Oni (folder)/GameDataFolder/IGMD/global

global is a sort of secret subfolder of IGMD; a regular installation of Oni doesn't have it at all. But if you create it manually, you'll find it can serve a very special purpose: functions in the global folder can be called from every one of Oni's levels. This can be used to set up "macros" which you can call from the Developer Mode console. Some extended applications are considered below.

Code reuse

One obvious use for this feature is that when writing a script that affects multiple levels, you can place common BSL functions in global instead of duplicating that code in each level's BSL files. However, you are still going to have to modify each level's BSL to call this global function if you want it to run automatically.

Let's say you want Oni to run a function every time you load a level. You have to go in every level's IGMD folder, open the file where func void main(void) is declared and modify it as follows :

func void main(void) {
    some_global_function # <--inserted line
  # ORIGINAL CODE
}

Next you would go to the global folder and create a file by any name with the suffix ".bsl", and the function:

func some_global_function {
    # Code to run at start of every level
}

You might be tempted to use fork some_global_function in main(), but it's probably better to call the function inline (that is, no "fork") to make sure that it fully executes before the original level logic resumes. You can always fork specific code from inside your global function. Just be aware that any commands you insert into the level scripting will delay the execution of the original logic unless you do decide to use fork.

Code overriding

Local overriding

A less obvious "feature" of the global folder is overriding. A normally unseen rule in BSL is that global functions override local ones by the same name. For instance, place this in a global BSL file and play Chapter 4, Airport Assault:

func void bomber_boom(string char_index)
{
   dmsg "Where's the kaboom?!"
   sleep 120
   dmsg "There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom!"
}

The original function by that name, found here in airport1_level_logic.bsl, is what causes the explosion of the ramp in the airport. Now, instead of creating an explosion particle and deleting the ramp, Oni just prints that message. Seemingly one could use this method to "patch" level BSL. However....

Big catch: There may be unpredictable results; for instance, the above override causes random problems in the level such as changing Konoko's spawn location, though the dmsg will print appropriately when you reach the point where the ramp is supposed to explode.

Built-in overriding

Here's an even more astounding application of BSL overriding: you can replace Oni's built-in functions. This is because another BSL rule is that functions declared in BSL files override built-in (hardcoded) ones by the same name. This means that you can create a pseudo-hook like this one:

# The built-in env_show function takes two ints, so we'll match that function signature
func env_show(int a, int b)
{
   dmsg "Env_show has been disabled."
}

Now Oni's level scripts cannot hide objects in the environment by calling env_show x 0, and as you play a level you will see the effects of this. One obvious change is found in the introductory cutscene in Chapter 2. Ah, that must be the seat the receptionist wanted you to take! ^_^

Big catch: Pseudo-hooks like this are of limited value because there's no way to call the original function once you've overridden its name with your own declaration. Therefore, you can't add code to the beginning or end of a built-in function as you should be able to with a true hook; you can only prevent the built-in function from running, and run your own code instead. In theory you might be able to reconstruct the whole built-in function using equivalent BSL commands. This is attempted by Gumby's cutscene-skipping script, which replaces begin_cutscene and end_cutscene with its own implementations so it can add a "skip cutscene" key, with somewhat unpredictable results.

In light of the above considerations, the override "feature" is not recommended for use.