Hi,
New to game design, I have basic knowledge of C++ and Java and am working towards making a game. I have an awesome concept (well I think so) and want to bring it into existence. Currently I'm just working on the "Systems" that the game with need and from there will get them talking to each other as I become more comfortable with them.
The design of the game is that of a RPG/Survival/Sandbox. As far as features I know roughly what I want to achieve and have been stumbling my way through resources until I find the gold nugget of information that allows me to progress.
Right now I need to be pointed towards the right direction with "Tagging". It may not be the right term... Fallout comes to mind where you pick a trait that is assigned to your character... Another example would be Dwarf fortress, If you drop wood and obsidian into lava, the wood will combust as it is tagged as flammable, the obsidian would not as it is missing the flammable tag. Actually even this post allows me to set a tag for easier searching as another example.
How would these interactions be achieved? I was thinking of the character object having a boolean "Insane" or "wealthy" and as it becomes relevant the code can check if it's true or false, I know that could work. I ask if there would be a better method of achieving this on a large scale or If the "tag" is unknown to begin with? I just don't know what terminology I'd need to search to find relevant information.
Thanks in advance.