tools and resources.
Discovery Systems

Enable players to learn and experiment with crafting mechanics.

Recipe Generation

Generate contextually appropriate recipes based on available materials, player skills, and environmental conditions.

Example Recipe Generation

System: Generate a crafting recipe based on available materials and current conditions.

Context:
- Player is a novice alchemist (Level 3)
- Located in a snowy mountain region
- Has access to basic brewing equipment
- Recently discovered frost herbs

Response: {
  "recipe": {
    "name": "Frost Resistance Potion",
    "difficulty": "Novice",
    "base_success_rate": 80,
    "ingredients": [
      {
        "item": "Frost Herb",
        "quantity": 2,
        "preparation": "Crushed",
        "quality_requirement": "Fresh"
      },
      {
        "item": "Mountain Spring Water",
        "quantity": 1,
        "preparation": "Chilled",
        "quality_requirement": "Pure"
      }
    ],
    "process": [
      {
        "step": 1,
        "action": "Add chilled water to clean vial",
        "duration": "1 minute",
        "failure_chance": 5
      },
      {
        "step": 2,
        "action": "Gradually add crushed frost herbs",
        "duration": "2 minutes",
        "failure_chance": 15,
        "critical_point": true
      }
    ],
    "environmental_effects": {
      "cold_climate": "+10% potency",
      "altitude": "Requires longer brewing time"
    }
  }
}

Material Properties

Define how different materials interact and contribute to crafting outcomes.

Example Material Analysis

System: Analyze material properties and interactions for crafting.

Material: Ancient Oak Wood
Context: Being used for bow crafting

Response: {
  "material_properties": {
    "base_properties": {
      "flexibility": 85,
      "durability": 90,
      "weight": "Medium",
      "grain_quality": "Excellent"
    },
    "crafting_characteristics": {
      "workability": "Requires seasoned hands",
      "optimal_tools": ["Sharp Carving Knife", "Fine Rasp"],
      "special_treatments": ["Steam bending possible", "Takes well to natural finishes"]
    },
    "environmental_factors": {
      "humidity": {
        "effect": "Affects flexibility",
        "optimal_range": "40-60%"
      },
      "temperature": {
        "effect": "Impacts workability",
        "optimal_range": "18-24°C"
      }
    },
    "quality_indicators": [
      "Straight, tight grain patterns",
      "No visible knots in working area",
      "Rich, even coloring"
    ]
  }
}

Tool Interactions

Create meaningful interactions between tools and resources in your harvesting system.

Example Tool Interaction

System: Determine the outcome of using a tool on a resource node.

Context:
- Tool: Enchanted Mining Pick
- Resource: Gold Vein
- Player Mining Skill: 7
- Environmental Conditions: Underground, Well-Lit

Response: {
  "interaction_result": {
    "success": true,
    "yield": [
      {
        "item": "Gold Ore",
        "quantity": 3,
        "quality": "High",
        "bonus_from": ["tool_enchantment", "skill_level"]
      },
      {
        "item": "Raw Gem",
        "quantity": 1,
        "quality": "Normal",
        "source": "lucky_strike"
      }
    ],
    "tool_impact": {
      "durability_loss": 2,
      "enchantment_proc": "Minor vein revelation",
      "maintenance_needed": false
    },
    "skill_experience": {
      "base": 25,
      "bonus": 5,
      "reason": "Clean extraction"
    },
    "node_state": {
      "depletion": 35,
      "regeneration_time": "3 game days",
      "quality_remaining": "High"
    }
  }
}

Discovery Systems

Create engaging systems for players to discover and learn new crafting techniques.

Example Recipe Discovery

System: Generate discovery event for experimental crafting attempt.

Player Action: Combining Moonflower and Silver Dust in a mortar
Context: Full moon night, near magical shrine

Response: {
  "discovery_event": {
    "result": "New Recipe Discovered",
    "recipe": {
      "name": "Moonlight Essence",
      "type": "Magical Reagent",
      "difficulty": "Intermediate",
      "learned_details": {
        "known_steps": [
          "Grind under moonlight",
          "Components must be equal parts"
        ],
        "hidden_steps": [
          "Requires magical focal point nearby",
          "Temperature affects potency"
        ]
      }
    },
    "unlocked_hints": [
      "The mixture glows faintly - perhaps useful in illumination recipes",
      "The full moon seems to strengthen the reaction"
    ],
    "research_directions": [
      "Experiment with different lunar phases",
      "Try varying grinding techniques"
    ]
  }
}

Discovery Methods

Experimentation: Trial and error with materials
Research: Finding and studying recipes
Mentorship: Learning from NPCs

Learning Progression

Basic Understanding: Core recipe elements
Refinement: Quality improvements
Mastery: Recipe modifications

Common Crafting Patterns

Do ✓

Consider environmental effects
Scale difficulty with skill
Reward experimentation

Don't ✗

Make recipes too rigid
Ignore tool quality impact
Neglect failure states

Want to learn more?

Check out our guides on creating items and building NPCs.