The master server's IP address is resolved by downloading a .html document from my Radioactive-Software.com website. The .html document containts a IP address among other things (Message of the day, etc.) The Client then recieves a list of active servers and pings them all.
A game server always stays in touch with the Master Server every few seconds updating the game's status (# of players, state, current map, gameplay mode, server name, etc.). Everything is rock solid, and I'm very happy with the way it's working out.
I've got 3 Gang War servers up and running right now..though I'm the only one with the game...so nobody can play with me yet :-( Hopefully that will change soon. The game servers and master server are being hosted on a deticated T1 line, so they should be able to handle all the clients.
Each game server can host 6 connected players, so I'm only setup for 18 players online at once...hopefully poeple will just run their own server in the background if they want to play. Though it might require them to open some ports on their firewall...hopefully I can get around that by using a NAT punch through, via the Master Server.
I'm also adding the conversation system, and a radial action menu for interaction with NPCs, and in-game entities. I'm quite fond of the one they have in Star Wars Galaxies...mine will be slightly inspired by that. More to come on that later.
Tons of work gettin' done on the game...here's some screenshots:
//I thought this image looked cool...
//Cop & Car
//Me chillin in an empty server...fun stuff.
//Yup...me and myself are playing a rousing game of Gang War!
//Early speech bubbles for in-game conversation...example dialog:
// Pssst...wanna buy some dope?
//
// Sure...lay it on me!
//
// *Play CashRegister.wav*
// *Remove 10 units of grass from your inventory*
// *Add $100 into your inventory*
//A little picture of the "Speedster"
More progress soon...
- Dan
