How Do You Use Scripting on Tabletop Simulator?

Tabletop Simulator is a versatile platform that allows users to create and play tabletop games online. One of the key features of Tabletop Simulator is the ability to use scripting to enhance gameplay and create custom game experiences. Scripting in Tabletop Simulator is done using Lua, a powerful and lightweight programming language.

Getting Started with Scripting

If you’re new to scripting or programming, don’t worry! Tabletop Simulator provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started. To access the scripting editor, open up Tabletop Simulator and select the “Scripting” option from the top menu bar.

Step 1: Once you’re in the scripting editor, you’ll see a blank canvas where you can start writing your scripts. To begin, it’s important to understand the structure of a basic script in Tabletop Simulator.

The Basic Structure

A script in Tabletop Simulator typically consists of two main parts: the init() function and various event functions. The init() function is called when your game starts and is used for any setup or initialization tasks. Event functions are triggered by specific actions or events that occur during gameplay.

Step 2: Let’s start by creating our init() function. This function will be called when your game starts and can be used to set up the initial state of your game board or any other necessary variables.

function init()
    -- Your initialization code goes here
end

Note: In Lua, comments are denoted by “–“. You can use comments to add notes or explanations to your code.

List of Event Functions

• onLoad(): Called when your game is loaded, even before the init() function.
• onObjectEnterScriptingZone(object, zone): Triggered when an object enters a scripting zone.
• onObjectLeaveScriptingZone(object, zone): Triggered when an object leaves a scripting zone.
• onObjectPickUp(player_color, object): Called when a player picks up an object.
• onObjectDrop(player_color, object): Called when a player drops an object.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of event functions available in Tabletop Simulator. You can find more information in the official documentation provided by Berserk Games.

Adding Interactivity to Your Game

In addition to the initialization tasks and event functions, you can also add interactivity to your game by using scripting. For example, you can create custom buttons that perform specific actions when clicked or add logic to handle player interactions.

Step 3: Let’s create a simple button that prints a message to the console when clicked. To do this, we’ll use the CreateButton() function provided by Tabletop Simulator’s API (Application Programming Interface).

function init()
    local buttonPosition = {0, 0.5, 0} -- X, Y, Z position of the button
    local buttonRotation = {0, 180, 0} -- X, Y, Z rotation of the button
    local buttonText = "Click Me!" -- Text displayed on the button

    -- Create the button
    local button = {
        click_function = "onClickButton",
        function_owner = self,
        label = buttonText,
        position = buttonPosition,
        rotation = buttonRotation,
        width = 400,
        height = 200
    }
    self.createButton(button)
end

function onClickButton()
    print("Button clicked!")
end

Note: In this example, we’re using the self.createButton() function to create and display the button on the game board. The onClickButton() function is called when the button is clicked and simply prints a message to the console.

Advanced Scripting Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics of scripting in Tabletop Simulator, you can explore more advanced techniques to further enhance your games.

Accessing Game Objects

You can use scripting to interact with game objects, such as cards or dice. For example, you can change their positions, rotations, or even create new objects dynamically during gameplay.

function onObjectPickUp(player_color, object)
    -- Change the position of the object when picked up by a player
    object.setPosition({0, 1, 0})
end

Creating Custom Game Logic

If you want to create complex game mechanics or automate certain actions, scripting allows you to define custom rules and logic. You can use conditional statements and loops to control how your game behaves in response to player actions.

function onObjectDrop(player_color, object)
    if object.getName() == "Card" then
        -- Perform specific actions for cards dropped onto the table
        -- ..
    end
end

Conclusion

Scripting in Tabletop Simulator opens up a whole new world of possibilities for game creators. Whether you want to add interactivity, create custom game mechanics, or automate certain actions, scripting allows you to take your games to the next level.

By following the steps outlined in this article and experimenting with different scripting techniques, you’ll be able to create unique and engaging tabletop gaming experiences in Tabletop Simulator. So go ahead, dive into Lua scripting and let your imagination run wild!