bool startitem_failed;
+/// \brief lifetime < 0 means permanent (not loot), lifetime > 0 overrides the default
+.float lifetime;
+
/// \brief Returns the item definition corresponding to the given class name.
/// \param[in] class_name Class name to search for.
/// \return Item definition corresponding to the given class name or NULL is not
bool Item_InitializeLoot(entity item, string class_name, vector position,
vector vel, float time_to_live);
+/// \brief An optimised and generic way to initialise items (loot or permanent)
+/// \param[in] item The item entity to initialise
+/// \return True on success, false otherwise.
+/// \nore required field: itemdef (faster, preferred) OR classname
+/// optional fields: origin, velocity, lifetime, noalign
+/// lifetime < 0 means permanent (not loot), lifetime > 0 overrides the default
+/// permanent items only: noalign means the item is suspended (won't drop to floor)
+bool Item_Initialise(entity item);
+
/// \brief Returns whether the item is loot.
/// \param[in] item Item to check.
/// \return True if the item is loot, false otherwise.