Timer Counting Upwards

[Kalier]

I don't know if this is possible without a script...

Anyway, what I'm looking for is the ability to have the Timer count up, instead of down. At the end of specific events, depending on how much time it takes you, a variable is used to determine how long it took you to accomplished your goal.

I'm not looking to cancel out the countdown, as I intend to use that in my game as well. I need it to work both ways. So, if anyone can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Brewmeister]

Ok, Seph's gonna give me shit for not aliasing command_124, but this works.
And, I don't think anything else in the game sets the timer, so it should be safe.

Paste it above main

# Modify Game_System.update and Interpreter.command_124
# to allow for an upward counting timer.
# 11DEC07 - Brew

class Game_System
  def update
    # reduce timer by 1
    if @timer_working == 1 and @timer > 0
      @timer -= 1
    end
    if @timer_working == 2
      @timer += 1
    end
  end
end

class Interpreter

  #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  # * Control Timer
  #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  def command_124
    # If started
    if @parameters[0] == 0
      $game_system.timer = @parameters[1] * Graphics.frame_rate
      $game_system.timer_working = 1
      if @parameters[1] == 0
              $game_system.timer_working = 2
      end
    end
    # If stopped
    if @parameters[0] == 1
      $game_system.timer_working = false
    end
    # Continue
    return true
  end
end

The nice part is you don't need a script command to use it.
If you use the event command to start the timer with a 00:00 value, the timer will count up.
Otherwise, it will function as normal and count down.

Be Well

 

[Kalier]

I tested it only briefly, but it looks like it works! Thank you so much!

 

[Brewmeister]

Kalier, you're quite welcome.

Let me know if it breaks, I didn't test it too hard either.

Be Well

 

[Kalier]

The Timer still seems to work fine, but now I have another question. Is there a way to show how much time was left on the Timer in a Message Window? I've tried using a variable, but all it shows is the time in seconds.

 

[poccil]

Any Ruby object can be used as a variable, including strings, arrays, and hashes.  The following script code stores the time left on the timer in an RPGXP variable:

def getTimer(variableNumber)
      total_sec = $game_system.timer / Graphics.frame_rate
      min = total_sec / 60
      sec = total_sec % 60
      text = sprintf("%02d:%02d", min, sec)
      $game_variables[variableNumber]=text
end

Note that the RPGXP variable is now a string; the game will accept it just fine.  Example of use in a Script event command (putting the timer in variable 1):

getTimer(1)

 

[linkz0r]

I haven´t tested poccil´s suggestion but it makes sense and looks interesting... This is only possible because Game_Variables does not make any type check on the attributions, so any thing you try to attribute to a variable index gets stored.
BTW, what happens if you put a message command with this?

Time: \v[1]

:D

Oh, just make sure to NOT use any event commands involving variables calculations with a variable that has a string, or you can get neat errors sometimes.

 

[Kalier]

I haven´t tested poccil´s suggestion but it makes sense and looks interesting... This is only possible because Game_Variables does not make any type check on the attributions, so any thing you try to attribute to a variable index gets stored.
BTW, what happens if you put a message command with this?

Time: \v[1]

:D

Oh, just make sure to NOT use any event commands involving variables calculations with a variable that has a string, or you can get neat errors sometimes.

Say that there's 1:07 on the Timer. It will read back as '67'. I already tried that before I asked. I'll try poccil's suggestion. Great! It works! Thanks!

 

[linkz0r]

I said that having poccil´s suggestion in mind, but i´m sure you had figured this out :P