🥊 Episode 2 · Beginner · Files

Meet the Files
Episode 2: What Makes a Fighter

Six file types make one fighter. They sound scary until you know what each one does, and then it is just a checklist. This episode is your map of the whole character.

👶 Ages 10+ ⏱️ ~45 mins 🥊 MUGEN ✓ Free workshop
📄 .def 🎬 .sff 🏃 .air 🎮 .cmd 🧠 .cns 🔊 .snd
📄 Start Step 1 ← All Episodes
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Ember says: here is the trick: every one of these files is plain text except the two that hold art and sound. If you can open it in Notepad, you can learn it.
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The def File
The boss file
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Goal for this step

Read a def and find the [Files] list.

  • 1The def starts with [Info]: name, author and version.
  • 2Then [Files] lists the other files by name: cmd, cns, sprite, anim, sound and the palette.
  • 3If a name here is wrong, the engine cannot find that file. This is the number one cause of errors.
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Fill in the Blanks
+15 XP
The list of files a fighter uses is in the section of the def.
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Knowledge Check
+15 XP
What does the [Files] section do?
AStores the artwork
BPoints the engine at each part by name
CSets the price
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Sprites (.sff)
The pictures
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Goal for this step

Know that .sff holds the artwork.

  • 1.sff is a sprite file: every picture the fighter uses.
  • 2Pictures are grouped and numbered (group, image), and the animation file calls them by those numbers.
  • 3You do not have to draw from scratch: many characters start from a base sprite set.
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Knowledge Check
+15 XP
What does a .sff file hold?
AThe fighter sprites
BThe commands
CThe sounds
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Animations (.air)
Making sprites move
Locked
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Goal for this step

Know that .air turns sprites into movement.

  • 1.air holds animations. Each one lists sprite numbers and how long each is shown.
  • 2An animation is named by a number that the state code calls, like anim = 200.
  • 3The action number is the link between sprites and states.
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Fill in the Blanks
+15 XP
Animations live in the file and each one has an action .
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Knowledge Check
+15 XP
How are animations identified?
ABy a name
BBy a number
CBy a colour
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Commands (.cmd)
Turning buttons into moves
Locked
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Goal for this step

Know that .cmd connects the controller to the fighter.

  • 1.cmd listens to the buttons and joystick.
  • 2Each [Command] gives a name to a motion, like a quarter-circle punch.
  • 3The state code then reacts to those command names.
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Knowledge Check
+15 XP
What is the .cmd file for?
ATurning controller input into named commands
BStoring sprites
CPlaying music
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States and Sounds
.cns and .snd
Locked
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Goal for this step

Meet the last two files.

  • 1.cns holds constants and states: the fighter stats and what happens in each state.
  • 2.snd holds all the sounds, called by number just like sprites.
  • 3Together these six files are a complete fighter.
✏️
Fill in the Blanks
+15 XP
The fighter stats and behaviour live in the file.
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Knowledge Check
+15 XP
Which two files hold the art and the sound?
A.sff and .snd
B.cmd and .cns
C.def and .air
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You Can Read a Fighter!
Six files, one fighter, all understood. Next you will learn how the pictures and colours work.
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Next: Episode 3: Sprites and Palette →