NCredit - Premium Currency Mod - Script

Description of NCredit - Premium Currency Mod

1. 🗺️ Addon Description: NCredit - Premium Currency Mod
2. 🎨 Customization of NCredit - Premium Currency Mod
3. 💾 Database Management Panel
4. ⏰ Module Management Panel
5. 🧩 Compatible Scripts Where NCredit - Premium Currency Mod Can Be Used
6. 💻 Gmod NCredit API for Developers and Integration into Third-Party Scripts
7. ⚙️ Server control for online store systems
8. 💸 Striking the Balance: Navigating "Pay-to-Win"(P2W) Dynamics in Online Gaming Environments

The Gmod NCredit - Premium Currency Mod allows the integration of a premium currency, similar to a PointShop, which you can customize by assigning it the name of your choice. These credits can take the form of a paid currency. However, if this option does not suit you, they can also represent a simple presence point system that players accumulate by staying connected to your server. This rewards the active engagement of players. Moreover, you have the flexibility to switch to a paid currency system without requiring a server restart, allowing you to test the credit system progressively.

Currently, I am working on integrating this system with all of my other scripts, offering the possibility of providing an alternative payment currency. By using this script in conjunction with my other Gmod mods, you can create your own physical PointShop on the map. These compatible scripts are listed in the section "🧩 Compatible Scripts with NCredit - Premium Currency Mod." Although this is not a content extension (DLC) combined with my other scripts, it gives you the freedom to configure prices in the currency of your choice.

The implementation of a premium currency system in Gmod will depend entirely on your needs and the direction you want to take with your project. NCredit can be used as a paid currency, a point system accumulated over time, or simply as a secondary currency that can be earned in various ways, in addition to other existing currency systems.

While I have not yet created a traditional PointShop, my various systems allow users to physically go to specific locations on the map to buy outfits, weapons, jobs, and other services. This approach contributes to the immersion of players in your game world, creating an interactive and realistic experience, rather than the traditional approach of buying items from anywhere.

Why is NCredit similar to a PointShop but different? The main difference lies in customization. While PointShop is a common feature in Garry's Mod, usually added as an addon or plugin, offering players the ability to earn points by playing on the server, completing objectives, or performing certain actions, NCredit stands out for its flexibility. NCredit is not a PointShop because it does not include a shop as such. The display in the HUD, for example, is fully customizable from the NCredit management interface, including color, currency name, location, size, and logo, which you can update with a simple link to an image. If you do not want to display the currency on your server's HUD, you have the option to disable the HUD and display from the user's inventory, optimizing the user interface. Additionally, with my other scripts, the currency is already supported, meaning that when configuring a shop with another of my mods, you can set prices in the currency of your choice, rather than offering only one choice.

Furthermore, NCredit's APIs, specifically designed for use with my other products, facilitate integration with third-party products. A complete list of APIs is provided to simplify this process. Regarding my scripts, no updates are required on your part, as these are already supported at the time of reading this presentation.

You will have the ability to customize the display of Credits on the HUD, including adjusting the position, changing the currency logo, renaming the currency (default 'Credit'), customizing the color of elements, and the display style. Additionally, you can choose not to display them at all if you prefer to show the players' credit amounts from another interface, for a streamlined HUD.

User credits are stored in the database, and you will have the ability to modify values using the administration panel. This panel allows you to view the Credits that players possess, but it also offers the option to manually adjust the number of credits associated with an account. You can add or remove credits according to your needs.

In the modules panel, you have the option to enable or disable additional features, such as gaining credits based on presence time. You can set the quantity of credits to award and adjust the intervals in seconds for this feature.

All my Gmod Store addons support premium currencies. You are not required to have them; they are not DLCs. Each works individually, but combined, they offer more features. An API is planned to incorporate the system into external scripts. However, you will not have to do anything with my scripts; it is my job to work on compatibility between my products. This is already the case for these scripts:

Gmod Advanced Inventory System: Display the player's credit count in their inventory instead of the HUD, lightening the HUD.

Nor Admin Mod for GMod - Administration System: Distribute credits from the list of connected users directly from the Nor Admin Mod administration panel interface. Open the NCredit management menu from Nor Admin, eliminating the need to remember menu open commands.

Gmod Skins Shop System: NCredit adds the new premium currency to the Skin Shop. It is possible to use different currencies to obtain new skins or models, if desired.

Gmod Items Shop System: You can also use this currency in shops of NPCs created with Gmod Items Dealers System. The creator will define the cost in NCredit of an item in alternative currency.

Gmod Jobs Shop System: This script allows you to create different NPCs that can offer jobs based on conditions you set. You have the option to make jobs accessible under certain conditions without having to modify the jobrelated.lua file, or make them paid. NCredit adds a premium currency to this system.

Gmod Character Selection Menu System: With NCredits, you have the ability to lock certain character slots. The user needs to have Credits to unlock additional character slots, thus avoiding a purely "pay-to-win" usage.

The APIs allow the use of NCredit's premium currency in other products not present in the Originahl Scripts Store. These APIs are shared and used consistently with my other mods.

player:Credit() // Returns the user's credit count.
player:SetCredit(number, msg) // Sets the credit count.
player:AddCredit(number, msg) // Gives credits to a user. A negative number will deduct credits.

If you have a website with a shop capable of sending an rcon command to your server, users will receive their in-game credits even when offline using this command that you can use with your online shop.

add_premium_credits "steamid64_buyer" amount

I understand that you may have a different perspective on "pay-to-win" (P2W) , but there is something important to consider. When an addon is considered P2W, it usually means that certain significant in-game benefits are available only to those who pay for additional features. This can unbalance the gaming experience, as those who invest money have a significant advantage over those who prefer not to spend more. To maintain a fair gaming environment, it's often up to the server owner to strike a delicate balance. The Owner is responsible for creating a game environment where all players, whether paying or not, can enjoy the game to the full without feeling an unfair disadvantage. The balance between paid and free benefits helps maintain a healthy and fair community. This is to emphasize that balancing benefits is an important responsibility of the server owner.

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