Anyone want to join Strategy game developement?

[kedaman]

I'm planning a minor but extendable project on a game, not using a 3D enigne.

Type: Strategy
Real time/Turnbased
Complex structures like in the game Civilisation

I need some guys that are willing to make graphics, music and sound effects,structure developement and design. Also programmers with skill in component programming is welcome.

Communication preferably using ICQ

I am a great fan of these games and want to experiment with a mixture of some of these:

All Civilisation
Stars!
Ascendancy
War/Starcraft
Settlers 1-3
7 Kingdoms

The Structure will be built up of classmodules representing each concept of the game, the graphics will be done with bitblt which could be extended to DirectDraw later. I am programming the main engine while others can extend it with components (source of course).

A runtime script will be implemented so that you can both access designed and runtime properties both from code and from script files. I need a good script designer for this job.

All frequently used graphics such as tiles will be made in bmp format, screen graphics will be jpg and gif.

Sounds are in wav format and music in either modules or mp3, I have midas soundsystem for the modules but i'm not sure for the mp3's

Also I need a programmer for multiplayer options

[HarryW]

I hope you realise that Fox will tell you not to use GIFs ;)

If you come up with a design for your engine, I'd be very interested to know how it is constructed (ie the architecture) as I don't know much about game design. It's something I hope to do someday if I'm lucky ;)

[Fox]

Don't use GIFs! ;)

*hehe* :)

*jk*, I think kedaman's quite good and he knows what he does... hopefully ;)

[kedaman]

Fox! You mean they have 256 colors and suck in all other ways you probably could think of?!?! I don't think theres a better compression format, except jpg but the graphics won't be exact. In other words i know bmp.

Otherways, i hope you don't think youre (others) too outqualified to work with me, I can accept anyone who wants to join if you have any programming talents at all

[Fox]

You prolly know that I once started an RTS too, so I'd like to join your group, but I really really really have no time at the moment.
And by the way, I will finish my game first ;)

[kedaman]

Ok, Fox! You're in, hmm need some more guys, anyone intereseted in doing the graphics?

Hey kedaman.. wouldn't mind helping ya out, but don't count me in as a FULL TIME programmer, cause I'm too still learning, fox knows more than me, but I know some.. damn I gotta like go back and re read the DX stuff cause I was studying D3D and I'm all lost and stuff in DX.. so I guess I need to go back to DDraw...

[kedaman]

Heh, I had problems with Fox directdrawing samples, it didn't work and it's a hell to track the problem since DDraw wasn't closed by breaking. Were starting out with Bitblt, so we don't have to dive into that problem until later. Well no FULL TIME programmer acctually aren't needed, we do stuff when we have time. And it'll take a while for Fox to finish his things. Youre in pal.

[[92]_fs]

Count me in.

I´m not so in to graphics, but writing class modules in VB6 would be really great.

------
PRGRMR
-----------------------
has anyone seen my dog?
-----------------------

[kedaman]

You may join us as well, i'll wait the rest to reply here after this fusion.

[[92]_fs]

Is there just graphic developers here? no programmers?
come on. we cant built a game without any more programmers.


PRGRMR

**------**-------**--------**---------**
Dont blame me. Blame my English teatcher
**------**-------**--------**---------**

[Paul282]

Kedaman,

If you're starting it, count me in. (please)

I can help out with graphics, but I'm better with componant creation, and raw data manipulation.

One request, (I know I haven't actually be accepted in yet)

can we have a bit of a project plan before we start writing code?

every failed project I've been part of has had people writing code while people are still deciding what they're going to make!

Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu

[kedaman]

PRGRMR, we have a lot of programmer actually, i'm one of them, hehe.

Paul, don't worry, (your in, by the way) I will have total cotnrol of the situation! I've been in some projects that failed and I don't want that to happen again. So, we do all planning before we start, at least so much that we have the game structure implemented.

So you're good at Raw data manipulation? What formats can you handle? I'm not sure but it could be useful.

And for component creation, were doing it by source so we don't have dll's around us, just classmodules and stuff.

[drewski]

Im willing to give this a try but as I'm just a very novice programmer I dont know if I'd be much help. Im willing to learn though!

I'm pretty familiar with bitblt and I've been experimanting with DX but have been having some problems. Those of you who know about DX please go look at my threead in "details! details!" and see if you can help.

Well, back to the subject. LIke I said I dont know very much, but I'm up to a couple of small chalenges if you guys think I'm capable of it. Other wise I'll have to quit this project and get my feet set firmly in vb.

I used to think I was kinda okay in vb but when I hear you guys talking I think : "I've still got alot to learn." ;)



Hope I can be of service.

Hey kedaman, I don't know about this but I think making an RPG or an RTS, where it's scrolling involved, I think 3D is probably the easiest way to go as there not much algorithms for tile scrolling and ****.. you only work with the camera and the FOV..
I was playing around with D3D.. and I'm not completely comfortable with it since it involves math, which i'm good with but I don't feel like reading abotu vectors and **** like that cause that's boring, and you gotta work with 3 dimensioanl matrices.. I mean i made a rectangle and then textured it.. and then after that worked with the code a little bit and made the camera go forward (by adding or subtracting from it's x value) I mean it looked a lot easier to me to do a tile scrolling game in complete 3D then to go work with DDraw... It's hard to understand all the complex math involve, but even if you can get a little understanding of it, you can incorporate it with DDraw, and work with it..

So far in the testings, I was able to move forward and backward (or atleast make the camera move forward or backward), turn left right... but the regardless of the x position, the Z position always went in one direction so that needs help.. uhh I'll be working a little more with it and see if I can atleast load a model into it and see if I can do something good with it.. then I'll inform you guys.. don't count on me on giving you a fully functional engine cause I'm not all that great with this ****..

[kedaman]

Well I don't want to run into 3d now since that means a lot of graphical developement and gameplay problems. And Ive always wanted to do a classic RTS, with a bit civilisation in it.

Now for the planning part:
Here's my resoruces for the project now:

Graphics Engines
Drawing methods: DDRAW or Bitblt if we have problems with DDRAW
Code sources:
1. Rectangular[], diamond<> and <=>hexagon terrain engines
all with 3d support (not complete but working)
needed: 3dtiles
2. Sprites engines, layer sprites and free sprites
needed tiles
3. Interfaces: Screens, Windows, Menus, buttons, gauges, scrollbars, lists, icons, etc..
Graphical sources
3d terraintiles (my terraingenerator's pretty crappy) .bmp
Sprites library, structurized, .bmp
Interfaces
Nice artworks for special conditions in the game
Auditive Engines
Engines: MIDAS or DMusic
Game Structure:
Class orientation, no structure yet
Web developement:
No good webdesigner yet

Other Issues:
Game name
Basic Idea's
Communications
All members should get ICQ at first
since we don't have a message board yet we could use forum for projects
Also we need to solve out the timezones
Time
We will work very freely, independent from how much from day to day
but we should consider spend at least 1 hour per day, or better, 7 hours a week on it
Of course we don't demand it but i said this so you'll know how much time we'll spend on it.
Since I have 2 months of free time until I start studying again,
i'll say we should get it ready on this period.
Planning
I expect at least some of our members to discuss the ideas on this game
The topic, I choosed was a mixture of Civilisation and a RTS, so we will
have a lot of space for ideas

After making up the plans, we need to divide up the work, not too strictly but
so that everyone have something to do and that we don't need to waste time on
making the same things.



It's not too late to join yet. I think we have enough programmer by now, we need
1. A web designer
2. A couple of artists
3. A music composer (mp3 or modules)
4. A sound engineer

[Rodik]

I can be all of those! :)

[kedaman]

For you others that don't have ICQ, get it!(www.icq.com) We need to have good communication and get ourselves comfortable so that we can talk freely to each other ;)

Rodik, you have the place as Webdesigner and Music maker, as soon as i've got same good samples from you.

And drewski, we need to have chat :)

[kedaman]

Ok, we have done some redirectioning in this team now, I am still the owner of this project but Knightvision is now our team director, he's better than me in leading teams and he have the experience. Now if we just need the icq uins, and email addres, i would accept you as full members.

Until then we have these jobs:

Main engine programmer, Game designer kedaman 12113437
Team director, Web designer, KnightVision 38095036
Graphics designer, Game designer
music maker Rodrik 8071961
graphics designer Zleepy 40269591
component creation Paul282
component creation Fox 46128728

If you want to change jobs just contact me, but please use ICQ!
We will have a website running soon, KnightVision is on it.

We are always open to more graphics designers!
Also we need someone good on sound effects!

ALSO Now we are know as "The Strategist Team"

[Edited by kedaman on 06-26-2000 at 07:24 PM]

[kedaman]

OK, our new site is now running, not too good yet, and the forum isn't there but we'll have it ready soon.

http://www.crosswinds.net/~strategistteam/

[Paul282]

yeah yeah I'm getting there, You'll have to excuse me a bit at the beginning, Things are ugly at work and it's just about to lead to a change of jobs.

I'll be a bit busy for the next couple of weeks, unemployment in a city with the world's highest cost of living's gonna occupy a bit of my time over the next few weeks.

I'll understand if you need to replace me in the team :(

I'll be hanging around here from time to time, but I won't have much time for projects till after July.

grrrrrrr, this company SH*TS me !!

sorry

[BoB]

hey what kind of art do you need liek 2d by liek ddraw or like photoshop . Becuase im still learning liek ddraw but i know photoshop like it ant **** , so if you need art just icq me . Oh yeah i make web pages to . I JUST HAD TO ADD THAT sorry

'BoB', Ddraw and Photoshop are not the same thing.. You need to first learn the difference.

[kedaman]

Hehe doesn't matter, we need artists and we have another, hmm, Both Fox and Paul got problems by their own and they might not have time to do all components needed. But you can of course do some stuff if you want.

I guess i'm going to open the door for programmers again, if you want to join, just reply here or ICQ me.

I got Fox Ddraw sample working after many argh's and hmmm's. Well I did some improvements but i'm still concerned about the fps rate. It's 60 and when i worked with the ocx control i got over 200, but i guess fox have some reason for making extra features.

[kedaman]

Also, all members: Sign up in the forum we've put up on our website ;)

[Rowie]

Hail,

I'll give the programming side of things a go, if you want me. I've been programming VB5 for a few years. But i'm still only a novice (maybe intermediate by now?). :)

Noetheless i've got a few weeks to waste and working for this might be a good way to learn some stuff. :)

Also, i tried starting a gave like Civ using BltBit. I only got the tile mapping and player movement before i started to realize that Bltbit is way to slow. And so now i have to learn DX to get speed going. The thing is, their is very little sample Tilebased games using DX7 and VB. Trust i've looked in a lot of places. But i have managed t find one that i like. And a game that someone programmed that has excactly what i need - i've just emailed him for the code. :)

Anyway, i'd like to help programing this game.

Thanks. :)

Email = rowie_98@hotmail.com
ICQ = 45606478

----------------
Rowie

[essohbee]

What sort of gfx are we talking about..

I'm more into ingame gfx so please, tell me something you need and I'll try to create an example, k?

[kedaman]

Rowie, essohbee, thanksf or the interest, we need to talk (icq)
Rowie, can you make components, were talking structure for the game, because i'm going to work with the engine my self.

I'm now working on applying diamond 3dterrain on Fox sample, and looks fine so far.

What sort of gfx? I guess you know how civilisation looks? Well we're just doing more Futuristic, Space, Hi-tech style.

[BoB]

well hey i know they are diff one is a program and the other is somthin gyou can program with to make art . And why are you trying to recorrect me . When i know what im talking abou t. How about not saying anything to me . Ok PLease im saying that in the nicest way , im trying ot be nice .

[Rowie]

Hail Kedaman,

I've sent you an ICQ reply.

Regards,

------------
Rowie

Originally posted by BoB
well hey i know they are diff one is a program and the other is somthin gyou can program with to make art . And why are you trying to recorrect me . When i know what im talking abou t. How about not saying anything to me . Ok PLease im saying that in the nicest way , im trying ot be nice .

Hey bob.. uhh I wasn't trying to be mean, just telling you something.. Stil Ddraw is not 'primarily' used to 'program to make art'.. photoshop, yes it's used to make art.. but ddraw is more of a.. used to SHOW art.. then to make art.. Don't take everything people say offensive, wouldn't it be better if you truly learned the difference then to take what I said offensive?


-- Besides, kedaman needs artist and you can do art, so don't need to take me offensive cause he's working on the engine and he needs artists and you do art.. so that's it..

[kedaman]

Hey, don't get upset about that small thing, we need to work on a project were we all must be friends or we won't get anywhere! OK, some of you haven't specified what you want to do, some don't have have got icq either. Only I and KnightVision is registered at the forum. We're going to start something here, hurry up, we have a lot of planning to do, and it will be done at the forum.


Main engine programmer, Game designer kedaman 12113437
Team director, Web designer, KnightVision 38095036
Graphics designer, Game designer
music maker Rodik 8071961
graphics designer Zleepy(vachira) 40269591
component creation [92]_fs(prgmr) 72102890
'not decided yet
component creation Paul282 -
component creation Fox 46128728
(graphics/design) essohbee(Vroomfondel)4355754
(graphics) bob(iodine) 76875793
components? whildGhost -
kennny -
drewski -
Rowie 45606478

kedaman, my ICQ number is in my profile, but I'll give it anyways.. it's "38084821"

anyways uhh.. what do you mean by components? I'm not too fond of class objects really.. but I can do some of them.. if you want me to 'design' different structures of the engine I can do that, and I can get my friend (at work, maybe) to do some concept art... and I dont' think you have a story writer for the game? I could go well with that, I've done many mini movies with my friends which got really famous among our school mates and our teachers.. but that's a different story.. anyways.. I wouldn't mind being the story writer and do some designing as well... I could help you with the networking code if you decide to do this thing multiplayer cause I'm learning direct play and also am pretty good with using the winsock control.. API shouldn't be hard, but direct play is good...

oh and a one more thing, I'll be using SP4.. Service Pack 4.. It probably has a lot of fixes..

[Edited by WildGhost on 06-27-2000 at 06:41 PM]

[dangerousdave]

Is it too late to join?

hmm, I am capable with graphics... http://www.brekfast.co.uk - just a logo at present, but thats all you need to see, I made that in about 1/2 and hour.

I am more than fluent in Html, JavaScript and CGi using the C language.

I have limited but good Visual C experience - so naturally good at structured programming.
I would consider myself to be very fluent in Visual Basic as a language. My main weak points are Mathematical calculations to produce graphics (i.e. I REALLY cant figure out 3D geometry or Rotating sprites by getpixel and putpixel)

As far as programming is concerned I would say I specialise in graphics programming, i.e. a lot of DX experience, no D3D experience however.

...So I can pretty much do anything.
Even if I cant help I know someone who is the MASTER of making MOD's so he can definately help with your apparent lack of music.

[kedaman]

dangerousdave
No it's not too late since we haven't started yet. If you do futuristic/space art you may join. Also terrain tiles and interface is needed of graphical design. If your good at DX, (especially DDRAW) you can just contact me and let's discuss it.
Rodik does mod's but i guess we need more music makers, so your friend may join too.

WhildGhost, I've put up a story, but it's too simple and short i think, you could improove it ;) And yes, we need multiplayer options so you can program a component for it.

alright kedaman.. I'm going to try to think of a way on how we'll implement networking, then I"ll work on the code.. but we probably need to wait for that cause we need to first create a half functional engine so I know how I can do the co-ordination system and **** like that.. not hard to do really, just gotta make sure everything worx u knwo.. I'll check out the story..

[kedaman]

ok WhildGhoast
As for everyone to know we decided to build on 2 interfaces, Generally TBS in space and RTS in close combat on planets. ;)

[Fox]

Not the other way around? mhm.. ok ;)

[Paul282]

WildGhost,

I'll have some free time next week and winsock/networking is a strong point of mine(being a network engineer). I've built client/server apps with winsock many times, although haven't touched DCOM tiers etc, but I doubt that this will go that direction. I've worked in UDP peer to peer and TCP client server models on many protocol stacks.

Sorry to be sort of in-and-out, I'll understand if you don't need temporary help...

Paul

[dangerousdave]

We should be using the forum at the temp website

http://www.crosswinds.net/~strategistteam/

thats what it's there for... also if you would all use that and read the thread entitled "Website Update(ish)" and give us some ideas and input and if you think you can help with various content feel free to offer up. We dont need much help (Knight Dude and I) but you never know.

Thanks

Hey Paul, ofcourse I would need help... But I was going to do the networking in DirectPlay since it's suited for multiplayer games. But if we decide to go with winsock, Sure as hell I would need your help, any help is appericiated. By the way, to really talk about the project and stuff like that use the forum that's on the website that dave posted in the message above, that way it'll stay all between us, you can post here if you want to join..

And yes paul, if you could just learn a little bit of directplay it would be cool cause I'm learning it too.. the networking code will be waiting untill some of the engine is finished so we know how to implement it in the engine.

[Edited by WildGhost on 06-29-2000 at 05:17 PM]

[Paul282]

I haven't ever touched DirectPlay, You don't happen to know where there is some sample source lying around do you? sounds interesting.

Paul

[kedaman]

Paul and others who want to join, can you get ICQ?
And also join the forum at our homepage

http://www.crosswinds.net/~strategistteam/

Also we have some new jobs we need:

1. one or more good 3d artists, that can modell 3dgraphics by looking at sketches. You need to modell space ships, space stations, planets, hightech components, and more...

2. And secondly we need soundFX guys to do space sounds, weapon sounds, explosions, event sounds, menu beeps, mouse clicks, and more...

yes paul, I can direct you to a tutorial for starting out in Directplay.. but then it'll be upto you to find more, or learn more or what not.. I'm also thinking about uploading the help file from the directx sdk, it's 5 megs.. not a problem for me cause i got cable and would take me probably a minute or 2 to upload.
the link is: http://members.home.net/theluckyleper/tutX.html

[Paul282]

Thx people, I'll take a look.

The ICQ, even at home I'm behind the company firewall. I'm not contactable through it as it's blocked (specifically). I may be in a new company soon (Back to AT&T... good or bad.. ?) I'll go grab a new ICQ then. I haven't had one for a few years and can't use one yet.

I'll take a look at the link WildGhost put up...

[kedaman]

Ok for everyone that haven't joined our forum (we have now 6 registered) JOIN NOW!

http://www.crosswinds.net/~strategistteam/

I have the 3d isometric terrain engine running now at 60 fps at 1280*1024*16.

Again, are there any good 3d modellers out there that wants to work with us?

[Paul282]

Doh!

Proxy Error
The proxy server received an invalid response from an upstream server.
The proxy server could not handle the request GET /~strategistteam/.

Reason: Could not connect to remote machine: Host is down


(This is not my prosxy server because I don't use one)

[kedaman]

Yeah, I got the same 502 thing, and now i get a "Oops...
Our member server is currently down"

Well i guess we have to wait... or do anyone have a direct shortcut to the forum?

Direct Link to Forum: http://pub18.ezboard.com/bthestrategistteam

[kedaman]

Ok, thanks,KV when you get offline, we have to talk again, We've discussed some big issues again!

[djhayman]

Hi everyone!

If you still need someone to help out, I can help out a bit here and there. I can do:

* VB programming
* Web development
* Basic graphics

If you think that I can help, my ICQ is 81478969.

[Lepe]

Hi!, my name is Lepe, I have some experience with DirectDraw 7 (about 4 months), good one with Photoshop, many years working with VB and few years working with games (not 3d). I'm fanatic of strategic games. I hope I can participate with you. I can help in code and design, also with the website. I hope it's not too late. Thank you. (to all of you)

ICQ: 39889949
email: lepe@alepe.com
(excuse my english, I'm from Mexico and is not my primary languaje)

[kedaman]

Surely, but Component programming is going to be probably on of the harder things, I've been using DDRAW for a months now but I sure know how to use it. Well there's still some problems anyway;

1. Alpha-Blending

2. Direct3d - Noone have done anything with it yet

And you have to talk to me to if you want to do programming, 12113437

[Elon10]

hey i wouldn't mind being a part of that....just email me with what you want me to do and you got it...i won't be able to do nothing but work on it...but i am willing to devote some time to it...

count me in

Elon

[/\/\isanThr0p]

I programmed sometilebased engine in DDraw and in GDI!

ANd I tell you this USE DDRAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It so much better an easier! you don't have to mess around with all these mask files and double blits!
But instead of this you the possibility for animation and real fast scrolling!!! and things like alphablending!

I made a small snake game! (http://total.relativ.de/faab/page/Wurm.zip not to small it has nice graphics!)
And the easyiest thing about this game was the DDraw!!!!!

please believe me

Ddraw doesn't have AlphaBlending in it.. get it right ok? and yes we are making it in DDraw. And you can't use Alphablending Unless you incorporate DirectDraw in it

[/\/\isanThr0p]

Sorry but you are wrong!

The Alphablt in the DDFX thing isn't implementet! BUT: you can use DDROP and the param SRC??? (I forgot it) to have something you can just use like alphablending! but not with an extra alphachannel and not an extra aplhamask

The above post, I mean to say incorporate Direct3D in it. I'm not going to argue with u, cause I'm having a bad day.. I'll tell you this though... Go reasearch it..

[mortyr]

Need more information on the game.
Percentage complete.
Graphics Type.
Specific units.
Any possibility of scripting language.
Tech specs.
Etc...

Well we're not giving out that information.. because that's only for our members.. you contact us we'll give out the information.. we've got demos of engines and so forth.. but only for our members..

[parksie]

I can help with documentation / user interface things (and graphics optimisation if necessary).

All those things are covered right now.. we got a good staff.. what we're really looking for is 3d modelers and 2d graphic artists.. if you qualify.. reply here or send me an ICQ message. Other than that.. our programming team has no need for members as of right now.. but if we do need them in future.. I'll be sure to post again and ask for some.. we got all the designers we need, so no job for designers are available at the moment.. only artists.. 3d modelers and 2d artists...

[parksie]

What sort of art is needed?

Well.. 2d Tiles.. but if u're good with other stuff like making a GUI.. you could get together with me and I'll share the GUI idea with you and you can create the GUI art..

[parksie]

That seems fine...are you on ICQ/Yahoo/MSN?

PS: I also do music.

[kedaman]

parksie, happy if you could send me a sample of your music, do you make mod's? Also we need 3d artists more than doing 2d tiles

[parksie]

I haven't done much with mods (those I have done are a bit poor really), but if you let me know what sort of style you need, I can write something and get back to you.

[Warmaster199]

Go to my website: http://www.Geocities.com/Warmaster2000us/index.html

You will find my Graphics engine, I3D. It isn't quite complete(the engine), but it come with source code and can help you with DirectX and Direct3D Z-Buffering. My engien includes a sample with shows you how to run a window in fullscreen. After declarations calling on I3D, running DirectDraw is as easy as 3 lines of code. The engine does the rest. With my I3D package, you can also run a small "Display Setup" program that sets up I3D's display values. When running I3D for the first time, be sure to have run the Display setup in the I3DRuntimes.zip first, otherwise you will get an error.