“WinForms RPG Story Game App”

Level: Beginner

Objective:

In this assignment, you will create a Windows Forms application (WinForms) that functions as an interactive RPG story game. The app will allow users to navigate through a text-based story, display images, and interact with choices. The information will be stored in a text file, which the app will read from and write to. This project introduces file handling, UI development, variables, functions, lists, and arrays in Visual Studio.

Step 1: Project Theme & Team Formation

Choose Your App Theme:

App Concept: Your task is to create an interactive “RPG Story Game App” where users can progress through a story by reading text and making choices. The app will also display images based on the story and allow users to save and modify the story text.

Example Theme Ideas:

• A space adventure where users explore planets and make key decisions.
• A medieval fantasy quest where players choose their path.
• A cyberpunk mystery with links to evidence images.

Team Formation:

Form a team and assign roles:

• Story Writer: Designs the narrative and flow.
• UI Designer: Creates the layout and interactions.
• Programmer: Implements the logic and functionality.
• Media Manager: Adds images and other resources.

Use a whiteboard to organize your tasks and plan deadlines.

Step 2: Understanding Variables, Functions, Lists, and Arrays

Before implementing the code, you must understand key programming concepts:

• Variables: Store data (e.g., strings, numbers).
• Functions: Reusable blocks of code.
• Lists & Arrays: Store multiple values in an ordered format.

Step 3: Start Your Visual Studio Project

Open Visual Studio:

1. Create a Windows Forms App (.NET Framework) project.
2. Name it based on your story theme (e.g., “RPGStoryApp”).

Set Up Your Project Structure:

• Create a folder named Assets for images.
• Add a text file named story.txt in the project directory.
• Save your project frequently.

Step 4: Implement the Code with Guided Errors

story.txt

[Title] The Lost Artifact
[Intro] You are an adventurer searching for the legendary Lost Artifact. Your journey begins in the ancient ruins.

[Image] https://example.com/ruins.jpg

[Choice] Explore the temple > temple
[Choice] Search the nearby forest > forest

[Section] temple
[Text] You step into the dark temple, torches flickering on the walls. You hear a strange noise echoing through the halls.

[Image] https://example.com/temple.jpg

[Choice] Follow the sound > sound
[Choice] Light a torch and proceed cautiously > cautious

[Section] forest
[Text] The dense forest surrounds you. Strange symbols are carved into the trees. A hidden path lies ahead.

[Image] https://example.com/forest.jpg

[Choice] Follow the hidden path > path
[Choice] Examine the carvings > carvings

[Section] sound
[Text] You follow the sound and discover an underground chamber. Inside, a golden artifact glows on a pedestal.

[Image] https://example.com/chamber.jpg

[Choice] Take the artifact > take
[Choice] Leave the chamber > leave

[Section] cautious
[Text] You move cautiously and find a hidden lever on the wall. Pulling it reveals a secret passage.

[Image] https://example.com/passage.jpg

[Choice] Enter the passage > passage
[Choice] Ignore and continue > continue

[Section] path
[Text] The path leads you to an ancient stone door covered in vines. It appears to be locked.

[Image] https://example.com/door.jpg

[Choice] Try to open the door > door
[Choice] Go back to the ruins > back

[Section] carvings
[Text] The carvings depict a prophecy about the Lost Artifact. They reveal the location of a hidden key.

[Image] https://example.com/carvings.jpg

[Choice] Search for the key > key
[Choice] Ignore and continue exploring > explore

Example Code with Missing Elements

using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Collections.Generic; // Needed for Lists

namespace RPGStoryApp
{
    public partial class MainForm : Form
    {
        // Here is an error: Variable not declared
        // Declare a string variable to store the file path
        private string filePath = "story.txt";
        
        // Here is an error: List of story text is missing
        // Create a list to store lines of the story
        private List<string> storyLines;
        
        public MainForm()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            LoadStory(); // Here is an error: Function LoadStory() is missing. Implement it below.
        }

        private void LoadStory()
        {
            if (File.Exists(filePath))
            {
                storyLines = new List<string>(File.ReadAllLines(filePath));
                storyTextBox.Text = string.Join("\n", storyLines);
            }
            else
            {
                storyTextBox.Text = "No story found. Please create one.";
            }
        }

        private void SaveStory()
        {
            // Here is an error: The function is not updating storyLines before saving
            storyLines = new List<string>(storyTextBox.Lines);
            File.WriteAllText(filePath, string.Join("\n", storyLines));
            MessageBox.Show("Story saved successfully!");
        }

        private void ShowImageFromLink()
        {
            // Here is an error: A function needs to extract image links from text
            foreach (string line in storyTextBox.Lines)
            {
                if (line.StartsWith("[Image] "))
                {
                    string url = line.Replace("[Image] ", "");
                    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(url);
                }
            }
        }

        private void nextButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Here is an error: Function ShowImageFromLink() should be called
            ShowImageFromLink();
        }

        private void saveButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Here is an error: Function SaveStory() should be called
            SaveStory();
        }
    }
}

Step 5: Debug the Application

Find and Fix Errors:

• Declare missing variables.
• Implement missing functions.
• Fix incorrect function calls.
• Correct list usage.

Testing Steps:

• Run the application and verify that the text file loads correctly.
• Test the Save feature by editing the text and saving.
• Add an image link like [Image] http://example.com/image.jpg in the text file and test if it opens in the browser.

Debugging Tips:

• Use MessageBox.Show() to display variable values for troubleshooting.
• Ensure the story.txt file is located in the correct directory.

Step 6: Add Enhancements

Adding More Multimedia:

• Sounds: Use System.Media.SoundPlayer to add background music.
• Multiple Images: Extend the ShowImageFromLink() method to handle multiple images.

Implementing Choices & Branching:

• Modify the text file format to include [Choice] tags.
• Based on user selection, update storyTextBox accordingly.

Step 7: Create a Tutorial Presentation

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation covering:

• App Overview: What the app does.
• User Flowchart: How users navigate the story.
• UI Design: Screenshots and explanations.
• Code Explanation: Key logic in the app.
• Enhancements: Ideas for future improvements.

Step 8: Final Submission

Save & Zip Project:

1. Ensure your project runs without errors.
2. Zip the entire project folder.
3. Include a README.txt explaining how to use the app.

Upload to Canvas & Discord:

• Submit the project on Canvas.
• Share screenshots or a short demo video in your team’s Discord channel.

Evaluation Criteria: