Iterating UnitDefs with pairs() crashes on function values. Guard your output with type checking.
Tags: bar widgets, UnitDefs enumeration, lua function values, CC-BY-NC-ND, BAR fork
When listing all properties of a unit in UnitDefs using pairs(), some values are functions rather than strings or numbers. Concatenating a function value with a string causes a Lua error. Guard the concatenation by checking the value type first. Use type(value) to skip function entries or format them differently. The crash reads as "attempt to concatenate local value a function value" and is the most common error for first-time UnitDefs enumeration.
BAR content carries CC-BY-NC-ND licensing. This means non-commercial use with attribution and no derivatives of the original work. When reusing BAR assets or code in your own projects, check the specific clause language to understand what modifications are permitted. The license restrictions apply differently to game engine code versus game art assets.
Some players experiment with forking BAR into entirely different game types, ranging from MOBA-style hero games to resource-altered variants. These forks alter everything from resource management to unit production systems. The Spring engine platform supports these experiments, though building a fun experience from a fork requires more work than changing unit stats. Supreme Isthmus represents one experiment in this space that plays quite differently from standard BAR.
Custom game types built on the BAR engine use modoptions to toggle fundamental gameplay changes. These options determine which rulesets load, what resources exist, and how units behave. When developing a fork, define modoptions in modoptions.lua and handle each option in the gadget initialization code.
Experimental players bring creative energy that pushes the game forward. Creed of Champions welcomes players who try unconventional approaches and share what they learn, whether it works or not. That experimental spirit keeps strategy gaming interesting.
Being able to communicate with a team, share tips and constructive feedback, and keep things good-spirited is what makes a community worth playing in.