ID:151599
 
What is the real difference variable-wise. I mean honestly, I can't really think of any differences. If you can think of some let me know.


FYI: I know NPC have AI, where PC don't.
PCs may have additional restrictions imposed on them that NPCs don't need, or additional things such as HUD functionality or interaction with the interface. In a standard RPG I find its much easier to have NPCs using stats instead of actually equipping them and having to keep track of all their equipment.
In response to Foomer
But generally people tend to try and keep track of the NPC's equipment so they are more realist, but I don't know. I just don't really see big differences.
In response to Lundex
the difference shows up in resources. if you have actual npc's carrying around items you are using resources that you could otherwise spend on other things. like having more people play online at the same time.

by just giving an npc a value for attack and defense, you save the number of items associated with that npc.

in other words you accomplish the same effect, but more efficiently by not really creating the "items"

it wouldnt be a big deal if you only had one or two npcs in your game . but if you have 20 and each has 5 items. all they do is hold those items. that's 20 monsters you could have active. or perhaps 20 other players that could be playing your game, think of it that way.
In response to Dariuc
Lol I guess I left one big thing out of my initial post, I'm not talking about pc vs npc in BYOND. I mean in general.
In response to Lundex
ahh i see. in that case i'd still have to give the same answer. if you are designing for a console you know your limitations. so you can tell whether you can afford to have all the NPC chars be equipped. i think it's an eternal struggle with resources and pushing the realism envelope