[MUD-Dev] Metric vs. English System of Measurement in Games

Tom Hunter tchunter3 at comcast.net
Tue Dec 21 13:41:08 CET 2004


"Michael Hartman" <michael at thresholdrpg.com> wrote:

> Or is it still feasible to use the metric system?

I will identify myself as a cumudgeonly, luddite Calvanist: I don't
feel your pain.

>>From a coding point of view its easier to work in base 10.  From an
immersion point of view if your game is set in a a swords and
sorcery world then an older system seems more desirable.  Sure the
French use metric now but they did not use it in 1350, or in Middle
Earth.  In a scifi world go with base 10 unless your creating a race
with 12 fingers.

>>From a practical point of view metric is great until its time to
build something.  Once you start to actually measure parts the
ability to divide 12 by 2, 3, 4, and 6 is very helpful when setting
proportion.  Since much good architecture, good boat (ship) design
and good structual engineering relies on mathmatical ratios the base
12 system actually has some very real advantages.

Regardless of your favorite measurement system have a Merry
Christmas.

Tom Hunter
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