"As both a game master/storyteller and a developer, I frequently find myself writing little utilities and scripts to help me when running, planning, and playing games.
"Sometimes I need a quick idea. Other times, I just need a whole pile of names for Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Occasionally, I need to geek out on numbers, work out some odds, or integrate some word puzzles into a game. Many of these tasks become more manageable with a little bit of script work ahead of time.
"This article will explore 10 fundamental scripts that can be used in various types of games. The code archive contains the full source for each script we will discuss, and you can see the scripts in action at chaoticneutral.
We will blaze through these scripts pretty quickly. The topic of finding a host or setting up a server will not be covered. There are many Web hosting companies that offer PHP, and the XAMPP installer is easy to use if you want to set up your own. We won't spend a lot of time talking about PHP best practices or game design techniques. These scripts are designed to be simple to understand, simple to use, and quick to pick up."
