A global function that performs a rudimentary check to determine if a player is alive.
Syntax
var alive = isPlayerAlive(playerID);
Parameters
Parameter
Type
Mandatory
Notes
API Version
playerID
Number
The ID of the player that is to be checked.
1.0
Return value
Value
Type
Notes
true
Boolean
Indicates the player is alive
false
Boolean
Indicates the player is dead
<error>
Error
If an invalid player ID is specified, an error will be thrown.
Notes
The isPlayerAlive() function is not cached and does not check to see if a player is a spectator or empty slot. As such, it is recommended that you use Players Objects to determine if a player is alive as it will be quicker and more accurate:
Best way to check if a player is alive...
var alive = Players[playerID].isAlive;
Redefining isPlayerAlive()
You can define a custom isPlayerAlive() function if desired, using the following syntax:
Defining a custom isPlayerAlive() function
// must be *after* including Define API
Define("isPlayerAlive", function isPlayerAlive(playerID) {
// handle scavenger id gracefully! (see notes below)
// do not use Players API to find out if a player is alive...
// ...because it will call this function to find out!
// return true if alive, false if dead
});
// and *before* including Players API
The Players API will use your custom function instead of its own if the function is defined as specified in the code above. That means that the .isAlive property of players objects will call your function, so you can't use those (or Players.alive which relies on them) to find out if a player is alive, duh!
Because the Players API includes a players object for Scavengers, regardless of whether they are enabled or present on the map, your function must handle that scenario gracefully. If (playerID >= maxPlayers) then you're being asked if scavengers are alive.
If no custom function has been defined prior to including the Players API, a default definition is created in accordance with standard game rules: A player is deemed to be living if they have either a FACTORY or a CYBORG_FACTORY or a DROID.