Well, I have started in in DivDatabase. Things are looking good from here. So far, I can create a new database, and add users to it. Next is opening existing databases, then tables, and all of that stuff =).
Z.
Printable View
Well, I have started in in DivDatabase. Things are looking good from here. So far, I can create a new database, and add users to it. Next is opening existing databases, then tables, and all of that stuff =).
Z.
looks as tho ur doing cool. i shall have a look at that model tho i have neva done anything like that before. i have 3d studio max 4.2 now too :D
LOL dont have an ASE importer :D i have an exporter tho :( will try find one.
Well, I have tables working, as well as records. If I am coding this right, I SHOULD have unlimited storage space in a database (I escape the 4GB file limit by using a sequence of files to store records =).
Z.
Just having some fun with our engine... Though you guys might enjoy this =).
http://209.120.143.185/attachment.php?s=&postid=1083624
Z.
Thats nice! Whats the terrain method? heightmap etc ?!?!
What methods the lighting ??!?!
Whats the black lump in da middle ?!?!
The terrain is the standard tile mapping that we have been doing, using a heightmap with cosine interpolation (nice curves, instead of straight lines =).
The ravy looking lighting is simply vertex colors. Each vertex has the color "0xffffffff / m_heightMap->GetHeight(x, z)". Simple, huh?
The black lump is the tower model =).
Z.
Well, I have spent the last two days working on some code to parse a boolean expression into an evaluation tree, and I THINK that I am about finished with it. This is for searching a database. Expressions look like this:
The tree observes parentheses, and evaluates accordingly. I still need to implment the actual evaluate function, but I have the tree parsing just about done (finally).Code:
(field01=0 & field02=0) | field03=0
Z.
All righty. I got my parser finished. Usage is easy =).
The input in this case is whatever happens to be in the current "field01". The input can be changed without re-parsing the expression string, and is instead substituted in while the tree is being evaluated, for speed.Code:boolean_expression be(string("field01=0"));
binary_data bd;
unsigned long l = 0;
bd.resize(sizeof(l));
bd.insert(&l, sizeof(l));
be.input(bd, 0);
bool r = be.evaluate();
All in all, I am pleased =).
Z.
The boolean code looks kool, dya think you cud compress it down so u dont have to write as much ?
I like the terrain, simple :D
Perhpa swud you say the mushroom (as it looks) towers is out of proportions or is that the look were going for (like AOE etc).
I think that it is the camera angle, which Is why I want it textured, so I can see how it REALLY looks, and if there is a problem, fix it =).
As for the boolean code, the reason it is so long in the example above, is because I have to manually fill the binary data input. Since it is a component of DivDatabase, it will be far easier to do the filling because everything is already inside of a variable =).
Z.
I can do database searches now =). The boolean_expression code works like a charm =).
Z.
I fixed up my data insertion code, so it now observes unique fields in data... for instance:
The third record above would not be allowed to be inserted, because a record with a 0 in that field has already been inserted =). All thanks to the little search function =).Code:|UNIQUE_FIELD|something else
0 'hEllo'
1 'GoodBye'
0 'DENIED!!! =)'
Z.
kool kool.
I havent been doing much work recently. Enjoying my 2month summer break too much :) Went out at 4am this morning for a photo shoot for a CD Cover :D
Whats happened?!?
I leave you and you start doing work?
Hehe, well not actually left, but my vacation's over now. I should have more time although I must (yet again!!) go somewhere this coming week. I'm sorry for this. Next weekend, I plan to get going really far (20th and 21st, and I'm free until about August 10th). That should give me enough time to do everything that needs to be done.
Okay:
It is on MySQL. Although I don't know about doing that - simply because I'm on a budget for the webserver and that's why I want to do away with a central server - it will attract too much bandwidth and that means money.
I think everything looks cool anyway. I hope to be able to do more in the next part of the summer.
Anyway, thought I'd just drop in and let you all know. Sorry!
Im going to be away next week too =(. Vacation at the beach... kind of like my idea of hell =).
Since we dont know how much bandwidth the game is going to eat up at a server at release, I think that we should write a full server application (think battle.net), and release it along with then game. It would support general chat, and multiple games (battle.net =). If it turns out that a) bandwidth isnt a huge problem, or b) we get more money, we can set up a central server to collect the IP addresses of the various super-servers out there, and allow players to downloadthat list when they want to play multiplayer.
We might also want to consider storing some global statistics about each player, but we will see.
I think that the super-server idea is a good one, since it will allow people to log on, and find someone to play with, instead of having to know someone to play with =).
Anyway, I am rambling =).
Have fun on vacation, Sas? Glad to see you back, though =).
I told you that I would be back soon =). I am currently implementing user permissions in DivDatabase right now. Then its on to some of the data types, and data inheritance =).
Z.
Yeah, I did have lots of fun. My vacation's at the beach too up here in Canada... It's about 29 degrees centigrade up here and we're all roasting.
I don't see how we'll get money, because if we're not selling anything we can't hope to get anything but money from people surfing our websites - and money like that is sketchy at best.
Maybe someone could open up a Paypal account. Although, I couldn't host the paypal nor could I the server - someone else would have to do that.
But you must remember that little test we did with the tow:// addresses that worked: this means that we could have special forum posts that are timed and give a tow:// address. Since forum browsing shouldn't take up TOO much bandwidth, we may be able to do just this: passworded games would be much the same.
Even if we do run into money troubles (with the web server being the only problem), there are several things I've thought up:
1. The paypal donation route. (maybe people are nice in the world now?) :)
2. Selling CDs. Some modem users will not appreciate having to wait days to download ToW. Thus, a little money for a CD or two filled with ToW files is a fair exchange.
3. Soundtrack maybe? Encrypt the files into a ToW package and sell the audio tracks for money.
Of course these are all just ideas. Who knows, we may not have a problem in the end. If we can get partnerships with sites in exchange for advertising, I have no problem with that. As long as there are no legal bits on the end.
Yeah, I did have lots of fun. My vacation's at the beach too up here in Canada... It's about 29 degrees centigrade up here and we're all roasting.
I don't see how we'll get money, because if we're not selling anything we can't hope to get anything but money from people surfing our websites - and money like that is sketchy at best.
Maybe someone could open up a Paypal account. Although, I couldn't host the paypal nor could I the server - someone else would have to do that.
But you must remember that little test we did with the tow:// addresses that worked: this means that we could have special forum posts that are timed and give a tow:// address. Since forum browsing shouldn't take up TOO much bandwidth, we may be able to do just this: passworded games would be much the same.
Even if we do run into money troubles (with the web server being the only problem), there are several things I've thought up:
1. The paypal donation route. (maybe people are nice in the world now?) :)
2. Selling CDs. Some modem users will not appreciate having to wait days to download ToW. Thus, a little money for a CD or two filled with ToW files is a fair exchange.
3. Soundtrack maybe? Encrypt the files into a ToW package and sell the audio tracks for money.
Of course these are all just ideas. Who knows, we may not have a problem in the end. If we can get partnerships with sites in exchange for advertising, I have no problem with that. As long as there are no legal bits on the end.
Hi,
Financial problems? Here is my 2 cents. I have been monitoring your game development ...though I have not read through all 3 million or so posts on this thread. ;-) I don't play online games nor do I much with my own PC. My son wrote some online game modules in java and enjoyed it...of course there were no big job offers.
If I understand correctly, you fellows are developing an online game that you want to release to the world some time in the future. You are discussing raising money through the good will of others, selling CD's, soundtracks...etc.
Very few people today are raised with the mindset of paying for something...especially when they think it should be free. I am not sure the CD route actually pays. People today know someone with high speed cable access so the CD's are not necessary. Soundtracks? I think few people online actually buy music now since they prefer to 'share it'.
The internet is suffering terribly from lack of income which is why a lot of free web hosts have shut down during the past 18 months...or charge online subscriptions.
It seems to me that the best way to get people to cough up money...even a few dollars...is to get them hooked or addicted to something that they think they cannot live without. For example, and I am sure you know of this...
1) Bombard TV with commericals about toys...kids drive parents mad with requests....drives toy industry. Reality? Kids love the boxes that toys come in better than the toys.
2) Let someone test drive a car...crank the stereo...let him drive fast on the highway...in fact let him borrow it for a weekend. It enhances the buyers image and status. Reality? If you look beyond the superficial aspects of the expensive car...its sole purpose is to get you from A to B.
3) Ugly example but reportedly true. Drug dealers give people in some cases free or discounted drugs. Users like dealers. Reality? Dealers increase the price, forces the addicted user to come up with more money..you guess the rest.
4) I started buying French Vanilla coffee several months ago when it was offered at a low price. I got hooked...my wife also...they jacked the price. Argg! But I still pay.......need it, must have it...can't live without it.. ;-) Reality? Too many carbohydrates!
Now regarding your game...how do you get people hooked so they are willing to pay for their gaming addiction? The program must standout among most other programs. That is for certain. But how do you do it? Free levels and then paying levels? Free slow speed and fast paying speeds? Get 'em hooked and you will have devoted paying customers...guaranteed!
One other option. Find a local investor..someone with some capital...you know (Big Al who owns the local user car dealership who has been in business for a few years...the local pest control guy who drives nice trucks...the name of the guy who owns the local McDonalds or fish and chip shop, attorneys are great investors)...these people are always looking for great opportunities to make even more money.
Set up demonstration for potential investors...one investor at a time. All it takes is for one person to say...cool! How much? How much could I gain? That's a small price to pay...
Get him/her to buy into 12/24 months support of your server. With promise of x% if you earn a profit. Emphasize your commitment in terms of the number of hours you have spent on the project.
Everyone knows that there is tons of money in computer games.If they don't know, educate them.
Regards,
ChuckB
Sas: I would say that CDs are the best way to go, perhaps also a fee for technical support (though that could get legally messy). I know for a fact that many people would be willing to pay 5 dollars for a CD, instead of downloading for hours. On the other hand, we dont have a clue as to how many users we are likely to get.
I dont mind selling advertisments, though banners would be best (personally).
Chuck: Great advice =). Unfortunatly, the game was originally presented as full freeware, and I dont think that any of us really wants to stray from that. If at some point int he future, we decide to make a sequel of some sort(inevitable, I think =), then selling would become a real option(kind of like giving away a car, and then having the customer pay for the next one). This idea REALLY relies on a a top notch first installment, which is what we are aiming for here.
I think that If we can get people to start playing and enjoying the game, they would be more then willing to donate money so that we can set up a central server. Also, taken from many first person shooters out there (HL, UT, Q3A, etc) people will pay to rent servers, and such.
On another note, Sas. The Package file format is probably going to be eliminated. I am thinking that having a DivDatabase server running while the game is running on each players computer is a better bet. I am going to be using it as the package format, so that music, textures, models, animations, etc will all be stored in a central location, with a winsock interface. Not only does this allow easy media access, game rules and such can be stored, scripts, saved games, etc. Also, during multiplayer, each player can connect, instead of to the local database for rules, but to the server's database, requiring no change in code =).
Anyway, enough of my rambling =).
Z.
Zaei, I think that's perfect! Does that mean it doesn't matter if you have a different "file" than the server? That you can still download it but retain your original file?
Yeah, I didn't think the soundtrack was a good idea, hehe ;)
Thanks for the advice, Chuck.
The reason I mentioned CDs instead of downloading is because FilePlanet makes a huge profit off of the idea. If we can capitalise on this we can get some profit. It will, eventually, get back to our users in the form of the central server.
It certaintly is a tricky deal. And we won't stray from full freeware. It should be as easy as downloading the installer, and from there downloading everything else that you want (ex. midi or mp3 music, low/high quality textures, low/high quality models, etc.)
The DivDatabase does sound like a good idea. How will the connection be made between it and Divinity Script, however? Remember that in the end I hope to provide a frontend to divinity scripting that allows point'n'click.
I am going to be re-implmenting DScript, hopefully as a higher level language (Still compiling to bytecode however). Also, I will be adding more opcodes for more speed. Take a look at this example:
In DScript1, the add opcode is the same (0x02, if I remember correctly =). The second operand, however, had the high byte set if the second operand was a variable, or clear if it was an immediate value. This causes a speed penalty in interpretation, because i have to figure out if I should simply add an immediate value, or get a variable value and add. In DScript2, the code will look like this:Code:add aa 1
add aa ab
Looks the same. But the compiler will turn it into this:Code:add aa 1
add aa ab
Now, we have an opcode for an immediate value, and for a variable add. More speed =).Code:addi aa 1
addv aa ab
I will also allow n-size variable names, with variable declarations.
For the DivDatabase media stuff, I can set it up so that clients will use the media on the server, instead of that on the client, at least for small stuff(models, and perhaps animations). Textures will remain the same. All game rules, unit/building/etc statistics will be taken from the server. Regardless, since I am retrieving the media directly from the server and into memory, the file in the client's database remains the same (or I may set up a temporary table to hold the information, depends on how much swapping needs to go on).
I can add a DScript interface to the database, but I will also be using dscript for server side scripting.
Z.
http://www.timesofwar.com/
Has anyone else seen this?
Z.
Hi Guys,
I just took a peek at your website referenced above.
Now, being an older person and a non-gamer , I am not sure what I am to do when I get there. Now my 19 year-old has done some Java game development for a vampire game site so I am thinking this may be a similar RPG with 3D graphics. I was hoping for some big picture stuff like a 1,2,3 step procedure on what you do to play..i.e. 1) Create login, 2) Create country, 3) download software, etc.
I had some big picture questions that I could not answer at this site. Is this all online? Do I need to download software? What does this game look like? Is it text based...3D graphics, etc. Do you play against program or only against others? Screenshots? Overview of game strategy and how it was better/different from other sites.
Now I imagine if you are an experienced online gamer then this all makes perfect sense...so these questions could seem ridiculous to you.
However, I did log into forum area, it looked nice and simple, but I couldn't read any messages...I could add a couple.
Logging into game..I think I did..required another login/password separate from forum login/password...of course it asked me questions about countries and some setup stuff...but I am clueless so I backed out.
Curious to see more.
Regards,
ChuckB
The website I posted isnt ours (thus, the problem). Our website is http://www.crystal-rain.com and http://www.crystal-rain.com/preview . We do have a small demo available, but it isnt much.
Z.
I see. The name has been taken already...right? :-(
ChuckB
Yeah. I checked their web address registration, and its 12/20/01, so we have our name beating their domain registration by nearly 8 months (time of this thread creation, the concept has been around longer).
Ack!
Z.
I will be on vacation for 3 or 4 days, and I wont be able to get access (as far as I know) to the net. Ill see you guys in a few days!
Z.
Was it just me, or was VB Forums down for a few days just now?
Yeah it has.
Zaei, what's happened to your membership? Guest?!?
Well... There goes 2 years of posts on VBForums =|. I wonder if its gonna stay like that...
Z.
Not yet Zaei! I've posted in Feedback and hope to get a reply from an Admin. If so, they can just:
1. Count your non-chitchat posts and add them up
or
2. Check the database backup and set your posts to what they were before the accident.
In any way, I'm sure you'll get them back. And you too, ChuckB.
I actually did a search, and NONE of my previous posts are attributed to me (different user ID, I would assume). Though I am glad VBForums is back, there is still a bit of work to be done =).
On my end, as Sas knows, but I have been unable to post here, I have been working on DivDatabase in the past few days, and have also moved to a new computer (a real one this time =).
Z.
Hi Everyone,
I must admit I have suffered withdrawl symptoms over the past week. I guess I got hooked on this site during the past 2 months.
On the brightside I have gotten to know my wife and children a little bit better. ;-)
I had to re-register like you Z.
It seems to me a good joke to pull right now is to go and claim all of the previous logins that people have used before they log back into the system. Then we can sell the names back to them. What do you think about that? Can you finance your site with that?
Regards,
ChuckB
That would be sick =). I have been refraining from posting people who have lost thiers so that people wont do that =). I am just glad that I got mine back =).
Z.
Sorry i havent posted in ages, the sites been down for every bloody day that ive checked.
All seems to be going well though. I was looking over at gamedev.nets forums and someone was banging on about a script engine and bytecode and i was laughing coz uve done an ace job at gettin us one Zaei!!
Sas, about making money, perhaps the thing for us to do is a cd, banner ads (non-popup) and a paypal account could be useful.
The timesofwar.com site is a bummer, not sure how we can sort that. any one feel like hacking it ?
LOL Psy, I don't think we have to go to those kind of extreme measures ;)
We're not that evil :D
Well, VBF was down last night, and I was at a lan party the day before and the night before that, so I havent been around =).
I got the chance to play Warcraft 3 at the party. It looks great, and probably would have been fun, if i could get better then 5 frames per second. So, we need to do something to combat those low frame rates on slow machines (like mine). Also at the party, we played Counterstrike, and I got to see the neat Overview map thing, and I believe that that is essentially the way to fix the low frame rates in TOW. We can allow users to select between actual polygonal models, or icons to represent units on the battle field.
On another note, I am playing around with multi-texturing to increase the frame rates on the terrain, and it looks promising. Unfortunatly, we also have to up the minimum system requirements to cards that support single pass multi-texturing.
Thats all for now, back to work.
Z.
Well, I got texture blending working in a VB app (testing), and it looks great(better then the current terrain does). Ill see if I can get it implemented by this evening in the actual engine.
Z.
Zaei, your idea is incredible, about the unit icons. That we shall do.
I am reinstalling my computer tomorrow along with a linux distribution (Mandrake 8.2). The Windows OS will be Windows 2000 Pro. Also, I have made a decision that we MUST move ToW off VBF as soon as possible. This is because of the recent server... 'mishaps', shall we say?
Therefore, starting tomorrow or tuesday, I am making a full 2/3-day sprint of coding in ASP. Then, on Thursday, I need to take a break. On the weekend, I will do another 2 days of coding.
I hope this will allow me to complete my forum, giving us somewhere to go for ToW. This will also have a complete File system (by that I mean file database on the site). The preview will be updated with that and the forum, and I will take the old site down.
Next week, we will have a new forum. Any requests for functionality in any part of the site?
Now, that's what I'm doing.
One more thing. Zaei, what can we do for our own implementation of 'fog of war'?