Collaboration

[seanm]

Has this site/Board ever been the home to a collaborative effort? I've just been thinking that the combined knowledge of 6500 VB programmers could produce some very impressive applications, and the experience would be definitively educational.
Just an idea.

[Sam Finch]

I'm Well Up For That, What do you want to program?

[seanm]

Well, that would depend mostly on who feels up to it. I'd say the app should follow the skills of the people involved and what people want to learn more about. I've only been programming with VB for just under a year, and I'm thinking of this as a learning experience. I'm just starting to look at DirectX, I know a little database management, I know nothing about using VB for internet apps. I'm an artist, and I've spent some time working with user interface, and dummy proofing. I've a game I've been programming for the past couple of weeks on my website (www6.50megs.com/seanm) not much as far as credentials go, but hey, thats why I'm looking to learn. Ideas, suggestions, critiques?

[Sam Finch]

Looks Like it's just us at the moment but maybe we can get some more.

I had a Look at your Walk in the Dark Game, I didn't See much of it cos these damn green things kept killing me but it looks really professional and the artwork is great.

I'm Doing a maths degree at the moment so I'm quite good at things with hardcore maths, 3D graphics, artificial intellegence and the like and I'm quite good with the API. But my art capabilities leave a lot to be desired so it would be great to do something with somone who can do some serious artwork.

I'm still a bit stuck For Ideas but if we get a few more people with different skills we should be able to create something pretty good.

There's something called UML which stands for Unified Moddeling Language which is used to coordinate projects made by teams of programmers rather than individuals, I don't actually know anything about it but I'll Find Out.

Anyone else Out there want to Join in.

[seanm]

Lets do it then.
Now, what and where?
In terms of what, I'd vote game. You can work pretty much anything into a game, from internet to database, and back again.
As to where, I'm not sure if the owners/users of this board would want us to post the ten-thousand mile thread, although I'd love to hear their input. How about we set a webpage/email account where we can toss suggestions around and post the resulting code?

[netSurfer]

As for where, you can get UBB free for non-commercial use I believe so someone can set it up on their web site. I would but I don't have one :-) Good idea though. I've always wanted to work on a game.

Hi guys, count me in, i have lots of time on my hands

[Sam Finch]

A game sounds good I've ordered DX7 and it should come in a couple of months(Hooray for the increadably speedy postal service we've all learned to be sarcastic about)

I had a look at UML and it looks like it's just glorified common sense so if we work out what we're doing and how we're going to do it we shouldn't really need it.

I don't have a web site either so if anyone wants to volenteer their web site for the thread that would be handy.

Anyone got any Ideas for Generes, Themes, Titles etc.

I Don't think we should go for a Fast real time game because if we're going to try get something like that fast enough we probably need to bugger about with threads and proccesses which is really hard or keep the game very small and simple, also the VB timer isn't that great for small intervals, but if anyone's got any experience with this sort of thing or has tried a fast game and succeded/failed it would be good to know.

Seanm,

Wish you guys luck, don't have the time myself to get involved.

Out of interest, have a look at www.planetsourcecode.com these guys are running a number of tutorials on dx7, as well as some posted projects detailing how to use it.

Hope it helps!

[seanm]

Thank you.
I'm hoping that we can keep this as informal as possible, I know that a lot of people do not have the luxury of devoting significant amounts of time to this sort of project. Any and all help, interest, suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated.
Thank you again,
Sean

[FantastichenEin]

Hey,
This sounds good
Keep us updated about the site.
Fant

[JorgeLedo]

Seanm,

I'm in for it I'm good at DB's and networking (maybe for multi-player option) and graphics design (just the artwork).

I suggest you create a user to this BB like "GaMe" and we all insterested look at the posts it starts OR suggest the board promoters to start a new Q&A topic like the " VB Square Developer's Code Book Beta Testers ".

[eduardo]

Hi! I think the idea is very good indeed. I have some medium knowledge of VB and I've done a little bit of just about anything, including databases, internet programming, math programming, etc. If you need a hand, keep me posted.

Regards,

Eduardo Rodrigues

[kedaman]

Im very very very interested I have programmed all kind of basix in 7 years, and almost done things by myself. (Nobody else interested and no one to ask qwestions to( And thats really a hard way to learn basic)) I have programmed about 100 gwbasic progs, 30 qbasic, 2 vb1, 50 vb3 and 100 in vb5. I am good at programming games and doing graphix. Not so good at Internet progs and databases. Developing many file-related apps and now thinking about making my own compression archiver. I have done very impressive things with the API too (like a program that snapps windows to each other), but i think i still have much to learn. Also, i don't have DX7 and think need it. Math has always been my strong side and I have done some wireframe 3d-graphix by my own. So im in!

[Sam Finch]

Cool, More people, We're not doing the thread here by the way, It might piss people off if we make loads of huge long threads about one project,I'm not sure exactly what we're doing as far as orgonizing it goes but Email seanm at [email protected] So far it's just me seanm and wotsisname who've actually emailed so we need some more volenteers.

I don't know exactly what we're doing but seanm suggested a sort of bank robbing game where you have to rob a bank, I think this is a great Idea and I reckon we could build that and then expand it into a bigger game whith more stuff going on. The 2 posts before me said they were mathematicians, I am too so It looks like we've got a good foundation to make it 3D. Email the address above if you want in.

[mjoseph]

I'd be very happy to help out with all the programming involved. Sam Finch would you happen to have an ICQ number or e-mail so I Could get in contact with you.

Thanks very much

[Sam Finch]

Yeah, I'm at [email protected]

I gave Sean's address at the message before yours

[Trevor C]

Hey Guys, I'm really interested in helping out too. I've done alot with API and for a few months i've started some game programming. I may not be the best, but I really enjoy it. I'm 16, but hey, age isnt a direct reflection on knowledge. Lets all post our ICQ numbers on here. Its a much better way to communicate than over a message board.
mine is: 34653158
oh, and for all you who are ordering dx7. Just download it off of Microsofts website. www.microsoft.com
and for a quick rundown of what you can do with dx7 in vb goto: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/ba.../html/dxvb.htm
well, Ill talk to you guys later.

Trevor

[MuldeR]

I'm also interesed in the project. I'm ready to help you. I know a bit about API programming and I know how to make and to use ActiveX DLL's, DDE, communication with Office products and on top of this I know the basics plus a bit more, because I work a lot with VB at my work.

My ICQ# = 41087303 and I'm ready to help.

Greetings,
Rudi Middel

[kedaman]

ICQ seems to be the best way of communicating, i think. So I suppose everyone that don't have it download it at http://www.icq.com

my ICQ: 12113437

[TetraD]

hey guys to tell you the truth VB is neither a fast or graphical language you'd have to limit the type of game maybe to a 2D strategy game but with all you guys doing this it could be pretty damn good if you guys want some pointers you could check out Space Empires 3 except you guys could make a much better version because that game to play multiplayer you have to be on the same computer or get the file on disk so the other person could play their turn with all you guys there you could really make a popular game. I hope you guys really do this because this could really turn into something people will really use..
In short go for it but don't shoot TOO far above the limits of the language

[kedaman]

TetraD, you are pretty damn right about that. VB is not really for making games. But, what should I say. Most of my games are done in VB and most of them are 2d-strategy or 2dRPG and 2d-action. My 3d-engine, is really buggy and slow and of course wireframe, that's nothing compared to the 3d-games out there. But i have done some good unfinished 2d-game platforms that does 3d-terrain and sprites. But the graphic design has always been too boring for me.

Comment me!

[parksie]

Yeah, could be pretty fun. I'm in. One question: why use DX rather than OpenGL? I've tried both, and OGL definitely seems easier/faster to use (example program in DX6 was 2000 lines, same prog in OGL was about 150...). Since I'm doing maths/physics I could help with any mechanics.

[bontyboy]

Hey I'm definitely up for the challenge. I have been using VB for about 7 months and I am working on a billing application for a internet company. I am definitely up for learning new things.

bontyboy

if you are still interested in a UBB forum, let me know, I have one up and willing to host your forum (4 free ofcourse!)...

[Sam Finch]

Right Ive just downloaded ICQ and I'm Number 98317194

By the way those of you badmouthing VB stop it.

[DiGiTaIErRoR]

Hmmm, I do have a lot of free time.... Well, if you guys want another person you can count me in. I've been fairly interested in VB game development. I've used it for about 1 1/2 years. I really havn't explored OpenGL or DX. If I need graphics done I use Adobe PhotoShop, 3D Studio Max, etc. But I'm a fast learner plus math comes easy to me. To sum this up I think I'ld have fun helping so e-mai me if you're interested.