Fixed in place when not empty

Authoring Inform 7
1

I can’t quite get the verbiage right for this:

The couch is a portable supporter in Living Room.
While the couch is not empty:
	the couch is fixed in place.

I’m sure it’s a simple fix…TIA!!

2

There’s actually no verbiage that will keep two such basic properties in sync like that. What you want is a check rule:

The lab is a room.

The couch is a supporter in the lab. The couch is not fixed in place.

The heavy box is in the lab.

Check taking the couch when the couch supports something:
	say "The couch is too heavy with that box on it." instead;

You’d also have to cover rules for whatever taking/moving scenarios you have in mind.

3 Likes
3

Excellent, thank you!

4

Or have an every turn rule that switches the property according to whether the couch is empty or not, so long as the short within-a-turn delay between something appearing on the couch and the every turn rulebook running won’t cause issues.

EDIT- this is the approach taken by Inform to ensure that carried items are not undescribed- they are made described in a rule that runs towards the end of every turn

1 Like