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What does it use the lua files for? I found it interesting when I read online that they use it.

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Questions like these are off topic, as generally only the original developers of the game can actually answer the question authoritatively. – Sean Middleditch Jan 1 at 21:09
Also, not really related to developing a game. – Trevor Powell Jan 1 at 21:20

closed as off topic by Trevor Powell, Sean Middleditch, Gajoo, Nick Wiggill, Maik Semder Jan 2 at 2:00

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First, we would appreciate a link to the original article so we would better know what you're talking about.

Second, Lua is a scripting language. It means you don't "hard code" behavior in your game, but rather use small programs (scripts) that the game reads and executes. This way you can separate the game mechanics (how something in particular will behave) from the game engine. It's useful for many reasons:

  1. You can have separate teams of game designers that take care of the game content (including the scripting). Scripting languages are designed to be easy to use for non savvy people.
  2. You make the game easier to extend. Think for instance that somewhere down the road, you decide you want to add a completely new kind of bird in Angry Birds (let's say it's a Ghost Bird that goes through walls and only hits that sleep). If your birds are controlled by scripts (written in Lua), all you have to do is write a new script that tells the game the bird has no collision with walls, but deals serious damage if it hits a pig that is sleeping. You didn't even have to recompile the game. All you have to do now is create a new level that gives the player the new bird. You can get very creative from here on.

That's how new mods can be made after the game is finished. I very much doubt they used Lua to make the game. Unfortunately, without the link to the original article, I'm just talking common sense.

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I can't find the article that I read it in, but this video mentions it a little bit: youtube.com/watch?v=XqTvKFzvv1Y. It's a pretty long video and he goes into a little bit of detail of why they use lua but I was just wondering if anybody else knew something more. Also, is it hard to incorporate lua into a game? – Nat1127 Jan 2 at 0:25
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that video also has some great insight about making a good game – Nat1127 Jan 2 at 0:33
Why do you doubt they used Lua to make the game? While Lua is primarily used as an extension language (as you mention), it is perfectly fine for making entire games. See for example getmoai.com or love2d.org. – Eric Jan 2 at 12:09

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