Sometimes, you will want to use items that don’t exist to do things. I call these Non-Items. A Non-Item creates the illusion of an item but isn’t actually one. They are used to create more complex ideas, such as needing to make a bucket out of metal. Metal isn’t in GKC, nor are buckets, but as Non-Items they can create the illusion of them being there. There are three ways to do this.
Method One
The first method is by using channels that will activate the button (or whatever you want to become usable) when you get the Non-Item. The button would otherwise be inactive. This could also be used with barriers to make it so you can only cross a path after doing something without the use of lasers. You may want this if you want a secret path only attainable after a certain point or don’t want the player to die. This method works best with singular Non-Items, but can be done with multiple items by using chains of vending machines with no cost, or, if you also want to use actual items, you can also end it by having a cost.
Method Two
Rather than using a chain of vending machines, if you want to have multiple of the same Non-Item or use multiple different Non-Items for the same thing, you could instead use variables or properties.
Variables
In the blocks, set it to change the variable by whatever amount when you do what you waht to have the player do to get the Non-Item. The only major problem with this is that it requires you use the same device every time.
Properties
A similar method to variables can be done with properties. I would explain in better detail, and I have been told this works, but I actually have yet for it to work myself. If you can explain how to do this in the comments, thank you, I guess.
I discovered a third method that is much better than the second.
Method Three
You can also use counters. Make it so that they go up when you get the Non-Item through a channel and when it gets to whatever number that you want for the Non-Item, have it transmit on a channel. This channel would function like the channels for a single Non-Item needed to do something. The best part is that you don’t need to use blocks and only need to use one more device. This also lets you use the same channel for everything you need to get the Non-Items with, as long as you deactivate them after use.
I added images if my instructions weren’t clear.
