Where do I start, if I want to make....

Jared Michaud · 2011-09-13T14:53:45

I have an interesting question that (hopefully) can be answered relatively simply. Background: I take a top-down view of things. That means when I want to start working on a project, I start by figuring out what will be required (in a big-picture sense). My partner and I have recently completed the design for an online multi-player game (probably best fitting the MMORTS genre). The game somewhat resembles games like: AstroEmpires, Planetarion, Ferion, Utopia, etc. (Some of you will probably be familiar with the games I'm talking about). I have some experience with programming languages, but only on the "ground" level. (Years ago, during the windows 3.1 era I created several applications with visual basic, for example, and I know enough HTML to create a functional web page. I also have a basic understanding of the object-oriented programming model, etc.) I'm aware of the scope of the project I'm embarking on. I'm not joking around, and I have some resources I can bring to bear on the project, but I need to figure out where to START as far as the programming side of this goes, so if some folks who know a little more than I do would give me some pointers as far as direction, I would really appreciate it. What the project requires: A database back-end to store "everything" (including player info, galaxy map info, resources, etc - thus "everything"). A web browser "front-end" for user interface This MUST include a 3-dimensional "galaxy map" that can be manipulated by the user (both to change perspective and to select elements inside the map). In regard to this map, what I envision is something resembling Google maps or Wikisky (zoom in, zoom out, search for and highlight certain features, click to access info), but NOT using pixel-based imaging, instead relying on a simple database of coordinate-based points (stars) WITHOUT associated pixel data rendered based on current user camera perspective. This MUST be available through a web browser interface. Now the optional part: I know that the above is possible using current technology (really not even that difficult, tech-wise, even though some of the spatial-reference issues could make your eyes cross). What I would LIKE to do is to pre-load star position data from the server and cache it on the user's computer, then use the USER's computer to render the star map from a given perspective, without using server resources. I'm not certain whether this is possible without creating a user-end application. Is it? If this is NOT possible, I still want to reduce the load on the server as much as possible. I see several possible options for this, especially if I understand correctly how database requests are handled and how the user's computer can be utilized in rendering (For example, any time the user clicks and "drags" to rotate the camera, based on its focal point, if I can't pre-cache and use the user's machine to render the map in real time as it rotates, could I instead just show a compass for reference, then only render the final image once the user has released the mouse button?) The problem is, I only have a general understanding of these concepts, so I don't know specifically which programming languages (and which technology) to dig into and start learning. So, the simplified question is -- What are my options for languages in which to create this application, back end, etc and what are the pros and cons of each? Thoughts are appreciated. *EDIT* [color=#1C2837][size=2] this is what I've gotten so far: Dynamic rendering and map interface: [color=#1C2837][size=2]html5, flash or silverlight, possibly Unity (though after looking at that, it seems like a bit more than I need) [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]Web front-end: [color=#1C2837][size=2]html (obviously), CSS, javascript, .ASPX [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]Middle tier: C# or java, (with C# being favored), along with possibly php? the .net framework (Not quite sure how to categorize, but it has to be in there somewhere.) [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]Database end: MySQL or MSSQL [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]I'm sure I've mis-categorized a couple of these, but that's the general gist of things. [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]I WAS hoping for some pro/con info on them and other opinions, but I'll take what I can get. [color=#1C2837][size=2] [color=#1C2837][size=2]Thanks again, (and as I said, any further feedback is welcome

For Beginners

Started by Matrix6 September 03, 2011 09:27 PM

31 comments, last by arthursouza 12 years, 7 months ago

arthursouza

1,622

September 13, 2011 01:43 PM

I'm confused by this whole thread. All answers are met with scorn, and the OP already seems to know what languages he doesnt want to use.

Because there is no need for 50 different replies saying "you can't do this". Really, ok, everyone thinks the guy can't do this, there is no need for everyone to come and say that he cant do this, 5 times, each person, for real. Two pages of "this is too big for you". Sorry for the offtopicness but this is just bad. Ok, the op didnt actually behave well, but oh my god...

Telastyn

3,778

September 13, 2011 02:38 PM

It seems like some of you have not realized that OP is talking about creating a text-based game that runs in a browser.

I wasn't familiar with the games, so went and looked at them. They don't appear to be spreadsheet in space games at first glance like the standard Facebook sort of CastleCraft sort of game. Those are indeed less complex, though still not (imo) beginner material due to their scalability requirements.

Because there is no need for 50 different replies saying "you can't do this".
[/quote]

In all seriousness, why not?

If I'm the only kook giving the advice I can be discounted as the kook. When the overwhelming majority of the community say something, doesn't that help the OP get a better indication about the weight of the advice? There's very few things that a group of programmers can by-and-large agree with.

-- Tangent Developer Journal - Delegates - Part 2

arthursouza

1,622

September 13, 2011 02:53 PM

You disagree, you keep saying its not gonna work, 5 times.

You disagree, you say its not gonna work this way, you say how it could work, you leave.

Please, tell me how much the community will gain from the first one.

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