In this presentation we discuss the need to decouple game code and game data in current games. Viewing games as data-independent, data-processing systems can empower the designer and artist to easily add new content and to experiment and fine-tune the game mechanics potentially leading to better and more expandable games. To put the discussion into context we present the way we have structured the data-driven system in Space Debris and the flexibility it provided during level design.

1. Kostas Anagnostou Game developer Adjunct Lecturer in Videogame Technologies

18. Levels of Data driven development

23. Hierarchical structure of XML files Level.xml spritesheets.xml animations.xml spawners.xml bonuses.xml enemies.xml explosions.xml

25. Sample XML definitions layout <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <spawners> <spawner type=&quot;S1LNKamikazeeHunterChase&quot; enemytype=&quot;Kamikazee_Hunter&quot; spawn=&quot;Chase&quot; animation=“ ZigZag&quot; number=&quot;6&quot; rate=&quot;2&quot; bonus=&quot;Invisibility&quot;> </spawner> </spawners> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <enemies> <enemy type=&quot;Kamikazee_Hunter&quot;> <parts> <part sprite=&quot;alien_kamikazee_hunter“ shield=&quot;1&quot; weapon=&quot;EnemyKamikazee1&quot; explosion=&quot;MediumExplosion&quot;> </part> </parts> </enemy> </enemies> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <spritesheets> <spritesheet name=&quot;spritesheet_normal.png&quot;> <sprite name=&quot;alien_kamikazee_hunter&quot;> <frames interval=&quot;0.3&quot;> <frame x=&quot;432&quot; y=&quot;96&quot; w=&quot;48&quot; h=&quot;48&quot;></frame> <frame x=&quot;0&quot; y=&quot;144&quot; w=&quot;48&quot; h=&quot;48&quot;></frame> </frames> </sprite> </spritesheet> </spritesheets> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <animations> <animation name=&quot;SPath&quot; type=&quot;Bezier&quot; track=&quot;Player&quot;> <parts count=“3&quot;> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;1 0&quot; p2=&quot;1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;-1 0&quot; p2=&quot;-1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;1 0&quot; p2=&quot;1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> </parts> </animation> </animations>

26. Sample XML definitions layout <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <spawners> <spawner type=&quot;S1LNKamikazeeHunterChase&quot; enemytype=&quot;Kamikazee_Hunter&quot; spawn=&quot;Chase&quot; animation=“ SPath&quot; number=&quot;6&quot; rate=&quot;2&quot; bonus=&quot;Invisibility&quot;> </spawner> </spawners> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <enemies> <enemy type=&quot;Kamikazee_Hunter&quot;> <parts> <part sprite=&quot;alien_kamikazee_hunter“ shield=&quot;1&quot; weapon=&quot;EnemyKamikazee1&quot; explosion=&quot;MediumExplosion&quot;> </part> </parts> </enemy> </enemies> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <spritesheets> <spritesheet name=&quot;spritesheet_normal.png&quot;> <sprite name=&quot;alien_kamikazee_hunter&quot;> <frames interval=&quot;0.3&quot;> <frame x=&quot;432&quot; y=&quot;96&quot; w=&quot;48&quot; h=&quot;48&quot;></frame> <frame x=&quot;0&quot; y=&quot;144&quot; w=&quot;48&quot; h=&quot;48&quot;></frame> </frames> </sprite> </spritesheet> </spritesheets> <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot;?> <animations> <animation name=&quot;SPath&quot; type=&quot;Bezier&quot; track=&quot;Player&quot;> <parts count=“3&quot;> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;1 0&quot; p2=&quot;1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;-1 0&quot; p2=&quot;-1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> <part p0=&quot;0 0&quot; p1=&quot;1 0&quot; p2=&quot;1 -0.25&quot; p3=&quot;0 -0.25&quot; duration=&quot;3&quot;></part> </parts> </animation> </animations>

27. Game data specification

28. Game data specification